1
[water running]
[woman] Early?
Early?
Yeah?
[woman] Mr. Mandam's here
from the funeral home.
Early?
Okay.
Do you need some help?
No, I don't need any help.
Are you sure?
[train horn blares]
[woman 2]
Well, that will happen.
I'm so sorry to hear that.
Yes, sir.
Can I have
Mr. Landry call you?
Very good.
You have a wonderful day.
He's checking his policy.
Dorothy's starting to
lose her mind. He says.
But hasn't he already
lost his?
I'm just saying.
Are you okay?
Fine.
Can I get you anything?
Not that I can think of.
[phone ringing]
Landry's Insurance.
This is Diane.
Uh-huh.
Mm-hmm.
I... yeah, hold on.
It's Mr. Hatton.
No, Mr. Landry's not in.
I expect him after lunch.
I think he's doing about
as well as can be expected.
It was tragic, yes, sir.
How's Mrs. Hatton doing?
[ To Meet You There
by Anjimile plays]
After death,
after life
I was up half the night
Hurricane never came
Not for me,
not again
Have I been unyielding?
I cross the line
to meet you there
Have I been unwieldy?
I'll walk the line
to meet you there
To meet you there
[song fades out]
[crickets chirping]
[water running]
[breathes deeply]
- [blade cutting]
- [grunts]
[sighs]
[sirens blaring]
[helicopter whirring]
- [beeping]
- [woman on phone] Ms. Sachman?
Dr. Agee from Crane,
Mississippi on line one.
[PA chatter]
[Ms. Sachman]
I thought you were dead.
- Almost.
- Not funny.
- Sort of.
- No, not even a little.
I should have come sooner.
I'm sorry.
You came when you could. It
wouldn't have made any difference
when you came.
Honestly.
Uh, I drove by
Mama and Daddy's today.
Those fucking people
let it go. [sniffles]
- Yeah, they have.
- So trashy. It's sad.
It is.
So, [clears throat]
we got two options here.
Dr. Agee said you can
go to the mental health
facility in Tupelo,
which is not an option
at all, really.
Or he releases you
to my care
and I take you to L.A.
Tupelo or L.A.
I've got plenty of room.
And, you see, it's really
not a choice, Early,
because I'm not letting them
put you in that place.
Well...
I guess it's settled then.
[helicopter whirring]
[Ms. Sachman]
No, he has to be there.
What part of "He has to be
there, I'm not asking"
don't you understand?
Because I don't have
a third act,
and if I don't have a third act,
I don't have a movie.
Well, try and schedule Jeffrey
for 1:00, the Germans for 2:30,
and I'm not asking.
Thank you.
- Put the phone down!
- [boy] Now!
Hey, Uncle Early! You want to come
see my basketball game today?
[Ms. Sachman]
No, he doesn't.
- Morning, Early.
- Morning.
There's coffee and bagels.
- Uh, thank you.
- [cell phone chimes]
Oh.
Sleep well?
Like the dead.
[boy]
Please, stop texting.
Uh...
I have to go into the office
- this morning for a little bit.
- Yeah, me too.
So, you'll be alone
until till noonish.
- I can stay home if you want.
- You have a trig test
- that you have to do very well on, young man.
- Very well.
You know, I've gotten one B
in my entire academic career.
You set the expectations
too high too early.
So noon.
And then we'll have lunch?
- Are you going to be okay?
- Of course.
You call me if you need me?
- He's going to be late.
- Get your stuff together.
- Do you have my number?
- Yes.
- See you later, Uncle Early.
- Yes, you will.
I'll see you, Earl.
Ted.
[door shuts]
[lawn mower starts]
[rock music playing]
I am in the middle
of the red carpet,
not quite sure what
I should be doing,
and Rita was off posing
for the photographers,
and Meryl comes up to me.
She is shaking my hand
and I look up,
and in the crowd, watching this
spectacle, is Laura Donato.
The girl he took
to his high school prom.
Mm-hmm.
And she's waving at me.
[woman] Yeah, and he goes up to
her and he starts reminiscing
with this woman
for a good five minutes.
[man] It was a couple of minutes. I
hadn't seen her since that summer.
- How'd she look?
- Heavy.
- [laughs]
- [man] A little bit. A little bit.
So, here we are
at the Oscars...
Laurette told me that
your wife died.
Uh, that's right.
She did. Yeah.
So did my husband.
Stomach cancer.
I'm sorry.
Uh...
car wreck.
[clears throat]
Julia just opened a...
a little boutique
clothing store.
And it got a blurb in Vogue.
- Oh, wow!
- Yeah!
- Really nice stuff.
- Well, that's great.
It's wonderful stuff.
Why is Jack so quiet?
- He and Brittany are studying.
- [woman] Oh!
At first I didn't love him.
He was 25 years older than me,
and I liked him
because he wasn't stupid.
Well, do you think
they're really studying?
That's the story and
I'm sticking to it.
[laughter]
And then when he got sick,
I remember thinking,
"That's what you get
for marrying an old guy."
Were you and your wife
the same age?
They grew up
next door to each other.
That is amazing.
Wha...
- You know, I really like your accent.
- Thank you.
[Julia] One day, I was shocked
to realize that I did love him.
I didn't want to
have sex with him.
But I loved him.
And I don't seem to be able
to stop thinking about him.
[Early clears throat]
[overlapping chatter]
Excuse me.
[distant chatter]
[waves crashing]
[door opens]
Hi.
Hi.
No shoes?
Uh, I left them outside.
They're full of sand.
- Good call.
- You went to the beach?
Uh...
Yep.
It's 2:00 in the morning.
Too late?
- Yeah.
- No.
Well, I was worried.
That probably
makes me crazy
- or, uh, controlling, right?
- I should have called.
- No. Not at all. No, no.
- I think I should have.
Yeah. You should have.
I went swimming.
Naked?
Well... yeah. I guess.
I hope that visual
isn't unnerving for you, Ted.
Not at all.
I'm going to bed.
Goodnight, Laurette.
Nudity is not allowed
on the beaches around here.
Well, I figured. That's why that it was
a good thing there was no one around.
Right. Good night.
["Golden Hands" by Anjimile]
Fresh paint.
Hardwood floors.
Quiet building.
$1400, plus utilities.
I'll take it.
- Uh, mm...
- [kissing]
- Hey. Hi.
- Hello.
[Ted] Hey, you want to go to
Jack's basketball game tonight?
Sure, sure, sure.
[Laurette] Hey, your insurance
company sold. $750,000.00
It's more than you thought.
Right?
Oh, that's a good price.
Thanks for taking care of it.
- Listen...
- Should I put the house on the market?
Okay.
I can...
I can take care of that.
I'll take care of it.
I'll do it.
Thank you.
By the way, I found a place.
- What?
- That's great. Where?
In Hollywood. I have a balcony.
Ah... You don't want
to live in Hollywood.
- I think I do.
- You might think you do
but you don't understand
Hollywood.
- It's not that bad.
- Ted.
Ted, no, he has enough money
to live anywhere.
Hollywood's not for you.
- I think it is.
- Well, you...
Why?
Why not Brentwood?
Why not West Hollywood?
Be... be... because...
Hollywood...
is just far enough from you. And I
mean that in the most loving way.
Is that fair?
No. But it's true.
[laughs] Thanks.
You know what I mean.
No, I don't.
Because there's
too much crime.
It's aesthetically
very unpleasing!
I will be alright.
I'm scared.
I organized your toiletries.
Thanks.
And the cleaning stuff
is under the sink.
And he's cute, right?
Yeah.
Why?
Keep you company.
You're allergic to cats...
- That's why.
- Well...
Thanks. I think
I'll call him Penny.
- That's good.
- How long do they live?
- I don't know.
- Bob and Jessica lived what,
- five, six years?
- Don't remember.
So, if you start
getting any of those...
feelings, if they start...
Hey, we can't talk about that.
I'm only twenty minutes away.
- I know that.
- No, Early. No. You have to listen to me.
- No. No!
- Yes.
I know how
to get a hold of you.
The end. Period.
Okay.
Bye.
- Call me tonight.
- Yeah.
[door opens, shuts]
[knock on door]
Lock the door, please.
[distant sirens blare]
[man singing in distance]
[singing continues]
[clatter and shouting
in distance]
[man shouting]
I don't fucking care
what you want!
Fuck you! You fucking whore!
Don't you fucking call me,
either!
[door slams]
Stop tapping on my wall!
[knock on door]
- [knocking continues]
- Oh, who is it?
It's me. From next door.
[coughs]
Hi.
Evening.
I was wondering if you have
some sucre I could borrow.
- I'm baking brownies.
- Sure.
Can I come in?
Oh Lord! Lord! I'm sorry.
Please. Please.
I thought you didn't want me
in your apartment...
- No.
- and that didn't seem like you at all.
No, no.
You look so neighborly.
Like Andy Griffith's
sad brother.
I wonder how they got
the smell out?
I beg your pardon?
I beg your pardon?
Where are you from? Georgia?
- Mississippi.
- Miss-a-fucking-pippi!
- Where there?
- A little town called Crane.
Oh. It's the Deep South?
About as deep as you can get,
I guess.
Good. Cause I like things deep,
know what I mean?
Uh...
what smell?
Oh, they didn't tell you,
obviously.
Fascists.
I thought I would do
anything for a dollar...
but there are some people
in this town
that will do
anything for money or fame,
and you have to watch out
for them
cause they will cut
your sweet heart out. So beware!
I will.
Mr. Bobo Celerian
died in here.
He used to look at me with great
disapproval when he was sober,
but when he got a little wine in him
he was capable of humping armoire's.
Know what I mean?
I think so.
This looks like the window
of a furniture store in Topeka.
Uh, thank you?
Shouldn't there be
doilies everywhere?
I should call you
Miss Haversham.
[laughs]
I'm having fun with you.
I thought so.
Freda Von Rhenburg.
Early Landry.
Early?
You sure you don't
want Haversham?
Mm, I'll stick with Early.
"I'll stick with Early."
I feel like I'm talking
to Burl Ives...
without the Van Dyke.
That's cute.
Where'd you get that?
Uh...
It was my great grandfather's.
I am surrounded by artifacts
from the heartland.
Makes my sphincter
tighten up like a drum.
Gotta run. So nice to meet you,
Haversham.
Thank you.
I'll bring one of my
special brownies over tomorrow.
They're aphrodisiacs.
- Okay.
- Lovely.
Night.
["Haunted Head" by Ezra Furman]
Morning.
I really love living
near that park.
Don't go over there at night
if you know what's good for you.
That's sad.
You're a do-gooder.
Not really. No.
That wasn't a question.
Larry left me for fat fuck.
He never had any taste, baby.
He had taste
when he was with me, bitch!
Not that I saw.
Never.
- Never, never.
- Girl, he had the flash of a turnip.
- Cauliflower.
- Yes, bitch. Fuck y'all.
Wait. What, girl. Wait.
He did have taste, girl.
He did. Don't leave.
Girl, don't.
- She always doing this shit.
- What? What?
Buy me a piece of pizza?
- Dine on your ass, Christmas.
- Oh, okay. Alright.
Well, I have been there for you,
Freda. Don't you remember?
I've been there too...
What you gonna do, girl?
You lucky I love you, bitch.
Why I always gotta be
Mother Teresa for you all.
Bitch, because you wanted
to play the role.
- Thank you, baby.
- Yeah, you welcome.
- Okay. Okay.
- Okay.
- I'm hungry too.
- So share. Come on.
Bitch.
[man singing]
Evening.
Los Angeles has the
most beautiful moons.
So, you save anyone today,
superhero?
Not that I know of.
But you thought about it.
Maybe.
Do you know
who lives under me?
- Hey.
- Hey.
- How'd it go?
- It went great.
[chuckles]
Hi, I'm David.
Cracker.
Cracker? Really?
No, not really. My name's Early.
How are you?
Not bad. Don't let her
fuck with you. Really.
- Don't.
- No.
[chuckles]
Cool.
You coming?
Why not?
Ramirez the Mailman
lives under you.
Why, was he singing again?
Yeah.
Yeah. He, uh, lost his wife
three years ago.
Usually he gets drunk
and sings.
Don't stay up all night
drinking, Cracker.
Thanks, Mom.
[scoffs] If you were mine I'd be
beating you with a two by four.
- David?
- Yeah.
[clatter]
[Freda] Early!
Early!
Oh my Lord!
Careful, careful, careful!
Here. Here. Okay, I got you,
I got you, I got you.
Nice and easy.
Here.
- Are you okay? Here.
- [grunting]
Sit down right here.
Right here, right here.
- What happened?
- I got jumped.
- Why?
- Why?
Because Hollywood is filled
with criminals and addicts...
and deviant motherfuckers.
That's why.
I'll get you some ice.
Did they steal anything
from you?
$280 which I need to pay rent.
Oh, shit...
This'll take the swelling down.
Here.
[winces] Thank you.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Okay.
How do people hurt
each other this way?
You clearly did not grow up
in Hollywood.
I once rolled a trick...
and I told myself it was because
I needed the money.
But it was partly because
he had bad skin,
and just ruined
my fucking day that way.
What did you do to him?
I cracked a bottle over his head
and I punched him in the face.
And then I took his money!
Don't worry.
I won't hurt you, Haversham.
But a girl has got to take care
of herself.
- Dammit!
- Where does it hurt?
- It's here. In my ribs.
- Yeah.
- So... fucking...
- Here, how's this side?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
It's okay.
- Easy, easy, easy...
- It's okay.
Okay, they don't feel broken.
I could... [clears throat]
I could, uh,
loan you some money.
- You can?
- Sure.
No, Early, no. I know somebody
I can borrow it from.
It's alright. It's alright, okay.
It's not a big deal.
Here, let's get that ice
on that eye, okay.
[sobbing]
- There we go.
- I got it. I'm fine.
Okay.
[man singing]
[singing continues]
[knocking on door]
[scoffs]
Yeah?
[Early] Uh, hi, it's me.
Early.
What?
Uh...
What?
Hmm.
[Early] David.
Welcome.
Thanks.
[Brianna clears throat]
- Wanna move?
- Oh, yeah.
Uh, Ramirez the Mailman
is singing again. So...
[laughs] I wish he could
hit a note. I really do.
This is a really
sad fucking building.
- It's not that sad. No, it's not.
- Yeah.
[chuckles]
How's Freda doing?
Can you please not be an ass.
Hey.
Play Cracker that song.
- No.
- Why? It's beautiful.
She wrote a song about you.
- Really?
- Uh-huh.
It's not...
it's not about you.
Just play it.
Play it for him. Why you
gotta be so difficult? Hmm?
David...
Just play it.
[strums guitar]
This feeling I have
I walk outside
Just as the day
turns into night
See all the people
Come back from the dead
And pull up the drive
Walk through the door
And they always seem bored
Can I come inside
Just for awhile
I wanna know
How to be home
I bet you got a different
light for every room
I bet you got a
different smile for everyone
Can you really take it easy
in that chair
Or do you stop
and think about
The people who
aren't there
I told you it was good.
Hey, daddy,
come on through.
Come on, baby.
["Figure it Out"
by Spectacular Spectacular]
[phone ringing]
- Hello?
- I have developed a rash
all over my belly.
You... Have you, um,
changed your detergent?
Well, how should I know?
Well, ask Graciella.
It could be food related.
It is not attractive.
And my head's about to blow off
with this wildlife fundraiser.
You know, I think
it's fundraiser related.
It's not easy being
a good person.
Aren't you a good person?
What are you doing?
Having drinks.
- [clears throat] With who?
- With a... lady friend.
Um, are you drunk?
Maybe.
You know, you're not supposed to
be drinking on your meds, Early.
You know, I'm gonna...
I'm gonna say good afternoon.
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon.
Okay.
[knock on door]
Be right there.
[Freda]
Howdy, neighbor.
I brought you some
southern haute cuisine food.
- [laughs]
- Donuts!
What every Southern boy
needs to survive.
Thank you. I'll save
at least one for dessert.
After my fried chicken
and pig's feet.
Never thought
I'd see you again.
Why wouldn't you
see me again?
Donut?
Oh...
Oh, I see.
I borrow a little money from
you, don't show up for a week
and you think, what, I ran off
to Mexico or some shit?
Because I'm just some bottom
- No.
- of the barrel girl with no morals...
or motherfucking scruples?
I have been working my ass to the
bone to pay you back your $300.
But that's not good enough
for Mr. Uptight Whitey.
"That white trash girl
stole my money
and I never saw her again".
Fuck you!
[stutters]
[Early sobbing]
I didn't mean you were
uptight whitey man, alright.
Although you have some of
the tendencies, honey.
Look, I just...
I'm always on the lookout for
people to treat me like shit
because I dress a certain way
or my general thing.
Hey...
Hey...
- Do you want a drink?
- No, thank you.
It's just that today is
Indian Paint Brush Day.
What the fuck is that?
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
What is
Indian Paint Brush Day?
They're my wife's
favorite flower.
They're all over
where I lived.
When I was 10,
I picked a bunch for her.
How long were you married?
26 years.
Car wreck.
I knew...
I had to get the brakes fixed.
I mean,
I knew they had
to be fixed
because I do everything when
it was supposed to be done.
Everything I do is when
it's supposed to be done.
I mean, I'm in the insurance
business for God's sake.
Drink.
Drink your tight ass away.
Here.
Look.
Give me your hands.
Okay.
- Give me your hands.
- Okay.
Well, get the damn donut
out of it.
Let me...
You don't have to do...
or be anything
you don't want to be.
You understand?
Hide from
those motherfuckers
or stick your twat
in their face.
The only lie is the one
that you say is a lie.
Invent yourself.
Be a little fucking creative.
Just keep a roof
over your head
and a full belly.
These are the only rules.
There.
Now it looks like the biggest
trauma you've had to deal with
is what color Dockers
to wear in the mornings.
[both laugh]
Wow!
Super cream. Rite-Aid.
Huh...
What are these?
Oh, no, they're, um...
They're... nothing.
Just tell me what they are,
Haversham.
They're...
they're just...
letters from my wife
when I was away in college.
Read one.
No, I can't.
Oh, why not? 'Cause I'm not
sensitive enough
- or deep enough or some shit?
- No.
Fuck it. I don't care.
I can't...
Uh...
This is my freshman year
at Ole Miss.
[laughs]
"Dear Chim Chim."
The little monkey
from Speed Racer.
- Just read and don't stop.
- Oh.
Okay. "It's getting
cold here, too.
I love it when it's cold.
Sunshine cuddles with me
and tells me how much
she misses her Early."
Uh... Sunshine was this tabby
that Lara had got.
You are bludgeoning the fucking
mood, honey. Come on. Come on.
Okay.
"I can't wait for...
Saturday night.
Where are we going?
Not that I care.
It's enough just to
have you home.
If we don't have
any special plans
we could go to the
Homecoming Dance?
Please, please, please!
What about the game?
We play McComb.
I have two tests
to study for
but I am trying to get
all my work done
before my Chim Chim
comes back to me.
Can we fly a kite?
Jimmy's been asking about it
all week and I said
maybe when Early comes home.
I miss you so much.
My heart aches
that you might fall
for some sorority girl.
I know that's crazy.
I just know that Crane
is empty without you.
Come home to me and teach me
about the stars
in the middle
of the graveyard.
Weirdo. Just kidding,"
in parenthesis.
"I love you... Mary."
I used to take her
to graveyards.
And she still loved me.
Take me to a graveyard.
Tell me about the stars.
["Saturday Night"
by Spectacular Spectacular]
This is a May sky
in Los Angeles.
I always try and
orient myself by finding
Ursa Minor, which you would call
the Little Dipper.
I do that because the North Star
is the brightest star in the sky.
Hence, the easiest to find.
Now, in May,
he would be here.
Are all the stars
going to be he's?
Some of them are she's.
Please try and concentrate.
If you follow the handle
of the Dipper down, down, down,
- you come to the tip...
- I thought this would be more romantic.
Less mind-suckingly dry.
You don't have much
of an attention span.
Oh, did Mary have
a long attention span?
I'm sorry.
That was wrong of me.
You just...
You can't be cruel.
I know. I'm sorry.
It won't happen again.
Now, at the bottom
of the Dipper...
you get to the very bottom...
- Okay, can I say something?
- Yes.
Of course.
You should know,
I'm insecure.
And I might be naturally mean.
I don't know.
But you can't run away
like some baby
just 'cause I say something that's not
up to your sense of good fucking taste
or whatever.
- Oh, Freda.
- Fuck it.
- Freda, please. Don't take them.
- Why not?
Because you're addicted
to them.
Oh, I'm addicted, huh?
You can sit there and talk to me
about being addicted to pills
when you're washing down
Xanax with bourbon.
- You're right.
- Thank you.
You are right.
[toilet flushes]
Oh, hell no! Fuck that.
No!
You know how much these cost?
- Freda, give me your pills.
- I'm not addicted, Early.
I have aches.
And they help.
I don't care
if I am addicted.
Fuck it! I don't.
No more pills. Come on.
I don't trust you.
Freda, I'm here.
I'm not going anywhere.
Come on.
You're supposed to...
dissolve them in water
before you flush them
down the toilet.
There's some fucking dolphins out
there getting high as a kite
and here we are,
fucking sober.
- I don't want to do this tonight!
- ...them back to you, Freda.
- I don't want to do this tonight!
- Freda!
Where is it, Early?
Where are they?!
They're not in here, Freda.
- They're not in here.
- You're a liar! Stop lying to me!
Come on.
Okay, Freda, I didn't put pills
in the freezer.
- What are you looking for?
- Frozen yogurt, bitch.
- You want some ice?
- Shut up!
[water running, shuts off]
Freda...
Give me my pills or I will throw
this fucking rat against the wall!
Freda, no!
[grunting]
- [clattering]
- [arguing]
[Freda]
Give me my fucking pills!
[retching]
Yeah...
Yeah, despite all your
love letters and your stars,
you really fucking hate me.
That's why you're killing me.
That's why you killed her.
Keep talking. Just keep
saying whatever you want.
Just give me the pills, okay?
- The pills?
- Please!
- Fine!
- Just one, Early. Just one. One fucking pill.
- Okay.
- No!
No! No!
- No!
- [toilet flushes]
No!
[screams]
You threw them away!
[sobbing]
I could never see...
Tomorrow
I was never told
about the sorrow
[vocalizing]
How can you mend
A broken heart
- How can...
- Shh.
Did I hurt you?
No, no.
You did threaten to gouge my
intestines out through my anus.
- But that was just talk.
- Sorry.
No. Don't, don't, don't.
When I was 10,
I called my dad a cunt.
And what did he say?
Nothing.
He just closed the door.
Slowly.
He wanted me to study harder but
my hormones were out of whack
so concentration was not
my strong suit,
you know what I'm saying?
He just didn't know
what to do with me.
I hope he's not dead.
Maybe...
call him.
I don't know.
Luckily, I had my gran.
My gran taught me
how to garden.
She taught me all about
roses and...
you know, ever since then
I've wanted to be in a garden.
Taking care of things
and designing things.
I can do something
else with my life.
I can do things.
Can't I?
When I first got here...
I had a pulse.
That was about it.
That, and a desire to die.
I didn't.
You've already done something.
Goodnight, Early.
[door shuts]
[phone ringing]
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Yes, there is.
I have a friend.
I want you and Jack and Ted
to come over
for dinner Saturday.
Really?
- What's her name?
- Freda.
Freda?
What kind of a name is Freda?
Is she a prostitute?
Yes. And she has Ebola and
she's a war criminal.
8:00, Saturday?
Fine. What should we bring?
Crack?
Or wine. Bye.
Bye.
Oh, my Lord!
Oh, Lord.
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord...
Brianna!
Brianna!
Brianna?
- David?
- No, it's Early. Come on. All right.
I'm a mess.
Tonight.
Oh, come on.
Here we go. [grunts]
Don't touch my lady parts.
Absolutely not.
Are you okay?
[sobbing]
He doesn't love me.
Sleep.
He's such an asshole!
He's a musician, honey.
No. That can't be his excuse.
[sniffles]
And all I want to do is just look
at him and just ask him why,
but he wouldn't even know
what I was asking him.
Fuck men.
Except for Early.
Except for Early.
[door opens]
B...
you want to come in and listen
to some records with me?
Is...
Is that a...
is that a no?
Okay.
Freda, what about you?
You want to come in and
listen to some records with me?
Oh, Daddy, you're just too much
man, aren't you?
[laughs]
I'd rather get eaten
by a shark, bitch. Okay?
[door shuts]
So, let me ask you this,
have you fucked him?
No.
But you in love with him?
- It's better than that.
- Oh, it better be a whole lot better.
Cause the Freda I know
is a Santa Monica Boulevard ho.
And that's all, baby.
Nothing more. That's you.
Love is a fiction, girl.
It's not for those
who are me.
That's the first thing I agree
with all goddamn night, okay.
And you know that bitch
ain't got no sense.
- I want a life.
- Bitch, I got one,
and you can make
your own hours, okay.
Listen, I'm just saying
we have to save ourselves
from those motherfuckers. Cause
he ain't me or you, he is them,
and, bitch,
you know that's right.
Girl! How are you going
to afford the hormones?
What, you gonna get a 9-5 and
move in with him or something?
Good luck, Christmas.
No. Good luck, Freda.
See you in a week or two.
I got a double-double
yesterday, Uncle Early.
- Is that right?
- Yeah.
Yeah, he can handle the ball.
He's not quite the superstar
- in the classroom now, is he.
- Is it one fucking B!
Excuse me?
So, what does Freda do?
You know, customer service,
selling stuff.
Is she your girlfriend?
I don't know.
What's for dinner?
[knock on door]
Hi.
Come on in. Come on in.
Hello.
Everybody, this is Freda.
- Hi. Ted Sachman. Hi.
- Hi. Nice to meet you.
And this is my sister,
Laurette.
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
- Heard a lot about you.
- Oh no. [chuckles]
- [Early] Her son, Jack.
- Hey, Jack.
- Hi.
- How are you?
- Good.
- Have a seat, Freda.
[Freda] Whoo.
We're packed in tight, here.
[chuckles]
Um, Jack has
his first boyfriend.
Girlfriend! Brittany.
How is she?
Great. You know,
but possessive.
[Freda]
Isn't that the way.
[Jack]
It's all new to me.
- First love is great.
- Well, I don't know if we're in love,
I mean, we haven't
even slept together.
Quiet. I don't know where
he gets this stuff from.
- It freaks me out.
- Well, he's right.
How can you be in love if you
haven't slept with the person?
Not that I'm
condoning that.
It's way too young
for sexual activity.
I was 19.
Sixteen, but really together.
And it was a mistake.
Early says you like
the Bon-Bons from Toucher.
I do.
[clears throat] I do.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
I need to get that other
chair from the bedroom.
I'll be right back.
I'll be right back.
I'm gonna, um...
I'm gonna run to the restroom
really quick. Excuse me.
[Jack] Wow.
How about Uncle Early?
[chuckles]
- Ow!
- Laurette. Laurette...
- What?!
- You need to hold it together
- for your brother, alright?
- I don't need to do anything.
- Please.
- [Jack] I mean, I like her.
I mean, she brought
you bon-bons.
I need you to be quiet.
Do you understand me, Jack?
- Say nothing stupid.
- Will you be cool?
In fact, say nothing.
So, you live next door?
- Yeah.
- I love this building.
[Freda] It's not bad.
I was glad
when Early moved in.
Somebody normal.
- [Early] Wine, Freda?
- That'd be great. Yeah.
- Thank you.
- Red? White?
- Um, white, thank you.
- White.
[Freda] So, you work
for the studios?
Laurette works for Sony
in development.
I'm partners in a
post-production house.
- Wow!
- It's right here in Hollywood.
- Here you are.
- Thank you.
- A toast?
- Mmm.
To family and friends.
[all] Cheers.
- So, Freda, what do you do?
- [Laurette scoffs]
- What?
- [Laurette] I...
Jesus...
- What?
- Nothing.
- [Freda] You okay?
- Yeah.
Uh, I'm in-between things
right now.
Early told us that you sold
trinkets and baubles and things.
I do. Yeah.
That's a sideline.
What are you looking for?
Astronaut work.
I'd like to be
the first person on Mars.
- [laughter]
- You have to have a lot of math for that.
I'm kidding. I used to think
I wanted to be an actress.
[Jack] Well, why not?
- Lots of different people are actors.
- Everybody's got a dream.
Oh, it's not really
my dream.
Uh, Freda wants to go
into landscaping.
- [Ted] You know, I thought of that, too.
- Really?
- When I was younger.
- [Early] She has a green thumb.
[Freda] Yeah.
I have a thing for plants.
Uh, Brittany wants me to try out
for Fiddler on the Roof at school.
Yeah. That's just what you need,
another extra-curricular.
Why?
'Cause I can sing.
Well, it's nice that
she likes your voice.
Early sung to me once.
Ohh...
[Jack] What'd you sing, Early?
- It's...
- Don't be shy.
Tell them.
How can you mend
a broken heart?
She stopped me after
the first verse.
I had a headache.
A good singing voice
is not necessary.
[Laurette] For what?
- [Ted] Laurette...
- What?
No. For what?
I'm sorry. I think
this is ridiculous,
and I want to know for what.
For having sex?
Okay. That's enough, Laurette!
- Is it?
- For God's sake, Laurette!
Oh Ted, I'm sorry.
If you don't like it, tough.
- Take him outside, okay?
- [Ted] Stop it.
- Are you fucking my brother?
- That is...
I'm sorry, are you having
sex with my brother?
I don't understand
what we're doing here.
This pretending?
It's fucked up!
I don't... what are you going
to be, my next sister-in-law?
- Or whatever!
- Quiet, Laurette!
I have a right to know!
It's a really simple question.
Just give me an answer!
Obviously, I am your
worst fucking nightmare,
you uptight...
Westside freaking cunt!
- Real nice! Very nice!
- [door shuts]
Very nice.
Freda.
- That was bullshit, Mom.
- Don't talk to me like that.
That was bullshit, Laurette.
Freda.
Freda, please.
Open the door, alright.
[breathing heavily]
Freda.
I don't know how...
aware he is.
And I will do anything
to protect him. Anything.
- But isn't it just love?
- Quiet!
The man is 55 years old.
Yeah. And he's just been
through a terrifying trauma,
and tried to kill himself.
It's been nice having you.
There will be no dinner tonight.
You have to go wait in the car.
I'm sorry.
No, I think...
I think we can work this out.
- [Ted] Go wait outside, son.
- I'm sorry.
How is she, Early?
I'm gonna have to ask you
to leave.
[Laurette] I am not leaving
until I talk to you.
I don't want to talk to you.
Well, I want to know
what you're doing
and I think
I have a right to ask.
Who gave you that right?
Hmm? Certainly not me.
- Uh. You're my brother!
- I don't care about that, Laurette.
And I may never care
about that again.
You hurt her, Laurette.
Are you gay?
- No! No!
- Well, is this person you're with,
- does she have a vagina?
- [Ted] Oh my God!
I don't have to answer
that question.
Have you lost
your mind, Early?
Stop! Okay!
Laurette, no more.
Okay?
Leave... my... house.
- [Ted] Let's go. Come on.
- You know the difference, Early.
I know you do.
- And you're not gay.
- God dammit!
What, I don't care if he's gay!
Are you kidding me.
He doesn't know what he's doing!
And one more thing...
what would Mary think?
[knock on door]
[Freda]
Early? Are you home?
- [knocking]
- Anybody home?
You're not home.
Call me.
Did you go to Brentwood?
Fucking Brentwood.
[sighs]
[phone ringing]
Early, where are you?
Are you hiding out with your
sister, the bitch from hell?
I'm just kidding.
Oh, fuck it!
[phone ringing]
Maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe you're just at the
fucking Jiffy Lube or something.
I need you.
You're in your world,
aren't you Early?
You made your choice.
Early, I'm going
to San Francisco.
Yeah.
Going.
Going.
Gone.
Cracker! Oh my God,
you look like shit.
What's wrong with you?
Early, this is, uh, Sonya.
You look like my dad.
[laughter]
What's up?
Speechless?
What's the matter, Crack?
What's going on?
He has a broken heart.
Oh, fuck.
Fuck.
I got just the thing
for my man, then.
- No, you don't.
- I think I do.
I think I do.
It's so funny, Early.
I say I love him,
but it's not actually true...
because how could I possibly
give up my whole life
for this shit fuck.
Because I know
he wouldn't for me.
You don't want that, Early.
You don't want that.
People should do
what they want to do.
If he wants to do it
let him do it.
[Brianna]
No, you don't want that.
David!
David! Stop!
[laughing]
Time to go home, Early.
Never...
never do that shit.
- Promise me.
- I promise.
I promise, Brianna.
I won't ever, ever do it.
I gotta get out of town.
[birds chirping]
Early.
David.
I'm sorry...
for trying to
give you heroin.
That was clearly out of bounds.
Have you seen Brianna?
I think I messed that up.
Does it matter to you?
I mean, does it really matter?
Yeah. Of course it matters.
But...
that shit scares me.
You know?
[knock on door]
- Hi, Uncle Early.
- Jack.
- Everything okay?
- It's okay.
- Grades are good, you know?
- That's good.
Basketball's good.
Brittney and I did it.
You know what I mean?
Did you enjoy it?
[chuckles]
It was great. But that's...
that's all I can
think about now.
Yeah.
It's crazy that way.
I think I love her.
But I'm...
I mean, I'm not sure.
That's beautiful, Jack.
I miss you, Uncle Early.
Miss you, too.
So does Mom.
She's out in the car.
Can you talk to her?
It'll give us some
breathing room around the house.
It's nightmarish.
Early?
Okay.
Thanks.
You know, I-I liked...
I liked Freda.
Thanks.
She's so crazy.
- Oh, no. My mom. That's...
- Oh.
Yeah. Sorry. [chuckles]
- Hi.
- Point proven.
- Thank you, honey.
- Yeah, okay.
Dinner, Saturday night?
Can't Saturday.
Raised 3.2 million
for that, uh,
endangered, um,
species, uh, thing.
That benefit.
So, I am capable of doing
some decent things.
Uh, I thought it was going to kill me.
But you know how I get
in party-planning mode. I get
all Laurette-like. I'm sorry.
I'm crazy.
I know.
Um...
you should bring Freda
to dinner.
Some night.
Is that an actual invitation?
You're actually inviting
Freda to dinner?
- In your home?
- Come on, Early.
- I just... I wasn't sure.
- Sure about what?
I don't...
I don't know a lot of things...
but...
from the day I met Mary
to this very day...
I know what it means
to love someone.
That's the only thing I know.
You're in love?
Well, then, you're right.
Early, that much you do know.
All your life.
[Ramirez singing]
How can you mend
A broken heart
- [singing continues faintly]
- [sighs]
I trust you, Early.
I'm just scared.
[Ramirez continues singing]
That is the saddest thing
I have ever heard in my life.
This place is so depressing.
[chuckles]
I'm sorry. It is.
[TV sports chatter]
[clatter outside door]
- [volume decreases]
- [clatter continues]
[door opens, shuts]
[Freda]
Stop tapping on my wall, Early!
I can't hear you.
Come over for a cocktail.
[door opens]
Why were you
knocking on my wall?
Well, I did it once before,
remember?
- No.
- You'd had a fight and you were crying,
and I tapped
on the balcony wall.
I must have been fucked up.
Anyway, I've been
in San Francisco.
- Doing what?
- Living!
San Francisco is free.
No bourgeois judgment.
I can walk down the street
and people get me there.
They don't freak out
and run away.
Speaking of San Francisco...
I brought you this.
That's...
That's great.
- It's the Golden Gate.
- I know.
The labia of America.
- The labia?
- Yeah, to get to the vagina, America,
you have to pass through
the labia, the Golden Gate.
I'll have to take
your word for it.
Oh, never mind, Early!
It's just a big opening to me.
But I probably got
the metaphor wrong.
No, no, it works.
No. No.
It's just symbolic
of something, okay!
It is. It's a labia
type structure.
What, um...
What were you doing
in San Francisco?
Just wandered around the city.
Looking hot.
I thought about calling you.
I wish you would have.
I've been sitting here trying
to figure things out.
What were your trying
to figure out, Early?
I, uh...
made a list of what I am.
Let me see this.
"Southerner." Well there's
nothing we can do about that.
"Heart attack candidate."
Yeah.
Too much fried chicken.
You eat like a child.
Tragic flaw.
"Lover of animals."
A hamster is a rat.
[laughs]
"Uptight whitey." Yes.
"Charitable."
Yes, charitable.
But why, that's the question.
"Sensual?"
I think so.
How could one possibly know?
Blah, blah, blah, blah...
Why the question mark?
Because, uh...
I don't know what I need
to be to be with you,
and what I am doesn't seem
to include you, so...
the heck with it.
Early?
People in Crane would think
that my life is made up.
You can't take me to
a dinner party
in El Segundo
for that matter.
I like this part of town.
I've been a sex worker.
What did I say?
I've been a sex worker.
- Red is green.
- Red is green.
- Blue is orange.
- Blue is orange.
The sun comes up
in the fucking west.
The sun comes up...
You will leave me one day.
You will leave me...
one day.
[exhales sharply] This is some
weird fucking dream.
Is it?
When I was laying in the tub
with my wrists slit open...
the water turned
this rich burgundy.
I remember liking that color
for the water.
And then the light
turned just...
soft lavender.
And I liked that too.
Colors seemed
more appropriate.
And anyway...
that's what color they were.
So, who am I
to quibble with reality.
It's not fucking poetry!
Why not?
Lists don't seem to work
in our situation.
I don't trust you.
Would you like
a bowl of chicken soup?
I could heat one up for you.
Is it fucking lavender
or rich burgundy?
It's just good soup, Freda.
I missed you.
All your creepy warmth.
I missed that.
You're like... a portable
pot-bellied stove with...
insinuating eyes.
Poetry.
I'll have a small bowl.
Fuck!
[both] I love you.
So, um...
It's easy, Early.
And fun.
Well...
as long as it's fun.
Early?
Freda?
You promise me something.
Anything.
["How Can You Mend A Broken Heart"
by Spectacular Spectacular]
I can think of younger days
When living for my life
Was everything a man
could want to do
I could never see tomorrow
But I was never told
About the sorrow
How can you mend
a broken heart?
How can you stop
the rain from falling down?
How can you stop
The sun from shining?
What makes the world
go round?
How can you mend
this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend
My broken heart
And let me live again
I can still feel the breeze
That rustles
through the trees
And misty memories
of days gone by
We could never see tomorrow
But no one said a word
About the sorrow
How can you mend
a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain
from falling down?
How can you stop
The sun from shining?
What makes the world
go round?
How can you mend
this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend
My broken heart
And let me live again
[vocalizing]
Please help me mend
My broken heart
And let me live again