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Pushing Dead (2016)
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[TIRES SCREECHING] [CRASH] - [Man] Ugh! Holy fucking shit, this hurts! - Hang in there, Danny! - Oh. Ah! - Dan? - Danny? - Yeah? - I'm sorry about the time I hit you in the face with that big rock down by the river. and when I told your mother about-- - Careful up there! [TIRES SCREECHING] - And I'm sorry for everything I ever said or did that I should feel sorry for. I'm sorry! I love you, Danny! I'm not dying back here, okay? It just feels like I am. (chuckles painfully) I just wanted to get a few things off my chest Why do you always have to question my motives? [TIRES SCREECHING] - I think that was a stop sign. [TIRES SCREECHING] - We are two blocks from the hospital. - Just hang in there, Danny! - Aargh! [MUSIC] [PHONE RINGING] - (grunts, sniffs) - [Woman] My God, you sound awful! - Hey mom. - What'cha doin' honey? - I'm not, uh... I'm not really doing anything. - Oh I won't keep you. Sounds like I woke you up. - (yawning) No no, no. You didn't wake me, it's just, uh... one of these new pills I'm taking. It makes me a little groggy. - A new pill? What does it do? - Uh, I don't, I don't remember, exactly. - Did you get my card? - Last night I got it. (sniffs) Let's see here. - Oh my God. Look at that thing on TV. - (sighs) Thank you, mom. That's very, - that's very sweet. - You're welcome. - Are you sure you can afford it? - Do something fun with it. - Oh I will. I promise. [MUSIC] [BEEPING] [WHIRRING] [COFFEE BREWING] [WATCH BEEPING] - [Dan] AIDS used to be a big deal in America: Marches, red ribbons, media coverage. Those were the fuckin' days. Now it's just another boring life threatening illness. It's about as exciting as having... Hep-C. One thing that hasn't changed for me, it's still really hard to be open about it. Even in San Francisco. Revealing HIV status is an energy suck, so I've successfully avoided the dating scene. The problem is, I feel this need to find someone before I get sick. I know that's fucked up. - Hey, Danny, Danny. - Hello. - Aw, man. - There's coffee. It's fresh. - No thanks. I want something to eat. [DOGS BARKING] Ew! Ugh! That's really gross! You want to go out? Get something to eat? - I can't eat, I just took my meds. What, are you trying to get rid of me? - Oh yeah. - Besides, (sighs) I need to get some writing done today. - I will write today. I will write today. - You planning to eat this? - Of course I'm gonna eat that. (sighs) you can have the head. [MUSIC] [TYPEWRITER SOUNDS] [TYPING ACCELERATES] - [Man] Dot? Hey, Dot? (grumbles) Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. - I'm trying to find that big jug full of that stuff. - It's where it always is, aisle three. (grunts) - You love swiss cheese. Hm. We should try these! They're swiss flavor. - Yeah. We don't need 'em. (sighs) - Mr. Shwa-bell? - Pretty close, actually. Schauble. - That'll be $2,841 and 12 cents. I guess it's a good thing I have insurance, huh? (chuckles) [COMPUTER BLIPS] - There appears to be a problem with your coverage. That's very strange. I've never had a problem with it before. - It would have been $5,682 but the government kicked in part... I don't know. They installed a new system and everything's all weird. The background's green, the text is yellow. This is really hard to read. We ran it through twice but it didn't work. Hold on. [DIAL TONE] [BEEPING] American Medical Advantage. Please enter the client's ID number. [BEEPING] Please hold while we access the information. Please hold while we access the information. Client ID is not valid. - What? (laughs) - Sorry. You might want to change plans. Hold on. - You're on American Medical Advantage Plus. You might want to try American Medical Advantage Premium or American Medical Advantage Premium Plus. That one sounds good. - What's the difference? - I don't know. - Uh, okay, thank you. - $22.11. [BEEPING] [SLIDES CARD] [BEEP] [SLIDES CARD] [BEEP] Card's been declined, sir. - (sighs) Well... (chuckles) Uh, I'll tell ya what. I'll just, uh... I'll take the coffee. I'll pay with cash. [MUSIC] (belches) (sighs) - Nice. - (sighs) - You won't believe what happened to me earlier. - Well my imagination is offended. - I was just walking along over by Sunny Produce. and hit the wall behind me. [BANG] Then there was another one. Then I felt a sharp pain in the center of my back. (slow motion, guttural, deep scream) Ow! Flying towards me were these small metallic things. Someone... [BANGING] was hurling D batteries from a rooftop, trying to hit me. - Jesus. - Some woman. They don't even know. Can you believe that? - Why would somebody do that? - Are you okay? [MUSIC PLAYING] - Yes. Physically, anyway. - I hate this story. for being afraid to walk by myself in this town. [WATCH BEEPING] (sighs) [DOOR SLAMS] - (groans) Oh, hey there, Danny. - Oh no. Bob, I'm so sorry. Could you tell how hard I was trying not to wake you? - Oh you didn't wake me. Besides, I'm, I'm glad I'm up. I had to make some calls to cash in on some debts before they cut our utilities off. - Nobody's going to turn off any utilities. I just looked at the books. It's really not that bad. It's by no means great, but I have an idea. I'm gonna make some flyers out of paper for the poetry slams and then I'm going to leave them at independently owned coffee shops and then tens of people are gonna show up. - It's 2015. Nobody likes poetry slams. - Who's Grumps? - Uh... Dot left me. - What? Are you serious? - She threw me out the house. I deserve it. I'm a pain in the ass. - You're a huge pain in the ass but come on, you guys, you guys are gonna get through this, you've been together forever. What the hell happened? [MUSIC] - I don't know. [INDISTINCT YELLING] Got into an argument. Nothing out of the ordinary. She said something about me not knowing how to be affectionate. Called me an asshole, a motherfucker, and things got a little out of hand. - I've got something for your ass right now. - Oh, you got something for my ass now, okay then. - I got something for you right here. - Yeah I'm, I'm right here. Get it for my ass right now. Not, not, not my, not them... All right then, all right then. What about my... What, what-- Oh! - Yeah, let's get down in it, now! - This the one you really like, huh? - No you are not! Watch this, baby. Right there. - (slow motion roar) No! [CERAMIC BREAKING] [INDISTINCT YELLING] - Oh you get out of here now! - I ain't getting out of nowhere! - Okay. Well, it's obviously not the first huge fight that you've had, and it won't be the last. What are you looking for? - I thought we had a blanket here. It's gonna be cold tonight. - Stop it. You're not staying here. and then tomorrow you're gonna talk to Dot and you're gonna work everything out. - Hey, Bob, will you do me a personal favor and stay with me please? - Okay. For one night. And then I'll set up camp here in the morning. - All right, you've got yourself a deal. (clears throat) - Oh, that's a good idea. It's not like that's a depressant or anything. - Ahh. - We have a capacity crowd here at Club Dot for Poetry Slam Thursday. I am your host, Dan Shauble. and before I bring up our first contestant I have one question: Do we actually have any contestants? How 'bout a, a simple show of hands? Is anyone here to slam? Okay! Apparently it's just me. (clears throat) [MUSIC] When we met, my breath was thick. When you smiled, one thousand children laughed. And when you told me that you loved me, that's when life made sense. When you rolled yourself up into that thing that you called the human sphere. When hawk wings sprouted from your hunched reptilian back. When your body grew to five times its normal size. When you swallowed my ten dollars in change and sang to me in that indistinguishable tongue of yours. [PERCUSSION] When you forced my legs into your giant mouth, clamped down, with your rock-like teeth onto my waist and twirled around in circles, I admit I was concerned. But I never ever stopped loving you. (claps) I win! [BELL DINGS] - [Paula] What are you gonna get? - [Dan] I'm not hungry. - Oh, I know. I know. [sighs] - I had a dream about Kevin last night. - It's so weird, I spend more time with him now than I... did when he was alive. - What was the dream about? - We just sat up all night talking. (chuckles) It was so good. I... felt like it went on for hours and hours and it seemed so real but at the same time, I was, I was very aware that it was a dream. And that, that made it that made it nice because I was able to tell him, you know, how much I miss him. Because, oh my God, I miss you brother so much. - Oh flip. (sniffs) [MUSIC] - But... one of his hands, uh, was a lobster claw. - (laughs) - And it spewed a strange lobster ooze. - (laughs) Shut up. - [Dan] But in the dream it was fine. He touched my face with his oozy lobster claw and wiped it all over my pants - and I was fine with it. - (Paula laughs) I wonder what it means. - (laughs) - [Waitress] Do you know what you want? - Yes. I would like a grilled Swiss on rye, an order of fries, and a hot tea. - And you? - I'll just have coffee please. - Nothing else? - Uh... I will... the golden brown waffle. - I'll be back with your drinks. - (chuckles) - God damn it, why did I just-- I just ordered a waffle, Paula. I don't want a waffle. [WATCH BEEPING] I'm so terrible under pressure. Something's wrong with my insurance. I couldn't get my drugs today. - What's wrong with your insurance? now I get to go down there and try to figure out what the problem is. I hate that place. It's so depressing. - Maybe you should go to a support group. - Because... I just said the word "depressing"? - It's just that I am the only one you talk with about this. - Oh I see. I see, I see where we are. I'm a burden. I'm a burden for you. - I just think it, it might be healthy to open up about this a little more. - I got it. Open up. Sure. Well, thank you. I appreciate this gesture. - I don't mind talking about it with you. - But I'm fine. - Come on, let's talk about it. - No. - Come on. - I don't want to talk about it. Or anything else with you ever again. - Would you cut it out? - (mumbles) - (sighs) - (mumbles) - Fine. - What are you reading? - Thank you. [SPOON TAPPING ON PLATE] What are you doing? - Well I don't have a fork, do I? So, this is fine. - I'm getting you a fork, uh. - Paula, stop it. Shh, stop. Would you please stop? The woman hates me. That's clear. I don't need a fork. I don't, I don't even, I don't even want this. (sighs) Oh Jesus, could this coffee be any weaker? - Maybe some people like it that way. [DOOR CHIMES] [MUSIC] [DOOR CHIMES] [HEARTBEAT] (gasps, coughs) - You okay? [MUSIC] That was a really sharp shooting pain. - Can I help? - You know what? I gotta go. I gotta go anyway. I forgot about Bob. and I told him that I would meet him there, and you know what, it's fine. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's probably just gas. Or something. (sighs) - This...? - Um, Bob might stay with us tonight. - What? Why? I'm sorry for running out on you like this. And I'm sorry for being a shit head. - I did, and I feel amazing. Watch, watch this! [DOOR CHIMES] Ugh fu-- Ah... Ah fuck. Ah fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. (sighs) [MUSIC] [80's MUSIC] This is awful, how do you watch this shit? - Uh, huh, oh... - What? - (sighs) - You got any smokes? - Yeah, you know me, man. I've got, I've got all the smokes. What k--, what kind do you want? - How many kinds do you have? - I have zero kinds, Bob, (laughs) but I'll go get you some, is what I'm saying. - Ah, don't worry about it. - I'm going to get you some. Because I want you to die happily. - Okay, okay. Why does it have to be dying? Okay, camels. Okay, unfiltered. Yeah. You know, nobody said anything about dying. - Do you want anything else? - No, don't bother, that's all right. - I'll see you in a minute. - This is the worst date I've ever had. - [Bob] Ooh, you tell him, baby. - [Man on TV] Well why don't you have a little more fried dough? - Can we watch something else? - Mm-mm. This is the real deal. These aren't actors. - This is real life. - Hey Karen. Karen. Karen. Karen. Karen. Karen. Karen. Karen. Karen. - This is depressing. - Yeah, that's right. - [Karen] I'm glad you make yourself laugh. - Just pedal and be quiet. - You're an ass. - [Bob] Mm-hm. Tell him how you feel. [BIRDS CHIRPING] - Oh. Good morning, Moonshine. - Good morning. - That's disgusting. You're an animal. - Mm-hm. - (sighs) I know what you're gonna say. But you don't have to go. You can stay here as long as you want. - Ah, no. I'll stay at the club until I figure out what I'm gonna do. - Did you call Dot? - Dot, your wife. Your wife, Dot. Did you call her? - To tell her that you love her and that you want to come home. - (sighs) Thanks for letting me spend the night. -All right. -Okay. - Anytime. - (grunts) Okay. I, um... I'll see you later at the club. - Please be careful going down those stairs. - [Bob] All right. Thanks, Dan. - [Dan] All right. [BEEP] [VENDING MACHINE WHIRRING] [LIQUOR POURING] [KNOCKING] - [Man] Come on in. - Hi. - Ah, sit down. Mrs. Doris is no longer with us. - I'll be you new case worker. My name is Gregory. - Hello, Gregory. - You have a social security card, driver's license or California ID and a current bank statement. - It's all there. - Excellent, thank you. So, I think what's happened here, Daniel, is that you were bumped from the low income plan because your bank account exceeds the maximum. I'm sure you're aware that you have to stay within certain financial boundaries to get a state subsidy for your prescriptions. Your bank account is approximately $70 over the maximum. - [Dan's mom] Do something fun with it... (echoes) - Maybe what happened is you were moved to the default plan and due to your high prescription costs that plan is already maxed out. Not sure. I do know that your plan was switched. Look I'm in a meeting, okay? So, you're going to have to pay 50% of your drug costs until the plan renews in a few months. And then maybe you can get back onto the low income status that you were on. - Okay. I, uh, don't understand most of what you're saying. - Yeah, nobody understands. - Half cost meds, that's gonna run me about, uh, $3,000 a month. And, um, I'm running low. And I really really need them. Because I have... [MUSIC] So, um, I'm not gonna be able to come up with $3,000. I don't have $3,000. what else can we do, Gregory? What, wha-- Uh, isn't there something else that we can do? when is the next time you get a bank statement? - Uh, That one was from last week, so it'll be three weeks. - Well here's what I can do for you. I'm gonna put this on hold right now. You're gonna send me your bank statement when you get it, and if everyhting's in order, you can get right back onto the low income status that you were on and you can use your card that very same day. That's the best I can do. - Uh, I'll be out of drugs in a week, man. - That's the best I can do. I'm sorry. - Okay. Okay. - Keep that card. Did I give you a card? [MUSIC] - You gave me a card. - [Gregory] Great. Have a nice day. Thanks for coming in. - [Dan] My grandfather used to have an old Chevy Malibu. It had a big white stripe down the left side of it and a big white stripe down the right side of it. The stripes were from the car scraping against the sides of his garage. He wouldn't bother flicking the ashes of his Chesterfields when he was driving. They would just fall off when it was their time. I loved spending time with him. He was a great guy. When my grandfater died, I was ten and no one had ever died on me before. All of a sudden it hit me. I'm never gonna see him again. But, I was wrong. I'll get into a car that has that same stale smokey scent. And it all comes back to me. I look forward to those flashbacks of him. And I wonder what if anything, will remind people of me. I once dated this guy who instead of having a tool box, kept all of his tools in a white wicker basket. I'm sorry, but that's gay. - Hi there. - Oh, sh-- (laughs) How you doing? - Good, yeah. [MUSIC] - [Dan] Wow. How much is this? - Ah, Hanuman. - The great monkey warrior. Very sacred, very noble. Valuable. He's a rare one, that little monkey. - What do you want for him. - 25 bucks. - (sighs) 25. Um... Would you take... Less? [DOOR BUZZER] - Did you forget your keys? - No, I did not. - (screams) Oh, Jesus! What the fuck! - Don't just shove a little plush animal at somebody. What is that? - It's a gift. From me to you. - That's nice, honey, but I, he frightens me. - Stop it. You two are meant for each other. Now take it. I'm gonna be late, I have to go. Take it, take it. And love him. - Um, thank, thank you. - You're very welcome. I'll see you later. - Thanks for the monkey. Um, Okay. How about this? Good boy. Okay. [MUSIC] - (sighs) - Old man. You're sad. Aren't you? - Yes. I'm sad. - I can tell. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. - Thanks for the advice, kid. - Fortune? Get your fortune told? - No, thank you. - Learn your death time, mister? - Jesus Christ. - I've got to go. [CROW CAWS, TREES RUSTLING] [MUSIC] - [Dot] Oh, that's nice. Mmm. (exhales sharply) - How is everything? - It's okay. I'm okay. - Yeah? - How's Bob doing? - (sighs) Not so good. He misses you. - Okay, enough of that. Hey, you got any pot? [MUSIC] Be sure that Bob takes his pills. What does he take pills for? - Just old man stuff. You know, Paula. I love Bob. I really do. I love him so much. With all my heart. But sometimes I just hate him. I hate him. (menacingly) I hate him. - Isn't that normal? - Mm-mm, I don't think so. - I'm pretty sure it is. - Ah. [MUSIC STARTS AND STOPS] (sighs) [RADIO MUSIC] (grunts) - I'm so glad that wasn't locked. - Hey, Danny. - Hi, Bob. Was, uh, in the neighborhood so I figured I'd, you know, swing by God knows I don't spend enough time here as it is. So, (sighs) how's it going? - Uh, I don't want to talk about it. - Okay. Then I won't say another word. - Now... [BLUES MUSIC] I win. Eight bottles. You're seven. - Give me that. One Daily Men's? This is a multivitamin. Multivitamins don't count. Therefore, tis a tie. (both sigh) - (grunts) (laughs) - [TV Narrator] Coming up on National Justice [SLAM] brutal beatings caught on tape. [DOOR OPENS] - Don't forget to lock the door. - I always lock the door. [LOCK CLICKS] - Mm-mm, not always. - Do you want some cofffee? - Oh I just made a fresh pot. - You get me. [MUSIC] - Sorry about the sheet. I'm just a little shy around new people. I hope you will understand and not kill me. Um... How about that. Yeah. Better? Okay. (clears throat) - [Dan] Mom, you can't pay for them. They're $3,000. - [Mom] A year? - A month. - [Mom] That's bullshit. Look, I don't want you to worry about this, okay? I never should have brought it up. Besides, I can take a little break from the drugs for like two weeks, and believe me, I could, I could use a break. It's perfectly safe, I can assure you. - Hi Mrs. Schauble! - Okay. - [Mom] Say hi to Paula. - [Mom] Bye honey. - Talk to you soon. - That'll be nice. You get to take a little break from the pills. - (sighs) Are you crazy? (laughs) I can't go off meds. I could go resistant to something. I don't have a lot of treatment options anymore. It's salvage therapy or bust. - I can't believe Dan Shauble lied to his mother. - Believe me, it's for her own good. - So what are you gonna do? - I guess I'll just keep going down to the pharmacy until someone makes a mistake. - That doesn't sound like a very good plan. - It's actually not a horrible plan. They do make a lot of mistakes down there. They hardly ever check my card until recently, of course. I'll figure something out. - Dan. - Virginia says hi. - What are you gonna do? - Medical card please. - Of course, yes, that's the whole - Gotta run the numbers through the system. - Here she is. [PHONE RINGING] - Paul? [PHONE RINGING] Can you get that? Paul? - Okay. Thanks. - (scoffs) - Hi. (chuckles) I'm sorry about all this. [MUSIC] [SLOW MOTION GROWLING] - Yes, uh, I hope so. Uh, sh, she went to answer the phone I think. Dan Schauble is the name. S-C-H-A-U-B-L-E, Schauble. - That was easy. Dan Schauble, here you are right here. - Let's just make sure we didn't leave anything out. - Oh, I'm sure you didn't. - (humming) Lucky number seven, all there. Uh, make sure you take this on an empty stomach. - Uh, uh, if you have to eat something a piece of fruit or uh, anything that has Fatty foods will block it from being absorbed into your system. - Not gonna do it, not gonna eat anything. - (laughs) - There you go. - Thank you so much. - You're welcome. - Sir! I'm gonna have to run those numbers through the system. I'm going to have to have to take your order until we get approval. Thank you. [DIAL TONE] [PHONE BEEPING] - [Automated voice] Please hold while we access the information. [MUSIC] Client ID is not valid. [WATCH BEEPING] - Excuse me, uh, do you guys have a bathroom? Okay. It is not a good idea to bother a dog when it's eating. [KNOCKING] [DOOR HANDLE JIGGLES] Someone is in here. A similar rule applies when people with AIDS are taking their pills. [KNOCKING] Someone is in here! [PHONE TRILLING] [PHONE RINGING] - Medical assistance. I was supposed to send in my bank statement, and I was just wondering if I could fax that over to you? - Uh, no sir. I'm sorry. We must see the original. - [Dan] Okay, thanks. - Uh, yeah. [MUSIC] - Hey, you want coffee? - No thanks. [MUSIC] [PENCIL TAPPING] [ROOSTER CROWS] [KNOCKING] - Bob. - Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. (sighs) I got a big charlie horse here, man. A lack of potassium. You scared the living shit out of me. - [Bob] Huh? This banana should do the trick. - [Dan] Yeah, because that's exactly how bananas work. They're like heroin, you take one bite and then all the potassium that you need shoots directly into your bloodstream. - Thanks for the info, doctor. - Why don't you just come and stay with us? - (sighs) This is better for me, honestly. And I've been around a long time. I can take care of myself. - (scoffs) Yeah, I can see that. This is, uh, this is self-preservation 101. Standing offer, okay? My door's always open. (sighs) - I never thought I'd end up in my golden years like this. - Yeah, well I never thought my golden years would be my 40s. - Don't be morbid. There is a very good chance that you will outlive me. - I don't want to hear about it, okay? - Okay, I'm sorry. - You, you, you should be sorry. This is my time to be miserable, not yours. - I can be miserable just as good as you can. - Yeah, in your dreams. - Do you want me to call her? - Don't you dare. - Okay. I won't. - Good. - (chuckles) [ELEVATOR BELL DINGING] - (sobbing) [PRESSING BUTTON URGENTLY] - Okay, is it buzzing right now, or is it making like a whistling noise, like a (blows air/slight whistle) Okay. Okay, try that. Call me back later. Okay, bye. Hello. - Me? - Yeah. I have a, a 1:00 appointment with Dr. Denny. - All right. Let me see. You are Daniel-- Daniel? Dan? Okay. Oh, Dan, it looks like you've got a $47 past due. - Can I send you a check? [MUSIC] - Hello, Daniel. - Hi doc, how, how are, how are you? - Fine. Uh, any complaints? - No, sir. Not of the medical variety, anyway. - And, uh, what about that skin? - Good. Normal. It's good. [PAPERS SHUFFLING] You have a dog, huh? - No, I don't. - All right. - Everything looks okay. Just keep doing what you're doing and, uh, we'll see you in two months. - Okay, thank you. [OFFICE PHONE RINGING] [MUSIC] Excuse me. I saw you. Okay. (clears throat) [MUSIC] - [Man] Don't fucking move. - [Dan] Okay. - [Mugger] (stuttering) I w- I will kill you. Come on! Come on! [METALLIC THUD] - (grunts) Ow, fuck. Ow! Hey, you're supposed to hit me first not after I give you all my money! You moron! Ugh. (sighs) [MUSIC] And as I lay there bleeding, looking at the vast dark of the night sky, I'm thinking, I just don't take enough time to appreciate nature. Look at that thing. It's beautiful. - So, um... What do you do? - I'm a ranger. - Really? That's neat! What, what what does a ranger do? (laughs) - Well, it's a lot of responsibility. [MUSIC] But it's very fulfilling. What I've always wanted to do. I love nature. - So, um... Do y-- hm... Ah, okay. (laughs) Here we go. Spinach. I love spinach. - You know, so do I. Something we have in common. - (laughs nervously) Very well done. Terrific order. Mm. This is really good. - And good for you. - And good for you. (chuckles) Most importantly. These, um... These olives are unusual. - What olives? - What kind of sick fuck puts bacon in spinach salad? - Okay, if we could just move past the bacon portion of the evening, how, how was the rest of the date? - Oh that was it. He knew I was a strict vegetarian, I told him, we talked about it for five minutes, but the fucking ranger just sat there and watched me eat little hog bits. I mean, aren't rangers supposed to look out for people? Isn't that their job? To, to, to protect people? I'm through, I really am, I am so sick of it. Ugh, I give up. Why am I always looking for relationships? Relationships are crap! I don't need a man. I really do. I'd like that. - Don-- hey, don't. Leave it alone! It's gonna get infected. - So weird. It's like, it's like numb. Shouldn't it hurt? It should sting or something. - It's normal. Don't touch it. - I feel a migraine coming on. Do you have any coffee? - You need to cut back. - Oh God. (sniffs) You see? Caffeine. Just immediately keeps my headaches in check. - It's time for us to take control. - Yes. (slams fist) - (slams fist) - What are you talking about? - Learn how to defend ourselves! Take control! - Oh, I don't know. I, I appreciate a good challenge. And having little to no control is way more challenging, - I am not going to be unprepared if somebody decides to mug me. I'm gonna learn how to protect myself. I'm tired of being scared. - This is good. I like this for you. You should learn how to protect yourself. - Meanwhile, I think maybe I'll go to the zoo. - (muffled) All right everybody so here's what's gonna happen: I'm gonna grab you and then you hit you hit, you hit arms and elbows and everything that we discussed, You're first. Don't hold back. (growling) - No, no! No, no, no, no! [CLAPPING] - (growls) - No! No, no! No! [CLAPPING] [TROLLEY HORN TOOTS] [MUSIC] - Hi there. [LLAMA CALL] I give up. You win. - We have nothing to fear but fear itself. - FDR. That's, that's good. - Don't be scared. - I'm not scared. [LION ROARS] Are you scared? - Don't be scared. (echoing) We all die someday. [MONKEYS SCREECH] [MUSIC] [WATCH BEEPING] [PHONE RINGING] - Hello? - [Man] Dan Schauble please? and I'm calling from the benefits of life company. We are a company that believes there are times when we all need help managing our lives. Add the complexities of living with a life-threatening illness like yours, Mr. Schauble, and I'm sure life can at times seem out of control. Uh, my job is to assist you in obtaining immediate financial relief. I'd like to help you reduce your stress level. for your life insurance policy. We are-- [SNAPS] - (sighs) - [Automated voice] Please hold while we access the information. [DOOR CHIMES] Client ID is not valid. - There's a new moon tonight. - Oh boy. - Hello. - Hi. (laughs) - Thanks for the paper people. If I'd had some scissors they would've been way better. - I'm Dan. It's nice-- - Hi Dan. - (laughs) Nice to meet you. - What did you do to your eye? - Oh. Well that's a fun story. Uh, I was mugged a couple nights ago. - Wow. - Not too far from here. By a very unhappy man. Who also had a crowbar. - Wow. And you've, you've come back. You're just back here tonight. For the second round. Impressive. - Well I happen to like this park very much. roommate/massage therapist told me that I should come here. And that I should talk to the trees. Because they have special powers or something like that. And if I talk to them I can absorb their energy. She says that I should be more spiritual and... (sigh-laughs) I'm just vomiting way too much information right now aren't I? (laughs) I'm sorry. - No, no, no it's interesting. That is actually, genuinely interesting. I, I want to know more. - Question 1: - Mhm. - Are they listening? - (laughs) I don't know. - I don't know, I haven't made my opening statement. I don't know if I'm supposed to pick a single tree or address them as a group. Um, I should've asked more questions. I don't know maybe the whole spirituality thing isn't for me. - No! Don't give up! Just start with a bush. - (giggles-snorts) Oh my God. - That was a very strange laugh that I just made. That's, that's nothing like my real laugh. - Give me your hand. Give me your hand. - I just want to see your palm. - Oh dear. - Look See that? See those spirals? - Uh, yeah. - Yeah? You see them? - Those spirals show that actually you are in very good shape. Spiritually. Here you go. Look, I've gotta go. I have a, um I have a dinner date. - Of course you do. - It's with my sister. She's, uh, in town a couple days, just wanted to see Chinatown, so... - I love chinese food. - (both laugh) Aargh. Maybe I'll, I'll see you around sometime? - Maybe you will. - Yeah, I could do that. Definitely wanna do that. All right, your turn. What do you do? - I am a painter-- walls for a living, and then not for a living, on canvas. - Fascinating, I never would've guessed that. - No? - (chuckles) - Yeah, I've got bad aim. - Well maybe I can see some of your paintings sometime. - Yeah, maybe. What were you doing at our doctor's office? - Uh, I've been going there for about two years. - Oh. - Oh, that was my fi- uh, that was my second time. They seem to know what they're doing. - Mm. And considering their specialty, I'm assuming you're positive? [MUSIC] - Are you? - I am. - I am positive. (chuckles) - Well you assume correctly, I, too, am positive. - How long? - Uh, I think two years, I'm not sure. Might be more. Your turn. - (laughs) To tell me how long you've been positive. - It's a little personal, don't you think? - Fine. Be that way. You don't really strike me as a bouncer. I do a lot more than just bounce there. (clears throat) I do many things. Um, the owner Bob, sort of, like, family. - You been in any big fights? - Uh, I've tried to break up a few. Uh, I'm not a confrontational person, so it generally doesn't go well for me. [GLASS BREAKING] [JUKEBOX MUSIC] (coughing) [YELLING AND SCREAMING] I do not-- (grunts) I'm all right! I'm okay. God, this is a lovely street. - Mm, it's nice, I like it. Also, this is my house. - No way! - Yeah. - It's beautiful. - Thank you. Uh, I'm gonna take you for food tomorrow night. - Y- yes, I acc-- Okay, I acc-- I accept that. Do you have a pen or something to write down my number? - I have a pen. - Wow. - Pick a pen, any pen. - Someone's a writer. Is it you? - (chuckles) Um. (clears throat) Confession: I'm sort of between cell phones at the moment so, um, I'm gonna give you my home number. The old land line. And um, you can call that. And if I'm not there just, just uh... Just leave a message. - Okay. Well I will call you tomorrow. And we can work out specifics. - I love specifics. - I love specifics, too. (clears throat) (whispers) All right then. (sighs) [MUSIC] (sighs) [MUSIC QUICKENS] [DIAL TONE] YES! Yes. (sighs) [MUSIC] [KNOCKING] Hello, Bob. - Danny. - Don't get up. I just brought you some donuts to help pass the time. - Jelly? - Are there any other kind? - Ah. You sure know how to cheer up an old man, huh? And now I was thinking of making some decaf would you like some? - I should probably get some sleep tonight, because I (sings) have a date tomorrow. - (chuckles) Yeah, about time. Bring him by. I want to meet him. - Only if you promise to keep your hands to yourself. It is a first date, after all. Decaf or no? - Eh, sure. So, one old man to another... How do I get her back? - Whoa. Did you actually-- You just asked me that? - Yes, I'm asking you. - Bob, this is good, we're gonna talk about this, this is good! Okay. Um. Do you love her? - Of course I love her! What kind of question is that? - Maybe it's the question that she's asking herself. Think about how long she's been married to you and what an enormous pain in the ass - Think about how hard it must be to be married to you- - Well, you could start with something very simple. You say, 'I'm sorry.' - That'll never work. - (laughs) (sighs) Try it on me. (sniffs) - Try what? - I want you to try apologizing. - I want you to look me in the eyes and say, - Dot- - 'I'm sorry.' Or 'Dot, I love you.' - Because I think at this point either one will go a long way. - Dot, I love you! - I love you too, Bob. I've always loved you. Since that first night at the Filmore, when you took me to see "Bebe." - Way back then? - Yeah. - Wow. - I'm gonna come sit on your lap. - I'm gonna come sit on your lap right now. [CHAIR SCOOCHES] - Dan. Come on. (both laugh) [MUSIC] - [Automated voice] Please hold while we access the information. Client ID is not valid. - I'm sorry. I know it's, I know it's not your fault. - He's got a grenade! [SCREAMING] - I, I-- [SCREAM] - [Automated voice] Client ID is not valid. - It's, it's not your fault, um... How about my migraine pills, can I, I could just pay with cash for those? - Of course! That'll be $21 even. - Can I get half? - [Mugger] Don't fuckin' move! Give me your fuckin' money! - [Paula] No! [CLATTERS] NO! [THUD] - (groans) Ugh. [LOW TONE] (grunts, gasps) - You're lucky I'm nice. - (heavy breathing) [MUSIC] So beautiful... I'm okay, kid. Thanks, thanks for your concern, but go on home. Okay, you're creeping me out now. Go away. - Let this be a lesson to you. Crime doesn't pay. - Got it. And what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. - Okay. [SIREN] [QUICK FOOTSTEPS] [CATS YOWLING] [DOGS BARKING] - [Mike] I call this one the Grim Peeper. - It's horrible. I love it. It's all, it's all great! - Wait here. - Sh-, should I be worried? - (Mike laughs) - [Dan] I guess if I'm being honest, they're a touch darker than I was expecting. But uh, I really do dig them, man. Is that a meerkat? - [Mike] (from other room) Yep! - I would, I would tell you that I like them even if I didn't because that's a thing that I do. It's a problem for me but the truth is, I really... I'm just really impressed. I mean, it's all really great. - Well, I thought it would appeal to you. Oh, is, is that, that's not something that gentlemen do here, go through other men's wallets? - Sure, have at it. I have nothing to hide. - Good. - (sighs) - [Mike] Who's this? - That is Kevin. - An ex? - An ex. We were together for years. And then he died. - Sorry. - Yeah, what can you do. (chuckles) - Looks like a nice guy. - Oh, he was a great guy. - You never answered my question. - You've asked me many questions. - How long have you been positive? - A long time. - How long? - Longer than you. - Tell me. Just tell me. - Okay. Twenty-two years. - Twenty-two years. Man. Long time. - Yeah. - You ever been sick? - No. Not really. Okay! Um, I know that (sighs) I know it's a little early in the proceedings to be playing favorites, but he's my favorite. I love trolls. - Well thank, thank you for that but, that's not a troll. That's a mini-miser. - It was the number four best selling toy in the UK, all-time. Fact. - That is, that's a mini-miser. - Do you not know what that is? - No. - [Dan] Oh. - What is this. What was that? - Ah. That is a thing that they used to do back in the day. First time it happened to me, I was in New York at a club. I was talking to this guy and then another guy, who I'd never met, came up and drew a little cross on my back. and he was like "Yo, man. I just had to warn you. That guy you were talking to, HIV pos." (chuckles) (sighs) - That's insane. - And then I was just super paranoid, you know? was walking behind the person that I was talking to which was a completely irrational fear because the only one who knew I was positive was me. Still. - Look, let me show you something. - (gasps) - [Mike] Yeah. That's my original model. - I like him very much. - Yeah? Do you want him? - Yes. - You can have him. He's yours. (sighs) - I shall have you. - (chuckles) - I used to have this recurring dream when I was a kid. And inside the trunk, I would keep all of my magic stuff, because I was very into magic. - (breathes deeply) - And in the nightmare, this creepy little puppet man would jump up on the steamer trunk But he wasn't a puppet because there were no strings. He could move all by himself. And he'd stare at me. And then, his face would start bleeding. Usually out of his nose, but sometimes it would be an ear or one of his eye sockets. And you could tell, like, He liked bleeding from the face. And then he would start humming. - I... I don't think I want to hear this. - And then, his face would start bleeding more, and more, and more. And he's just staring me down, blood gushing from all of his facial orifices. Humming. And I had this dream every night for a solid year when I was like, 10 or 11. (sniffs) Do you wanna know how I beat him? I'll tell you. I started thinking about this creepy little dick every night before I went to bed. I would just start cycling through all of his demonic antics in my brain and the more and more I thought about him, the less and less scared I was. And then one night, (whispers) Pow. Nightmares just stopped. And the young warlock had defeated the creepy little faux puppet fucker. (laughs softly) The end. [MUSIC] - (sighs) - I, I don't want to do this. And why did you make me wear this fuckin' suit? - Because you look like a truck driver who'd been living in a Mexican motel for a year. Now just go ring the doorbell and give her the flowers. It's gonna be so easy. - I feel like an ass, okay? Come on, let's go. - Stop being such a fag. - (gasps) - Yeah. I can say that. Especially if the situation calls for it. Now open your door and get out of this car. - (mocking) Yeah, shit. - Yeah, shit... - (mocking) My legs and my ass. It's a journey just getting out the f... car. - Ooh, that's a pretty suit, Bob! - Suck it, Donnie! - Oh, that hurts my feelings. - (heavy breathing) - Hey I'll see you over there at that place next week, eh, Bob? - [Bob] Yeah, I'll be there. Say hi to Linda. [MUSIC] Are you shittin' me? (heavy breathing) [DOOR OPENING] She wasn't home. Let's go. 'cause I'm pretty sure I just saw her through the window. - Who am I gonna disturb? It's 3:00 in the afternoon. - People are napping, okay? They're nappingat 3:00 here. Let's drive. Drive. Go. - It's the neighborhood nap time? - Yes, it's the neighborhood nap time. [CAR ENGINE] - Maybe you should date more often. This place is spotless. - (giggles) I just have this extra skip in my step. - (blows) - Hmm. - (sighs) I gotta tell ya, it's... it's been, it's been surprisingly refreshing dating someone who's positive You know after Kevin I just, there was no way, you know, I thought I would never you know, want to go through... Um... [TAPPING MUG] But it's just easier. In a lot of ways, it's easier. - Well, Snowball and I are very happy for you. - Thank you. Both of you. And can I just say I am delighted that you two are getting on so well. - (cartoon voice) Uncle Dan, I love my mom. (normal tone) Aw, thank you, sweetheart. I love you, too. (cartoon voice) Yes I do! I love her. We're very proud of you! You're getting out there! Good for you! (laughs) But let's, let's not give up on the idea of a, of a real man, okay? Let's keep that ball in the air. Balls! [MUSIC] - (whispers) Don't listen to him. He doesn't mean it. [PHONE RINGING] - [Mike] Hi, uh, could I speak to Dan, please? - Well, um... I guess that depends. Who's this? - [Mike] (laughs) It's uh, it's Mike. The only british person likely to be calling you. - (chuckles) Well how's it goin'? - (Mike) Yeah, good. Um, good I think. I, I had a really nice time last night. - Ah, so did I. I can't wait to do it again, like, oh, I don't know... Tonight? Hello? Is this thing on? [TAPS PHONE] - [Mike] Uh, I'm not, I'm not really very good at this, I'm just gonna come out and say it. - [Mike] I think it's a bad idea, um, for me to try and date right now. Um, I mean, I, I've just (clears throat) I've been going through a lot of stuff and you seem really sweet but um, I just, I can't date right now, it's hard to explain. Sorry. I'm sorry. I don't, I don't want to sound like a dick. I just need to... (sighs) It's just, 22 years is a long time. and um... - (clears throat) No, you're right, I get it. I understand. Completely. Um. (clicks tongue) I'm gonna have to go. Because something is burning somewhere. (laughs) [MUSIC] [PHONE RINGING] - [On recording] Hi, this is Dan. I'm not around. Please leave a message. [PHONE BEEP] - [Dan's mom] Dan honey, are you there? I'm feeling a little dizzy and my eye is all pink. And there's a strange looking guy on the porch. Could you call me when you can? - Mom, hello? Mom, what's wrong? - [Mom] I'm sorry, honey. I just wanted you to pick up. - Ugh. Jesus Christ, that's, (sighs) that's diabolical. - [Mom] Paula tells me you're depressed. - Well, I'm fine. - [Mom] What is it? - (sighs) It's nothing. Some guy, okay? I, I hardly knew him. I got rejected. (chuckles) So... (sighs) So that's it. Okay? It's no big deal. - [Mom] No big deal but you locked yourself in your apartment for three days? - Okay, it hasn't been three days. It's been a day and I'm... (inhales) I'm better now. You should... You should see me, I'm doing quite well. - [Mom] Have you had coffee? you decide to stop drinking coffee? Cold turkey? Honey, you have an addiction. You need to feed it. I'll hang up if you promise to go make some coffee. - (exhales) Okay. - [Mom] You can quit when you're better in the head. - Okay. [MUSIC] Ah. (burps) Ugh. (sighs) She's a very smart woman. - [Woman on TV] I was heading off to Chile for a trip once when my then-young-daughter asked me 'Mommy, is it chilly in Chile?' (laughs) It can be. While we may think of this South American country as a hot spot, the Andes Mountains-- - [Man on TV] Take a look at this little guy, a tiny mouse lemur from Madagascar. [WATCH BEEPING] - [Woman] He is adorable! I want one! -- are one of the most endangered on the planet. - [Man] Sad, but very, very true. (chuckles) Good night, everybody. [TV MUSIC] - Ah. - [On TV] Same to you, Jeff. - When you get yourself shot full of holes - and all crippled up, why, - (sniggers) - [Jeff] Come on over and sit under my fig tree for a spell. - [Billy] (chuckles) All right. - [Jeff] Bye, Billy. - [Billy] So long, Fuzzy. You know where to find us if you ever change your mind. - [Jeff] Sure do. [GUN FIGHT ON TV] [WATCH BEEPING] - (sniffs) [TV CHATTER] [WATCH BEEPING] do not miss an dose. Do not take more than one dose. And if I do? [PHONE DIALLING] [PHONE TRILLING] - [Automated voice] Pharmacy hours are from 8:00 AM Please call back during business hours. [MUSIC] - Make sure you take this one on an empty stomach. Fatty foods will block it from being absorbed into your system. - Ugh! [MICROWAVE DINGS] Ah. [WATCH BEEPING AND GLITCHING] [BEEPING WINDS DOWN] [WATCH BEEPS] (breathes heavily) (sighs) (breathes heavily) - Are you all right? You okay? - I'm fine. Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. - [Paula] Should I be worried? - Good night, Paula. - [Paula] Good night. - (sighs) [MUSIC] [MUSIC] (sighs) [PULSE] (gasps) Ow, what the...? [PULSE] (gasps) Ah-- Fuck is... Ah. (exhales sharply) Ooh. (groaning) [PHONE VIBRATING] - [Dan] Hey! Okay, there's definitely something wrong with me. I'm in a great deal of pain. think I need to go to the emergency room. - I'm calling an ambulance. - No! No, no, no. Don't be crazy. Just, just come get me. Please, please just come get me? - We are two blocks from the hospital. - Just hang in there, Danny! - Aargh! Shit! - Aaah, red light, okay. Okay. - Okay, we're almost there. Keep breathing! [VOICE ECHOES AND FADES] - [Dan] Kevin? - There's absolutely nothing to be afraid of. [PULSE] - (grunts) [HOSPITAL LOUDSPEAKER CHATTER] - We have nothing to fear but fear itself. [RIPPING] (gasps) (screams) - [Man on TV] These are flying off the shelves. Commemorative 9/11 hunting knives. The iconic twin towers on these handles are coated with a fluid-resistant sure grip resin. Beautiful tribute weapon. - [Dan] Thank you, doctor. You can send my friends in. I'll break the news. You don't, you don't have to do that. - I'll give you some privacy. - Thank you. I'll miss you. - Hey! - Hey! Look who's here! - (chuckles) - [Dan] Dot! I did not expect to see you. How are you? - I'm okay. The big question is: - How are you? - Yeah, how are you? - (sighs) - [Paula] What is it? What's wrong? - (sniffs) Look, you guys are my family. I'm not gonna mince words. We all knew this day would come. I have a kidney stone. - Oh, you ass! - (laughs) - [Paula] I thought it was serious! - It is very serious. Do you have any idea how much these things hurt? - Yeah I, I had a kidney stone once. - You had a gall stone. - Same thing. Ah... I'm sorry, you're right. It was a gall stone. - [Dan] Aw, it was a gall stone. You guys should get out of here. I'm gonna be stuck for a couple hours at least. - I'll wait with him. You both go ahead. - Are you sure? - Of course! You're perfectly healthy. It's poopy here. Go. - We're all just glad you're all right. Yeah... Ah, man. (sniffs) - That was adorable. The only time I've seen him cry was once, during an extreme home makeover. - (crying) Just glad you're okay, man. - Bob. - Aw. He's so sensitive. I should've just married a lady. - We gon' get out of here. We'll see ya. - Bye, Bob! - Bye! - [Bob] Bye bye. (chuckles) - Oh my god. What did I miss? What happened? - I think your stone brought them back together. - Well shit, I should've thought of this way sooner. - How are you feeling? - I have no idea. I'm on morphine. - (laughs) I'm so glad you're okay. Is there anything else I can get you? - No, I'm good. I'm so good. - All right, let me know if there's anything else. - I'm just gonna ride this high. - Okay. [PAPER SHUFFLING] [KEYS CLATTER] - [Paula] (baby talk) Boy, oh boy, Ooh, it's nice and warm! Oh, who's a dirty boy? Who is a dirty, dirty boy? Dirty boy? (squeaky voice) Take that! (normal voice) Oh! (squeaky) No, you take that! (normal) No you take that. Watch it. Watch it. You settle down. - So, this is a thing that's happening. - Oh hey, if you, uh, are going out, I used it all up. I used it all up on you. - You talking to me or the monkey? - Yeah right behind the ears. (sing-songy) Right behind the ears. [MUSIC] - Ow. Stupid shoes... Oh, ah! (grunts) - Oh, hey there! Hey, hey, hey! - Ah... - You okay? - Oh, I think I cut my knee. - You need a few stitches there. - Oh no, no. No, I'm HIV positive, you don't want to do that. - Huh. Aren't we all. (laughs) What's your name? - (sighs) Lisa. - Well, Lisa. I've got good news. You picked a great place to wipe out. We're about 6 blocks away from a hospital. - (sighs) I'm a little drunk. - Can you stand? Aargh! Whoa! Ha ha. Good work. - One step at a time. - Okay. This way? (sighs) Oh gosh, thank you. - Sure! - Thank you so much. Oh. - You know what? Um... - (groans) - In the interest of time, we should revise our plan. - Okay. - (grunts) Here we go, Lisa! [MUSIC] Here we go. Yup. You're doing great. - (breathes heavily) - Okay. - I'm a little out of shape. I just tied my shirt around your knee 'cause I needed a breather. - Oh, now I feel bad. - I'm a little out of shape. It's true... We're so close though. (exhales) - (grunts) - Aye, ah. - Oh, son of a bitch. Son of a bitch. - That hurt me. - Lisa, Lisa-a-a. Mother of god. Mother of god. Little help? Oh that's... That's fortuitous. - I cut my leg pretty bad I think. - Here's your... - Oh, thank you, I owe you one. - No, it's no problem. - [Nurse] We'll take real good care of her. - Oh, but what about your shirt? - Oh, uh, keep it! [MUSIC] [DOOR OPENS] - [Paula] Hello! Danny? Mwa. - Pray tell. - (laughs) What is in this pretty bag? [UNZIPPING] You are way too good to me. - Turn, turn it over. - Happy retirement, Guillermo. - (laughs) It was half price! - You like it? - I love it. - Aw. Look at that! That's really handsome. - I was thinking that it was a really good thing that I smashed the other one. I got it when I started taking meds and every time that fucking alarm went off my whole body just seized up. Reminded me of the super scary old days. - Well, this one does not have an alarm. - Good. - [Automated voice] Please hold while we access Please hold while we access the information. Client ID is approved. [MUSIC] - Thank you. (laughs) [PAPER SHREDDER WHIRRING] [MUSIC] - (humming to music) - (gasps) (heavy breathing) [MUSIC] - So I have decided to have a monogamous relationship with myself. - I am going to cheat every now and again on myself, because what I don't know cannot hurt me. - I think I'm going to have a beer. - I think that's a fine idea. (sniffs) All right, let's do this. (clears throat) Hello to Poetry Slam Thursday at club Dot. I am your host, Dan Schauble. We have two poets for you tonight, but that is exactly two more than we had last week, so I am totally stoked, but before I call them up, I've got a little something of my own. Uh, this one's a little rough around the edges. Still workshopping it, so go easy on me, okay? (sighs) AIDS. [MUSIC] What did I do to make you so fucking angry? Here I was thinking that maybe you and I could be friends. I guess that was naive. You scurry through my system like a nimble little kitty. (chuckles) Naturally, I am allergic to cats. Cats are ridiculous and adorable the way that they bat shit around-- I want one so badly. (sighs) AIDS. I give you a place to live. I put a roof over your head. I share my bed with you every night. And in return all you do is try to kill me. I think that's so rude. Considering the fact that we have to spend the rest of our lives together. You should make an effort. You should make an effort to work things out. Because, should you kill me, I have a promise for you, you sick, soulless, son of a bitch. I'm taking you down with me, motherfucker. But enough about me. (clears throat) It's time to welcome two very brave souls to the stage. We'll start with Gene Schnitzel. He'll hand off to Maddie Levine. Give it up, the mic is yours, it's Poetry Slam Night at Club Dot! [CLAPPING] - [Paula] Well done, AIDS boy. - Definitely keep calling me that. Ha. Well hello. It's time for me to take my AIDS drugs. These are really good. - What? Mm. - Mm. They are good. Mm. - [Dot] That's right they're good. They're goddamn Swiss flavored. - Mm-hm. Swiss flavor, baby. (laughs) [TV NEWS MUSIC] - [Anchorwoman] National American Shopping Day - [Anchorwoman] And Brian Navarro is covering things from the streets of Hayes Valley. Brian? - [Brian] A field trip into the city proved to be a fun experience for students and teachers alike, and first grader Kimberly Miller is here, who has a little bit of advice for the shoppers at home. Kimberly? [CROWS CAWING] - Let the buyer beware. [MUSIC] |
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