You know what l like?
The ancient Greeks. The Egyptians. The Romans.
Alexander The Great. Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.
The Trojan Horse,
the gladiators, chariot races.
Spectacular murders and suicides. The eruption of Vesuvius.
Temples, amphitheaters, arenas.
Mosaics, frescos, baths.
I remember those things as if I learned them yesterday.
But then the Middle Ages...
It was over, like... it was over the summer, into the beginning of August.
I did do that. Yeah, I did.
But I told my parents that what I was doing was...
But then the Middle Ages. Fuck that! A blip of a disgusting mess.
The renaissance, the beginning of the end.
The modern age, the... just look at us.
And American history? What is that?
I remember studying it in high school and praying for the British to win.
Praying for the Native Americans to slaughter the pilgrims.
For the whole kit and caboodle to go up in smoke,
both sides of the Civil War.
And both World Wars, and Korea, and Vietnam, and Kuwait,
Iraq, Afghanistan... who needs that... they don't.
They don't care. Neither do I. Neither do you.
I'm not going.
Oh, it takes three months to get a reservation at this place...
And Stan got it overnight. Congratulations. I'm not going.
You refuse to go to their place. You never want to go anywhere.
I'd rather stay home. With you.
That restaurant's a joke anyway, it's ridiculous.
It sounds super exclusive and sexy and... food art!
- Like going to France. - During the German occupation, maybe.
I'm sure we're going to get a great table.
A great table at a great restaurant, a great dinner and great company.
- And it comes at great expense. - Stan will pay.
Not that kind of expense.
You pay a bigger price for not picking up the check.
Okay...
- In there. - I know how...
That goes in there.
- Okay. - Thank you.
- How are you feeling? - Great. You?
Punished.
I just... I don't want to see these people.
- What's so funny? - It's you. You.
This routine we go through every time we want to leave the house.
"These people."
You're right. These leeches. These maggots. These... these apes.
Let's cancel.
I want you to think about tonight as a date with me.
The two of us out on the town. Come on, we're gonna ditch them at some point.
We'll go have a nightcap somewhere. It'll be fun.
You know Michael has a girl over.
- Is that a bad thing? - She looks twenty-five.
- She's twenty. And she's very nice. - Is she a college student?
- A barista. - So he's drinking coffee now?
Not coffee. He's drinking caramel salted hot chocolate with whipped cream.
- What? What's bothering you? - He tells you too much.
No, he doesn't, he just tells me everything.
Not everything, butjust too much. You treat him like a daughter.
Come on, let's go. Get ready. I don't want to be late.
I thought you didn't want to go.
If we're late, it's just another victory for the apes.
- We're going to be too early now. - We'll get a drink at the bar.
Let's, you know, they have like a lounge thing. At least, you know, online.
- Love you. - Love you too. I really do.
It's pretty much unbearable.
No. I have the spreadsheet, yes.
I know what he said, I was there.
Thank you.
Congressman.
- Is this really happening? - Dude, we're so fucking dead.
Dad?
- Dad? - Hey.What's going on?
- What are you doing on my floor? - Just... Nothing. Just looking for you.
- Why? - I don't know. Just looking for you.
- Where's the girl? - The girl has a name, Dad.
Okay, where's Jennifer, Michelle, Zoey...
- Anna. - Anna!
Yeah. And it's not like that. We're just friends.
- Tell Anna to come up, we don't bite. - Do you know where the bike pump is?
I don't know, have you tried the bushes in the back garden?
Why would it be in the bushes...
- Okay then. - Sure. Yeah.
We have to go out to dinner with the hominids.
- Who's that? - The Great Apes.
Don't they teach you anything in school these days?
See. You do bite.
- Hey, I found your pump. - Hello. Anna.
We'll be out of your way real soon.
- Are you a smoker, Anna? - What? No.
Good for you. Keep away from cigarettes.
If you kids are hungry there's plenty of food in the fridge.
Not that you're a kid, you're a young person.
I mean, we have a coffee machine if you want a coffee.
I understand you're in the hospitality business.
Yeah.
APERITIF
Lohman.
Oh, here it is. For four.
Mr. and Mrs. Lohman have not arrived yet.
Oh, yes we have. Would you like to see my driver's license?
No, I mean...
- I know what you meant. I'm his brother. - Of course. I apologize.
I accept your apology. But he wouldn't if it was the other way around.
- Of course. Right this way. - Mr. and Mrs. Lohman, welcome.
So glad you could join us this evening. Mrs. Lohman, can we take your coat please?
Hello.
- Thank you. - Stay where you are, guys.
That's it for tonight. Good job. Good job, everybody.
Thank you.
- Now go home. - No, I'm coming in.
- There's no need. Just give us a call. - I'm not leaving you alone tonight.
Not with everything that's going on. I mean, seriously, Boss!
Okay.
I don't want to be disturbed during dinner.
That's fine.
Wait. Hold on, congressman. It's a D.C. number.
- Who is it? - The Speaker.
Oh. Great. Great. Great.
Mr. Speaker, before you say anything,
I want you to know that I'm working on Parity votes and we are close.
Here we have a garden of young vegetables for you while you wait.
Chantenay carrot, breakfast radishes, wild fennel and Tokyo turnip,
served simply with olive oil from the Peloponnese,
infused with rosemary from Oregon.
- Tarragon? - Oregon. The state.
- Oregonian Rosemary. - I see, and I know it's a state.
- I thought they grew oregano in Oregon. - Funny.
- Yeah. I know. - Also there is a light dusting...
Anyway, we don't have thyme for rosemary. So take it away!
There is a light dusting of...
- That is delicious. - Himalayan pig salt.
Can you taste the wars, the plagues
and the fire bombings, lightly doused with a drizzle of famine
- and polished off with volcano eruptions? - He's showing off now.
He used to teach.
Here's the wine menu for your selection.
No. No, the campaign is not slowing me down at all.
In fact I'm more determined than ever.
Yeah, l just need tonight to tally everything up.
- Come on, Stan, we have to go. - Yeah, sorry. Sir, I'm sorry, I gotta go.
Gotta go. Yeah, I'll have those votes by the morning. Kate sends her best.
Love... to you and Cindy. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye.
- Jesus Christ! - What?
Did you see how much a bottle of the pink shit we just ordered costs?
Don't worry about it. I'm sure Stan won't mind.
That's immoral. That's an act of war.
- That's... - It's champagne.
I'm not drinking something that expensive.
- You don't have to drink it. - It's fucking wrong.
Here we go.
Hello, Congressman. Good to see you again. Welcome back.
- I don't think you were here last time. - I was in France.
- Hey. - I'm so sorry that we're late.
- Paul insisted we were early. - Really?
Actually I insisted we were on time.
Paul.
- It's been a hell of a day. - Can we just go out and get pizza?
- Why, what's wrong with this place? - Nothing.
- Everything. - Nothing.
- You look good, Paul. - Thanks.
Not as good as my brother
but, then, I don't spend as much time in make-up as he does.
Why don't you just take the compliment and move on, Paul?
- You look good too, Katelyn. - Thank you.
You are your usual gorgeous self, Claire.
Thanks.
Very nice to see you. Please, please sit down.
Sometimes it's very hard to avoid people.
Claire. Claire, look at you. Great. It's been too long. Brother.
Worried about you there. Didn't think you were going to make it across the room.
I got my posse here with me. Highly trained bodyguards.
You can stop smiling now, Stan. It's just us.
Give it a rest, will you? This is long overdue.
What were you talking about?
We were just enjoying one of those awkward pauses, as they say.
- Not talking about anything. - Not talking about anything.
We're going to talk tonight.
We'll put it all on the table, talk it all out...
- Is something wrong? - There's a lot...
- Stand, don't... no, no don't... - He doesn't like the table.
- No, it's alright. We're fine here. - No actually the other room is better.
This one is private enough.
- Private as a fish tank. - Just a second, I'll be right back.
I'm not moving. I'm not.
Thank you, Antonio. Thank you.
It's my pleasure.
Alright, a toast...
To beautiful wives.
- How about to the children! - To health.
To getting through this dinner in one piece.
Cheers.
Gentlemen, we have a potage of honeynut squash...
APPETIZER
...mixed with some candied sees and some acorns, pea shoots, roasted garlic
and a pecorino sardotuile. It's quite delicious.
Ladies are having our young winter roots:
those are Chiogga beets,
thumbelina carrots and purple radish that's served with a goat cheese
and smoked herring vinaigrette.
There's also a few charred leeks, radicchio, blood orange
and it's sprinkled with a burnt pumpernickel soil.
That's the one.
Please, feel free to start eating those appetizers.
This is gorgeous.
Those winter roots were grown right here in our garden.
I'm terribly sorry. The cork doesn't seem to want to be...
co-operating with me on this one.
So I'm going to run to the back and get another bottle. My apologies.
No, it's fine.
Always get the nurse to draw your blood, not the specialist, right Stan?
- I don't know what you mean. - He was very embarrassed.
He shouldn't be waiting on us. That's what the waitresses are for.
Well, you know, we're friends.
- So what? We're just people having food. - Eating very good food.
It is delicious, isn't it.
Excuse me. Just a second. Okay? I'll be right back.
- Okay. How's it looking? - We're fifteen shy.
You have to flip them. Grant switched.
Murphy is back to wavering, so that was a good call.
The insurance lobbyists are fighting on your parity language versus ACA.
- Of course. Expected. - And we're here... why are we here?
Okay, just... just dial.
You know it's... what's up with Katelyn?
- You've met my brother. - Okay, yeah, that's the thing.
You leave a fundraiser in the middle on a night we should be going to DC
to invite your psycho brother to dinner?
All the time I've known you, you haven't cancelled anything without consulting me.
It's a family, it's a family matter.
- That's all you need to know. - Are you fucking kidding me?
You are running for governor. Your bill is going down in flames.
Nothing is private.
This is private and it will stay private for now.
- After tonight it... it'll all be over. - You are freaking me out.
Tell me what is going on.
- I'd take a bullet for you. - Don't take a bullet for me. Ever.
Don't even talk like that. I don't know why you just...
This is my bullet.
Dial.
Please, just dial. Thank you very much.
- You're welcome. - Just put all this on my tab.
- How are you doing tonight? - Hey, very well. Thank you.
Look, can someone just call a cab or something?
Oh, no, I don't have enough for all the way home. What about you, Beau.
- I got three dollars. - Don't you have your mom's credit card?
Oh, no, I can't. I mean it maxed out last month.
Month before. And the month before.
And these cabbies want cash from kids anyway.
- What about your dad's driver? - He's campaigning upstate.
Anyway, Dad doesn't want his kids chauffeured around anymore.
- Doesn't look good. - He's a man of the people.
Oh, so that's why Aunt Barb and Uncle Stan adopted you, eh? For the people?
- Okay, look, that's not funny. - I'm sorry. I was just kidding.
I mean everybody knows your dad has the African-American vote in the bag already.
- It's still not funny. - Stop messing with him, Michael.
Jesus. I take it back, okay?
Come on, Beau, lighten up.
Yo, that's pretty funny, huh? Telling him to lighten up.
- Get it? - You're an idiot.
Jesus. I'm just drunk, okay? Listen, I love you, cousin.
That's what's most important. Even if you can't handle your beer.
That beer was bad, it was spiked.
How can anybody fucking live in this town?
- It's a shit hole. - Everything sucks tonight.
It's a small health club.
You know, l just mind my own business and it's really nice there.
Yeah, l just don't really like health clubs.
I prefer to work out at home with an instructor.
- How's it looking? - We'll get there.
I'm so sorry, this was in the hallway.
- It's yours, no? - Oh, it's your pin.
- Here, let me... - It was in the foyer.
- Enjoy. - That cost you a few votes there, Stan.
- Go back to loving America. - Thank you.
- So how's Beau? - What do you mean?
- How's he doing? - No...
Don't you mean, "how are the kids?"
No. I mean how's Beau?
And then how's Val and then how's Rick? We don't... not necessarily in that order.
I didn't mean anything by it. We just speak to seldom about the kids.
- Itjust thought it was odd that you - That's okay.
So, so how is Beau?
Same as always.
I think that he's starting to open up with me and then something triggers him
and then he goes back to...
I have hope, so...
- He's always been Barbara's boy, so. - No, he loves you.
Is Beau still going to that special school?
Before and during the war,
there were dozens of breech-loading rifles and carbines.
- Both single and multiple shot. - Stan never objected.
I mean, I couldn't leave that kid there in that filthy orphanage.
God, that smile just won my heart.
You should have seen the looks we got at the airport. I felt so complete.
Yep. Yep. lt's okay, baby.
Honestly, I think our marriage needed it. You know, with the move and all...
It was the best thing.
Okay, Val. It's okay. Calm down, honey. You want to take her in the other room?
She can be a bit much sometimes.
She's done really well today.
- What are you reading, Paul? - It's a book.
He's researching Gettysburg. You know. For the book he says he's writing.
Right.
You should think about adopting, Claire. Michael's all alone.
I don't think I could ever love another child.
- Seriously? - No. No.
I mean, not with everything we went through with Michael. No.
Just trying to get pregnant and then almost losing him... no.
- I don't want to love another child. - I wish I had your clarity.
- Does that make me a horrible person? - No. No. Not at all.
I just...
It adds a lot of pressure, you know.
- I can handle it. - Pressure on Michael.
It can't be healthy for him.
Beau?
Hey! Hey, buddy, what is it?
Oh, it's alright. You're safe here, alright. No one's going to harm you.
- Rick! Michael! Get down here. - What did you guys do to Beau?
- Nothing, mom. - Really. Nothing.
- I'm not going to you ask again. - I just looked at him.
You have to stop picking on him!
How am I a racist?
Do I really need to spell this out for you?
I just think he instinctively exploits his position in the family.
It's fascinating. She was never like this with Rick or Val.
Do... are you listen to yourself.
You do realize you are accusing a child of playing the race card.
Exactly! It's just... it makes sense.
He's a kid, it's survival. It's Darwinian.
It get it, but i don't have to like it.
I'd be racist if I liked the little hypocrite
just because of the color of his skin.
- That's racism. - Oh, my God.
Or if my not liking the little shit affected
my opinion of Africa in general, or Kenya. But it doesn't.
I just have a bad feeling about him.
- I'm not a racist. - You don't even know him.
Well, I'm not a racist.
Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay.
You're not a racist, you're not...
I'm sorry I brought it up.
- Ehi. - What?
Do you think we should have given Michael a brother or a sister?
What? No. God, no. No, thank you.
Our family is perfect.
Perfect-ish. Okay?
But you can work on yourself.
It's not a doomed marriage. Watch. They'll have a fresh start in DC.
Who was the blind guy that said Washington DC
would make for beautiful ruins?
No, wonderful. Yeah. Wonderful ruins.
A senator from Oklahoma.
He was Gore Vidal's grandfather.
Oh, man, now I'm going to be up all night.
Google it.
That's cheating.
It's gotta be hard on Barb.
He's a needy, self-centered little shit.
Well he's hardly ever home.
I don't mean Stan. I mean Beau, the kid.
Okay, "the kid". You realize you still sound like a racist.
Hey, half of my students are black, okay? At least. More.
I'm the only person in my family who cares about real people.
You know, running for public office? Bullshit, Stan.
Elitist. Self-serving. Just like Mother raised him.
"Stan is for Stanley".
I teach public school!
I go to these kid's homes.
I speak with their parent's, I help them with their problems.
Decently. Idealistically.
I give them money sometimes for... you know, whatever.
I don't have corporate sponsors or lobbyists
or fund raisers.
I'm not racist, I am a warrior for the under-class
and I know how to ID an asshole in the making.
Wow.
I'm voting for you.
My mother and Stan. Jesus.
Did I ever tell you about the time she slapped me so hard I lost consciousness?
No.
God!
Its... she was always touching him, hugging him, and...
like some trophy.
Right there, on the staircase.
I was like eleven years old and I...
I said, "get a room, you two".
And she lost it. She just...
What was his name?
The press called him "The Blind Cowboy".
- Hey! Hey! - What was his name?
Hey, stop!
Stop.
It was kind of outrageous. What you said to her.
It was worth it though. It got her attention.
You weren't really unconscious, were you?
I just shut my eyes closed for a while.
I could hear Stan crying. He thought she'd killed me.
It was a beautiful moment.
Thomas Gore!
The blind senator.
Fuck Google!
Mr. Lohman.
- Are we okay? - Are we okay? I don't know, Heinz.
- Do you have kids? - No, I don't.
- Why not? - Pure selfishness.
I haven't stopped being a kid yet myself.
I think it's more selfish to have kids than to not have them.
- Talking about them is worse. - Sure.
I think we're duped into having kids by our genes who need to create hosts
to propagate themselves, ensure their survival into future generations.
- Yeah. That's what I think. - It's kinda dark.
Yeah, it's kinda bleak.
You chose well, Heinz. Don't let the fuckers get you down.
Who are the fuckers? The kids?
- People who want you to have kids? - The genes, Heinz. The genes.
Oh, of course. The genes, yeah.
Would your genes like a cocktail while you're out here?
I think they would. That's the feeling.
- What would you like? - A whiskey soda.
Absolutely, no problem. Coming right up.
Hey, let's get some beer before we get the cab.
I'm tired.
So what?
So am I.
The door's busted.
- What happened? - That was fucking quick.
There's somebody in there. It smells like shit...
- It's disgusting. - Shit.
- Is he dead? - I think so.
Well, Paul, turns out hitting the head was really an excellent idea.
- Should have thought of it myself. - You are such an unbelievable asshole.
I guess it's just the three of us. I can talk to her later about this.
I think she wants someone to follow her.
Really?
Yeah, that's how it normally works in the kingdom of the apes.
I'll go.
That's probably better. Thank you.
I can't be a father again. I can't do it.
You know, she's young. She deserves to have her own kids. I can't go there.
So she brings this up. Changes... the subject... at hand.
It's probably good she's talking to another woman about it.
She doesn't have many woman friends.
So sorry.
What have we got?
Okay. Well just check and make sure these dates work.
Okay, and I will help him in appropriations
but he's got to bring Gorin and Hazleton with him to my bill, okay.
Parity needs him. Thanks.
She's terrific. There's something to be said for that kind of dedication.
I'm sure there is, Stan. So what is the subject at hand?
Why did you invite us out for dinner?
You know what it is. We're way passed that point.
We're all so very at pretending, but we have to do something.
And for the record,
I didn't even know those boys were going the party that night.
- Does Katelyn know? - Yes. She knows.
She knows now, there's why...
I'm assuming that Claire knows everything.
- Don't assume. - Oh, for God's sake, man. Come on.
We don't talk about painful things.
She's been through a lot. I don't want her to get sick again.
I don't believe this! I don't get you. I don't get your life.
Who asked you to get anything?
Nobody.
MAIN COURSE
Oh my. Well. My bad.
Would you like to wait until the ladies return to the table?
No, no, no. Just put 'em down, it's fine.
Very well, Congressman.
Here we have guinea hen and yolk,
in a nest of foraged mushrooms on a bed of mustard...
- There's no need for the ceremony. - I want to hear more.
- Heinz, I thought we were friends. - May I, Congressman? For your brother?
Sure. Go for it...
- He's having line caught steelhead trout. - Paul, please.
That's okay.
That's okay, he'll be back.
Most women get sick of Stan three, maybe four weeks
after they start fucking him.
His first wife, Barbara, left him to go live on an ashram in India.
She lost it. You'd think it would make him more humble.
No.
Yeah, well anyway. We haven't heard from her in a while.
The only reason I'm telling you this is as a warning, in case you're falling for him.
Everyone falls for Stan.
Once you fall for him, I can't protect you.
He's not my friend. I'm not even voting for him.
In fact, I'm not voting at all. Ever.
You see, history is either a lie or a bore.
I tried to make the subject interesting when I was teaching.
Now I have no one to talk to.
Kids need to be entertained in order to learn, that's what I thought.
But I was wrong.
History can't compete with video games, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, lnstagram,
Snapchat, Vine, Kik, Burn Note,
Whisper, Yik Yak, Skype.
Tinder, Grindr, texting, sexting. Porn.
And that shitty, shitty, shitty orgy of mind-numbness they call Hollywood.
You see, kids? History can't compete.
History is over. Everything is happening in this second.
- Hello? - Dad?
- Michael, where are you? - Home. I've just been looking...
Sorry, I thought I was calling my phone.
- Well you were. You are. - You have my phone?
- Sure looks like it. - Why do you have it?
I have no idea. I must have thought it was mine.
One of those senior moments, I guess.
I've been looking for it for like forever.
Well, we'll be home in an hour or so. So...
No. I need it now. I just need some numbers.
You can ask me and I can look them up for you.
What's the... is the passcode the same as always?
That's okay. I'll just come and get it. Don't worry about it.
- How? - I don't know. I'll ride my bike.
What? No. Don't come up here. It's too far.
Hey, do you mind giving me a ride someplace? It'll take five minutes.
You know, sometimes l think l'm going to absolutely lose my mind.
Oh, Paul!
Dear sweet Paul.
I am a monster for keeping your wife away.
- Yes, you are, Kate. Yes, you are. - Oh, far from it.
She's been patiently listening to my complaints about work.
Sometimes it's just nice to connect.
But you never complain, do you, Kate?
Honestly, I've never seen anything like it.
Really? Well, never complain, never explain.
That's how my father raised me. For better or worse.
But I don't have anything to complain about.
I mean... we all don't. We're blessed.
Go inside. It's cold! And the Congressman is getting very lonely.
I just want everyone to be happy.
Is that so outrageous?
Of course not.
I'll be in in a sec.
Hey. Beau here. Tonight's okay. Let's get it done tonight.
Get it over with. I'll see you there, you wuss.
Hi love. It's Mom. I'm on my way home.
Dad and I are going to a restaurant. I'll make sure we'll stay out late.
Your father doesn't know about tonight and I'd like to keep it that way.
I'll check in with you around ten. Please don't stress.
Take your bike. It's all going to be fine.
Nobody will ever find out if we just keep cool.
- Dad? - Hey.
I thought I'd meet you outside, I really feel guilty about the phone.
Here you go.
Were you just on my phone?
- Who were you talking to? - You.
- What? - I was trying to call you.
I was worried about where you were.
This is my phone. How are you trying to call me on my own phone?
Yeah, l guess l'm losing my mind. Again.
- You really think he's dead? - I guess.
- Oh shit, you smell that? - I think he's still breathing.
How old is the fucking, old is the fucking guy. He fucking died in... his shit.
- That's horrible. - It's not horrible, it's great.
You want to get the money or not. Let's go!
Tell me you're not thinking of goin in there.
Come on, when are you ever going to see a dead body again?
Who cares, let's go.
Just do what Michael says.
Jesus! Let's get out of here.
It's just a fucking homeless bum.
- I think he's still alive. - Let's just find another ATM.
Come on, don't be a pussy.
Jesus.
Yo, get up.
- Get the fuck up. - This guy's probably deranged.
- I'm out of here. - You're such a fucking wuss.
- Beau, come on. - How are you gonna get home?
Come on. We'll just get him with the cab.
Look at this homeless piece of shit.
Hey, why don't you get up.
- Stinko, why don't you get the fuck up! - God, it smells like rotten eggs.
He probably has some fucking food in there.
Hey, mister, get up!
There's one of you and there's two of us. You better get the fuck up!
Come on, get up!
What do you want, you spoiled bastards. Get out of here.
- Goddamnit. I said, fuck off! - Go find someplace else to sleep.
- Get a fucking job. - You shut your face, you little shit!
- Why don't you shut your face, witch! - Shut up, you little fucker.
Get outta here! Mike, Mike!
You fucking kick me like l'm an animal!
- Check this out. - No, no... come on.
You don't know where l've been, fuck you! Stop it!
- You leave me alone! - Fuck you!
You leave me alone! Get outta here!
Get out! I got an idea.
What, what?
- Leave me alone. - Garbage for garbage.
You fucking shit.
Dude, come on. Come on, let's go. We're outta here, we're out. Come on.
- Hey look. - Oh fuck, you threw it right at her face.
Fuck... filthy piece of shit!
- You looked, didn't you. - I did. I know. I saw.
It's just... really weird, talking about this right now.
- Weird? That's a weird choice of word. - It was just supposed to be a joke.
You threw a burning match at her as a joke?
She shouldn't have been there.
I mean, the whole place stunk, Dad.
She yelled at us, she cursed us. I mean, she threatened us, Dad.
We just needed the money to get home, that's all, okay?
But she was like a fucking animal! She was like a raccoon or something.
And we just couldn't get her out, that's all. We couldn't do it.
I mean, you would have done the exact same thing.
What did she do?
- She's gotta go get home. - I get it.
- Okay? - Okay. Can we talk about it later?
There's no need. As long as nothing happens, nothing happens.
Are you being serious?
Hey, Michael Lohman, you've known me sixteen years. Am I serious?
I can't tell.
Time is what we need. Time's on our side. Time is our friend.
That's how the news cycle works. It's old news already.
You know, you got lucky. We got lucky.
I remember when I was teaching, time was not like this. It was...
- It was different. - Stop, stop, stop, stop. Okay.
You're gonna spin out, okay? You just need to stop talking.
- Okay. - Okay.
All I'm saying is we'll get through this.
We always do. You and me, right?
- Yeah. - You and that basketball.
I got this under control. I always do.
You remember when you threw that ball? I went in there and I said...
I took the rap. That's what father's do.
I don't know what I should tell you about it. I didn't throw that ball.
I got this.
- I'll pay for the damages. - You did it on purpose.
- It was an accident. - A kid can't throw that strong.
- Why would I want to break your window? - How the fuck would I know?
Do you mind?
Just tell me the truth, man.
I came here to pay for your lame ass window, not to hear you talk.
You have no idea what we're going through right now, okay?
He's sorry. He said as much. That ball is like his best friend.
Shit happens. Things get broken.
I asked you to name your price. Be civilized.
I'm being more than civilized. I'm being fucking magnanimous.
- Are you fucking kidding me? - How much for the goddamn window?
- It is not about money! - I could buy the store if I wanted to.
Burn it down to the ground. Save a few lives.
I remember you. Your wife...
She used to come in here all the time to buy cigarettes.
Well, she won't any longer. Because you killed her.
- I don't want to be with sick people. - Listen...
- Good morning, Claire. - Good morning, doctor.
You're looking pretty today. Are you expecting guests?
Any minute.
- Is she going to die? - What? No!
I'll see her at home then. I don't like it here. Let's go home.
Alright, let's go around.
I like doing this. Let's go around again.
Let's get faster as we go.
Okay, give me the phone. You gotta get rid of that footage.
- Just stop. Dad, stop. - Just give me the phone.
- No, I'm not going to do that. - This is not a game, Michael!
- You gotta give me that goddamn phone. - I'll be right there.
She smokes? You told me she didn't smoke. You know how your mom and l feel...
You fucking scared her, okay.
- You're being suck a fucking weirdo. - Keep your voice down.
- Does she know about this? - What, about Mom's cancer?
- No. About the ATM. - Of course she doesn't know about that.
Why the hell did you and Rick have to post that stuff online?
- Did you think it was funny? - It wasn't us, okay.
- Jesus! - Are you listening to me?
Yes! l am! l am listening. You're the one who's not fucking listening.
I am listening. I listen to you too much. Where are you going? What are you doing?
Who posted it online? Who posted it if it wasn't you?
You can't walk away from this. That video will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Dad, for the last time, shut the fuck up, okay?
God, Anna's going to take me home and then I have stuff to do.
But you have to stay the fuck out of my business, okay!
- You're in big trouble. - God damn it!
- You're such a fucking child. - Okay. I'll just shut up.
When are you going to act normal for once?
- Oh, boy. I do my best, Mike. - Yeah?
Well your best is pretty fucking lame.
Sweetheart, what are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting.
Dad stole my phone.
No, I didn't... there was a mix up. I thought it was mine.
How much do you know?
Paul, I think you should go inside. You've been pout here a long time.
They're wondering if you've left.
I'm not hungry, and don't talk to me like I'm a retard.
Mike, come on. This is crazy. I'm outta here.
Go.
I thought you were on my side.
You have to know that first and foremost
I was thinking about you and your wellbeing.
I was afraid you wouldn't be able to handle this...
- Since when? How long have you known? - Oh, honey.
You know, Michael said that he and Rick didn't put that hideous video online.
- They didn't. - Who did?
- Honey... - Who? Don't call me honey.
Beau! Beau did it.
He found it on Rick's computer. The footage that they shot...
Wait, where's Michael going tonight?
He's going to pay Beau the money he wants to keep quiet.
- Are you fucking kidding me? - Calm down. He'll keep quiet.
It's under control.
He's angry at Michael for calling him a wuss.
- Where's the money coming from? - Well it's coming from our account.
- It's only a few thousand. - A few?
No, and then everything's going to be fine.
How long have you known it was Rick and Michael?
Since when, exactly. You tell me!
Michael called me after it happened. They needed a ride home.
Jesus. You liar. You thief!
Calm down.
- Do they know about Beau and tonight? - No. I have it under control.
Which means you don't. What are you in charge?
What's my role in this family? Who am I... the village idiot?
This whole time I've been the odd man out.
It's been you and Michael.
And I'm just... you know, it's just... I'm alone.
- No. - I'm alone.
- You're his father. - No, I'm the lunatic. It's Gettysburg.
- You're going back to Gettysburg? - No it's not. It's not Gettysburg.
It's not Gettysburg.
Okay?
Let's go in.
It's cold.
Wars are won or lost on the basis of irrational considerations.
Like Hitler in Stalingrad. Remember that.
As it happened, for General Lee and the Confederate Army
Gettysburg was the beginning of the end.
May. I. Please. Have. Your. Fucking. Attention!
There you are.
Good.
Well now that I have your attention...
I'd like you to think about something
when you go home to your miserable lives tonight.
I want you to think about this:
How many people do you think there would be in this country without wars?
I'm not saying that the Civil War wasn't fought for legitimate reasons,
but if everyone had been able to go on fucking, instead of going to war...
anywhere in the world, how many people would that leave on our dying planet?
Do the arithmetic for me. For the next time we meet.
I'm going to go outside and get a breath of fresh air.
Do whatever you want.
Just clean up after yourselves.
You sad, pathetic, doomed shitheads.
Sit down, Klein. Thank you, okay... let's do some math.
In a group of, say, a hundred people how many assholes are there?
In an average group, say?
I'm serious. How many parents who humiliate or deny their children?
How many morons with stinking breath who refuse to do anything about it?
How many constant whiners, complainers?
Rapists. Embezzlers. Liars. Thieves.
Dirty politicians. Cheaters.
Could be your mother. Could be your brother.
You, for example.
How many of you would be happy if some of your friends were gone tomorrow?
You, for example.
How many of you would be happy not to see some of your class mates tomorrow?
Gone. Dead. Buried. Their desks empty.
Show of hands.
Come on. You don't have to name names. Show of hands. Klein.
Exactly. Now a little closer to home. Members of your family?
The uncle with shitty stories?
The molester.
Oh, boy. You know about those.
The ugly cousin who mistreats her dogs?
The verbally abusive mother.
Think of how happy you and your loved ones would be if that uncle
or adopted cousin were to step on a landmine.
Or get hit by a military strike.
Just like that. Wiped off the face of the earth.
Yeah, that's good. Just like that. Wiped out.
Just like that. Just like that. Wiped out.
You'd be happy, right? You'd be pleased.
You'd support the idea of war.
Because families are oppressive. And unloving. And cruel.
Okay, stay with me.
Now imagine, because families are oppressive, unloving and cruel.
Okay, stay with me.
Now think of all the victims of all the wars there have ever been in the past,
and now think of the tens of thousands of assholes hundreds of thousands,
maybe more, millions, that we need around like a hole in the head.
Now, from a purely statistical standpoint, it is mathematically impossible
that all the victims of wars were good people, whatever that means.
The true injustice of history is that the assholes
appear on lists of innocent victims.
Their names are carved into the memorials
with the noble and the virtuous and the good.
"Nausea, constipation, somnolence,
dry mouth, dizziness, sweating,
nervousness, fast heartbeat, hypertension...
sexual dysfunction."
But she said that she wasn't expecting
any of these problems at this dosage. Remember?"
Is that all?
Impaired coordination, memory impairment, short term memory loss,
which, I guess, is memory slips, right?
Or something like... I don't think we need to look at this anymore.
What about personality changes?
That's not a side effect. That's the effect.
Is that good?
It's right here.
I'm glad we're doing this.
I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't want to do it, Paul.
I thought the shrink suggested it.
- Oh, shit. - Take it.
That's oaky. I'm going to turn it off.
- There's no shame in getting help, Paul. - There's help in getting shame.
- Am I causing you shame? - You're shaming my cause.
Are you just going to flip every sentence I say, is that it?
I'm going to say every sentence you flip.
- Jesus. - Susej.
Susej. Good. You're good. You're a knucklehead, but you're good.
It's a lot. Three CDs.
Are you sure you want to do all of this?
Yeah.
You are on hallowed ground. The exact place where events
changed the course of American history.
Though it is the bloodiest place in America,
there is a deep peace to be found here at Gettysburg.
If you let it, this land will speak to you.
Now, let's go.
Please pay attention for this sound.
As the sun rises behind clouds on July 1st, wisps of mists
partially obscured the figures of confederate soldiers
as they make their way across Marsh Creek.
At 7:30am, union lieutenant Marcellus Jones of Illinois,
borrows a soldier's carbine rifle and says:
"Let me have the honor of opening the ball."
He rests the rifle across a fence rail
a column of rebel infantry crosses Marsh Creek.
He fires the first shot of the greatest battle ever fought
in the western hemisphere. Gettysburg begins.
From mid-morning till mid-afternoon on July 1st,
these woods see some of the most intense fighting of the battle.
For both armies, it is now a race to the battlefield.
Rebel reinforcements along the Harrisburg road
and smashed the Union right flank at Barlow's Knoll.
In less than twenty minutes, these Yankees are retreating in disorder.
Soon the entire federal position if forced to retreat.
In about a mile you will pass the site of General Lee's headquarters.
As the union forces retreat through the town of Gettysburg,
the homes and streets turn into a chaotic,
vicious, bloody battlefield.
From Seminary Ridge located to our west, Barksdales brigade
explodes from the woods with the general arriving fifty yards
in front of his fourteen hundred men.
The Mississippians crash into the right side of Sickles
lined in the peach orchard. Union line explodes like over ripe fruit.
There is little protection on this exposed high ground.
Men take cover the best they can.
Please pause the audio until you reach Little Round Top.
On the heights of Little Round Top...
Paul, come on. Let's keep going.
From the heights of Little Round Top and Cemetery Hills
men fire into the sights of rebel lines...
...through scores of men and smoke and dust...
...concussion fired. Lines break.
No!
The Union troops surge back, pushing against the rebels
now dwindling in numbers as they fall.
Union reinforcements swarm over the ridge.
The few men who break the Union line are killed,
wounded or captured. It is known as the hard watermark of the Confederacy.
Never again will the Confederacy
come so close to winning the Civil War as they do here
on this moment, on this day; July 3rd, 1863. Gettysburg.
This is too much. I know. I'm sorry.
Almost as many here as the Vietnam war. You realize that? Fifty thousand.
What are you talking about? Millions of people died in Vietnam.
I'm talking about Americans. You know what I'm talking about, give me a break.
I don't see you crying.
People express emotions in different ways, Paul.
It doesn't mean I don't have any.
- Are you saying I'm weak? - I'm not saying you're weak.
I'm saying... I'm saying that you are who you are.
And I accept that. I accept you. I'll always accept you.
We're different people. So what? Big deal.
I will always accept you. Come on.
What are you trying to say?
What are you saying?
We have had a history of mental illness in this family for generations.
So maybe it's...
it's time for us to actually do something about it. We need to deal with it.
- What are you saying? - I'm saying mom was a wacko.
And dad? Where was he? The guy checked out, it was...
We had each other. It was you and me. You remember?
And I always looked out for you.
- I still don't see you crying. - Look.
You always thought that l had it easier than you. That I had the run of the house.
Mom liked me better. All of that. This is all bullshit.
Someone had to be the adult in the house and it wasn't going to be Mom.
I didn't ask for the job, okay.
Yeah, l can see you're all broken up about it.
Come on. Paul, stay here. I wanna talk.
- We're talking. Please. - Fuck you!
- Don't be a baby. - Fuck you!
It doesn't matter what we teach. We learn nothing.
I've done nothing with my life.
He destroyed me.
He took time off to be with you.
He's a busy man. He cares about you.
Yeah, well...
Only one side wins in a war.
No, no, no, no... come on, Paul. He's your brother.
You gotta tell him what's going on.
I'm okay. I'm okay.
I've been thinking. I'm not going to write the book.
There's you know, we know too much about the Civil War.
It's time to un-know it.
Did you take your pills?
- Yes. - Okay. Thank you.
Did you have dinner last night?
I wasn't hungry. Stan ordered something to his room.
- Paul, are you ready? - How's Mike?
He's good. He's good. Do you want to talk to him?
It will make you feel better. Okay?
- Hang on one second, I'll get him. - No, no, no.
Paul, come on. The car's waiting.
- Are you there? - Let's go, Paul. We gotta go now.
Paul?
- Please pick up the phone. - Paul!
- Open the door now! - Alright.
Alright. I'm coming, I'm coming.
Sorry.
What did you do?
- What... do you have the key? - I'm gonna go get some ice.
- What did you do? - Punched a mirror.
Paul... Paul...
Please stop me if you've heard this one before, but I am a cheese fanatic.
CHEESE COURSE
I could talk about this for hours. I could tell you the names of the cows.
You seem like very nice people so I don't want to bombard you
unless you ask me to.
So, very quickly, starting by region:
from Vermont this is a Harbison cheese, it's a very gooey cheese.
If you cut it in half it will spill out.
So you need to make an incision on the top rind
and eat it with a spoon or with a fork.
Also from Vermont we have the Bayley Hazen Blue cheese.
It's a very flavorful blue cheese. Personal favorite of mine.
From New York state, the Hudson Flower.
Hudson Flower is a riff, if you will,
on the Corsican classic: Fleur de Maquis. The Hudson Flower.
In the middle, the centerpiece, is the Mimolette, from France.
The infamous Mimolette. The controversial Mimolette.
You may have heard of this cheese the FDA tried to ban it.
We have it here for you today. Mimolette.
And finally, this is a tricky one,
it's a German name but it comes from Italy.
So, insertjoke about fascism here. Weinkase Lagrein.
Weinkase translates literally into wine cheese and Lagrein is the red,
the red wine grape variety that is found
in the valleys of northern Italy.
- So there you go. Any questions? - Don't move.
Let's just stay put from now on. Nobody leaves the table.
- Not even to go to the bathroom? - Yes, Paul.
What is this, EST? Scientology?
You know what l mean. We really need to talk.
And there's no reason why we can't talk about anything.
Discretely and pointedly.
- I think that window has closed. - No, Paul.
- I don't want to talk. - Please, dear.
We're going to put the truth
right here in front of us and we're going to do something about it, okay Paul?
If you could just get out of your head for a minute... Me? What about you, Scarface?
- Please don't go there. - You should have closed that door.
What happened to "We should be able to talk about anything at this point"?
Really, I don't think we need to turn this into something that's...
You're unbelievable. You know that? I could have put you behind bars.
You were protecting yourself. Your career.
Forgiving you is all I've ever done for you.
Keep your voices down, and Stan...
You think that forgiveness is the same as absolution.
You should have closed that door, you ape.
Stan, just go on.
Stan wants to talk about the truth.
It's not about truth, it's about the boys.
Let Stan say what he has to say.
We don't have to agree with him. But we can have a civil discussion...
- I want... - Please just give him a chance.
I want to know what truth is to a politician.
I want to know what the truth is to a child who made his parents
ignore his brother? You don't know half of it, Kate,
you're late to this party. Paul, stop. Enough.
You're being incredibly disrespectful to everyone.
Are you turning against me, Claire?
Is that it? Now? Of all the rotten times?
Have you always been against me?
You know, why don't you just say what is inside that small head of yours?
What is this Parity Bill, this thing you're working on?
I don't know what you're talking about.
This bill you've been working on, what is it?
What does it have to do with anything, this bill?
- Tell me. - Last year you told me it was boring.
No. Last year I told you you were boring.
Alright, you wanna know?
The Mental Health Parity Act, MHPAA,
is about closing loopholes in the Affordable Care Act
that requires medical insurers to offer mental health options
ensuring that mental health treatment is reimbursed
at levels exactly the same as physical.
Ultimately, it's about de-stigmatizing mental illness.
- So it's about, it's about me? - What is it about you?
It's your "fuck you Paul" bill. "Fuck you, Paul" as a federal law.
Look, this is about getting real treatment for people who need it.
It was Katelyn's issue before me.
"Every family has someone who suffers from mental illness."
"It's time to break the silence." I've heard his speeches before, Kate.
Do you enjoy doing this to me every single time when you expose me?
Is that your intention?
I'm not going to sit here and take this from you.
You're acting like a child!
Barbara cared about me. Barbara tried to make amends.
You don't have to protect your husband...
I am trying to protect you, dear!
So shut the fuck up and don't you dare talk to me like that!
I don't know why you think that attacking me
is going to stall this conversation because it's not.
You want to turn me into your hall monitor for tonight, fine!
Pipe down and listen, you ape.
Wow.
Sorry, congressman. I need you for a minute. It's really urgent.
- Are you sure? - Five minutes.
Five minutes. Nobody else moves, okay?
HOMELESS DEATH BY FIRE EDITION
HOMELESS ATM ARSON
- Hey. - Porn? In the kitchen?
Just listening to music.
- How are you? - Good. Great. Fine.
- That's three different answers. - Pick one. Any one.
You would not believe the day l had...
- Would you please come back to the table? - I think we should leave.
No. Everything's fine. It's not... Everything's going to be okay,
Just don't overreact.
How is it fine? We can't talk about the truth.
The truth is their son is going to rat out our son and his own brother.
He's getting his money. He's going to get his money tonight.
- Please, don't overreact. - It's my job to take care of things.
- I'm the father. - I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
Do not quote at me right now.
Take a deep breath.
What the fuck were those fucking kids thinking?
I don't know. I wish I knew. But it doesn't matter now.
They are good kids and they took a wrong turn.
And we're gonna get them back on track
and they're gonna move on with their lives.
Can we go home now?
We need to hear them out.
Your brother, he can be very practical. He's a dealmaker. Okay?
So don't antagonize him!
And lay off Kate. Because we need them both.
I don't want you to get sick again.
I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine.
Don't leave me ever again. Please don't die.
Stop talking like that. Stop. Stop talking... I'm right here.
- I'm right here. - He should have closed that door.
I asked him very calmly... I told him to close the door.
- I know. - Michael was just standing there.
I know.
Shit!
- Hey, buddy. - Hey. What are you doing here?
We just went by to see Claire and wish her good luck tomorrow.
- Right, thank you. - Are you going to invite us in?
- How are you doing, Paul? - You really should have called first.
Sorry, we didn't think it was necessary. Isn't it alright to just come over?
Yeah, how are you doing? How are you doing?
I was about to call Mike for his lunch.
I try to make every meal a celebration.
Take his mind off things. Mikey. We have guests!
Is he okay?
- How's he doing? - He's doing okay. I'll go find him.
Mike, your uncle is here.
- And his aunt. - And your aunt.
- Hey, bud. - There he is.
- Hey kiddo. - Hey, beautiful boy.
Look at you. Look at you, man.
We just came by to say hello.
Till in your PJs, huh?
Daddy gave me ice cream before lunch.
Did he?
Sometimes that makes everything better. I love that.
If you had come by tomorrow, you could have eaten off the floor.
Michael, why don't you go upstairs for a minute.
Just wanna talk to your dad for a second, okay babe?
Just for a minute, Barbara, because we really should eat
and then we were going to start cleaning your room, like we said.
- We'll see you in a little bit, okay? - We'll see you in a minute.
Okay, listen to me, Paul. We've been thinking. We have an idea, alright.
I can't take credit for it but I fully endorse it.
- We know how hard it's been for you. - We would like...
Would you let me talk, please? Would you just let me talk?
- Go ahead. - Thank you. You're an angel.
Barbara and I think...
It might be best for Michael if he comes and stays with is for a while.
Paul, let's get a maid in her. Until you get back on your feet.
Michael needs to start going back to school,
and you need to start visiting Claire again.
We understand what you're going through, Paul. We're just here to help, okay?
Yeah, get a bit of space. Relax, take care of yourself.
It makes perfect sense because we have that extra room.
I think, really, Paul, I think it'll be the best thing for us.
And Michael. It might be a good break for Michael.
He puts on a brave face, but children notice everything, Paul.
Hey, what do you say, brother? What do you say, huh?
My son and I were about to sit down to eat.
There's not enough food to ask you to stay...
We had lunch already. We didn't plan to have lunch with you.
We just thought with the operation tomorrow and all,
it would be best for Michael to come and stay with us for a while.
- Work with us. Come on. - I think you should leave.
- We can't leave you here like this. - Come on, man. This is insane.
Look at this place!
- Stan! - Come on! Wake up!
Look at me, be quiet! Look at me. Com on.
- Come on. For Michael. - And for Claire.
Please, Paul.
I'll help you. We'll all help you clean up the place.
Seriously, Paul, I'm sure even you realize this is not a good situation for a kid.
He should be talking to someone. Dealing with his feelings...
Stan is only trying to say that this may all be a bit too much for you, Paul.
We know you're trying to keep things normal for Michael.
- But this is anything but normal. - I really think you should leave.
His mother is ill. He needs strength.
He shouldn't feel that his father can't deal with life anymore.
- You need to find your center. - Yes.
- Do you know anything about meditation? - Okay, okay, alright.
Claire and I agreed we will keep things as normal as possible for Michael.
- We agreed. - Yes.
Well you should be with her right now, okay?
Yes, Claire's alone in a hospital bed right now. She needs you there.
Paul, listen to me, stop it, stop it, stop it!
This is the thing, we already spoke to Claire.
She agreed. It's all good...
- Whose idea was it? - It really doesn't matter.
- No, it does. It does matter. - Why?
Because if it was your idea then it's just the usual pathology.
You know, took my mom and dad from me and now he wants my child for his collection.
And don't tell me again that I got the larger inheritance
as proof of something. Or that I got the house...
Paul, at some point you're going to have to stop blaming
other people for who you are.
But I will not let you steal my son.
Paul, we are not stealing...
Stop saying my name!
You've said it eleven times since Michael went up, I'm tired of counting.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
- Okay, how about this... - Look at this! Look what you've done!
Don't worry about the food, okay. We can get him something else to eat.
- Close the door, Stan! - Paul.
- Michael, go back upstairs. - Close the door, Stan!
Close the fucking door!
Here we have our dessert course.
Our Melting chocolate egg with parsnip cake and grapefruit on Brazil nuts,
edible flowers and mint, topped with a salted whiskey caramel sauce.
And, of course, our bananas...
- I don't want it. Thank you. - Oh, but you must have it. It's beyond...
I must? No, I don't want it. I've had enough.
- You've never tasted anything like it. - I said I don't want it.
Can you take it away now, this is not up for debate.
Where were we? How is everything? Having a great time?
Yeah. Absolutely.
I heard there was a problem with the dessert. I'm horrified. I apologize.
- No, I'm sure it's fine. - Everything's fine.
- Desserts are on us. - No, you don't have to do that.
No, I insist. What a night. You know, the cork. The pin. The dessert.
- Oh... the horror! - It's all good. Really. It's all good.
- What else can I get you? - You can get fucking lost already.
Of course, we'll leave you alone.
You know, l hope you understand that my tolerance for your rudeness
it comes from the respect I have for your brother
and not from a tendency to back awayfrom throwing a man like you out.
Believe me, he understands.
I understand. But I don't necessarily respect you for it.
I'm sorry.
What kind of name is Antonio...
- He's probably not even French. - Come on. Let's go. Follow me.
Nina, can we have some privacy, please? Thanks.
Why don't we sit over here?
Katelyn, sit there, and you two on the other side.
Can you do that for me, please? Thank you.
Dirty rotten shit whore wants to go all mortal combat on us.
- You want to do this? - Yeah.
Come on, let's fucking do it.
Let's do it!
Get something big.
I got her right in the fucking head, dude.
Excuse me, sir, would you please kindly open the door.
You got it. You got it.
- Look what I found! - Oh, there you go.
Get the fuck out!
Gonna keep throwing shit at you all night, lady.
Fucking stinko!
Get the fuck out!
Let's get outta here.
Let's go.
Oh, shit.
You're using your bullshit political spin on the wrong audience.
Paul, I need you to be quiet now. Thank you.
I want to try to explain. I spoke to Rick. He's a mess.
We got a call from his school.
He spent the entire morning in the nurses, crying.
He's not eating, he's not sleeping.
I want to be clear, we've not had a chance to discuss this between us.
That's right. I'm speaking for myself, okay. I'm speaking for myself.
I've been trying to see this separately from my own political future.
Not that that is even possible.
The most important thing for me is my son's future.
I think it's possible that they won't be found out...
that maybe this case will never be solved.
But is that really what we want?
For the kids? For us? I don't think so.
I don't see myself living my life thinking that...
that my son was involved in a murder.
Wait a minute. Where did you pick up a word like that?
- You don't mean that. - That's going too far with that word!
She died of third degree burns.
You are blowing things out of proportion, Stan.
- This was an accident. - Yes. Of course.
- It was an unfortunate series of events. - Absolutely.
- That poor woman was savaged... - "Poor woman"? Come on, Stan!
What was that "poor woman" doing camping out there in the first place?
I mean, there are many places for deranged people like that to go.
- Homeless people everywhere... - Shelters we pay for with our tax money!
That's not the point. That's not the point.
She was in their way, Stan. She was dangerous and she was threatening them!
Michael said that things just got out of hand.
Just imagine how scared they were. They were shaking when I picked them up.
- These are good boys. - Not that night they weren't.
You weren't there! And I choose to believe my son.
Alright, alright let's not argue anymore. We have to stick to the point and...
Alright, this is the point, sweetheart: Imagine this, you open your door
and you have to step over a violent, disgusting bum!
Somebody who's totally out of control.
- What do you do? - It's a human being, Claire.
Do you pack up and move... I'm not talking about the homeless!
I'm talking about one bad person!
One problem. They were just trying to get her to leave.
I mean, it was an accident. We have to protect the boys now.
- What's done is done. - Of course it was an accident.
But the end result is the end result, so we have to work out what to do next.
Yes. Yes. Exactly. Thank you.
This is Rick and Michael's future we're talking about.
Yeah. That's exactly what l want to talk about. The future.
I don't think our boys can live with this poison inside them.
It's gonna rip them apart. It's already happening with Rick.
I spoke to Kate earlier, briefly, this afternoon.
She doesn't agree with me.
There are other ways to deal with this...
For my son. For his future.
The only way I can see him surviving any of this, us survive it.
- ...for him to go on with his life. - It doesn't make any sense.
- I can't even find the fucking thing. - May I?
Sure. Go ahead. Go ahead.
You're on your own. Good luck with your speech. I'll see you backstage.
I'm going to withdraw my candidacy.
For the good of my son. My family. Michael. You. All of us.
My bill will pass tomorrow, or it won't...
either way, after that, we're dealing with this.
- You can't do that. - Of course he can't!
You see, it's insane! After all that we've gone through...
No, no, that's not what I mean. You can't make this decision alone, Stan.
- I mean, we all have a stake in this. - Yes. And that's why I wanted to meet.
That's why I wanted to talk about this.
Figure out how we're gonna actually to do it.
- Do what? - Go public. As a family.
- To save our children. - Don't be a fool, Stan!
You make a decision like this you also decide the future of my son.
You have no right. l won't let you.
- He is my son - Our son.
And don't play the noble politician.
I hate to break it to you but it's not very noble.
It's not very modern. And it's not very you!
You'll get elected. You're ahead in the polls.
We can deal with this after everything is said and done.
How do you explain to your own son
that you're willing to have their prospects ruined!
His prospects are ruined anyhow! Not by me!
Be realistic. They got away with it. It's awful.
It's unthinkable. It's terrible.
But we have a responsibility, as parents, to help them cope.
You don't want to live with this, fine. Fine. Drop out.
- But don't expose them. - He can't drop out!
That's not your decision. - Oh, no fuck yeah, it is. Fuck yeah.
You feel bad, well then do something about it.
Make homelessness your number one priority.
Give a donation in this woman's name. You can make it right.
They don't even know her name! She has no name!
No amount of money is going to fix this...
What so you're gonna fix it...
you're gonna fix it by putting our boys behind bars?
Do you have any idea what happens to a beautiful child like that in prison?
- They're both minors. - They'll make an example out of them.
They are two white boys. They are gonan have a field day.
Another case of "affluenza". Right? Privileged kids...
Maybe they should make an example of them.
And maybe they desearve whatever's coming to them!
- Are you out of your fucking mind? - You think I want this?
They will serve their sentences and we will pick up the pieces.
And we will be with them every step of the way.
We will get them the best lawyers, thank God we can do that.
We will love them, we will care for them, we will care about them!
Believe me, I have looked at this from every possible angle.
- There's no other choice. - Yes, there is. You do nothing.
Yeah, l hate to tell you, l don't think this is a police priority
and then people will forget about it, it will just blow over.
- Rick will not forget. - He will come around.
- I won't forget. - It's not about you.
The system will fail them. We won't.
We can help them, we can really help them
find the right kind of care the right kind of counselling, medication.
- No, it'll help. - You're all about the second chances.
- Give your son a second chance. - It won't be enough.
It exactly what's needed.
Believe me.
I'm going to set a press conference in DC
first thing tomorrow morning after the vote.
I'll announce that I'm suspending my campaign.
Then Kate and I will sit down with Rick
and we're going to explain everything to him.
And then, together, we're going to drive to the police
and make a full confession.
We'll throw ourselves on the mercy of the court.
These boys have committed a horrific crime.
They'll have to pay for it. It's the only way for them.
I suggest you do the same with Michael.
I'm going to pay for this.
Are you just going to sit there? Say something.
Our son.
Not your son.
Our son.
Is this really happening?
Dude, we are so fucking dead.
Let's just go...
- Holy shit! - Let's go.
No, no, no, no.
Dude, come on. It's so funny!
It's not cool anymore...
I mean, look!
Let's go, come on! Hurry up!
I need to call Michael. What time is it?
- It's a little after ten. - Poor kid. He's been alone all night.
- What do you think, Paul? - Me? What does it matter?
- Claire's in charge. - Stop it.
No, seriously. You haven't said anything for a while. I want to know.
I don't think there's anyone innocent in this story.
Not even that woman. Not even Beau.
Certainly not Barbara. And not even you.
What do you mean Beau? Beau wasn't there.
He doesn't know what he's saying.
- Mom? - Hi, sweetheart. How are you doing?
- Not too bored I hope. - Beau wouldn't take the money.
- Says we need to pay for it. - How much?
Not money pay for it. To society or some shit.
- Okay. - He said I'm the real wuss.
I'm here with Dad and Stan and Kate.
And we'll be coming home soon so you have time to clean up.
- What did you have for dinner? - He's gonna turn us in.
He's gonna turn us in, Mom. He's gonna turn us in. I know, I mean...
Okay, listen. Don't worry.
It's just homework.
Everything always seems more complicated than it is. So sit tight.
I'm going to send Dad home. He'll help, alright?
I love you. I'll see you soon. Bye.
He's fine.
He's absolutely fine.
DIGESTIF
I don't understand what's taking him so long. I'll go find out.
No sweetie, we need to finish this conversation. Because it's not over.
- I know. I'll bring him back. - Not by a long shot. And it's urgent.
I understand, Claire. You're hurting my arm.
- Beau changed his mind. - What the fuck? Are you kidding me!
- He's going to expose them. - That dirty, rotten...
Where are Mr. and Mrs. Lohman?
We're right here for fuck sake.
Of course you are. But I mean the other Lohmans.
- I want it to be our decision. - Our decision?
Well it's not our decision because you've already made it.
Stan...
- What do you think, Nina?+ - Don't bring her into this?
She's always right here. You brought her into it.
- I think he's right. There's no choice. - Really? How is he spinning you?
I can think for myself, Kate.
I told her what she needs to know, that's all.
I'm trying to keep my mind open on this.
And listen, you haven't been listening to me all night.
I've listened to you when you've made me
feel like shit in there for not agreeing with you
and now you're making me feel like shit in here for not agreeing with you.
- I'm done, I'm done fighting. - Oh, no, sure you are.
Because either way you win. Either way I'm fucked.
I have given your family everything, Stan. Everything!
I've sobbed for days when you weren't around and Val was impossible;
I slept on the floor by Beau's bed for nine months when he had those nightmares.
I've nursed you every time you were down, I did my best with Rick.
I'm not their mother and you weren't there to defend me. But I fucking tried.
Because I love those kids. And I love you, so I didn't care...
I didn't care every time you got a hard on for some adoring little slut,
because I knew that you were shattered when Barbara left you like that,
and I picked you up so either way you would always come back to me.
And either way you needed me. Well either way...
Either way Kate is great! The eternal intern!
Oh sweet, tolerant, tolerant Kate. She won't mind. She's fine.
Well no, not anymore, Stan. Do you hear me?
Because if you walk away from this fight... I walk away from you.
Call a press conference for tomorrow after the vote.
Don't you fucking dare! Stan, listen to me.
Rick won't be able to handle this.
He won't. You don't know him like I do, I'm sorry. But he won't.
You're making someone else's tragedy ours.
It's our tragedy. Either way it's ours, it's everybody's.
- Call a press conference. - Okay, boss.
You do realize that this is everyone's life you're playing with.
- No, wait up. - What's in it for you, exactly?
Because it is not yourjob. Because you will lose that. Understand?
There's a lot you don't know about me.
A lot of things you never even bothered to ask.
You're right. l'm sorry. I'm selfish, right?
I'm the trophy wife. I'm the gold digger.
And everything you've ever said about me behind my back.
Did you ever bother to think that I'm a human being that has feelings?
No, probably not, but I don't care because I don't need your pity.
- And I don't need your support. - Stop it, honey. Stop, both of you.
I don't think you have any other move left.
Oh, no. Of course he does.
Stan, listen to me.
You will do more good as a governor
than you ever will as a father or a husband.
You're nothing without politics.
And that's not all you're nothing without.
You need me. More than l need you.
And those kids need a parents and that's a stone cold fact.
No.
No, we're talking about...
something here that is so extreme and so awful.
I'm talking about your debt to the woman who is raising your children for you.
It's the right thing to do, Kate. You know it is.
Sometimes the healing thing to do is to leave the wound alone.
Come on. Let's give it a week.
We'll talk about it, you and me. Not here. Not like this.
We'll go home, we'll go to the beach house.
We'll talk and we'll discuss this and we'll make a decision together.
As we've always done. Together.
What will he become if he gets away with this?
He'll just be our son.
Honey, I can't wait a week. I can't do it.
Okay, well give it a few days, alright? Five. Give me five days.
- I'll give you three days, okay? - Okay, three days.
- Thank you. - Sure.
Thank you.
I told you I didn't want to bring you into this.
I know how upsetting it is, but we can't go back.
He doesn't listen to reason. She has no power over him.
So we have to take matters into our own hands.
I'll take care of Stan. I can take care of him.
You have to take care of Beau. Can you do that?
You know, l don't feel so good. I haven't...
I haven't taken my medication. Not for a long time, for months...
I wanted to feel myself again.
I know.
When I do the laundry I find the pills you hide and forget to throw away.
That's why your pants pockets are pink.
Why didn't you say anything?
Because I wanted my Paul back.
Because you were numb for a really long time.
Because I was very lonely.
Listen,
I know that I let you down.
I know that Michael doesn't think I'm much of anything.
That you're close. That you...
it's just you two...
That you keep things from me.
- But I can still do things. - I know. Good
Then you can prove it. I need you... I need you to be strong.
- And I need you to be focused. - Yeah.
- And I need you to go take care of Beau. - Okay.
Take care how?
Talk to him.
Okay. Check's paid.
Let's go. Come on. Let's blow this Popsicle stand.
- Where are you... where is he going? - I don't know.
Sometimes you just have to let Paul go be Paul.
But listen, I want to talk about this press conference.
- There won't be one. For now. - For now.
For now.
- What do you mean? - As far as everyone's concerned,
you all just had a nice, long dinner.
Let's all go home. Do you need a ride? We can call you a car...
No, no, what do you mean "for now"?
- Heinz. - Mr. Lohman.
Well,
it's been a pleasure serving you and yours. Volcanic eruptions and all.
Yeah. Thank you.
- Thank you. - Yeah. I'm sorry.
- Alright. - Good night.
You're gonna give her three days?
I owe her that much, I owe my son much more than that...
Family isn't politics, Stan.
It's all politics. Don't be so naive. It's all strategic.
There's never a path that's been just right or wrong.
Just a lot of shitty choices. Someone always gets hurt.
Just like politics, just like every family that ever was.
Okay, so what happens now?
Some impossible happy ending.
I know. A real fucking fairy tale, Stan.
- Alright. Good night. - Yeah. Good night. Thanks.
War is always motivated by a profound act of love
much more than hate.
To fight a war you have to deeply love the cause
and transcend to sacrifice. You fight for who and what you love.
Freedom, power, land, treasure, religion, dominance, mother, country, leader.
- Open the door, Beau! - I love my family.
I love my family. I will go to war for my son.
- I will go to war as an act of love. - I know you're in there!
- I just want to talk. - You would do the same.
You would do the same.
- Hey, open the door. - No, no!
I'm his uncle, I just want to speak with him. Open the door.
Hey! Hey, stop! You don't have to hide from me, Beau.
You know, we never really got to know one another.
You're kind of unknowable. I'm not a bad person.
If anything I feel too much.
It's just... you've got to see things from a father's perspective though.
What you're planning to do, Beau, it's not right. It's not what families do.
Families work together.
Families work together to bury the ugly stuff.
Come on out, Beau. I just want to talk, you can trust me.
- Come on. - I'm sorry, uncle Paul.
Families will do anything to protect each other.
I don't want to hurt you, Beau, but what choice do I have?
You didn't give me a choice. Claire didn't.
It's ourjob to give Michael has a future.
You know l used to teach kids your age?
I thought they loved me but they didn't want to listen anymore.
Scaring you straight wouldn't work, would it?
I'm sorry, Beau.
- Beau? - Hey, Stanley.
I was just thinking. Reason is what separates us from the animals.
- Is he up there with you? - Reason is what's missing from our lives.
Just be quiet for a second. Is Beau up there?
- You can't google reason. - Did you do something with him?
- No. - What did you do?
- Nothing. - What did you do?
- What did you do with him? - I was just talking to him.
You don't talk to my son, do you hear me! You're nothing to me!
- Stan? - I'm done with you!
What did he do? Where's Beau?
I don't know. Why don't you call him... call him on your phone.
- Claire, over here. - What is going on?
- He's out there somewhere. - Beau?
It's okay, buddy. Come here.
- Hey, honey. - Beau?
I think he cracked a rib.
I was just talking to Beau. I was just walking to him, like you said.
I took care of him.
And then Stan lost his marbles.
- Are those the red numbers? - I should call Michael.
- I need to call Michael. - Say it again. Tell me again.
- That many? - What? What's going on?
- You're sure. - I'm going to call Michael.
- We got the votes! - We did.
Yeah, it's gonna pass! It's gonna pass!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, connect me to the whip. Get me the whip.
- The apes under the stars. - Shut up, you knucklehead.
No, no, not you. I was talking to somebody else.
Daddy took care of everything.
- Okay, call me. Now. - Mental health for all.
- Did you get him? - No, it's voicemail.
- He did good. He did really good. - This is funny. Apes with phones.
Fucking apes with phones.
- Oh, thank God, we were worried sick. - I love you.