1
[FILM REEL SOUNDS]
[DEEP BREATHING]
[ECG MONITOR BEEPING]
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMEN ON PA SYSTEM]
[BLINDS RATTLE]
What's wrong?
Are you okay, honey?
- Oh.
- You look all tuckered out.
I'm fine.
Oh, my God, I'm so sorry.
- I fell asleep.
- It's okay, sweetie. It's okay.
What time is it?
[DISHES CLANKING]
- Hello.
- Well, look who's here.
I can't stay,
but just a minute.
- I brought you some chicken.
- Aren't you a love?
And it's in the casserole dish
of yours
that I've had for six months.
Oh.
Hm.
- What's this?
- I made you some galumpkis.
And that's your old
casserole dish.
I've had it for a year.
Isn't that funny?
Sit down.
I'll pour you some coffee.
What are you doing
making me food?
You're the one with the invalid.
Oh, don't I know it.
He's been driving me bananas.
"Did you call Jerry?"
"Did they put the new snowplow
on the truck yet?"
What are you gripin' about?
- How's he doin'?
- Well, he's hobblin' around.
He wanted to go out and cut
the damn wood the other morning.
[CHUCKLES]
Don't listen to her.
- How are you feelin', Al?
- Ah, still a little lame.
Well, you're probably goin'
a little stir-crazy too.
He wanted to get on the goddamn
tractor the other morning.
I says,
"What are you tryin' to do?
"Throw your other hip
out of joint?
Get back in that chair."
You gotta take it easy, Al.
- Just a little bit longer.
- Yeah.
Listen.
How's everything with Brian?
Fine.
I don't know.
Well, we're prayin' for him.
[ECG MONITOR BEEPING]
Oh, hi.
I can only stay a moment.
I just wanted to bring by
some "Agatha Christies."
She was chattering away
with her daughter this morning.
She usually takes a nap
around this time.
Yeah.
- I think she looks pretty good.
- She's a trooper.
I'm gonna bring her mom by
later this week.
- She is a pip, that one.
- Yeah.
Gets us laughing so hard,
we practically wet our pants.
She's somethin', alright.
Alright, bye.
Bye.
Thanks for coming.
Dorie took the car.
No problem.
- Here, let me get that.
- How's Donna?
Well, she was napping,
but she looked pretty good.
Her levels are all good
and she's gettin'
her appetite back.
John brought her some Friendly's
the other day
and she just wolfed it
right down, so..
Yeah, that's what you want
when you're in the hospital.
What you loved
when you were a kid.
Yeah.
So how much longer
is Bill in town?
He's leaving Thursday.
Oh, we better get over there
tomorrow then.
- I'm bringing Mame.
- Hm.
Good. He asked about her.
Um, do you have time
to stop by for a coffee?
No. I have some errands to run.
Thank you.
Oh, wait a minute.
[SIGHS]
I know.
You don't have to say a thing.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
Brian?
Wake up.
Get up.
- Mom, what the fuck?
- Come on. Get up.
What are you doing?
You can't lie around
and sleep all day.
- What are you doing here?
- What am I doing here?
I'm making sure you're alive,
that's what.
Yeah, well, I don't know
what you think I'm doin'
but you can't just show up
like this.
Look at you. You are filthy
and you don't even know
what time it is.
I told you, I've been sick.
Didn't I tell you I've been sick
like 90 times?
- Yes. That you have bronchitis.
- Yeah.
Look. Here's the medication
to prove it.
It takes time.
- Brian.
- I was cleanin' up before.
Brian.
Just let me put myself together.
Brian, you need to listen to me.
You've been saying
that you're sick with bronchitis
for five weeks now,
and I just don't believe you.
Well, if you don't believe me,
that's your right.
I went out at night
and I forgot a jacket.
But you don't believe me.
Sweetie, you've got to go back
to the clinic.
What?
- You think it's that?
- Yes.
After everything
that we have been through.
And if you think
I could look you in the eye
and lie about that?
How could you even think that?
- Honey...
- It just kills me.
It kills me
because it means that
you know, I've lost your trust.
It means
that you don't trust me
even after we talked
everything through.
Brian.
I need you to know
how awful it is for me.
To think you think that
I could ever do that again.
- I..
- Please.
Please what? Stop doin'
something I'm not doing?
- What can I say...
- Sweetheart...
Don't come near me.
I don't wanna get you sick.
Even if you don't believe me.
Oh, what about her?
If... If you're sick,
why is she here?
She's sick too.
She's sick, too, mom.
Brian.
Look at me.
You need to go back
to the clinic.
I just..
I just need you
to trust me, please.
- Okay.
- Thank you!
Okay. But take a shower
and get cleaned up.
I will.
And your clothes are in there
on that chair.
Okay.
And please take care
of yourself.
- Please!
- I will.
I don't think
I'm gonna have a salad.
Okay.
Oh, my God.
There's only one piece
of pie left.
I'm sorry.
My friend got there first.
I am sick and goddamn tired
of these kids
who keep piling food
on their plates
just because they're kids.
I was at the Country Buffet
last week
and this little shit, he grabs
the last pork chop off a pan
and he plunks it down
next to three cheeseburgers.
And his parents say, "Oh,
how about that appetite? Ho, ho, ho."
And I says, "Yeah,
how about those manners?"
- That shut 'em up.
- Mm-hmm.
How's your cousin?
Pretty good. Pretty good.
Boy, she's had it about
as rough as they come.
And she's as cheerful as ever.
How's Mario's shoulder?
[SIGHS]
He's in a lot of pain.
And it serves him right.
He won't listen to me.
I keep saying, "Why are you
lugging that stuff
up and down the back steps?
Let Dave Milch do it."
But no. "I'm gonna carry
my own goddamn firewood.
Thank you very much."
- I was at the Rymanowski's earlier.
- Yeah,
Al's going through the same
thing. He had surgery.
He's luggin' this,
pickin' up that, carrying this.
Yeah, I said, "Mario, what
happens if you take a spill
"and then it's up to me
to waddle out there
"and help you off the ice?
Yeah, that would put you
in a spot, wouldn't it?"
Mm-hmm.
[SIGHS]
You heard
about Tom McConnell?
- Yeah.
- Goddamn PCBs.
I know it.
I can't believe it.
Let's see. There was my Dave
Dave Goggins, Howard Boyce
uh, George Bulgarelli,
Mike Gizzy and Bobby Angelo.
That's right.
All within three years
of each other.
How about Pete Arlos
and the Wittlesey brothers,
both of 'em?
[SIGHS] It's a wonder
Mario is alive and kickin'.
Yeah.
So what else is goin' on?
[SIGHS]
I'm just waiting for the call
to start planning the funeral.
Listen to me, honey.
There hasn't been a time
in the last ten years
that you haven't gone to pieces
over this kid.
[SIGHS]
You know I love him to death,
like he's my own.
But he's a grown man.
Something got ahold of him.
He's the only one
that can shake it off.
I've known him
for fucking ten years, Cor..
- What are you doin' here?
- I brought you some food.
He knows me.
It's simple.
What?
Okay. What the fuck am I
supposed to do, huh?
Yeah?
Why don't you shove it all up
your fucking ass
along with your faggot partner
and your fucking
cunt girlfriend?
Brian!
I just really need
that job, mom.
- What job?
- Uh, uh, bookstore.
- Job in a bookstore.
- A bookstore?
That's what I said twice.
What?
You just come over
to stare at me now?
Get some lecture
about the clinic, Dr. Dresser.
Which is super ironic because..
You know what, forget it.
I'm alone.
- What do you mean?
- No.
There's no other way
to say that, okay?
Alone. I'm all alone.
I have no idea
what you're talking about.
I know. That is the point, mom.
I just..
Nobody's ever been able
to understand.
And God knows you haven't.
Did you call your cousin Donna
like you said?
Do you see?
That's a perfect example.
That's a perfect example!
I'm talking about
something here. Right?
About me not being understood.
And you start talking about
something totally different.
- So you didn't call her?
- Why the fuck would I call her?
Because she's in
the goddamn hospital
with cervical cancer,
that's why!
Ugh! I forgot. Okay?
You told me and I forgot.
I'm sorry, I will call her.
Can you, please..
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Why are you making
so much noise up there?
Mrs. Basuski, I'm sorry...
Brian, I found Chris
and he was just...
Mom.
Oh, hi. I'm Carla.
Yes, Carla,
we've met many times.
So you got the rent?
Yeah, I got it.
Call your cousin Donna
if you have the time.
Bye, mom.
They're always asking me
if I want the TV on
and I'm not interested.
What the hell do I wanna watch
a bunch of commercials for?
So not a great night
last night, huh?
- Uncomfortable.
- Really?
They were gonna give me
morphine.
But I said, "The hell you are."
Once they start in
with that stuff
you might as well pick out
a nice shroud.
Oh, shush.
Florence Nightingale was ready
with the morphine too.
By God, she was itchin'
to start right then.
Mm, speak of the devil.
You know, your color is good.
- Your color is good.
- She's got a good hand there.
Stop it.
Better not play any hearts.
- Gin.
- Well, shit.
[LAUGHS]
See? You made me lose
my concentration.
Oh, mm-hmm.
Oh, I'm takin' your mom
to Dodd's later.
- Good luck with that.
- Oh, she's a pip, that one.
I know. She's a character,
isn't she?
- Donna?
- Oh.
Give me a number, darlin'.
- Seven.
- Okay.
- Oh.
- Just hang on.
Can you give us a minute?
- Alright. Here we go.
- Yes, okay.
Where are you going?
I... I'll just be right outside.
She can come right back.
She asked me to leave,
but I'm not going.
- I'll be right back. Okay?
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Take a breath.
Fuck.
Mame, Donna's in terrible pain.
- Mommy.
- That's right, honey.
Mom's here. Mom's here.
How come you came?
Mm.
[SIGHS]
Oh, the poor sweet thing.
I wish
I could just slip her a pill.
Mame.
I don't wanna see her
all drugged up like that.
But the Lord
will take care of her.
Yep.
How did you get to the hospital?
Eleanor drove me.
Well, how's she doin'?
Poor Eleanor's as dumb
as a box of rocks
but she's always been
a good friend to me.
So we're off
to pay our respects to Bill.
Yep. Cheap bastard.
Like father, like son.
I guess this is the last time
I'll ever see him.
- Oh, no. He's coming back east.
- I mean me, honey.
- Oh, Mame.
- Oh, nothing to fret about.
What? You think
we're all gonna live forever?
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[LAUGHTER]
- Hello, everybody.
- Sorry.
- Hi.
- Well, there you are.
- Thank you. Oh, to hell, Midge.
- Oh.
Alright, look,
have it your own way.
It's not my way.
It's a fact.
I know you're always right
but there's a first time
for everything.
You just keep
hammering away at us.
It still doesn't
make you righter.
I don't have to hammer away
at a goddamn thing
because I know I am right.
Because I was married in '72...
And Frankie fell down
the well in '71.
No, sir. It happened
right before my wedding.
But the fact is that little boy
fell down the well...
For Christ's sakes,
nobody cares what year it is.
[LAUGHTER]
I thought it was '68.
[ALL LAUGHING]
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
Ugh, don't answer it.
It's a robocall.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
Yeah.
- Hi, Leslie.
- Hi, Les.
Haven't seen you since Easter.
- Yeah.
- Oh.
Hey, how are you?
I get those robocalls same time
every goddamn day back home.
The last few times,
I got on and argued with them.
Somebody left a bicycle
out in the yard.
- You did?
- You bet I did.
Somebody, get your bicycle
and put it on the porch, please.
- You argued with a robocall?
- Yep.
You better zip up.
It's cold out there.
- I just block on it.
- Well, see, I can't do that.
You gotta have caller ID.
You should just put your number
in the Do Not Call Registry.
That's that government thing
you have to sign up for?
- Yep.
- Nope. Not for me.
Oh, it won't do you any good
talking to them.
- That's for sure.
- Hasn't called me since.
Just you wait.
[COUGHING]
They used to come door-to-door.
Oh, yeah.
Jesus Christ, they would try
to sell you anything.
- They came on Saturday.
- Yeah.
Oh, uh, no.
They came all week long.
Vacuum cleaners,
Irish Sweepstakes
Bibles, anything.
I had an encyclopedia salesman
come to my door once.
Here we go.
Well, pardon me.
I just don't want to encourage
you with your grandstanding..
[COUGHING]
Tell me the story, Mame.
I wanna hear it.
Well, I don't know
that I care to.
But I guess if anybody wants to
they can just hobble
out of the room.
[LAUGHS]
Come on, Mame, tell.
Oh, I was doin' my housework
the kids had gone off to school
and the doorbell rang.
And there was this nice man
standin' there.
And he says, "Hello, ma'am,"
and I said, "Hello."
"Is the man of the house
at home?"
"No, he's not."
[LAUGHS]
And he says
"Well, could I come in
and wait for him?"
"Sure. Have a seat.
I can't entertain you,
but you're welcome to wait."
Those fellows were
very persistent, weren't they?
Yeah.
So I did my housework
and he sat there.
And I said, "Can I get you
a cup of coffee?"
And he said, "Oh, why, yes,
that would be lovely."
So I gave him a cup of coffee.
Then I did my washing,
I made the beds.
He was a little hungry,
so I gave him a sandwich.
Oh, my goodness.
And it got to be time
that the kids started
coming home from school.
And I walked by and he said
"Excuse me, ma'am,
but could you tell me exactly
when your husband
will be home?"
And I said, "Well, he hasn't
been home for seven years.
But you never know,
today might be the day."
[LAUGHTER]
Oh, Mame, I think
you made me pee my pants.
[LAUGHING]
Alright.
Who's staying for dinner?
- We are.
- I'll have a bite.
We gotta go home.
- Hey, something's boiling over.
- Oh.
- Oh!
- Oh!
Get some butter on that!
- Fuck.
- That's no good.
It just seals it in
and keeps cooking the skin.
Well, it feels better,
so shut up.
[LAUGHTER]
Diane, how's Brian?
He's okay.
Thank you for asking.
How's your hand?
It feels better.
Good.
[PSYCHEDELIC MUSIC]
I have to tell you..
I want to..
What do you want?
I want to give birth
to something.
I think you need help again.
Help.
You're not alone, sweetheart.
I know.
I don't..
...want to..
What?
...do that.
Honey, I think we have to go
through it one more time.
I'll call Dr. Dresser and...
[MUMBLES]
What, honey? Just say it.
Can't you leave me be?
Excuse me, sweetie, okay, just..
[GROANS]
Just rest. Okay?
I'll get the tomatoes.
I can get some more
at the Rymanowski's, too
if we need them.
Alright. And Barb will come.
Great. What about jars?
I don't know.
Let me have a look.
- Okay.
- Well, let's see.
Ah.
Oh, I'd say we're about all set.
Oh, hey.
You going to join us
in our merry canning escapade?
Nope.
It's great when your kids
are there to pitch in.
Isn't it?
Do you need me
to take you to SSI tomorrow?
- No, I'll manage.
- Okay.
Feelin' okay?
Yeah. I'm fine.
You sure?
Yeah. I'm gonna get this show
on the road.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
- What is this?
- It's a playlist.
That's Chick Corea.
Oh, my God.
I haven't heard this in ages.
- You used to listen to this?
- Yeah.
I listened to it a lot
one summer.
Oh.
See you later.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Here's some more
mac and cheese.
There you go. Oh. Oh.
- Alright, mac and cheese.
- Sure. Thank you.
Here you go,
mac and cheese.
Oh. Oh.
- Oh.
- I'm so sorry.
Don't worry about it.
I'll clean it right up.
- Please go and enjoy your food.
- Thank you.
Can my son have
some more chips?
Of course, of course.
Do you think I should open up
a couple more cans of fruit?
Oh, I think we're good. Thanks.
They seem to be
eating it up tonight.
You know these big cans,
we never finish them
at the end of the night
and the food spoils
so we won't do it tonight.
Alright. I'll see if I can find
some more applesauce.
Okay. Tom, how you doing?
Fine. Just fine.
Good to get a hot meal.
- You want some mac and cheese?
- Thank you.
Where's Dorothy tonight?
She over at Three Rivers
at her cousin's.
Well, you give her my best,
okay?
- I will.
- Any prospects?
- Seem like it.
- Good.
Keep your fingers crossed
for me.
- I'll do that.
- We're out.
- Hi
- Hello.
Oh, no!
[CLAMORING]
Does anyone know
where the breaker box is?
- Back here.
- Go get some candles.
- We're getting them now.
- Hold tight, everyone.
Brian.
Brian, wake up.
- Ah!
- Wake up.
Brian! Brian! Wake up!
Oh, my God.
[SIGHS]
[TURNS ON SHOWER]
Ugh. Fuck!
You fucking come around here...
I'm calling the hospital.
I'm getting you locked up.
This is too much!
Can't you leave me
the fuck alone?
- You go live your own life.
- No! You're gonna die.
You're gonna die in your own
filth and shit and vomit!
I'd rather die in my own shit
than have you come around
ragging on me every
goddamn day, you cunt!
Don't you ever say that
to me again!
Ah!
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
What the hell are you
doing up there?
We're gonna have a full house
for Christmas again.
They're bringing the kids.
Oh, God,
it's starting to be a chore.
You know what I mean?
I love them to pieces
but, you know,
I've got the Christmas tree
and then I gotta do
the cooking and..
And the grandkids
are runnin' around
and then
I get to be really tired
and, and I start
snapping at them.
But you'd miss them
if they didn't come.
Yeah, but, you know, I'd like
to be in an easy chair
lookin' down on 'em.
I am just so goddamn sick of it.
And I can't stand to hear
me or you or anyone else
say one more goddamn word
about it.
- Brian, you mean?
- Who else?
[SIGHS]
What was this place
before it was Country Buffet?
[SIGHS]
What the hell was it?
- Mm, Fine Is Kind.
- Fine Is Kind, that's it.
God, it was the worse food
I ever ate.
- Was it?
- Yeah. Oh!
I don't know why
I don't remember
that the food was no good.
Well, when we get to laughin'
and yukkin' it up
who gives a damn, anyway?
We might as well be lappin' up
a bucket of fried sawdust.
It wouldn't matter.
Well, it's better
than this deliciousness.
That's right.
How is everything tonight?
Tremendous. Thank you.
Liar.
You used to make a promise
to yourself and keep it.
Yeah. Easy.
Well, it's pretty simple,
but I know it's not easy.
People are always
telling me that.
It's like telling me to leave
a baby on top of a mountaintop
to freeze to death.
He's no baby.
- You've done all you can.
- Well, easy for you to say.
Every time you go over there,
you come back hurt
and bullied and beat to a pulp.
That's right.
And what difference
does it make?
Who cares? I mean, he's sick.
- Oh, my God.
- It's a sickness.
And if I go over there
a million times
and come back bullied
a million more
what difference does it make?
It should make a difference
to you.
You've done all you can,
everything you can. It's up to him.
Well, like I said,
"Easy for you to say."
Okay, it's easy for me to say.
It's hard for me to lie here
and feel my insides
getting eaten up
and hearing you telling the same
old goddamn stories about him
again and again and again.
I'm probably not getting out
of this bed.
He can get up
and walk away any time.
You know what I would love
is to never hear
another goddamn word about him.
Okay, fine.
I'm looking forward to that.
You're not alone, honey.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
Hello.
Brian?
Hello.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Oh, no, you don't.
Excuse me.
Don't listen to a word she says.
Have whatever you want.
What the hell are you doing?
These people didn't come here
to be punished.
That was his third time...
I don't give a shit
if it was his 23rd time.
You don't do that.
Just because you're poor
doesn't mean
you don't have to follow
the rules...
Just because you're an idiot
doesn't mean
you have to open
your big fat mouth...
Alright, that's enough.
I know.
You don't have to tell me.
Never mind about her.
It's you I'm worried about.
- I'm fine.
- No, stop it. No.
I could use some help out here.
Yeah. Well, hold one moment,
please.
I'll be right there.
Look, I need to get out there.
No, Diane, you need some peace.
[SIGHS]
What would I do without you?
- I don't know.
- You would be fine, kid.
As long as I'm here, you don't
need to worry about it.
Now I'm going out there.
You take the time..
...get yourself together..
...and come out
when you're good and ready.
Okay.
Hey, nice to see you.
How are you doing?
She started talking about
how thankful she was
that she had 37 years of life
and how the Lord had blessed her
with a loving husband
and two beautiful children
and how she was
so goddamn lucky.
It's your turn. Concentrate.
I'm listening to your story.
- Well, multitask.
- Okay, okay, okay.
So everybody in the room
is sitting there
smiling and whatnot,
and the therapist is smiling.
And... I raised my hand
and I said, "Excuse me.
"But while you're so busy
being so thankful
"do you think that if the Lord
came to you and offered you
"another month or two,
you wouldn't take him up on it?
"I don't feel so goddamn lucky
and thankful and blessed.
I feel like I got the short end
of the stick
"and I feel sick.
And so do you,
for Christ's sake."
Well, that's tellin' 'em.
Yeah, that was pretty much
the end of the session.
Yeah.
I mean, excuse me but bullshit.
Well, excuse me but gin.
Oh, my God.
That's the old pro I remember.
- Back in the groove.
- Played the summer of '99.
Was that the year we played gin
all summer long?
Yes. That was..
No, that was '98.
'99..
'99 was a different kind
of summer.
Well, I was unstoppable in '98.
You were pretty unstoppable
in '99 too.
Well, sh..
What was the point?
- Oh, you brought it up.
- No, I did not.
You just wanna make me
feel ashamed all over again.
Oh, forget it.
I brought it up by mistake.
Jesus Christ. I don't have
the energy to fight.
Especially about
an old boyfriend
I didn't even particularly like.
So I'm guessing that's why
you keep starting fights
and then saying you don't have
the energy to fight 'em.
Well, you've got a hell
of a nerve.
Shh.
When are you gonna let me
off the hook, huh?
- I did. A long time ago.
- No.
It just comes back to me
sometimes, that's all.
You say you did, but you didn't
and then you keep bringing it up
every time you wanna needle me
and it works every goddamn time.
And then you say, "Don't come
around here and fight with me
because I've got cancer."
Oh, that's great.
Thank you for coming around
and perking me up.
You have been hanging this
over my head for years
and I just wanna know
for once and for all
do you forgive me or not?
Of course, I do.
Then why bring up
the Cape at all?
I didn't.
You did.
And sometimes it gets to me.
Well, if it gets to you, then..
I mean, you haven't really
forgiven me, have you?
I forgave you,
but I haven't forgotten.
And once in a blue moon
I remember how shitty it felt
to take care of your son
while you took off
with my boyfriend.
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMEN ON PA SYSTEM]
Jackie,
I only have a minute today
but I just wanted to see
how Donna was doing.
She's doing pretty well today.
- Good, okay.
- You look a little worn out.
Do you wanna go sit
with your cousin for a minute?
No, I gotta get going.
You came all the way up here
and you don't wanna see her?
You know what, I... I don't
wanna bother her today
but thank you.
Are you sure you're okay?
I don't know where my son is.
I can't find my son.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
It must be something
scandalous
Lurks in your shallows
If you needed Santa Claus
To buy your gallows
You think you can leave
the past behind
You must be
out of your mind
If you think
you can simply press rewind
You must be
out of your mind son
- What can I get you?
- Um..
I'll have a margarita,
no salt
and, um, some chips.
Oh, do you have those crackers
that you used to have?
Sure, we'll find you something.
Okay, thanks.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ON JUKEBOX]
Throw my ticket
in the wind
Throw my mattress
out there too
Draw my letters
in the sand
'Cause you got to understand
That tonight
I'll be staying
here with you
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
I'm goin' down
Going down the hard road
Just don't know
Don't know where I've been
But I think
I've been walking
I'm walking round in circles
Came here to find a friend
For my love
My love she is not waiting
I think
I might have been long
I've been gone too long
To look at the people
People think me crazy
I've been on the same song
Walls close down around me
[ROCK MUSIC]
I'm too sexy for my shirt
Too sexy for my shirt
so sexy it hurts
And I'm too sexy for Milan
Too sexy for Milan
New York and Japan
- Everything okay?
- It's fine.
I'm gonna have another one.
- Think you've had enough?
- Nope.
I want another one, please.
That's it for tonight.
You're cutting me off?
I was a regular here.
I remember you, Diane.
You gotta go now.
Really?
Forget it.
I'm too sexy for my car
too sexy for my car
Thank you.
You're welcome.
And I'm too sexy for my hat
too sexy for my hat
What do you think
about that?
'Cause I'm a model
you know what I mean
And I do my little turn
on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk
I'm sorry.
On the catwalk
Too sexy for my
Too sexy for my
Too sexy for my
'Cause I'm a model
you know what I mean
On the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk
[CRYING]
- Okay, old girl.
- Her car's over here.
Here we go. Yeah!
- Come on.
- Here we go. Here we go.
- Midge.
- You ladies okay?
That's alright.
We'll manage. Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah.
She's had a tough time lately.
Y'all have a good night.
[GRUNTS]
In you go. There.
Where the hell are the things
for the mirrors?
[SOBBING]
Jesus H. Christ, be careful!
I don't know where he is,
and I fought with Donna
and it was so stupid.
I don't know why I did that.
No, no, no. It's okay, honey.
Would you stop bumping my back
with your knees?
I am doing the best I can.
[COUGHS]
She really is so hard
on herself.
Yes, she is.
[ENGINE STARTS]
Here we go.
- Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay.
- George.
- George, be careful with her.
- Sure.
Uh, let me.. Here we go.
- And... okay. Okay.
- Oh!
- Whoo!
- Just lie back.
Okay.
Okay.
I'm gonna get a washcloth.
- I'm sorry, Mame.
- Oh!
Oh, don't you worry, honey.
With what you're going through,
I would have been surprised
if you didn't come
a little undone.
- I'm sorry.
- That's enough of that.
Here we go.
- George, thank you.
- Oh, that's good.
- George.
- Yeah.
Get her something to drink.
Sweetie, if you feel sick,
there's a bucket right here.
- Mm-hmm.
- Thank you.
- Okay. Here we go.
- Oh.
[KNOCKS]
- Oh, what a nice surprise.
- How you doin'?
I'm okay. Is your mom home?
She went out to do the shopping.
- How are you doing?
- We're getting by day by day.
- Look at you.
- I thought I heard Diane.
- You're all healed up.
- He's got a long way to go.
You look like you could do
the high jump.
But he's got a long way to go.
Don't you, dad?
I'm dropping
these keys off for Carol
and I wanted to give her this.
- Tell her that's for the..
- I'll make sure she gets 'em.
- He'll forget.
- Okay.
- Well, I... I gotta run, so..
- I'll show you out.
[BABY CRYING]
- Here. Let me help you down.
- No, no.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
Oh, sorry. Excuse me.
Oh.
Hello?
Dot?
Oh, no.
Okay, I'll be right there.
- Your boy?
- No, my cousin.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[ECG MONITOR BEEPING]
Thank you for calling.
I'm so sorry.
Hi, Mame.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
- Oh, I'm so sorry.
- Oh.
I'll just,
I'll just turn this right off.
I... I apologize.
Oh, my God.
I... I'll be right back.
Brian?
Where are you?
Where?
[SIGHS]
Well, just wait for me.
I'll be there.
Okay.
Alright. Bye.
[SOBS]
[SNIFFLES]
She loved you.
[SOBS]
She loved you.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
Hi, mom.
Sorry, I didn't call.
I just needed to do it
by myself.
Like I told you that time
I saw you.
Do you remember that?
I wasn't really sure
what you meant.
Can I get you anything?
Um, yes, I'll have
some coffee, please.
Mm-hmm. More coffee?
Uh, yes, please, and a water.
They got the all-day breakfast.
Hungry.
Looks good.
How do you feel?
I'm alright.
I don't really remember
the first few days
but they told me
it was pretty rough.
I'm at a place
out on the Cape.
This time's different.
I can see that.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Be right back with your water.
I just feel kind of raw,
you know.
They just told me that my nerves
are wakin' up, so, uh..
It's like sometimes
the air hurts, you know.
I guess
I need to tell you something.
What?
You know what?
I'm gonna tell you another time.
Just tell me now.
Nope. Another time.
Okay.
[CHUCKLES]
Got a sweet tooth now.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
So I said, "Listen,
are you in high school?"
"No, what do you mean?"
he says.
I said, "I thought so.
You look older than that.
"So you take me
to a real restaurant
or you drive me straight home."
What did you wind up doin'?
He took me
to that Indian restaurant
up on North Street.
- Was that good?
- It's alright, but..
I mean, you know,
a guy asks you out
you get all dressed up
and he takes you to a diner?
What am I gonna drink?
A milkshake?
[LAUGHS]
I don't think you've ever gotten
your nails done before.
I decided to take you up
on your special offer.
Mm-hmm. And what color
are you thinking?
I like that light pink one.
Angel's Whisper. Nice.
And what are we doing
with the hair?
I think just a trim.
So how's the family?
Well, my Aunt Ina is the last
of the aunts and uncles
and she's got emphysema
and smokes like a chimney
but she's hanging in there.
I just can't believe
they all went so fast.
I lost my favorite aunt
last year.
- I'm sorry.
- I loved her the best.
Yeah. I loved all my aunts too.
They weren't that much older
than I am.
My mother was the eldest and had
a lot of younger sisters.
She was born in a log cabin
on the Canadian border.
- Is that so?
- Yeah.
[LAUGHS]
Well, you know, when we're kids
we think everybody's
gonna live forever.
That's true.
Oh, your son.
His wife, what's her name?
- Tally.
- Tally.
Interesting name.
- She gets her hair styled here.
- I know.
- She is quite the churchgoer.
- They both are.
She gave me this whole story
about how they met
at the AA meeting.
Yep. She loves that story.
It's not a family funeral
you're getting ready for?
No, no. It's, it's..
It was a close friend.
She loved
getting her nails done.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
[KNOCKS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
...and come
to a state of peace.
And, Lord, grant her
the knowledge and the wisdom
to stand in Your light
and accept Your Word
in her heart and mind
that she may come together
with us
in the joy of worshiping You
and Your only begotten son,
Jesus.
Lord, show her the path
to salvation
through the grace
of Your begotten Son
Jesus Christ.
Amen.
- Hey, mom.
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
- My hands are wet.
- Oh, that's okay.
- Hi.
- Hi, Tally.
- How are you?
- I'm good, thank you.
- Oh, we're so glad you're here.
Thank you, Tally.
Okay, good.
- Well..
- What can I do to help?
You can put some water
on to boil.
Okay.
Look, is that a cardinal?
Oh, Lord, I praise You
for granting me the sight
of one of Your most
beautiful creatures. Amen.
Praise Him.
- See that, mom?
- No, I missed it.
Lord, we thank You for the
bounty of this wonderful meal..
...for bringing us all together
on this beautiful day
to share this food.
We ask that You bless this meal,
O Lord.
We pray that each and everyone
of us at this table
sees the light
of divine revelation.
Thank you, O Lord. Amen.
- Amen.
- Amen.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Well, we've been wanting to get
you two together for some time
Diane and Diana.
- It's very nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too.
We're praying for you.
Diane, not Diana.
We pray for you too.
Yes, I heard you. Thank you.
You want some vegetables?
Well, you're welcome to join us
in prayer anytime, mom.
Thank you.
You know, we were praying
that you'd join our church.
Well, we've been through this
before and I'll say it again.
I'm really happy
with my own church.
- Mm-hmm.
- Thanks.
But you haven't been saved.
How do you know, Brian?
Have you?
I think I have been saved, yes.
I'm good with my church
and with God.
But I really don't want you all
to keep doing this to me.
Just leave me alone about it.
- Okay?
- Can't do it.
All I want is to come over here
and have a nice meal
and a nice visit.
And every single time,
you start nagging at me.
Well, it may feel
like nagging, mom
but it's called love.
Well, I want you to drop it
because it's making me angry.
Well, you didn't drop it
when I was taking drugs.
Salt and pepper.
You refused to drop it.
You kept coming back
no matter how many times
I told you not to, right?
Well, I'm your mother,
so I'm gonna keep comin' around.
Not every mother
would have done that, mom.
My mother left me
out in the cold
and locked the door behind her.
I'm sorry about your mother
but please don't compare
what I did to this.
This is love, mom.
It's perfect love.
That's what this is.
You don't give up.
Love doesn't make a person
feel upset and angry.
This is a gift
we're giving you, mom.
You remember how it was
with me before.
I was walking through life
with my eyes closed.
- Please don't preach to me.
- I'm not preaching to you.
I'm testifying.
To you. To anyone.
Alright. You're my mother.
I want you to feel
the same freedom that I feel.
I want you to have the gift
of revelation.
Revelation.
It was like a weight was lifted
from my shoulders, mom.
I want you to have that.
I want the beauty for you.
I want the...
Please stop being so goddamn
selfish for once in your life...
Selfish?
Please don't take His name
in vain.
Yes, you heard me. Selfish.
How many times did you go
visit your cousin
in the hospital, huh?
None. That's how many.
You know how it was with me
then, mom, better than anybody.
Yes, I know how it was
and I know you're as selfish now
as you were then.
You two just keep coming at me
constantly.
We just want you to see
what we see.
- I see with my own eyes.
- We know that, mom.
- We just wanted you to receive.
- Please just stop it.
- Leave me alone.
- We can't.
It's selfishness,
pure and simple.
You better stop talking to me
about selfishness.
Well, I guess I won't.
You took your own sweet time.
You went off to God-knows-where.
Please don't take His name
in vain.
- Shut up.
- Hey!
Don't you talk to our friend
that way.
I will talk to her
any way I want
as long as you all keep
badgering me.
Where were you, huh?
You had to do it your way.
Fine.
Meanwhile, I am sick, worrying
getting myself ready to hear
the news that you're dead.
And then bang, there you are.
And I can't even be in the room
with my own cousin
when she's passing away.
Your cousin.
Because that's the time
you picked to call.
You mean the cousin
you left me alone with
when you took off
with her boyfriend, mom?
That cousin?
Yes, that cousin.
I wouldn't wanna bear
that guilt either
for that selfishness!
But you seem to be able
to handle it just fine.
You might wanna justify yourself
and start getting right
with God.
I am perfectly right with God
and stop simpering!
The whole family is a bunch of
Bible-thumpers from way back.
It's because we were raised
in the backwoods.
The preachers would come around
when we were kids
with the tents and the torches
and the camp meetings.
I always kept that part
of my life all to myself.
I mean, why in the hell would I
wanna share that with anybody?
Your mother was the same way.
That's why we got along so well.
But I remember
when she got all excited
about the Jews for Jesus.
I remember that.
- I remember that.
- Yeah.
"Ina," she said,
"did you hear about
this wonderful organization
called Jews for Jesus?"
"No," I says,
"and I don't care to."
And she got all huffy
about that, let me tell you.
But she was more like me
than Midgy.
Or... Mary.
- Mm-hmm.
- Near the end.
My friend, Maxine, was going on
about the Lord this
and the Lord that
about ten years or so ago.
But she was a drunkard.
Pure and simple from the time
Buzz left her.
It's the same as Brian.
You substitute the one
for the other.
Yeah.
And I took her aside
and I told her gently.
But I believe it helped her.
I figured it was better to have
her ravin' about Jesus
than doing herself in.
And she did come around.
- Really?
- Yes.
And he will too.
[ORGAN MUSIC]
- There you go.
- Thank you.
Goodnight, Diane.
[CLATTERING]
Damn it.
Oh, my..
Oh, Tom, no. I don't want you
to be doing this.
Can't you let me help you?
No, it's not right.
Tom, what are you doing?
Have a seat, my friend.
Okay.
- How's Dorothy?
- Just fine.
I'm sorry, Tom.
I don't see why you feel like
you have to apologize.
Because I don't want you
to be working.
Isn't it enough that I told you
I wanted to help you?
I guess so.
My aunt was like that.
She apologized for eating.
She apologized for puttin'
one foot in front of the other.
She apologized for breathin' up
too much air in the room.
She thought she had
terrible sins to make up for.
What exactly, I can't say.
Didn't you use to work
in a kitchen?
I was a short-order cook.
Then I worked at the mess hall
in, in Westover
before I got the job
at Land Appliance Plant.
That's where
I met your husband.
I remember. Hmm.
Now you got me thinking
about my aunt.
That woman wrapped herself
in shame.
I know something about that.
[SIGHS]
Done some damage in my life.
Hm.
Well..
You know, when I come here
for a meal
I feel pretty low about myself,
my situation.
But when you serve me Diane,
I feel sanctified.
Goodnight.
[CELL PHONE VIBRATES]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- Sorry.
- Geez.
Sorry.
[SIGHS]
[EXHALES]
So you staying late here?
Oh, yes.
- Come on in.
- Come in.
Come on in.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[INDISTINCT SINGING]
It's good to see you.
Wow.
Am I supposed to be doing
somethin'?
No, no,
you don't need to do anything.
Mm, smells sweet.
[INDISTINCT SINGING]
Okay, ready?
Mm-hmm.
Ah.
Ah.
[SIGHS]
[INDISTINCT SINGING]
Now open your eyes.
[CHUCKLES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
[GRUNTS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
- Brian?
- Hey, Diane.
Come in. Come in. Come in.
I can only stay
for a minute, okay?
How are you doing?
Yeah, not bad.
I just went for a walk out
in the woods to our old spot.
Looking up at the stars.
- Does Tally know you're here?
- No.
Had to sneak off to see my mom.
Are you supposed to be drinking?
Nope, but fuck it.
Oh, good gracious.
What is gonna become of you?
I'm alright.
I tried to call you
a few times, but...
I know. I know.
[SIGHS]
I was angry and..
...ashamed.
Both, I suppose.
Well, I just wanna say
I'm sorry.
For the dinner, for..
...everything I put you through,
you know.
Well..
...we both have a lot
to be sorry for.
I don't blame you.
You should have walked out
of there
as soon as we started
preyin' on you, you know.
Well, my behavior
was just as bad.
But that's not
what I'm talkin' about.
I meant the Cape.
And I know I've said it before,
but I wanna say it again.
- I'm sorry.
- Uh, okay.
Look, that's why
I was trying to call you.
Um, there's something I need
to say to you about that.
I wasn't angry at you.
I mean, I was,
but I wasn't, you know.
No.
It's like I was supposed
to be angry, so I was.
Ah.
You took off, right,
and the cousins freak out
and... and Donna went bat-shit
and I... I don't know.
I don't know. It was confusing.
But I was thinking about you
the other day
and how happy
you were with Jess
and, and how amazing
that could have been.
You remember his name?
Yes, of course,
I remember his name.
I loved that guy.
But I cheated on your father
with him...
Can you just forget about that
for one minute, please?
- I did love your father.
- I know, mom.
I know. I did too.
We're not talkin' about that
right now.
I'm, I'm trying to say
that I, I taught myself
to disapprove of you.
Okay.
I've used that against you.
The next time I beat you
over the head with it
and I probably will..
...just remember
what I'm sayin' now, okay?
Okay.
Okay.
It's the gift of revelation.
I gotta get back
to Jesus world now.
Goodnight, Diane.
Goodnight.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
[THINKING]
Wait.
Did I forget
to turn the burner off?
I know I had set the oven
on 400, but..
...there was someone..
Wait, I need to find my place.
Did I forget to turn
the burner off?
I picked up the prescriptions
and the vanilla extract
and the cloves..
I lost my place.
And the ribbons.
And three teaspoons
of orange rind.
And I rubbed the skillet
with bacon, but..
I picked up the prescriptions
and the vanilla extract.
Wait, there was someone.
I set the stove..
They called everybody
to come inside before dark
and warm up in the kitchen..
I remember the orange rind
and the ribbons
and the bacon, but..
Did I forget
to turn the burner off?
Wasn't there someone
who never came inside
when I called for him?
Did I forget to turn off
the burner?
But I set the stove
at 400, but..
There was one more thing.
Wait.
There was something..
Mrs. Rhodes, are you okay?
Precious.
Oh, my God, Mrs. Rhodes.
Someone.
Hang on.
Precious.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]