The Girl in the Park

This film contains some strong language.

There was the police car with four policemen that Clancy had sent from headquarters.

-He held back the traffic so Mrs Mallard and the...

-Duckling!

..could march across the street, right into the public garden.

-And inside, they all turned round to say what to the policemen, because they'd been so nice?

-Thank you.

Thank you! And the policemen smiled and waved goodbye.

-And when they reached the pond and swam across to the little island, there was who?

-Mr Mallard.

Mr Mallard, just as he had promised. I bet he missed them.

-And the ducklings liked the new island so much, they decided to what?

-Live there.

-Yes, and all day long, they follow the swan boats and eat...

-Peanuts.

When night falls, they swim to their little island with their parents, and they go to...

Sleep.

And now...it's about that time.

Come on, one more. Please, one more?

No, Momma's got to go to work.

-Please!

-No. Tomorrow.

-Go, Dog. Go!?

-Goodnight Moon. Had to make way for ducklings.

-Twice.

-Here she is, ladies and gentlemen. Better late than never.

Julia Sandburg.

# One day while strolling through the park

# I overheard a lovers' conversation

# They didn't say "I love you, dear"

# All they did was whisper in each other's ear

# They said ooh, shooby-dooby-ooh, ooh...

It was wonderful, as usual.

Thank you.

Julia, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine.

-Hi.

-Hi. Big fan. Great set tonight.

Congratulations on the voice piece.

Oh, that was kind of a fluke.

Marcus is with Delancey Records.

You put this out yourself, right?

-More or less.

-Well, listen, we should talk.

We don't have the biggest budgets in town,

but we think maybe we could do a little better for you, production-wise.

Help out with promotion.

Great. Thank you. Sure.

Chris, where's my briefcase?

It's right there, Dad.

-Did you sing?

-Yes.

How many songs?

-About ten.

-Did people clap?

Yeah.

Do you like cheese?

Some kinds.

I've got a late meeting, probably till around seven.

Can you get Chris from school? He's got his kung-fu thing at 4.30 today.

-Yeah.

-How'd it go last night?

-Good.

-I'll tell you more when I'm awake.

-Dad!

-I know, we're late.

-Got your backpack?

-Yeah.

Say good morning to your mother.

Morning, Mom. Bye.

Love you.

Bye, Sweetie.

Be good.

And as for you...

Let's go to the park.

Oh.

-Does it hurt?

-A little bit.

Ow.

Oh, Miss? Miss? I think she has another one there.

Oh, no, thanks, that's just a birthmark.

Yeah, I always had that.

Where's Maggie?

Oh, where, oh where can she be?

I got ya!

One last bounce, then you have to go.

OK, Maggie...

Time to go.

Come on, sweetheart.

Where's Maggie?

Oh, where, oh where can she be?

Maggie!

Maggie!

Maggie!

-Did you see...a little girl in a blue coat?

-No, sorry.

Maggie!

Answer me!

Maggie!

Thank you very much. Enjoy your weekend.

You too.

She's lobbying for a mountaintop somewhere under a tree, barefoot.

And after, we'll curl up some hot dogs.

You are such a liar! Just because I don't think we should rent out Radio City Music Hall...

-I'm just saying, if we're going to have a wedding, we may as well have a big wedding.

-We will!

Wait till you see his dad's backyard.

-It's perfect.

-Chris has been putting a hell of a lot of work

into that house. I mean, I haven't been down there in a couple of weeks, but I hear...

It was stunning. It's really stunning.

I know he says it isn't finished, but you can just tell. He is so talented.

-OK, so it might be a little colder. Who cares?

-Yeah, your love will warm us all.

Exactly.

It's all right.

It's by the water, and everything. It's very cool.

..So when Celeste told us that she and Chris had decided to make honest people of each other, finally...

it wasn't exactly a complete surprise.

We already had the invitations for this engagement party printed up, to be honest!

Hired the caterers.

We were a little ahead of them.

But they've caught up nicely, don't you think?

Anyway, Chris,

what can I say? Chris is the kind of young man that David...

-Mom!

-I'm sorry, I promised I wasn't going to do this. Oh, Lord.

OK. Well, if you think this is bad, just wait for the wedding.

Um, anyway, all right. Let's see.

Yes, it's an old cliche that you're not losing a daughter, you're gaining a son.

And we are also, of course, gaining a grandchild.

I don't know if I'm ready for that!

But we just want to say, Chris, welcome to our family.

ALL: Cheers!

Well, I'm Doug Sandburg, Chris's dad.

First, we'd like to thank Dave and Sarah for everything they've done for this wonderful event.

Chris has chosen his in-laws well.

He's a smart man.

Not to mention...well,

what can we say about Celeste? From the very first time we met her, we knew.

We could all... just tell that she fit,

that she... belonged in this...with us.

All of us.

And...I'm sorry... what I'm trying to say is

how happy we are to have her...

as our new daughter.

-To Chris and Celeste.

-ALL: To Chris and Celeste.

-Hi, Julia.

-Hi.

You remember Amanda?

-Of course.

-And her son, Dean.

-Hey.

-Hey.

-So...did you find a place to live yet?

-Oh, yes.

I'm all settled. Six weeks now.

I'm renting, but it's cosy.

I was up in Toronto, but my firm said they needed me down here.

Yes, I know, Doug told me.

How have you found New York?

Now, you'd met Dave and Sarah before, right?

No, this is the first time. And they're terrific.

-It's...perfect.

-Congratulations, Julia, about Chris and Celeste.

-If you're half as excited as Doug is...

-Oh, I am. I am.

Well...

Yeah, that's right...

Hey. I only just saw you come in.

Oh, I was late. Sorry.

-Did you get a chance to say hello to Celeste's parents?

-They seem terrific.

How about Celeste?

Mom?

Can you go back inside and say hi to Celeste, let her introduce you to her parents?

I'll write them a nice note.

Mom...

Please say you're happy for us.

I am happy for you.

Can I go home now?

-Hi.

-Problem?

Yeah.

The hinge is sitting too deep.

-Oh. OK.

-I got to go to the shop every weekend to cut some shims,

which means that I can't put the chandelier up until next week.

Honey...

She came.

She wasn't the life of the party, but she showed up.

Yeah, she made an appearance.

She just moved back to the city, you know.

Just give her some time.

She's gonna...ooh.

Oh, can you feel this?

Come on, baby. Do it again. Do it again.

That's just bullshit.

-You knew.

-The fuck I did. What kind of thing is that to say?

Will you keep your voice down, for Christ's sake?

This is just not my problem.

-Well, whose problem is it?

-I guess it's yours, isn't it?

But what am I supposed to do now?

For Christ's sake, stop crying.

-I can't believe you're being such a prick, that you can just sit there...

-Fine.

SHE SOBS

-Hi.

-Hi.

Oh, shit.

Just a moment, Miss. Are you gonna pay for those glasses?

-They're mine. I wore them in.

-No, you didn't.

-Are you crazy?

-Do you want me to call the police?

-I've had these glasses for years.

You took 'em off the rack. You think I don't know my own merchandise?

These glasses belonged to my mother, OK? She gave them to me before she died from leukaemia, asshole.

-Tell it to the police.

-Just a minute.

She did have the glasses on when she came in.

I saw her.

In fact, I saw her earlier at a restaurant, and she had them on then too.

Hey!

Hey!

I'm late for work.

Why did you do that?

That's exactly what I want to talk to you about. They track in the mud...

-Hey.

-Oh, hey, boss.

-Thanks.

-I know you like your extra Sweet'n Low.

-Thanks, man.

-So what's going on? I got a phone call from Leo.

You got a crisis inside?

-They're always different people...

-Mrs Carrington. Mrs Carrington.

How are you doing? I'm Chris.

-Remember me?

-Oh, yes.

-You all right?

Do they have to be so noisy?

Come over here. Let's get out of the way.

A little noise is a good thing.

It means we're actually doing some work.

Now, every day, either Leo or I will be on the site.

You'll get a progress report faxed to you by the end of the day.

Any problems, call me, 24/7. You've got my cellphone.

That sounds very organised, but I had no idea that it was going to be so noisy.

Well, demolitions are noisy, Mrs Carrington.

Hey, hey. Calm down.

Just don't worry. When we get done, you'll have a beautiful home, OK?

Thanks.

You work really late.

It's not like I've been here all day. I did some stuff and came back.

I thought I'd...you ran off before I could say thanks.

That guy in the drugstore? Such a dickhead.

You did take those glasses.

Yeah.

Jesus.

Hey, will you stop? I just want to talk to you for one minute.

-Whatever you want from me, forget it.

-I just wanted to tell you...

Do you understand? Whatever you have to say to me, I don't care.

There was this guy.

I met him in Michigan. That's where I'm from.

He's this successful guy from New York on a business trip, or whatever.

So we hook up.

And he's there for, like, three days.

And he says if I come to New York...actually, it's more like,

it's more like when I come to New York, like he expects me to come, like it's a done deal.

And when I do, you know,

all these promises.

All this incredible stuff.

So I come. I show up.

And he's shocked, right?

Right away, he makes it abundantly clear that he doesn't want me here.

It was all bullshit. He's got a fucking girlfriend

and a life, and I was just a fuck on a fucking business trip.

Really nice.

And I...I...

just really want to get home, you know?

I want to go back to Michigan.

I don't have any money.

I don't have anyone here except for him and you.

You don't know me.

Oh, that's really compassionate. Thanks a lot(!) I was talking relatively. Jesus.

How much do you need?

700.

You need 700 for a bus ticket?

Yeah.

The thing is,

I'm also pregnant.

Cash would be easier.

Sorry. I'll take it.

Sorry.

People don't do this kind of thing for me, you know.

I'm just really grateful.

Thank you.

Don't worry about it.

Hey.

Just try this for me.

-What is it?

-I got a coffee machine and a grinder in my office,

and I'm just trying to decide if it's a little too excessive.

Not excessive, but I'm trying to decide if it was worth it.

-It's good.

-All right.

-That's for you.

-No.

-No, I made this for you.

Any time you want, just come on by.

-It's a shame to have to go all the way down the street.

-Well, I...

PHONE RINGS

Yes.

Oh, hi.

-I thought I said eight, but I probably told her the wrong time.

-No, you told her the right time.

She's not gonna show up.

Of course she will. She's probably just running late.

I graduated from high school.

She said she got the dates wrong.

I finished college.

-Not a rumour.

-You dropped out of college.

I'm just saying, don't expect her to come to the wedding.

-Now you're being ridiculous.

-No, you know what? You don't know.

This is ridiculous.

I didn't ask you to invite her here.

It was very sweet of you to...try and bring us together, but...

Maybe it has nothing to do with you. Maybe I want to get to know my future mother-in-law.

Right.

Look, if you don't want to stay...there.

See? Julia!

Hi, I'm so sorry. I thought I told you the wrong place.

No, I got stuck at work.

-Hi, Mom.

-Hi.

Well, the food here is supposed to be really interesting.

So Chris has a big new job.

Really?

Yeah, it's a big East Fifties place.

They haven't touched it in 40 years. Wiring's like

a museum exhibit. Everything's got to go.

They're very nervous.

Sounds...very good.

Julia, was Chris always building things as a kid, or...?

-Yes.

-Yeah, Mom got me my first toolkit.

I was six.

Doug told me you were always having to put everything back together.

Is it true that he really took apart the dishwasher one time?

Oh, yes.

Share some more memories, Mom.

Can you grab me a drink?

What are you doing here?

-Is that my money?

-No.

-That's my money.

-No, it's not.

-Why did you lie to me?

-Er...she's obviously...

You lied to me. Why did you do that?

Answer me! Why did you lie to me?

I helped you! I helped you!

Sir, she's going to have to leave.

I think we should just get her out.

-I'll be right back.

-Don't worry about it.

-It's taken care of.

-It's fine.

-Stephen, get a drink for the lady.

-Yes, sir.

Crazy bitch.

Mom!

Mom!

Hi.

Hi.

You can do it. You a little nervous?

I'll catch you.

Come on.

Very good. Want to do it again?

Excuse me.

Oh, I'm sorry. I just thought she could use a catch.

It's fine.

OK, sweetie, Mommy's here. Come on.

Try it again.

Hi, what's your name?

I'm Julia.

How old are you? You go down that slide.

Amazing.

-It's my turn! Give it!

-Hey.

Hey, don't fight. Can you take turns?

Maybe if you ask nicely, he'll let you have a turn.

I look after these children.

So look after them. Everybody has to share.

Mind your own business.

Go. Go, go, go. Go all the way down.

Well done.

-Hi.

-Hi, how are you?

-I called about this lady over here.

-She's a little strange.

-Hi, ma'am?

Excuse me? Hi.

Is that your daughter?

-No.

-OK, is your child in the park today?

-No.

-OK. Excuse me, ma'am, we need to speak to you for a moment. Can you step out of the park?

-No, I'm fine.

-Just come with us.

-I...please leave me alone.

-I need you to relax...

-I am completely relaxed.

Let's leave the park.

-I am not leaving the park.

-Come with us, please.

Will you stop pulling me? Excuse me? I can't believe you're doing this.

We just need you to relax.

I AM relaxed. Am I under arrest or something?

You OK?

I'm not under arrest or anything.

-This your son?

-Yeah, how are you doing? I'm Chris.

Would you step over here for a minute?

Like I said on the phone, we're not gonna charge her.

But I am going to suggest you keep a close eye on her from now on.

Yeah, yeah, of course.

Look, I'm sorry about...all this.

-Has she ever done anything like this before?

-No.

-She on anything?

-No, it's not like that.

She...

My, my sister...

I had a sister who, um...

when she was about three years old, she disappeared.

And, um...

after that, my mother...

she's changed.

You ever find out what happened to the girl?

Yeah, no.

I mean, they never found anything.

But a few months later, there was

another murder, and it was a kid in Philadelphia.

Same kind of deal, vanished from a playground.

And they caught the guy, and they think he probably did both.

He died in prison two years ago.

Well, there's that, at least.

Keep an eye on her.

Hey.

I'm going to fix that for you.

Julia, are you hungry?

-I could run down to the grocery, or we can order something.

-No.

You sure?

OK, come on.

-Come on, what?

-Come on, let's get it over with.

-Please.

-All right, all right.

So what are we gonna do about this?

Julia, we don't have to do anything tonight you don't want to do. You must be very tired...

You know what that cop told me? He told me to keep an eye on you.

-I'm sure he did.

-Should I be keeping an eye on you?

If it would make you feel better.

-Oh, don't do that whole passive thing.

-Chris, come on.

-This can't go on.

-I'm sorry.

About everything. I'm sorry about the park.

I'm sorry about the restaurant.

Who was that at the restaurant?

Someone I thought I knew. I was wrong. I had too much wine.

I'd had a bad day at work.

-It was stupid.

-What about the park?

These mothers, you say two words to their children, they become hysterical.

But I'm not gonna make excuses.

It was a mistake.

Julia, do you want to stay with us for a couple of days?

It's a little dusty, but there's plenty of room, and we would love to have you.

Thank you, Celeste.

I'll be all right. Are you sure? It's no trouble. I'm sure.

Thank you.

It's been...

not as simple as I expected,

hoped...coming back to the city.

I appreciate your patience.

I do.

And now...

you were right.

I am...

tired.

Bye.

-I'll call you tomorrow.

-OK.

-Maybe I should have stayed.

-Let's give her some breathing room.

Trust me. I think it's going to be OK.

I do.

KNOCK AT DOOR

How do you know where I live?

It was on your cheque. Ow!

Ow, shit!

Shit! That really hurt!

Why'd you fucking close the door on my hand?

You could say thanks, at least.

What's this?

It's your money.

Some of it, anyway.

Why?

You tried to help me.

I felt bad.

Were you pregnant?

No.

Was everything a lie?

Most of it.

You're not from Michigan?

No.

Where DO you come from?

Right here.

Who are you?

What?

What's your name?

It's Louise.

Do you think you could let me in? I think I need some antiseptic.

Scrambled OK?

Er, yeah.

These are hot.

How long have you been up?

A while.

-How's your hand?

-It's OK.

It looks much better.

-Can I use your shower?

-Of course.

Louise...where do you live?

You mean, right now?

Yeah.

-Kinda nowhere.

-Where do you sleep?

With guys.

What if there's no guy?

There's always some guy.

What about last night?

Last night there was you.

Extra towels are in the bathroom.

Thanks.

Louise?

Yeah, I'll be out in a second!

There's a key on the table in the hallway.

Stay as long as you want.

Socks.

That's nice.

Oh.

"I do".

Hello?

Louise?

Louise?

Louise!

Where were you? Where did you go?!

I went out to get something to drink. There's nothing in your kitchen.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Long day.

Have a drink. Shit!

Right.

You know where I'd like to go? London.

I've never been anywhere.

Englishmen can be kind of, I dunno, sexually kind of iffy.

Like some of them just want their headmasters to paddle them on the bums, or something.

The women are cool, though. There's this BBC News anchorwoman, I love her.

Her accent is so excellent.

-Which one's that?

-Ah!

-Pad Thai.

-Mmm.

-Good?

-Mmm. Mmm!

-That is good.

-Spicy.

All right. Well, I was hoping to have the numbers in by next Friday.

That's when the report's coming out, we can put everything together.

Mmm-hmm. I understand.

Uh-huh.

Yeah. Yeah, of course.

Of course, of course. We should get that to them as soon as possible, that's right.

No, I... That's... I understand that.

Say that again. What were you saying?

-Hey!

-Hey.

-You are in big trouble.

I know. I got caught on a job.

Make yourself a sandwich and have a beer, you'd better get in there.

-What's the matter with you? It's the second quarter.

-I know, I know. I was listening to it in the van.

It's all right, you didn't miss much.

Hi.

-Hey.

-Hey.

SHE MOANS

-What's the matter?

-Oh, this faucet, it won't turn off all the way.

No, no, no. You do not have permission.

He's gonna think we save our repairs for when he visits.

-I thought you were gonna call the plumber?

-For that? I've got my tools in the van.

No, Chris... Chris, no. Come on. Chris!

All right, just don't take the... Let him do it, he loves it.

He enjoys it.

Oh, see, well, that's a foul.

If you slap him in the head, then that's a foul.

This is pathetic.

I'm worried about Mom.

Yeah?

I had to get her the other day at a police station.

She had some kind of freakout in a playground,

and then the day before,

we were out having dinner together and there was...

There was an incident at the restaurant.

I dunno what's going on. I try to...

..not get in her way too much. Isn't that what she wants?

I mean, maybe it's... Maybe it's the whole wedding thing,

the baby and the family stuff that's triggering everything.

I don't know.

-Maybe I'm too hands-off...

-There's nothing you can do.

You know that, right?

No, no, I-I...don't know that.

Where is she living?

Where's that apartment that she rented, do you know?

It's six blocks from where we used to...

I just...

Christ, why couldn't she just stay where she was?

It's not her fault, she was transferred.

Yeah, right. She had to come, that job that she's so passionate about.

Come on.

-That's not fair.

-Nothing, nothing...

..is gonna shake her loose from what happened.

Chris...

..I tried for seven years to...

Just don't let her drag you down with her.

Don't let her do it. If I hadn't found Amanda...

So what you want me to do?

Just ignore her and...

..get on with my business?

Oh, God. I'm sorry, this keeps happening. I just...

keep meaning to call the guy.

-Is it cable or satellite?

-It's satellite.

Yeah, you've got to call the satellite guy.

If I don't...like any of these, can I return them and get credit?

-Where are you going?

-Out.

You wanna tell me what time you're planning to be home?

What? Who do you think you are?

Well... I'm the person who's...

Who's giving you a place to stay and...

If you don't want me here, just say it.

Oh, come on. Come on!

-SHE GIGGLES

-Nice.

God, this is yours?!

Ssh! It's my mom's. Shh. Be quiet.

-Shh!

-Be quiet.

-All right, sorry.

-Mom, we're home!

-No, shh! She'll kick you out, she's scary.

-Really?

-Yeah. SHE YELPS THEN LAUGHS

CHUCKLING

MUTED CONVERSATION AND GIGGLING

-Hey.

-Hey.

I...er...

Come on in, come on in.

SHE GIGGLES

What? What?

Nothing.

No, it's...

Well, hello.

How are you?

How was your night?

How was yours?

Excellent.

So what's the deal?

-Hmm?

-Where did you go last night? Do you have a boyfriend or something?

No.

Girlfriend?

No.

It's a man. A man from work.

It's not a relationship.

Well, what's the deal?

There's no deal, which is just fine.

I thought women your age would kill to get married.

I've been married.

What happened?

-We got divorced.

-Excuse me, you can't smoke in here.

-What? Since when?

-Since, like, five years ago!

God, truly sorry. I'll take care of that. Give it to me.

Give it to me. Don't you ever go out?

Any kids?

Yeah.

How many?!

Two.

You're weird. Don't you wanna know anything about me?

Don't you wanna know who I am?

I know who you are.

Who?

You're a girl who...

..needs a touch up.

Let's take care of that, shall we?

There. That's pretty close to the original colour, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

-Two chocolate bars, please.

-Got it.

-Here you go. Enjoy.

-Thank you.

All right, there is something I wanna ask you.

Have you ever considered doing anything?

I mean, other than this sort of drifting around?

-Ah, ambition?

-Well, college?

I'm not real big on being force-fed and regurgitating information.

-What about a job?

-I've had jobs.

What?

Florist, surgical nurse,

performed in the circus for a while, ran guns to Ethiopia during the war.

Right.

Which war?

You know, THE war.

So...

-I guess I'm kind of a fuck-up, huh?

-Maybe.

Maybe I am, too.

SHE SCOFFS You?!

Right. A nice job, nice apartment,

doing exactly what you want, whenever you want.

Right.

Well, the thing to remember is we are both simply bursting with potential.

You gonna finish that?

-What, this?

-Yeah.

-No, this is mine. Hey, this is mine. This is mine!

-Come on, don't be greedy!

KNOCK AT DOOR

-Hello.

-Hey.

I promised I'd fix the cabinet for you.

Sure.

Keeping an eye on me, eh?

Yeah.

-IN SOUTHERN AMERICAN ACCENT:

-After my little old brush with the law?

-That's right.

-Well, don't worry.

I fought the law and the law won.

I'm going straight from now on.

HE LAUGHS

Cooking for an army.

I like leftovers.

Did you get a haircut or something?

No.

-Wearing it longer these days, your sideburns?

-No!

Well, whatever it is...

I like it.

How's Celeste?

She's good.

She says the baby's been moving a lot, doing gymnastics.

I can't feel it.

She's pretty busy, doing a rotation at the hospital.

She's working late tonight, so...

I'm just gonna...

grab a slice of pizza or something.

Yeah?

Yeah.

I have stuff from the office.

They've really loaded me down tonight.

I don't need to be entertained.

I wasn't gonna sit down, even. I was just gonna sort of graze while I tackle it.

-What are you doing?!

-Sorry.

Are those yours?

They're mine.

Oh.

Louise, this is my son, Chris.

Hi. Really nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-Julia's told me a lot about you.

Louise works with me, Chris.

At the bank.

-Oh, you work at the bank?

-Yes. Yeah, I've just started.

-Well, not just. It's been, what, a month now?

-Little less.

Julia's been amazing. She's completely taken me under her wing.

I've become, well... I guess protege makes it sound too formal?

-She's helping me out tonight with a report.

-God!

The Sullivan report. Total nightmare.

Well, don't let me be in your way.

Are you gonna stay for dinner, Chris?

I don't wanna deprive you of your leftovers.

Are you kidding?

Stay. She always makes too much.

-What is it?

-Vino.

It's delicious.

-You'll love it.

-Yeah?

Yum yum!

Hi.

Hi.

Oh...thank you.

Um...

well, I suppose this is a little backwards now,

but I got two tickets for...

Sure.

I mean yes.

-Good, all right.

-For what?

Shit! How much for this?

Two bucks.

Thanks.

JAZZ PLAYS, AUDIENCE APPLAUDS

# One dream in my heart

# One love

# To be living for

# One love

# To be living for

# This nearly

# Was mine... #

Can I ask you something?

Why did you come by my place the other night?

-Did I scare you?

-No, no, no, no, no. You surprised me.

I guess I surprised myself.

Well, I'm glad you didn't surprise anyone else.

Like my son. He came to stay with me the following night.

I'm glad you missed him

cos I think that the idea of women visiting his father

in the middle of the night would freak him out.

He's staying at my place, otherwise I'd have steered in that direction.

-Oh, you would, would you?

-I would have tried.

Well, it looks like I've steered us in this direction.

What? The evening didn't live up to expectations?

No, I had a lovely time, Raymond.

Don't tell me you have a puritanical son up there.

No, but I've got a...

I've got a daughter.

-Oh.

-She's staying with me for a while, too, so...

-You know how it is.

-Yeah, I know. I certainly do.

-See you tomorrow.

-All right.

New one, eh?

Who's the lucky guy?

He's my brother.

Sub plus U-R-B is suburb!

-Yeah!

-Very good.

And I have A-N-I-T-E.

-Suburbanite. Triple word score...

-God damn it, Stuart!

-It's not fair!

-It's totally fair.

That's 240...

-Where is he?

-Shower.

When are you leaving?

-What?

-Well, you've had a couple of weeks, plenty of time to get back on your feet.

Whatever your next step is, I think you'd better take it.

So the honeymoon's over, huh?

Yes.

Fine.

-SHE KNOCKS ON DOOR

-And I'll need my key back.

-You want these back, too?

-No.

-Thanks, that's really fucking generous.

-Don't you dare.

-What is your problem?!

-You lied to me.

-When?!

-About everything.

I told you I wasn't pregnant, the Michigan thing, you knew all that before.

-You never told me you had a brother!

-What difference does that make?

EVERYTHING!

Stuart!

We're going!

KNOCK AT DOOR

KNOCKING CONTINUES

KNOCKING CONTINUES

I forgot my Scrabble set.

Thank you.

Do you play?

No.

I mean, I know how.

I could help you get better. My sister was bad but she got better.

You just have to memorise word sets.

I'm going to a Scrabble event in Tallahassee.

Just went to one in Providence.

What's a Scrabble event?

It's where people get together and play Scrabble.

Not like the Super Champions but people who can play.

You could even win money sometimes.

And do you?

Sometimes.

Thanks.

You know, it's kind of a long bus ride from Providence to Tallahassee.

That's why I had to stay the night.

-I wasn't trying to live here or anything.

-I know.

So don't be mad at Maggie.

WAIT!

HORNS BEEP

-Take your medication. Have you got enough?

-Yeah.

-Hey, look at me. You swear?

-I swear.

Don't fuck around with it.

Thanks, sis.

-Go on, you'll be late.

-Love you.

-So...you were adopted?

-Yeah.

Stuart and I both were.

Well, I don't think they ever really technically adopted us.

We were, whatever, fosters.

I probably had, like, nine brothers and sisters, total.

But who were your parents?

I guess you could say Paul and Stephanie were.

They were severely odd, though.

Paul was this incredibly skinny guy and Stephanie weighed, like, 400lbs.

No wonder they had to adopt. They were also religious fanatics.

We had to pray to a plastic statue of Jesus, like, 50 times a day.

Couldn't watch any TV, had to eat the little biscuits like you get in church for snacks.

Stuart...Stuart called you Maggie.

That's what Paul and Stephanie called me. I like Louise better.

But where were you before?

I don't know.

That's the first place I remember.

-Wh...?

-Oh!

Um...

-what are you doing?

-Nothing.

Sorry, I was just looking for a book. I'm sorry I woke you.

God, you scared me.

-Do you need a light?

-No.

-You can't see in here.

Ah, got it. Thanks.

-What is it?

-Nothing, just some old photos.

Of you?

Yeah, some of them.

Let me see.

I'm awake now, come on. Give it up.

They're old.

Oh my God, is that you?

Yes.

Oh my God, Julia, look at those earrings! That's ridiculous!

-I can't believe you wore that.

-OK.

I'm sorry, sorry. Come on. Show me more. You look good.

-Show me your husband when you divorced.

-Go back to sleep.

-What, is he ugly or something?

-No.

-Does he have, like, a beard and no moustache?

Those Elvis things, what are they?

Mutton chops. I bet he had big fat mutton chops, like, bleurgh!

No!

Show me then, come on.

Hey, he's pretty handsome.

Nice going, good work!

Is that Chris?

Yes.

-He seemed nice, you know, when he came over.

-He is.

-Is he gay?

-What?

Well, you never really talk about him.

Did he disappoint you in some way? Is he some kind of loser?

No, he has his own construction business.

-He's quite successful, actually.

-Hmm.

-But gay?

-No, he's not gay.

He's getting married. Why do you ask these idiotic questions?

-It's the only way to get you to say anything.

-Jesus!

Julia, you look really happy. Where is that?

I don't remember.

Go back to sleep.

Just stay for a minute, OK?

-What?

-Just talk, OK?

About what?

I don't care, anything.

Talk about the pictures.

Well, these were...

I guess Chris was five, we were still living downtown.

Tiny place.

Oh, he's starting school here.

He's six.

Oh, no, he must be seven because we're uptown.

Doug was teaching that year. I remember that lunchbox.

Thor!

He wouldn't eat lunch the first week or two at school.

If Chris was uncomfortable in a place, he didn't complain or make fuss, he just didn't eat.

One day the teacher told us...

Chris ate his lunch,

so we knew he'd settled in.

Kids just adapt.

Oh God, yeah.

Doug won an award for this article he wrote.

He had to wear a tux to the dinner, so I went out and spent 150 on this dress.

I thought I'd gone absolutely insane. I wore it for years though.

Oh, God, look at Doug.

Look at us.

And then...

..you came along.

I had always wanted a girl.

I thought I didn't care.

I thought it was old-fashioned or sexist to care but I did.

And you were it.

By then we had the park just down the street.

As soon as I could, I took you there.

You loved it so much.

Oh.

CHATTERING

Everybody get close together. Sweetheart, Celeste.

You know what, bundle together.

-Oh, yes, yes.

-Photo, all right.

Move everybody together.

-Here we go.

-Hey, Deano,

get in.

Here we go.

Hey, mom, you have to come be in it.

Who can take a picture? LAUGHTER

POP MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO

# I wanna stop her crying

# I wanna stop her crying

# But she's lying there dying

# How can I live when you see what I've done?

# How can I live when you see what I've done?

# Thought I was dreaming

# So I didn't hear the screaming

# I'm so scared

# I'm so scared... #

-I'm gonna take a nap before tonight. Honey, you should lie down too, Celeste.

-I'm going to follow you.

-Bye, sweetie.

-Bye, see you there.

CHATTERING

Ready?

She didn't say that she was bringing a guest, she didn't even tell us she was coming.

She's here now, so at least be happy about that.

-I know, but doesn't it seem weird that she's bringing her assistant to the wedding?

-Assistant?

Yeah, the girl.

She looks like the girl from the restaurant.

-You know, when your mom...

-Jesus.

She's done her hair differently this time, I didn't recognise...

So what does that mean? Is she her assistant or not?

-I have no idea, can we just please go inside and try to enjoy the evening?

-You know what?

I remember when I went over to my mom's to see her that she had this stuff in her spare room.

Is she living with her? What the fuck is going on?

I have no idea, and right now I don't really care.

This is our night. We've planned it for a year.

I'm not going to let your mom or her crazy shit screw that up. Are you?

CHATTERING

Hey.

Hey.

I'm the, um...inconvenient stepson.

Good to meet you. I'm Louise.

So, like, what's your deal?

-I'll set some extra places, all right? It's no problem.

-Thanks.

I'm sorry she didn't mention anything.

CHATTERING AND LAUGHING

Are you sure it's OK?

Don't worry about it. It's all taken care of.

CHATTERING

Julia's my sponsor. In the programme?

What, like, AA?

Yeah.

I'm supposed to be with her, like, all the time for support.

OK...

Oh, right, no.

The programme's for sex addicts.

You know, people who just fuck and fuck and fuck and fuck.

I've been struggling with it since I was, like, 14.

My mother is this, well, I guess you would call her a supermodel.

I don't want to say her name, but you would know it.

Anyway, when I was growing up she was never around,

she was always travelling so they had to put me in a Swiss boarding school.

All girl.

You know what those are like.

Ah, yeah.

-Hey, Dean.

-Hey, hi.

-How you doin'?

-Good.

-Hi, Chris.

Hi. It's Louise, right?

Yeah.

-How are you?

-Good.

I'm, er...

So you're staying with my mom, right?

Yeah, she's letting me crash there a little while.

Wow.

-She's really taken you under her wing, huh?

-Very much so.

She's been incredibly generous, both in and out of the bank.

The bank. It's funny...

you don't really strike me as a banker type.

Hmm. Well, you don't really strike me as the handyman type.

I'm not a handyman.

Whatever, builder.

You seem...gentler somehow.

My brother, Stewart, is like that.

You remind me of him a little bit actually.

-Look, I don't really know...

-Oh, fuck me! What is wrong with me?

Congratulations on your marriage. I should have said something before.

Thanks.

-But I want to know...

-Julia is proud.

Really, truly proud of you.

The life you've made, your business, everything you've done.

You know that, right, Chris?

She may not be able say it, but she is.

GLASSES CLINK >

Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served.

Good, I'm starved.

CHATTERING

Nice to meet you. I'm Louise. How are you?

CHATTERING AND LAUGHING

-Erm, I would just like...

-Mom, no more speeches!

-Darling!

-It's going to be a marathon tomorrow.

-Just let me do this. Thank you to Doug and Amanda.

Very good, very good. And I want to say thank you, too.

And to you I would like to say don't let him leave the seat.

Now, everyone go home and have a good night's sleep.

-Thank you so much.

-SCATTERED APPLAUSE

Could I, erm, could I say something?

Of course. Wait, everyone, Julia wants to say something.

I just...

I want to say how...

glad I am that Chris and Celeste have found each other.

And, erm,

how happy I am to be here.

I know I haven't always been, um...present...

..as much as I would have liked, and I...

I hope...

..to try to change that.

I hope you will... let me try and change that.

I wish you all the happiness in the world.

APPLAUSE

And thanks for finding an extra place for Maggie.

What did you say?

What?

What's your name?

-Louise.

-Maggie.

-No, I go by either. It's fine.

-No, this is Maggie.

Is that what this is?

Oh! Hmm....

Do you...do you... do you know what this is about?

Do you understand what you're doing here? Do you have any idea?

-No, no, no, where are you going?

-Chris!

-Don't walk away! You look at me!

-Stop!

-What the fuck do you think you're doing?

-Maggie!

Maggie's dead, Mom!

She's dead.

< VEHICLE ENGINE RECEDES

Mom.

LIGHT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

LAUGHTER >

CHATTERING

-Oh!

-Just woke up.

They work.

OK, who wants what? We have booze if you want it.

Oh, big boy!

So how's your sleep going?

It's good. Had four hours last night.

That's not bad. Susan and I haven't slept for over a decade.

She actually slept through the night three nights ago.

Can't enjoy that!

We woke up, went running up to her room - "Is she OK? Is she OK?" Woke her up.

CHATTERING

She's looking right at you.

You all right?

-Yeah.

-Why don't you let me get the ladder?

-Julia.

-Is he all right?

Yeah, a broken wrist. 60 stitches.

I wanted to do them for him, but you know.

But he's OK. They're just finishing setting the bone now.

-How did you find out?

-Doug called me.

-We would've called, we just were in crisis mode.

-Please.

-Erm...

-Oh, Julia, you didn't need to bring him anything.

No, it's for her.

I meant to bring it before. I should have.

Thank you.

Can I see Chris?

Erm...

Julia, I mean,

he must have picked up the phone 200 times.

He wants to talk to you, he does.

It's just been hard.

After everything, and then you didn't call and...

She's not your daughter. You know that, right?

I know.

Come on.

Thanks.

He'll be fine.

-BABY CRIES

-How'd they do?

Julia, would you...?

There you go.

Hi.

I'm sorry.

About everything before.

OK?

All the bullshit.

OK.

Truth?

-True.

-I don't care.

Do have any more of this?

On the shelf in the bathroom.

Wait.

Don't want it to get cold. Do it after dinner, Louise.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd