1
Sorry, fellas,
this is an exclusive event.
Invite only, make way.
Good evening, ladies.
Have fun.
What's up, man?
Hey!
Awesome, boy!
Hey, label guys.
Atomic Records, I think.
Dude, you know that is
not the first,
but the second group this week?
Man, you're getting a deal
real soon, real soon.
Come on, how do these guys
sell music
when they don't got inch of
rhythm in their entire body?
Nah, I'm way too sober
for this. Here.
I had one already.
All right, have half.
Yeah, man.
Yo, hold down the fort.
I'm gonna show these kids
how it's done.
Joshy boy!
Hey, you got this.
Baby, why don't you wash
that shirt soon?
'Cause then it won't smell
like I work there.
I'm sure employees
that actually work there
wash their uniforms
every once in a while.
Am I gonna see you
tomorrow?
Of course.
Good.
...and guaranteed
moisture repellent,
your friends will think
you paid thousands
for your new kitchen.
But at Cabinets To Go,
prices start at $995
for 10 feet of upper and lower
solid wood cabinets.
Call now for a free catalogue
at 1-800...
Man, I passed out
last night.
Did we talk?
No.
What time did you
get home?
Around four.
Why so late?
We had a sewage problem
at work.
Had to clean the floors.
They don't have private
companies or something
that takes care of that shit?
There's no milk?
Hey.
You are on fire!
I have a treat for you.
Oh, yeah?
Whoo, man.
It is a party tonight!
Yeah.
Here you go.
I had two already.
Whoa, whoa,
this ain't Molly.
What is it?
Something tight.
This will take you
to the moon and back,
and you ain't even
gonna blink.
I don't know, man.
Oh, come on!
And I'm telling you, Pandora
has landed on my brain.
So, whatever you're doing
right here, Joshy boy,
it's about to get
a whole lot faster.
Ah, ha-ha!
All right, you got to buckle up
'cause we're about to lift off,
and we're all coming with you.
Yeah, Joshy boy!
Paging Dr. Bedford.
Paging Dr. Bedford, please.
Are you his...
I'm his mother, yes.
What happened?
He overdosed.
We flushed his stomach.
He's stable.
I'm going to let him
rest for a bit,
and I'll come check on him
later.
Damn it, Josh.
God!
You just got us both
in a whole load of trouble.
Damn it!
Good morning, sleepy head.
Your mother signed the release
before she left.
Said she had to go to work.
Do you understand how screwed
we are right now?
No, you don't.
You don't even care.
You have to stand in front
of a judge next week!
I don't even know how I'm going
to pay for an attorney.
I don't get paid until Friday!
Josh, I know you can hear me.
Josh! Josh!
Mr. Harvest, despite
all your priors,
that include disorderly conduct,
drug possession, forgery,
identity theft, vandalism,
despite all of that,
this court has decided
not to inflict any more pain
on your mother
with any kind of prison time
on your person.
However, you will have to submit
to drug rehabilitation
and professional counselling
for a period of 12 months.
But with your mother's
busy schedule,
and given that you are still
a minor in need of supervision,
this court cannot take
the chance
you will fail to meet
these requirements.
Your mother has informed me that
your father, Jim T. Wallace,
is alive and well, and has
agreed to look after you
for the remainder of your
17th year,
and/or until you comply
with this court's order,
whichever comes later.
Failure to comply with all
of these requirements
will result in your arrest,
at which point the court will
determine your punishment
in accordance with state law.
Is that understood?
Yeah.
"Yes, Your Honour."
Yes, Your Honour.
Good, this court is adjourned.
Hey.
It's clean.
Could have done that myself.
Been doing it for a while now.
Listen to me, I just can't do
this alone anymore.
Do what?
Take care of your son?
You haven't been doing it alone.
You haven't been doing it
at all.
What are you talking about?
I have been here for you
since your father split.
Did you forget that?
For me?
You can't even make rent.
There's never food
in the fridge.
I buy my own clothes.
Hey.
When have you been there
for me?
Hey!
I stopped doing drugs
for you.
It wasn't easy,
but I did it for you.
Yeah, that's a good one.
What do you want from me?
Nothing!
I don't want anything
from you.
Not anymore.
Why are you crying?
'Cause I'm sick and tired
of you blaming me
for everything that's happened
in your life, okay?
Are you serious?
You're a real piece of work,
you know that?
You might just be the most
selfish person I know.
Selfish?
You want hear about selfish?
I didn't even want to have you!
Your dad, he...
He convinced me,
making all these promises.
So, I did it for him
because he wanted you,
and I loved him, okay?
And then, he split!
He wasn't even there the day
you were born 'cause he split.
He just left us,
so don't make me the bad guy
in this story, okay?
Don't!
I'm not a bad guy!
I'm not a bad guy.
Josh!
Hi, I'm Jim.
Come on, let's go.
So, how was your trip?
It was all right.
Whoa.
You need a hand
with that?
I got it.
I, uh, made up your room
about as young as I could.
Didn't have much time
to shop, so...
Your mother said that you
like music.
Yeah.
All right, I'll let you
get settled.
- You've reached Kerry.
- Leave a message.
Hey, it's me.
It's shit here. Call me.
Wow, that's some equipment,
huh?
Yeah.
Uh, dinner's ready
if you're hungry.
I'm not.
All right, I'll just put
a plate in the fridge,
and then you can nuke that up
later, all right?
Yeah, cool.
All right.
All right.
You know how to get back?
I wrote the address down
for you, just in case.
You can cut through the cemetery
for a short-cut,
go over the bridge, make a left
and then you're home.
Oh, you're going
to need a key.
I don't get home
till, like, 6:00.
Okay.
Can I help you?
Welcome to our humble abode,
Mr. Harvest.
Take a seat.
Everyone, this is
Mr. Josh Harvest.
He's new in our school.
Let's make him feel at home.
That's DJ Sparks from New York!
That's him.
That dude's last video got,
like, 20 million views!
All right, everybody, turn to
Chapter 12 in your textbooks,
which covers
the Salvadorian War.
It took place between 1980
and 1992.
Hey, what's up?
I'm Tony.
I noticed you have a class
with my sister.
That's her over there,
and that guy who won't
leave her alone is Michael.
She broke up with him
last week.
What's your name?
Josh.
Nice to meet you, Josh.
What you listening to,
there?
I like it!
It's like electronica,
right?
My sister listens to
the same...
My sister listens to
the same type of music
when she's in her room
by herself.
It's pretty good.
Who is it?
I'm not sure.
Oh. Well, when you find out,
let me know.
I'd like to download it.
Hey, you like dancing?
My sister's
the dance team captain.
You should come
check them out sometime.
They're not very good,
though.
You gonna be around here
tomorrow, Josh?
No choice.
Cool, see you tomorrow.
Shit!
Joshua N. Harvest.
How's it going?
Alexander Weller,
you can call me Alex.
You can call me Al.
So, welcome to your
court-ordered counselling.
This should be fun.
All right, so let's see here.
You are... a DJ.
Like, electronica
and stuff like that?
That's cool.
I heard that DJs
are the new rock stars.
I read that somewhere.
I prefer Whitesnake myself.
New York!
I was born in New York.
Queens, to be exact.
We left when I was 5, so I don't
really remember much of it.
What would you like
to talk about?
Nothing.
You got me for an hour.
We got to talk about something.
You like soccer?
Football?
Do you like pizza?
He's going for it,
and he gets fouled!
No, no, that's a flop!
That's a flop!
That's not a foul, ref!
That's a flop!
That is a flop!
Shit, man, no, no, no.
You know what?
That's... that's time, anyway.
Hey, do you mind signing
that book before you go?
Same time tomorrow, or...?
Uh, yeah, sorry, kid.
Court order, otherwise I'd just
tell you to stay home.
Personally, I don't think
there's anything wrong with you,
but hey, there's another game
tomorrow.
So, works out pretty well
for both of us, I think.
- Hi, you've reached Kerry.
- Leave a message.
Or, you know, send me a text
like a normal person.
Bye!
Hey, buddy.
Come on in, have a seat.
Pizza?
You hungry?
This game is gonna suck.
Messi's out.
Hamstring.
Is this all we're gonna do?
Watch games?
Yeah.
I'm not gonna get in trouble
or anything?
Get it back to him!
Ahhh!
No!
No, he wasn't outside!
Oh!
All right, maybe he was.
Why do you like soccer
so much?
You're not even, like,
Latin or anything.
Why do you gotta be Latin
to watch soccer?
It's the most popular game
in the world,
biggest in Europe
of all places.
And I am half-Latin,
actually.
American father,
Argentinean mother.
How'd you end up at
this dead-end place, then?
Commit a crime and this
is your punishment?
Yeah.
Yeah, something like that.
You gonna let me watch the game?
Dinner's ready,
you want some?
I'm all right.
Some kid from school
dropped this off for you.
Want me to give you a ride?
Hey, Josh!
What are you wearing?
A tuxedo.
You gonna dance?
I don't dance.
But you like music!
Doesn't mean I dance.
My sister's over there.
They're about to do a dance.
They always do a dance for
the whole school to see.
They're not very good, though.
Yeah, you said that.
You want to meet her?
I think you'll like her.
No, I'm good, thanks.
Is this for real?
Buddy, you mind if I step in
real quick?
Uh, yeah, go for it.
Hey!
That music I've been listening
to, it's you, isn't it?
Hey, man, great music
Friday night.
Josh, right?
Hey, so my friends and I
are wondering
where we can get
some of your music?
It was pretty tight!
Nice stunt you pulled
Friday night.
I'm only going to say this once,
leave the dance team alone.
You hear me?
Oh, you mean Mary.
Yo, teacher coming!
I swear, I dropped it
around here somewhere.
You got to help me
find it, Josh!
It's my lucky coin!
Please!
Thanks.
I got your back.
- We did not fight the enemy;
- we fought ourselves.
The war is over for me now,
but it will always be there
for the rest of my days.
Joshy boy!
Yo, what's going on, man?
How's Kansas?
I'm not in Kansas, man.
What?
Never mind.
How you guys doing?
Good, buddy, you know!
Just at the club.
Yeah, sounds like it.
Hey, how's Kerry?
I haven't heard from her.
I've seen her around,
but we don't really talk much
since you left.
Look, I got to go, man.
I'll call you tomorrow,
all right?
Don't have too much fun
out there.
Good morning, everybody!
Please make your way
to your seats.
Give me your attention.
We want to hit the ground
running.
We've got a lot of ground
to cover today.
We're going to start
where we left off.
Excuse me, Mr. West?
Josh, principal's office.
Oh!
Quiet!
The rest of you, then,
your attention this way, please.
I'm going to ask you
a bunch of questions,
see who was paying attention
last time.
Have a seat, Josh.
Says here you wanted
to see me?
I did.
Give me a second.
Gulf War, the picture
you're looking at.
It was a pretty rough war.
Yeah, I can imagine.
No, you can't.
Okay, I'm all done here.
Josh, this school prides itself
on a couple things,
including a pretty solid
football team.
Been that way for years.
The one thing it doesn't pride
itself on is its dance team.
It places last nearly
every year.
It's come to my attention
they just had their first
victory in seven years.
They used a song you were kind
enough to mix for them.
Ah!
No, thanks.
You haven't heard my proposal
yet.
Look, I'm not interested,
and you can't make me, right?
So, can I go now?
You may.
Oh, come on!
Get it, get it to Nabor!
Come on, oh!
Goddamn it!
How come you like soccer
so much?
I don't know.
I just do.
It was all I knew growing up.
That, and war.
What do you mean "war"?
My dad, he was in the army.
Is that why you joined?
Yeah.
Military father, huh?
What was that like?
Your dad, he...
He a good guy?
He was a... disciplined guy.
What about you?
Was your dad around?
Did you read my file?
Yeah, kind of.
So, you're living with him
now, right?
Yeah, and no.
No, he wasn't around.
He left before I was born.
Oh, that's gotta suck.
You gotta totally be loving
living with him then, huh?
Hey, you smoke, right?
What do you mean,
like, cigarettes?
No, no, like...
Yeah, I do.
Why, you want some?
No, no, I'm uh...
I am done with that.
I used to smoke a lot
when I was in Iraq.
I used to smoke just to calm
my nerves down, you know?
You see a lot of crazy shit
over there.
Sleepless nights,
nightmares, stuff like that.
They call it post-traumatic
stress disorder in my field.
So, what's that got to do
with me smoking?
Just wondered what it is
you're trying to pacify,
you know, inside, that's all.
You don't have to live the war
to live at war,
you know what I mean?
Uh, just a second!
What's up?
You don't have to stop smoking
on my behalf.
Just don't burn the house down,
okay?
Some friends of yours are here.
No, thanks.
No, please, just hear us out!
You heard we won
last week?
First time in, like,
seven years.
Yeah, and Josh, we know it's
'cause of that song you mixed.
Honestly, we were just...
Like, transformed!
I can't.
Come on, just mix some songs
for us!
We'll keep you out of
the spotlight
if that's what you're afraid of.
I'm not afraid of anything.
Then, come on! It'll just be,
like, one night a week.
That's all, till we find the
right moves to the right beat.
Yeah.
Okay.
Great!
Um, can you see if you can do
something with this?
Hey, can you put Mama's pills
by the sofa, please?
I already did.
Okay, can you please
take the trash out?
But it's your week.
I know, but can you just
please help me out today?
Fine, whatever.
Thank you.
Do you have everything
you need for school?
Yeah.
Okay, cool.
Mama, did you send out
the electric bill yesterday?
Mama, did you, uh, send out
the electric bill?
You know what?
I was gonna get to that
this morning, actually.
I was gonna take
a long walk first,
'cause I heard it was
gonna rain later
and I wanted to get
an early start.
Sounds good.
Uh, let's get you downstairs.
We're gonna be late
for school.
Oh, no, no, no!
I wanted to make you
a big breakfast.
Maybe pancakes.
Should we try to make
some pancakes real quick?
Yeah, I already took care of it,
though, Mama. It's okay, really.
But I... I want to make
you something.
Maybe we can have a little quick
treat before you head out.
Hey, buddy!
I'm just gonna try
to make you a quick...
Mama, it's almost 8:00!
Shoot, um...
Okay!
I've gotta take my pill.
Here.
Oh, can you, um...
Yeah, I got it.
Get me some water?
Wait, I take one now,
and one at, uh...
Four.
Four, okay.
Argh! Can you open this
for me, honey?
I'm just gonna try to make this,
um, for you guys.
This was Robert's favourite.
Your brother loved a bowl of
cereal with dried fruit.
He was obsessed
with dried fruit,
and he'd cut it up
in little pieces
and then put it in his cereal,
but he had to have 24 pieces.
He would count the pieces.
Thank you.
Oh, can you grab me some milk,
too?
Honey, thank you.
Yup.
And then...
Oh, you know what?
I could actually put
a little bit in a bag,
but I only have these bowls.
See this?
We're just gonna put some food
in the microwave for you.
Just press two minutes.
Okay.
Um, he would have this little
bowl that we got at Disney.
Do you remember that bowl?
Do you remember that?
You guys actually had
matching bowls,
but you didn't care,
and he was obsessed.
He could only eat in that,
and sometimes I would even bring
it up to him at night in bed.
At 10 o'clock at night,
he was 15 years old
and still wanted to eat cereal!
Okay, that's enough.
I... I just meant...
Come on, Tony, let's go.
Just trying to give you
a little... a little snack.
I'm sorry, I didn't wake up
in time to...
to do more.
What the hell, Angie?
You guys are supposed to check
with me on everything!
Especially something like this!
We knew you wouldn't agree!
Come on, it's not totally
her fault.
No, you guys,
we're fine without him!
Okay, if it's new music we need,
I can get us new music.
It's not just new music.
Then, what is it, Angie?
Do you like him, is that it?
Shut up,
he's not even my type.
No, it's not about that.
Do you?
Guys, shut up!
What did you hear?
Enough.
Don't...
Hey, wait!
Yeah, look, I get it.
She's not a bad person;
she's just a control freak.
Please, just give it a chance.
Whether she knows it or not,
she needs you.
We need you.
This school, this town,
is good for nothing
but for turning out
future soldiers.
We know it.
Most just accept it
and life goes on.
And we may very well be
the joke of the school,
but we just want a shot
at something different.
We're just tired of losing.
Yeah, I'll do it.
Oh!
Sorry.
Let me introduce you
to the rest of the gang.
Okay.
What is it?
He doesn't like it.
Tell us.
Look, it's not like
I don't like it.
It's just that...
I've seen this before.
It's like you guys are trying
to fit the moves
into the expectations
or something,
instead of just feeling the...
You know what?
Here, let's try something.
Try what, exactly?
Just dance.
Feel it.
Nobody's watching.
Just have fun.
You're gonna be sore
tomorrow.
I'm used to this.
I meant here.
First smile I've seen
in a while.
It was nice.
Thank you!
You're awesome!
Hey, Josh,
can you listen to this?
Maybe we can do something
with it.
Yeah, man.
Cool, hey,
thanks for today.
That was great.
Hey, you want to go
to a movie?
No, thanks.
You know, I liked it better
when you were smiling.
Come on, you can go back
to being angry afterward
if you want.
Give it up for the Mustangs!
Now, are you ready?
Are you ready!
Give it up for your Patriots!
Bye, honey,
I'll see you later.
Bye.
Hey, Josh,
come on in.
Uh, Jenny, two pepperonis and a
six-pack of Diet Pepsi, please.
Right away.
You rock, Jenny!
Mm-hmm.
How you doing today,
champ?
You ready for a big match?
We got Barce versus Espagnol.
Today, we're going to find out
who the real Catalans are.
Man, you mind if I leave
a couple minutes early today?
Why?
I, uh, got a date.
Wow, you work fast!
I guess it's true,
DJs do get all the chicks.
I don't know about that,
she doesn't even like me.
Hey, girls don't go out
with guys they don't like.
You don't seem very excited
about it.
It's just...
I'm seeing this girl back home,
but she doesn't even answer
her phone anymore.
Oh, it's like that.
Yeah.
You know what,
change is tough, kid.
It's... it's tough,
but it's necessary, you know?
Not this.
What do you mean,
"Not this"?
Not thi... me being here
is completely unnecessary.
What if your being here
is necessary for others?
You learn that at shrink
community college?
What does that even mean?
I'm not here for anybody else,
man.
Yeah, well, maybe
that's your problem.
Maybe you should be here
for other people.
Look, nobody's ever
been there for me.
Why would I be there
for anybody else?
That's a good point.
You know what? You're right.
You're right,
fuck everybody else.
Wait a second, is it true
that you flipped the music
for the dance team
the other night?
You know about that?
Yeah, of course.
It's a small town,
everybody knows.
Yeah, yeah, I did.
Why did you do that?
The music they were playing
hurt my ears.
You could have just left.
Are you gonna let this go?
Mm, probably not,
unless you leave,
but you...
No, you can't leave
until 5:00.
So, I can't leave early?
No, no, no.
This is a court order,
my friend,
and I run a very professional
operation here.
So, tell me, why did you decide
to flip the music?
Why didn't you just leave?
This kid, Tony.
He's all right.
You know, his sister's
the dance team captain,
and everyone at the dance
was making fun of them.
Just sad, man.
Well, that had to feel
pretty good.
What? To flip it on them?
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, it felt good.
Why?
Because, screw those people!
They sit on the sidelines,
and they're judging others
'cause they don't have
the balls
to get up there
and do it themselves,
and then, this poor kid
has to sit there
and listen to his sister
get made fun of
in front of everybody else.
It's just not...
It's sad, it's not cool!
I bet that made Tony
feel pretty good.
Yeah, yeah, I guess.
I'm just wondering why
would you do that for him
if nobody's ever done
anything for you?
Shut up and watch the game, man.
I can hear him coming up
the stairs.
I'm really sorry about that.
I'll just wear shoulder pads
next time.
The trailer looked good.
Yeah, I bet!
You can pick the next one.
Do you still trust me?
Uh, yeah.
Do you want to see
something interesting?
Yeah.
Follow me.
What is it?
It's a tree.
Very funny.
Just a sec.
Are those medals?
Yeah.
Are you gonna help me?
What kind are they?
All kinds.
That one is the Bronze Star.
That one is an Air Medal,
and that over there
is a Medal of Honour.
You okay?
Yeah.
Tony told me about your brother.
I'm sorry.
His name was Robert.
Don't be sorry.
It's not your fault.
Who do those belong to?
Everyone in town
has lost someone
to some war somewhere.
It's towns like ours
that the government gets
most of their soldiers.
How come there's nobody ever
at the cemetery?
I walk by it every day.
People here like to pretend
their loved ones
are still alive.
Talking about it
brings them pain.
It's their way of coping,
I guess.
But you're not like that.
You don't know me.
Let's go.
Thanks for the movie,
and walking me home.
Uh, well, good night.
Hey, how's she doing?
Aunt Judith called,
wanted to talk to Mom
about Robert.
Mom started yelling at her,
and told her to stop talking
about him in the past tense.
Did you give her her pills?
Yeah, you seen the dosage
on those things?
Those pills can knock out
a horse!
For days.
Yeah, I know.
Hey, Mom.
Mama, come on.
Let's get you to bed, okay?
Come on.
Come on, let's go.
Let's get you to bed,
come on.
Okay.
There, there. I'm here, Mom.
It's okay.
I miss my boy!
I miss my boy.
I miss my boy.
Still see him...
I'm here, it's okay.
Don't go.
Don't go...
I'm here, Mom, it's okay.
We'd give anything
to have you back.
I just don't know what
to do anymore, Robert.
I feel like I'm by myself.
Hi, Tony.
Ahhh!
Hey! What the hell, man?
Josh!
We're in a freaking cemetery
in the middle of the night!
You scared me to death!
I scared you, huh?
What are you doing here,
anyway?
I'm walking ho...
What are you doing here?
I came to see Robert.
Your brother.
Yeah.
Are you all right?
Yeah.
My mom was having
one of her fits.
She was going on and on
about Robert.
I can't stand to see her
like that,
so I come here instead.
You're not scared?
No. Why, are you?
Of course not.
Come on,
I'll get you home.
Hey, can I listen
to some of your music?
Yeah, sure.
Hey, man.
Hey.
Have a seat.
Do you mind if we don't
watch the game today?
I've got a tune I've been
working on for the dance team,
and I feel like it's just
gonna be in my head.
Uh, yeah, yeah,
of course.
Oh, and no pizza,
either.
I'm trying to get back
into shape.
Sure.
Hey, Jenny, can you put that
in the mail for me?
And no pizza today.
What do you know
about the people here?
What do you mean?
I know everyone's lost
someone to war,
but no one ever wants
to talk about it.
You know that girl
I was telling you about?
Her name's Mary.
She's the girl I went
on a date with.
Congratulations.
She took me to this place.
It's a tree with a bunch
of hanging medals
from fallen soldiers.
You know the place
I'm talking about?
I do.
I tried talking to her,
and then she just closed off.
She wouldn't open up
about anything,
and I'm trying to wrap
my head around that.
It doesn't make any sense
to me.
I mean, you were in the war.
What can you tell me about that?
You know what? She'll, uh,
she'll talk when she's ready.
That's it?
That's the best you've got?
Yeah.
I thought you were supposed
to know the answers
to problems and stuff.
Why is that a problem?
Because I want to get to know
this girl,
but she won't open up about
anything... anything personal.
Getting to know somebody
takes patience.
It takes time,
it takes the other person
wanting to talk about it,
and that's what a true
relationship is.
Do you have any friends here?
I did.
But not anymore.
Is that one of them?
Yeah.
Lose him in the war?
I did.
You miss him?
Every day.
What's that?
Why don't you take a look?
This is a... a Medal of Honour.
You have a Medal of Honour?
It's not mine.
Then, whose is it?
It belongs to a friend of mine.
Then, how come you have it?
Because his family
doesn't want it.
Why not?
You know, why don't you put
the box back on the table,
and we'll talk about you
for a minute. Please?
Why don't you tell me
about the music?
Where's the music come in?
I was five.
I remember I used to blare
the music so I could drown out
all my... all my thoughts.
Everything else.
And what about the drugs?
Around... 12?
How do they make you feel?
Sometimes the music
just isn't enough, you know?
Mm, yeah, I know.
Why doesn't the family
want the medal?
I'll tell you about that
next time we meet,
how's that sound?
One, two, three, four!
Five, six, seven, eight!
Oh!
Angie, you okay?
Are you okay?
I don't know, it just...
It just hurts!
Tony, go get ice.
Wait, wait, no!
Mary, Mary.
Breathe.
Top of section one and two,
ready?
Where did you learn this?
YouTube!
One and two, and three and four!
And five and six, seven, eight!
One, straight legs!
Three and four!
Can I have your attention,
please?
I wanted to be
the first to tell you
that people at the state level
have caught wind
of what's going on here,
and our school has been invited
to the state invitational
for the first time
in seven years!
What?!
With only one condition:
that you win the remaining
competitions.
Done!
Listen, there's one more thing.
Our school could be hosting
the invitational.
Oh, yes!
Hey, you need to be
resting that ankle.
Congrats.
All right, all right,
back to rehearsals.
You guys are facing
the Hornets this week,
and they're a bunch of stingers,
I'll tell you that much.
Hey!
There's a plate of food
for you over here.
If you just want to throw it in
the microwave and warm it up.
How's school going?
Okay.
How about those meetings
with your advisor?
The shrink?
Yeah.
Okay.
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot.
I saw this pair of jeans
on sale,
and uh, the lady at the store
said it was a pretty cool brand.
I don't know,
they probably fit.
Thanks.
Yeah, you're welcome.
Hey, Josh.
Oh, hello.
Hi, um, I'm Mary.
Uh, we go to school
together.
Oh.
I'm Jim,
I'm Josh's dad.
We're just going to be listening
to music in my room.
All right, sounds good.
Nice to meet you.
Yeah, it was nice
to meet you.
Your dad seems really nice.
Um, that song you did for Lou
was... really good.
Thanks.
I was actually thinking we could
do something for Mia.
You know, mix of a little Asian,
and a sprinkle of your magic.
Way ahead of you.
Really? Can I hear?
I'm not finished with it yet,
so...
You want to watch a movie
or something?
Um, yeah, which one?
You ever seen Platoon?
That's a, uh, war movie, right?
Yeah.
Um...
I got to get going,
so maybe another time?
Yeah, yeah.
Of course.
I'll walk you home.
Yeah.
So, how's Tony doing?
He's fine.
Why do you ask?
Saw him the other night
at the cemetery.
Yeah, he does that.
He told me about your mom.
He did?
Yeah, it sounds rough.
I swear to God that kid's
gonna end up working
for the National Enquirer
or something.
Sure seems to love you
a lot.
Yeah, well, he's my brother.
Do you miss Robert?
Since when do you get to ask me
a question like that?
I mean, as far as I know,
you haven't told me anything
about you.
Yeah, there's nothing to tell.
Bullshit!
I mean, you don't end up
in a place like this
for good behaviour, Josh.
So, what did you do?
Why don't you speak
to your father?
Where's your mother?
You know what, you're right.
There's no reason to talk
about this.
I was trying to be polite.
Not like I give a damn,
anyway.
You're such an asshole!
Hey!
What did I tell you
about the dance team?
Should've listened to me!
Maybe you'll listen next time.
So, the state semi-finals, huh?
Yeah, word travels fast
around here.
Like I told you,
everybody knows everything
about everybody else,
except for you.
You know, I've been asked
about you.
People are very curious.
And?
And nothing,
I can't say anything.
That would be breaking
the law,
but more importantly,
that would be breaking
your trust.
So, what next?
You tell me.
Want to talk about that?
Not really.
You know,
kids can be mean.
But I think that it's important
that you understand
where all that anger's
coming from.
Did you know what Michael lost
his parents when he was young?
He's afraid, just like you.
I'm not afraid of anything.
Except maybe love.
Listen to you.
You're crazier than
your patients!
Am I?
How's it going with Mary?
It's not.
How come?
Because she's nuts, man.
Got all kinds of crazy shit
going on.
What kind of shit?
Shit. Crazy little brother,
crazy mother.
Doesn't walk to talk about her
other brother, shit like that.
Actually, I have one for you.
You have anything to do
with your best friend dying?
No.
Were you there with him,
for his last breath?
Yeah.
Why didn't you save him?
Because I couldn't.
Did you at least try?
I couldn't.
Then, what happened?
Why'd he get the Medal
of Honour?
He...
We were on our way back
from the U.S. Embassy,
and there was a bomb threat
that turned out to be real.
I thought it was fake,
but he went, anyway.
And if he'd have listened to me,
that bomb would have gone off.
He risked his life
for a whole bunch of people
he never even met.
And he was the only one
who died that day.
Why doesn't his family
want the medal?
Because they don't.
It's your turn.
What happened with your mother
back home?
What does that have to do
with anything?
Everything, because I think
there's a reason
why you won't get close
to anybody, Josh.
And you think it has something
to do with my mother?
Is it because my mother
didn't want me to be born?
Is that it?
She told you that?
When?
Right before I came here.
I always knew I didn't matter
to her, you know?
I'm sorry.
It's not your fault.
It's mine.
How do you figure that?
I used to watch my friends'
parents cook them food,
brush their hair,
take them to school.
And I figured, you know,
they were good kids.
They got that,
they deserved it.
Wh... and you weren't
a good kid?
You didn't deserve it?
I got kicked out of schools
left and right.
I got into fights everywhere.
I started using drugs young,
shit like that, man.
Josh, it isn't your fault.
Kids born with messed-up
parents, it's never their fault.
You got to understand that, man.
What would know about it?
'Cause you studied it?
I guess it just seems logical.
So, why don't you have
a wife and kids, and all that?
Because I'm here.
Because I made a promise.
What promise?
We made a promise that if
anything happened
to either one of us,
we would take care
of each other's families.
So, the family's here, then?
Yeah, but they don't want
anything to do with me.
So, your turn.
Why don't you tell Mary
about you?
Why? What for?
Listen, just tell her
what you're afraid of,
and maybe she'll tell you
what she's afraid of.
What am I afraid of?
I'm not afraid of anything!
Come on, kid.
Be smarter than your pain.
If you stand a chance
at loving anybody out there,
you have got to let them in.
Look, I did.
And yeah, I lost my best friend,
but you know what?
At least I know what it's like
to care about somebody.
Yeah, well, if helping out
a town that's beyond help
is caring about people,
I pass.
Are you okay, Josh?
Yeah.
Josh, you want to tell me
about those?
My mixing board fell on me.
You okay?
You just make sure and tell me
if that board gets too heavy.
Give a warm welcome
to our guests,
the Sentinels!
The Sentinels, everybody!
And now, your very own,
the Patriots!
Okay, guys,
just like we practiced.
Here, Mama.
Oh, I'm just trying to
straighten things up here
for Robert.
Hey.
Who is it, Mary?
It's no one, Mama.
Look, it's not a good time,
okay?
I'm sorry about walking away
the other day.
Really, you should go.
Hello.
Hi.
Mama, this is Josh.
He's a friend from school.
Hi, Josh.
Well, you don't want to be rude.
Would you like to come in?
Come on in!
It's a bit of a mess
here, Josh. I haven't...
Really, it's not a good time
right now.
Sorry, it's not how
I like to have company.
Forgive me.
Oh, don't worry about it.
Josh, are you hungry?
Did you have dinner?
I actually just did, yeah.
Oh, okay.
I'll be right back.
Okay, Mary, maybe you want to
offer him something to drink?
I'm okay, I can't...
I can't stay around
long, anyways.
Okay, she's...
I'm sure just be right back.
Oh, my God!
I was just, uh, cleaning up,
so that's why we're a bit messy
around here.
We've just been cleaning and
organizing all our pictures,
and I'm going through
all these photos.
I've been putting them
in photo boxes and albums.
There's, um, this album's
of Mary's brother.
Robert as a baby.
Look at this boy.
He's so handsome.
That's when he first
went into the army.
This is him probably
just about your age, right?
Yeah, looks like it.
Such a good boy.
Always thinking of everybody,
taking care of us,
sending cheques every month.
I don't spend the money,
I'm saving it.
Mom!
I'm sorry, did...
Did I not offer you
something to drink?
Oh, yeah, no.
It's... I'm good, actually.
Thank you.
Okay.
Look at this one.
This is the one
he misses the most.
Right? Every letter I get,
he's talking about her.
And then, she doesn't
write back, but...
You kids can't know what
it's like for us parents.
We're just waiting and
waiting...
Waiting for our little boy to
come through the front door.
Okay, Mom, that's enough.
It's just been so long.
Would you mind if I...
Oh.
...if I looked through this?
Please, I, uh,
I've got more.
I, um, I've got
a whole box here.
I've got... oh,
every boy's favourite.
The braces picture.
Here he is with his best friend.
Look how handsome
those boys are.
Look at the two of them,
so happy.
I know...
I wish Alex would come visit.
I mean, he has so many stories
about Robert.
He promised me.
He promised he would take care
of my boy.
I can't do this today.
It's just been so long.
What, uh...
I'm sorry.
What did she say?
You were, um, you were
showing me, uh...
Graduation.
You okay?
Yeah.
I'm really sorry about that.
I just can't stand it
sometimes.
You okay?
Yeah.
Why are you so hard on her?
She just misses her son,
you know?
You don't know.
Last time I tried to ignore
her depression,
and stopped giving her
her pills,
she ended up in the ICU.
She tried to poison herself.
That's what I have to live with.
Can we just talk about
something else?
You want to go fishing?
Look, I don't know
how long you're staying,
but I'm really glad you're here.
I have to go.
Wh... why?
It's getting late.
I just have to go.
Yeah, just wait a minute.
Why are you leaving?
You just don't get it.
I don't get what?
Nothing,
you don't get anything.
So, tell me!
Just let me go, okay?
No, not until you tell me
what's going on.
Why is it always the same thing
with you people here?
Don't judge us!
You're the last person that
should be judging us!
No!
Why won't you just tell me
about your brother?
Because this is not a movie
for me!
This is real!
I have to live it every single
day, and it's painful, Josh!
What if you just accept it?
You don't think I have?
I have, okay?
Then, why won't you talk to Alex
about your brother's death?
He was his best friend!
He was there for his
last breath,
and you won't even accept
his medal?
Did he tell you why?
That man is a thief
and a liar!
He took Robert away from us!
He said that he would
always protect him!
So, don't you go
pointing fingers
if you don't know the truth
about what's going on here.
You have no clue
what it's like
to lose the people
that you love,
to feel abandoned by them.
You don't know that!
You know nothing about me!
Tell me!
Tell me something, anything!
What did you do back home
to end up here, huh?
And why don't you speak
to your father?
He's right outside that door.
Mine is gone forever!
And where's your mother?
Where is she?
Mine is at home
living in the past!
You know nothing about
being left behind.
You want to know something?
You want to know something
about me?
My parents abandoned me
before I was even born!
How's that for getting
left behind?
What are you doing here?
We need to talk.
Are you crazy?
This is my house!
How the hell do you know
where I live?
Remember that trust thing
we talked about?
Shove it up your ass.
You lied to me.
Okay, Josh,
how did I lie to you?
You didn't tell me your best
friend was Mary's brother.
That's none of your
goddamn business.
That is between me
and that family.
You knew about me and Mary,
yet you failed to mention that?
Well, I guessed you would
find out in your own time.
She told me why
they don't talk to you.
You made a promise
you couldn't keep.
Why would you promise
to protect somebody
when you know you can't
keep that?!
That family trusted you!
They listened to you!
And you let them down!
I need you to leave.
Just why did you do it?
Why?!
Oh, Jesus!
Because it was my job!
It's my fucking job,
and don't you ever fucking
touch me again.
So, what, it's your job
to lie to people?
I was a recruiter in the army.
I had to make a mission.
I had a quota.
So, you lied to him?
I had a quota.
And Robert was a special kid,
man.
I felt compelled to protect him
from the day he joined up.
I kept him by my side from the
moment we touched down in Iraq.
Yeah, I guess I...
I guess I did lie to them.
But I can't change that now.
I have to live with that.
They're right not to want
to speak with me.
But I made another promise,
a promise to Robert.
A promise that I will
not break.
And I will stay in this town
until the day that I die
to fulfill it.
You can change that.
I can't change it.
Those are strong words
to come from somebody
who claims he can help people.
You gave up on them.
I didn't give up on them.
They don't want my help.
They don't want anything
to do with me.
Just like that?
You're going to give up?
You're going to throw in
the towel just like that?
You don't do that!
You don't do that, and you're
the one who told me that!
When you care about someone,
you have to be willing to lose.
And I did lose.
I lost their trust
when that kid died.
Yeah, he's gone,
but you're still here,
and that family is right here!
So, don't go telling me
about taking chances
when you're the one
who gave up on them
so easily in the first place!
What?
You.
Actually caring about
other people, it's amazing.
You know, I thought
you and I were alike,
but we're not.
I'm not going to give up
on them so easily.
Morning.
I hear today's the, uh,
big day.
Yeah.
I sure would like to come
and see you guys.
Then, come.
Oh!
Oh, did I oversleep?
No, Mama, we're just on our way
to school.
I just wanted to let you know
we're going to be home
late tonight.
I got to...
I got to make you breakfast.
You can't go to school
on an empty stomach.
Today's the state's
invitational,
in case you're interested.
Yeah, I'm dedicating it
to Robert.
I think he would have liked it.
He was so handsome.
Hey.
Mama, you got two kids
right here.
Alive.
Two kids who love
and miss you so much,
and that are waiting for you
to be okay again.
We love you.
Come on, Tony.
I, uh...
I came here to say I'm sorry.
For what?
For your loss.
For your pain.
It's not your fault.
I know, but it's not yours,
either.
Come on.
Let's give this town
something to talk about.
Okay.
Welcome to the North Dakota
2014 Dance Invitational.
Showtime is less than
two hours away.
All dancers must finish signing
in before rehearsals can begin.
Congratulations to everyone,
and good luck tonight.
Hey, dude.
Those headphones kind of suck.
Want to use mine?
Where did you get these?
Don't worry about it,
I got connections.
Thanks, kid.
That's what friends are for.
Here we go!
Are you all ready for the 2014
state's invitational?
Taking the stage, the defending
champions, the Kings!
Give it up for defending
state champions, the Kings!
And now, the surprise
of the season,
and the moment I know
you've all been waiting for,
your host, the Patriots!
You sure you're okay?
I'm good to go.
Let's do this.
So, this is where
you've been.
I don't want you to leave.
I'm not leaving without you.
What?
Someone here wants
to give you something.
I'm sorry.
I know.