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Fray (2012)
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Go, go, go. Fuck. Fucking dumb ass. You better fucking calm down you fucking asshole because if you don't, I'm gonna fucking knock you out. Do you hear me? Do you fucking hear me? So, last week I had you read excerpts from "A Wealth of Nations", and we learned that Adam Smith's idea of captitalism was designed to free the consumer from a producer and state dominated economy. Over time, however, various dysfunctions in the capitalist economy, concentration of wealth, market power, manifested themselves and the intended efforts of the system eroded. Today's capitalism is dominated by large corporations, political interests and social pathologies, and fails to achieve the original intent of serving the common man. So, let's talk about ways we can start bringing capitalism back to its original intent. Thank you, sir. Shut the fuck up! Damn right, you're fucking quiet. That should get me down the block. Hey, man. You're new here, right? Sort of. Been here a couple months. Yeah. Only working in the evenings or something? No. I used to, but with cutbacks I just fill in when they can find a slot for me. Ah, that sucks, dude. At least they didn't fire my ass. I'm Matt by the way, man. Justin. Good to meet you. Hey, you ever go up to Gales Creek Tavern? No. I never been. Aw, dude. You got to come, man. Me and my buddies are there like about every night, man. Thanks. Well, I better get back to work. Nice meeting you, dude. Yeah. I should get back, too. Hey. Yeah. No. No, I wasn't. Sorry, I wasn't there in class today. Yeah, I did... I did the essay. I don't know if it's any good, but it's written. Yeah... no, I'll be there Monday for class. Tomorrow's payday, so I'll be there, okay? Okay. Friday morning? Yeah. I can do that. That's 200 units of Douglas fir and 30 cedar for me. Yep. Sounds good. Thanks. We'll let you know next week. Don't have too much fun with that snow down there. Thank you, sir. Yeah, it's not much. Trying to get you in more, but sales are down again this quarter. How's that leg of yours doing? It's good as long as I got my meds. I was in therapy on Monday, they say I'm making really good progress. I still can't put much stress on it, though. You doing okay sleeping? A couple nights a week still. I wish I can say it'll go away soon. I still have my nights, and that was 30 years ago. I know I'm your boss. If you ever need to talk or have a warm dinner, you let me know. Thank you, sir. More than anything, I really just like to work. I'll do what I can for ya. Thank you. I really appreciate it. So assuming we all did our reading, let's see how much we retained. How are the profit motives of business served by good ethics? Jenny? Good ethics result in good business? That's the standard motto, but in the short term, bad ethics can be profitable, so when seeking a profit motive, how do good ethics become beneficial? -Wyatt? -It keeps 'em out of trouble. Well, it can be good PR to be ethical, but it's not against the law in many cases to be unethical. The law merely specifies the lowest common denominator of acceptable behavior. How would bad ethics effect the bottom line? Customers won't buy a product that's harmful or bad for their health. Good. That is one reason why ethics are good for the profit motive, but selling risky products like high interest loans, credit cards is still profitable even though it's often bad for the consumer. So if a customer is still willing to buy these dangerous products, what's the motive to be ethical? Justin? Well, if they keep swindling everyone, our consumer-based economy will have no consumers left with money to spend. That's another good point, but that addresses the long term profit motive. How do you see ethics being beneficial in the short term? I don't. How has unethical business hurt Wall Street? Well, it's true. A lot of banks have profited a lot, but it's also true that a lot of banks have gone under and are continuing to do so. Yeah. How does that hurt that personal profits? Well, that's another topic we'll be addressing later. Business ethics and human values. Right now, we're just focusing on ethics and the profit motive. So, you don't see ethics being beneficial in the short term? Ethics are for little people. I mean, if it's just about this quarter's profits, then the only role they play is a burden. Let's try and find some reasons anyway, shall we? Okay, so just remember to read the rest of that chapter and answer the questions in the back. Yeah. So, how is everything else going? Um, I went for a hike over the weekend. My leg was sore as hell when I got home, but it felt good to do it. I know I should've been going over my school work. No. That's great. I'm happy you were able to do that. Yeah. It was like a little taste of freedom again. Well, you need that, you know? Get caught up here, but I don't want you to burn out either. I don't know. I don't think I really got the mind for it. Are you kidding me? You stumped teacher today with your anti-moral shpeel. I'm not anti-morals. I just don't think they mean a damn thing to the people running things. Don't tell anyone, but I agree with you. We can't teach that, though. I just hope this new generation sees a bigger picture like you do. I hope they can understand that their actions effect others. That's why I know you have a mind for this stuff. It's just... this stuff, you know? These fancy words and big theories. Oh, don't play that shit. Acting like you ain't smart? You ain't some dumb old grunt like me, little lady. Well, grunt boy, you too will be one of us hoity-toity types if I have my way with you. What makes you think I want to be one of you hoity-toity types? Well, I don't blame you. Neither do I. That's why I'm a teacher. I'm just kidding. Hell, I don't even know what I want to be. Well, a secret for you. Uh, most of us don't. The important thing is to know who you don't want to be. I should get going. I got the early shift tomorrow. Thank you so much for taking all this time to help. That's my job. I promise I'll be here on Thursday with my papers finished. Well, I'll believe it when I see it. Hey, the least you can do is walk me to my car. Am I your bodyguard now? Yeah. Hey, Justin. Me and my buddy are going to the bar tonight, wanna come out? No. I can't. I got to study. Got a test on Thursday. Oh, good luck, man. I'll have a beer for ya then. Have a few. I'll need 'em. All right, catch you later. Yeah. Justin. Yeah? I got that cash you dropped, but where's the rest? Sorry. I'm still short. Well, I need it by the end of the month or I got people who are ready to move in. I can't keep playing this game. Here. Here's 50 bucks. I'll get the rest to you next week. End of the month's in a week. Oh, shit. Look who made it out. -What up, man? -Hey. Hey, Pete. This is my boy, Justin. -Hi. -Good to meet you. Have a seat, man. Game's getting good. Get a beer? -Hey, it's on me. -All right, thanks. Yeah. No problem, man. So, you're done studying everything? -Yeah, sure. -Yeah. That's right, man. Fuck school. That's all that's all about. Yeah. Fuck school. Whatever. Cheers to studying hard and becoming somebody. Thank you, man. -Cheers. -Cheers. So, Justin, where you from? I grew up in Jersey. Cool. Follow basketball much? No. I don't really follow much. Dude, we fucking live it, man. Yeah we do. High school, I was point guard. This guy was a forward. Put up more bricks than a mason worker. That's cool. What brings you down here then? It's a long story... basically for work. All right. You should have called it in an instant. Would have done you some good. Another foul. -Hey, Pete. -Thanks, asshole. Can I have one of those for the road? Yeah. No problem, man. I didn't know you smoked. I haven't in awhile. There she goes. Got a light? -You gonna work tomorrow? -Yeah. I'll see ya tomorrow. Good to meet you. -You too, Justin. -Thanks for the beer. No problem, man. Justin, if you're gonna live here... ...I'd start drinking. You wanted to see me, sir? Yeah. John called in sick. I wonder if you could work for him tomorrow? Yeah, sure. Thank you. Good. I've got some not so good news. I just talked with the big boys. I'm gonna have to start making some cuts starting next month. I'm not gonna lay you off. I just don't know how much work there will be. Got to figure things out. I just wanted to give you a heads up so you could do what you need to do. Thank you, sir. Don't go spreading that around. I don't want the others to know until I've had a chance to sort it out. I won't say anything. Sorry, son. Times are just tough around here. Yeah. See you tomorrow. Why have you been cutting class? I don't know. Nothing. I'm just having trouble with the V.A. What about your disability pay? Oh, hasn't been approved yet. It's been almost a year, and they still haven't paid your disability? They still haven't paid my tuition yet either. How are you getting by? It's tight. You know, I have to walk to and from work, skimp on some things. I try not to dwell on it. I mean, there's guys who have it a lot worse than I do. Oh, sorry I took so long. No. This is great. I could talk to you all night. Yeah. It's been good talking. Do you want to join me for dinner? We could go to that little diner on Knott Street. Come on. Teacher's new to hick town too, and you're like the only guy who's been passed the county line since birth. Yeah, well I wouldn't have the Middle East as my first travel destination, but I guess it still counts. Well, it's more interesting than here. Dinner? Sure. I was only married to the guy for a month, and he was completely useless. You should've seen him trying to take out the garbage. Oh my God. I told you... it was completely stupid. No. Not stupid. Dumb. -And the difference? -The difference? You marrying some fat, greasy douche 20 years older than you that you met backpacking in Greece? That's dumb. That's you. I was serving amidst two wars and believing the sales pitch of a better life waiting for me when I got out, and thinking the government who I took a bullet for would give a shit. -That's stupid. -That wasn't stupid. Idealistic nave? Yeah. Maybe. Brave, noble? Definitely. Brave, noble bullshit. I joined up because I didn't see another option. I come from shit. I thought I could just crawl out of that shit, you know, climb the ladder. What is noble, Justin? Huh? Is what I do noble? Is anyone here doing anything that means a thing? I mean, are the assholes that sent you and thousands of people like you to fight and die brave and noble? Leave it up to our base human instincts, and nobody would do anything that means anything. You were there, you know? You did what most of us don't do... think about, and you did it all expecting nothing more than a little thanks in the form of a handout. That is noble. Well, when you put it that way... It's fucking true, and you know it. -Come on, it's on me. -No. I can't... You know what? Shut the fuck up. I'm done talking until you accept what I told you. In the future, I recommend you not sneaking up on me. Just take me home. Yes, Miss Teacher. Hi. I'm calling about the job you have listed in the paper. Yeah, the job opening. Okay. 11 a.m.? Yeah, I could do that. Hi, Justin. My name's Becky. -Nice to meet you. -How are you doing today? Good, thank you. Just some basic questions. Do you have a food handler's card? No. Okay, you need to get one of those before you can work here. It's very simple. You can go online and get 'em. It's just a few dollars. And transportation... you have transportation? -Yeah, I have a truck. -Okay, good. That's important, and um, black slacks? Do you have black slacks or black pants? No, I don't have black slacks. Those you need to have before you can start working here, too. So, um, what do you think qualifies you to work in this establishment? Well, I just got out of the Marines. I don't see how five tours of duty are gonna help me here. Well, you never know. It's kind of a battle field in here at times, especially during the summer. Um, it's... you know, right now we are doing some hiring for spring and summer, so um, we do have a lot of other applications that we're looking at. Yeah, so apparently I'm not the right fit for a fast paced career at Dairy Freeze. Yeah, I don't give two shits about it. I could just use the extra cash. That's all. No. That is not the uniform women find sexy. No. I picked up a few applications on the way home. Oh, by the way, I got your note. No excuses now, huh? That was really nice of you, but you don't have to be giving me money. You teachers don't make enough money anyway to be giving it away. Yeah. No seriously. I'll be fine. It's good to walk... builds up strength in my gimp leg. Shut the fuck up. Shut the fuck up! Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Like I've said, poverty consists not in the decrease of one's possessions but in the increase of one's rate. So let's talk about how this relates to the sub prime mortgage crisis. We have a couple of groups... She followed this band around for six months. God. My friend Danielle, she could get back stage to any show. Wow. Life must've been tough for three hot chicks on the town. It had its perks, but I don't miss it though. My party days are long gone. Sounds like it was a blast. Yeah, it was, but you know, it was also fake... pretending to be hot shit when in reality just a couple of young brats looking for attention. Sowing your wild oats? Consider my sown. Let me see. You were a groupie, and you're still married in Greece? You're a published writer and now professor? Don't forget I'm sharing a day in the park with the most amazing guy I've ever met. Come on. You fucked rock stars. No. I fucked C list rock stars. You're a great guy, Justin. I wouldn't be here freezing my ass off if you weren't. Won't you let this great guy take you home? Hey, come on. Tell me about the girl you almost married. You don't want to hear that shit. Yeah, I do. I told you about my crazy past. You tell me about yours. There's not much to tell. She got tired of me. She got tired of you? Well, you were engaged to an idiot. Of course, who would marry me? Asshole. Okay. Fine. Don't tell me. You wicked woman. You're gonna make me feel bad? No, I'm just gonna pout. It's up to you whether you want to feel bad or not. Okay, fine. We were engaged and planned on marrying when I got out. Right before my last rotation, I had two weeks off. She told me she couldn't take it. I wasn't the guy she loved anymore. That was it. So she gave me back the ring, and I went back to war. I'm sorry. No, she was right. I wasn't the same guy. I never was much, but at least I was happy. I wasn't a wreck. You'll get there again. You've got me. I'm not going anywhere. This morning, I got an e-mail from my buddy. Two of my guys died yesterday. It was an ambush in the middle of the night, around three in the afternoon our time. Same time I was interviewing for a job at Dairy Freeze, my guys died. I wasn't there to protect 'em because I'm here. Doing what? What the fuck am I doing here? I'll never be that guy again. Sorry. John, I'll let Paul know that you called. Okay, great. Thanks. Bye. -Hey, Justin. -Hey, Maggie. Just seeing if you have my check. You didn't get it yesterday? No, and I haven't had a shift in a few days. Okay. -Here you go. -Thank you. -Have a good weekend. -You, too. -See you Monday. -Okay. You got your I.D.? Hey. You just get here? Yeah. I just got here. Nice, nice. You good? Drunk. Hey, you need a shot. You need a shot. Bartender, bartender. Can I get a couple shots of whiskey? Yeah. Do you good. Thank you. -Yeah. No problem. -Right on. Cheers. Down the hatch. Down the hatch. Hey, play some darts. One of these nights, we'll have to go camping, I'll show you how to get the fish. -Hey, Petey boy. -Hey. Look what the cat drug in. -How you doing? -Justin, right? Nice seeing ya. All righty. You gonna play? You any good? -I've played before. -Right on, let's play. Good. I'm tired of beating this guy. All right. New guy goes first. Loser buys the next round. Who's the next contestant on "Buy Us Beers. Oh, shit. Uh-oh, Petey. Looks like we got ourselves a ringer. You owe me beer. All right. I'll take the challenge. All right. Get ready for this good stuff. -Yeah. Oh man. -Whew. Oh. He's actually hitting something for once. No, not that time. You want to buy me a beer and end the game now? Think I'm gonna lose still? Just getting warmed up, man. Let's do this. He's gotta take a lot of warming up. Let's go, Matt. What you got? -He's got nothing. -I got this guy beat. You got nothing. Come on. Don't screw up. Oh. -Uh-oh. -Better luck next time, right? It looks bad for you. I got an 18. Consistently bad. It's all right. Bad for you. A bad bridge. Here you go. Yeah, buddy. Thank you. To victory and beating Pete's ass. Beating Pete's ass. Nice. You give lessons? He might want some. How'd you get so good, man? I had a lot of down time in the service. You're a soldier? Marine. Dude, you never told me that. Yeah. Dude, dude. GI fucking Justin. Everybody, we need to toast. We need to cheers for him. Everybody, a true American hero just got back from fighting for our country. Nice, but I'm not a hero. Oh, dude. Justin, GI Justin, you got to tell me. How many of them shit stains you kill over there? I don't know. A lot. It's my job. A lot? What do you mean a lot? How many? A lot. So what's it like over there. I mean, is it crazy? Yeah, it's crazy. People die. It's like I just came home with a bad leg. What happened to you over there? A grenade or something? A bullet. Anymore fucking questions? No, man. Sorry. Fuck you, too. Aw fuck. Fuck you. Michael McMillan just strolls in 20 minutes late and spends the entire rest of the class on his cell phone. I swear. These kids don't pay attention to a damn thing unless it's a text message. I'm gonna start giving F's to anyone I catch fucking around with their cell phone in class. I mean, what makes these academic brats think anything they do is so amazingly important that they must text back and forth about it all day? I mean, whatever happened to internal thoughts and self-reflection and letting your mind wander? That is why you are so great. Hey. You okay, baby? Yeah. I'm just having one of my days. That's all. Well, after this hopefully edible dinner that I'm screwing up, I've got a desert to make you forget about all that stuff. Get back in that kitchen, woman. Ooh, play nice. So, um, I've been thinking about how much I love having you here and spending time with you and just how safe I feel when you're here. I want you to move in with me. Live with you? Yeah, plus it would be easier. We would have each other. Thank you. It really means a lot to me to know you're here for me, that you're willing to take me in. I wouldn't just take you in. I want you here. You've got to stop seeing yourself that way. Get that through your thick head. You love my thick head. I do. I love them both even though this one is a pain in the ass. Um, I still have a lot of crap to deal with. Let me think about it. Okay? Okay. Let me get back to dinner before I burn it. Fuck! -Jesus Christ. -Sorry. Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you. Oh. I heard you were up and wanted to see if you were okay. Yeah. I'm fine. My stupid head is just filled with so much crap. You're not stupid. You're gonna get through this, and no matter what, you got me. Why? What do you want with a fuck up like me? I want everything about you. You don't know everything about me. What I've done? Trust me, you don't want me. How do you know what I want? You think you're gonna scare me off? Yeah, actually I do. Well, I'm not as fragile as you think. You don't know me. You're gonna hurt me? Huh? You're gonna hit me? Come on. I can take it. I love you. I love you, Justin. You're just gonna leave? That's it? What the fuck, Justin. Where are you? Come in. -Hi there. -Excuse me, sir. I'm here about the stock room position. Come on in. I appreciate your time. We'll let you know next week. -Thank you, sir. -Have a good day. -I appreciate it. -You bet. You need a lift? Come on. Get in. Thanks. You doing okay? Sorry I haven't been there. Yeah. You could've give me a heads up. Made more work for the other guys. Made my job easier with the cutbacks. You find work or something? No. I'm still looking. My offer still stands, you know. Struggle ain't gonna be easy. It helps to talk. You can't just run away from it. Thank you, sir, but I'm good. Yeah. Sure you are. You ever want a warm meal or something, let me know. You can drop me off up there. You sure? Yeah. Right here. Look, Justin. I've got some side jobs I could use you on... not at the mill, just at the house. It's not a lot but it is something. Come on. You owe me. Besides, you're a good worker. When you show up. Sure. You remember where I live, right? Yeah. Show up at 7:30 before I go to work. I'll get you started. Thank you, sir. Stay warm. Good morning, sir. Where's your truck? You walked? Yeah. It's a good stroll. How far? It must be five or six miles. I have nothing else to fill my time with. Why don't you sit down and rest your leg awhile. I got to get off to work. There's coffee in the kitchen. Call me if you need anything. I'll be back just after five. Thank you, sir. You bet. Don't have too much fun. Dear Lord, we are grateful for this day and for all we've been able to accomplish. We are grateful for the food and thank you that Justin was able to join us today and help, and we are grateful for all... many blessings. Amen. Amen. So, Paul says you were over there in Iraq. Yeah. I was in Iraq for three deployments and Afghanistan for another two. Wow. You know, we prayed for you boys so much over there, and we're so proud of what you were doing. Yeah, we salute you men and women for all you been able to accomplish over there. Thanks. Cindy, our daughter, she's about your age. Maybe a little bit younger. Her high school organized some care baskets a few years ago for the soldiers. She wrote these cards and sent socks and things like that so has our church. Every year there's a Christmas drive. Oh yeah? That's really nice. We always appreciate a little gift from back home. You know, we wanted you to know that we're rooting for you... to do our little part in the effort. Thank you. Sorry it's a little cluttered. Thanks. It's great. I appreciate you coming out today. You did a good job. -Thanks, sir. -Sleep tight. -Hi. -Just paying my phone bill. Okay. Hello. Justin? I'm sorry. Where are you? Are you okay? Yeah. I'm fine. Just out of town now. Just getting my act together. I'm glad you called. I just wanted to hear you're okay. I'm sorry I should've been more understanding. No. Don't apologize. You're perfect. I fucked up. But I'm gonna fix it. I'm sorry I'm such a mess. Can I see you? I will go wherever. I just want to see you. Justin, are you there? Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm here. I just need more time. Okay. Are you okay? Yeah. I'm fine. I miss you, Justin. I miss you, too. I'll call you, okay? Okay. I love you, Justin. Take care of yourself. You, too. Hello. I'm calling to see if you made a decision on the job... ...yeah in the stock room. Yeah. Okay. Well thank you for your consideration. If another job opens up, keep me in mind. Yeah. I appreciate that. Thank you. Bye. Hey, yeah. I'm calling about the job. This is a temp agency. Yeah. All right, just come out and fill the form? I can come tomorrow. Yeah. I'll be there tomorrow. Thank you. Yeah. Take care. Bye. Hello, Morris family. It's Justin. Just wanted to thank you for your kindness the other night, and if you still need some stuff fixed that I can get to, I have some time this week, and I'd love to come and finish the job. Thanks. Bye. I'm calling to find out what's going on with my disability rating. Justin Williams. Yeah. It's 115-64-5709. Sure. I'll hold. Justin, I'm Cheryl with Direct Labor. -Nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you, ma'am. I was looking through your application, and it looks like you did five tours with the Marine Corp.? -That's correct, ma'am. -I thank you for your service. That's wonderful. I really appreciate that. Um, it looks like you have a lot of physical job ability in your background. Now, let's talk about any limitations that you might have. Currently, are you able to stand on a shift eight hours. Uh, four hours, ma'am. The doctor said four hours. Four hours with a break at that point? For two hours, another two hours. And then another two. Okay, and how about lifting? Is it 40 pounds or more or less? It's at 35 pounds right now, ma'am. Thirty five pounds. But I'm improving daily. I think I can be getting... getting the weight up an then the hours on my... on my leg, on my feet. Okay. We would need the doctor to give a note that says that you can, so we would need that... a doctor's note. Um, as you know or I'm sure you're aware, there are a lot of people looking for work and not a lot of work, and I'll tell you. It is going to be a little difficult to find you a quick job here because of the industry being slow and your current limitations together are going to be a little more difficult, but I'm going to do my best to see what I can do to get you going. Okay. Thank you, ma'am. Okay, and I thank you for coming in today, Justin. -It was very nice to meet you. -Thank you. You have a wonderful day and good luck to you. You too. Got that room all set up for ya if you want to stay for awhile until you get back on your feet. I appreciate it, sir, but it's actually better for me out there. It's cold out there. It's a lot better than winter in Afghanistan. You can't stay out there forever. That's crazy. Of course not. But I don't have to deal with loud neighbors or landlords breathing down my neck. You can't expect an employer to seriously consider you if you're meeting him and you can't present yourself well. I can walk in wearing a designer suit and $100 haircut, and it wouldn't matter. With my injury and background, I'd still get turned down. You guys mean well, but you don't get it. Who's gonna hire a cripple who's only work experience is shooting people? Justin. Yeah, I planned on working one of those private security forces or the police, but I can't even get a job as a security guard now. You know, maybe in a few years if my leg improves, but there's no guarantee. Just trying to help. I appreciate your help, but it doesn't change much out there. I gotta go. -Thank you for your charity. -I'll drive you. No, I'm fine. Fuck! Calm down. What the fuck are you doing here? I just came to pay you for helping the other day. Sure. Make yourself at home. Sorry I can't offer you dinner. What's your problem? You of all people have to ask me that? Don't see me lashing out, running away from everything, do you? What do you really want from me? Am I your project? Your way of making you feel like you're still important? I thought you were a good kid. I figured I'd help you out. And I already thanked you. Now, what more do you want? You think an extra 50 bucks is gonna make a difference? Battlefield ain't the only place you can save lives. The battlefield isn't the only place a soldier becomes a casualty either. Hello? I love you. I love you, too. Are you okay? Yeah. I'm good. How are you? I'm good. It's so good to hear your voice. Yeah. Just on the road now. I don't really got much to say. Okay. You don't have to say anything. Thanks. I've been reading for class still. I don't know what good it's gonna do, but I'm doing it. You know, maybe when I get settled down. That's great. I don't know if I'm coming back. I know. I'm sorry. I'll come to you when you're ready. When you're ready, Justin. I love you. I love you, too. |
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