Apart from Hugh (1994) - full transcript

[music playing]

[ticking]

I just had the
most bizarre dream.

I was back in high school.

And Miss what the
hell was her name?

Anyway, I was back in high
school, my English class,

taking an exam in my underwear.

The period was almost over.

I couldn't answer
any of the questions.

I was so frustrated.

I got up, and I walked
over to the window,



unlatched it, and flung it
open, and just totally flew out.

Or was I sucked out?

You were probably sucked out.

Probably.

I flew over the city, and
the mountain, and the forest.

It was so beautiful, but it was
so hard to fight the gravity.

Well, then what happened?

I don't remember.

You know, I'd have dreams
like this back in high school.

My pen would be out of ink,
or I didn't know the answers.

And I'd just sit up, but instead
of flying out the window,

I'd ejaculate.

And then I'd wake up all wet.

That's funny.



I don't remember having those.

You don't remember
waking up all sticky?

You know what's funny?

What's that?

That you never tell me anything
about your dreams-- nothing.

Which ones?

Any.

Don't you ever dream about me?

Oh.

You mean my nightmares?

You know, it's funny, but I
never seem to remember them.

I always wake up
and there's nothing

there, just a vague
great feeling,

like dirty white socks.

I guess it's just lack
of the imagination,

not to be flying around
like Superman all the time.

You with all the imagination,
forever inventing,

always wander through
buttercupped meadows,

always wondering about
all the what-ids.

Oh yes, the what-ifs.

I was thinking the other day,
what if-- what if the French

had beaten the shit out
of the British and laid

claimed to America?

Uh, je parlais francais
maintenant, oui?

Ouais, but would
another language have

made us all that different?

What if the old man upstairs
had left hate off the list?

Well, then we know that we
couldn't possibly love then,

could we?

Everything has to have
its opposite-- rain,

shine, dark, light, you, me.

I mean, it's all so carefully
damn balanced, isn't it?

No love, no hate.

We'd be just a bunch of cows,
eating, sleeping, shitting.

And what if man had never
had the urge to lie with man?

And what if you just
got up off your ass

and fixed us some coffee?

Awfully demanding, aren't we?

And what if I just give
you holy hell right now?

Come on, lady.
Geez.

Can you get the lead
out of your ass already?

There they are.

La, la, la, la, la,
la, la, la, la, la.

Wait a minute.

Cognac for breakfast?

Saturday, a day for indulgence.

I can only see how
fortunate I would

be if you would stay
with me through the rest

of my eternal indignity.

I've got a surprise for you.

As if this isn't enough.

I've invited a few
friends over tonight.

Nothing complicated.

Just talk and laugh.

You know, pass the ball around.

Well, that's great, but why?

I mean, god.

Look at this place.

It's a mess.

Come on.

When was the last
time we had a party?

I mean a real party.

After hours don't count.

Come on.

When was the last time?

Halloween?

Yes, it was.

And we decided we'd
never have another one.

Don't you remember
Carl and Jerry?

Oh god.

Who could forget
those two idiots?

Carl finished off the champagne
and started drinking whiskey.

Of course, this was after
Jerry finished off Carl

and started fondling Tarzan.

They were never right for each
other, like two evening gloves.

Love at first blight.

And the way they went at it?

The threats, the
slaps, the tears?

Carl and Jerry sing Gershwin.

I don' think we ever saw
those tools again after that.

COLLIN: I think they ended
up down in Seattle somewhere.

Like that would
ever solve anything.

Well, no Carl
and Jerry tonight.

Unless--

No.

So who is gonna come?

Well, William and Grant, Dolly
Pusher, Rob, Dina, and maybe

her husband, Tina Rocker.

Ah, I wonder what
she'll be wearing.

Everybody is coming that
you'd expect, and then one.

Really?

Who?

Not telling.

It's a secret.

Not your mother.

I would have Carl
and Jerry back first.

So friend or foe?

We'll be getting a phone
call here soon enough.

PHONE: If you'd
like to make call,

please hang up and try again.

Hi, baby.

What's your sign?

Haven't we met before?

Slippery when wet.

Oh, same over here.

That's my sign, mister.

No, yours would be
dangerous curves ahead.

I don't know about that.

Well, at least I'm
between your legs

and you're not between mine.

Hey, watch it now.

Getting a little
personal, I think.

Well?

What can I get for you?

I'll have a stinger, please.

You got it.

85.

You know, Ruby?

Oh yeah, Ruby.

She caught her flat on fire.

No serious damage though.

She got it put out.

Oh god.

What a stupid bitch ninny.

Are you two really
from England?

You sure as hell sound like it.

We just pulled in at 6
o'clock this morning, we did.

Headed right for the ale.

Did you leave the mini running?

Forgot to turn
her off again, eh?

Don't know.

Can't remember.

Well, we've got to be
back in England by 4:00.

Certainly need to tank up.

Cheers.

Cheers, love.

Okey-doke.

[phone ringing]

So where you from, love?

Olympia.

Where?

Down south from here.

I came up on the bus.

I just got off after
4 fricking hours.

Figured I could come
in and use a beer.

That's the capitol, eh?

Yeah, I came up for the
weekend to see some friends

I haven't seen for a long time.

In fact, one of them I've
never even met before.

WOMAN: Somebody get
the god damned phone!

Answer the phone.

What?

Who do you want?

Just a minute.

Call for Mike Hunt.

[laughter]

Is Mike Hunt here?

You pig asshole.

It's been a long time
since I heard that one.

What an asshole.

It took me long enough too.

Here, this one's on me.

Thanks.

I can't think of who it is.

Who who is?

It's me.

Who who is.

That sounds funny.

What?

Who who is.

It sounds funny.

You said I can't
think of who it is.

And I said who who is?

Who who is, right.

But who is this big secret
that's coming to the party?

I knew I shouldn't
have said a word.

Now I'll be badgered
all afternoon.

You know, you do this
to me all the time.

It drives me absolutely insane.

Well, why don't you give
me a hint for god's sakes?

Just one little
tiny clue, please?

You're so sexy when you grovel.

Who who is.

Frieda's on her way up.

Great clue.

Whoa.

But how did you-- I mean--
but what's going on, Hugh?

I mean, you've never--
you've never even met her.

She called here the other
day while you were at work.

We talked for a little while.

And she just wanted to see how
you were, what's been going on.

We had quite a chatty time.

Anyway, I thought, brilliantly,
why don't we invite

her up for a surprise visit?

And then I thought, why don't
we just turn the whole thing

into a big party?

You know, you're something.

You really are.

I just--

What?

What is it?

Is there something
I don't know about?

I shouldn't have done it.

No.

No, really.

Why, thank you.

Kind of you.

You know, it's so funny how
you can spend so much time

with someone, do all sorts of
crazy, semi-criminal things

with them, rely on them
so much, and then poof.

One day it all comes to
a sad, screeching halt.

And you find yourself
all to yourself again.

I mean, it seems like it
shouldn't work that way,

but it does.

What exactly is it?

Fate, I suppose.

It's a handy little
word, isn't it?

Yes, it's very handy.

More brandy?

Yes, please.

So, the way fate worked it
out, was it good or bad?

I don't know if it's either.

I mean, I'm here.

She's down there, and now we're
gonna see each other again.

Maybe I don't understand what
you two really went through.

I mean, you told me enough
about the crazy apartment

that you two shared, the
nonstop insanity that went on,

living from one
drink to the next.

What?

Is there more to it than that?

No, not really.

We had some quiet times
together and some time apart

from one other.

Sure, there were lots of
parties and lots of booze.

God, we were always
pissing people off.

No one understood
us or even tried.

We didn't make any sense.

I mean, now it seems sad.

Well, funny sad.

I unraveled.

We didn't live any
better than two

mad dogs, except with listened
to a lot of good music.

Listening to Holiday
was never as intense.

I took on her pain, I think.

I can't explain it to you, but
I'll- I"ll tell you this thing

and you'll think I'm insane.

I already do.

Living as we did, or as I
did, it seemed, well, noble?

After you stripped off all the
veneer, all your self-respect,

all your pettiness, your
morals, your dreams, your guilt,

and you have nothing but
your flesh and your bones,

and your hunger and your
thirst, well, that's intense.

You realize you are here
in the naked present.

I liked feeling that.

It was raw,
unpolluted simplicity.

Nothing really mattered.

Most people would
never allow it to reach

that point, to get that far.

Or they do, and they
never come out of it.

Kind of like going to
New Orleans for a holiday

and forgetting to
come back, I suppose.

You've been there.

I know you have.

I think I've been there in a
different sort of way than you.

I like to go for the weekend
maybe, but not a whole year.

I don't think I've ever
told you this story,

but a couple of
Septembers ago, I

rented a cabin down at the ocean
and went there for the weekend.

It was complete with a whistling
teapot and a potted shamrock.

Anyway, I burrowed in.

Saturday night, after I'd had
quite a bit to drink, I walked.

No, I stumbled down the
footpath to the beach.

I was screaming and
yelling like a wild fool.

But the roar of the
ocean swallowed my cries.

I stripped naked
in wild abandon.

I didn't notice if
anyone was around.

I didn't care.

It was so cold.

The water was biting at me.

It was stealing my warmth
and wanting my life.

I felt so alive,
so in the present.

I ran back on shore.

I felt like I'd made
love 1,000 times.

And I shudder when I
realize how dangerous

it was to be out in
the middle of the ocean

alone in the night.

Supposing I wasn't
a stable person.

It could've been more
dangerous never having done it.

Touche.

Tell me about Frieda.

What did she go through exactly?

Six pack a night.

I don't know, really.

When I'd had enough, I moved up
here and she moved down there.

We still write.

You do want to
see her, don't you?

Yeah, very much.

Yeah.

You didn't just walk
out on her, did you?

No.
Uh-uh.

No.

We knew it was time
to pull up stakes.

We had worked very hard
at being hedonists.

I just couldn't stand
to eat dinner out

of a can over the sink anymore.

Oh god, Collin.

How philistine.

Now she's involved
with Samson and Delilah

or whatever their names
are, painting houses.

Her letters say that
she's very happy.

I'm not much of a
pool player, guys.

So don't get too excited.

Great prize.

Sorry about that.

Some kind of a partner
you're gonna turn out to be.

Certainly ain't gonna
win this way, are we?

No.

You're up, kiddo.

What always worked for Grandma
Bunny was to line up her shot,

get a feel for it, close
her eyes, and shoot.

Sorry ass game, guys.

You ought to stick
to cake decorating.

Let me show you how to do it.

What a show-off.

That's it, you pussies.

I gotta go back to work.

Oh, I don't believe you.

Hey, come on.

I'm not kidding.

Yeah, right.

It's just too--

Hey, this place
is a lot of fun.

Did you beat the
pants off of him, mate?

Aw, hell no.

Oh, oh, oh, by the way.

My name is Nancy, and
this is my little friend

Oliver, Oliver Twist.

How do you do, milady?

Oh god.

Another fucking comedian today.

So you said you came
up to meet somebody?

Anybody we know?

Well, they don't
go out very often.

It's Collin and Hugh.

Who?

Collin and Hugh.

Hugh.

Doesn't sound familiar.

Well, Collin and I lived
in Seattle for a while.

Then Collin moved up
here and met Hugh.

I haven't seen
Collin since he left.

I'm a little bit nervous.

Hugh is the one that
planned this surprise visit.

He's having a big party tonight.

Ooh, sounds like fun.

This town could use
a few big parties.

There's parties all over.

Well, then how come I
never get invited to any?

Well, all you
needs a personality.

Fuck you, you big asshole.

Well!

Hey, thanks for the game.

Oh, I just screwed you guys up.

No, you didn't.

We were just killing time.

Before we have to go
a decorate a cake.

Yeah, me too.

Huh?

I'm just fooling around too.

Hey, have you ever seen anyone
balance a schooner on a dime

before?

All it takes is a steady
hand, absolute concentration,

and the nose of Roosevelt.

[laughter]

[vacuuming]

Should I get
pistachios for tonight?

What was that?

Pistachios for tonight.

What now?

Pistachios.

Does that sound
good for tonight?

No, absolutely not
People are so god damned

careless with the shells.

It could end up in the couch,
under the couch, everywhere.

And we're the ones
who pay for it.

I mean, have you ever stepped
on a pistachio in bare feet?

Ouch.

Picture this.

I go in the kitchen one
morning to fry you an egg.

No sooner than I have
the carton in my hand

and I just step on one
of those little shells.

The pain makes me
drop the carton.

Now I've got a real
mess to clean up.

No pistachios.

You are brilliant.

You know people and all their
careless, inconsiderate ways

so well.

No pistachios.

Just stick to the
pre-peeled foods,

like little dainty things that
don't make too many crumbs.

How about those little
weenies wrapped in dough?

How about those?

I don't want to make little
weenies wrapped in dough.

Come on though.

What about that flat be-- bread.

What's that stuff called?

Pita?

Pita, yes.

That's it.

Pita, pita, pita.

Bake up a ton of garlic, make
a spread with onions, avocados.

Yeah, crumpled bacon.

Mush it all up together.

Fill it with the pita.

Yes.

Delicious.

I know what we should do.

Oh god.

Frieda would love this.

We had this after hours party,
where everyone was just ripped.

All we had was a package
of those-- those cookies

with the cream centers.

And they were gonna
be our breakfast.

Frieda goes into the
kitchen while I'm

out entertaining everyone
in the living room.

She scrapes out all the cream
center out of the cookies,

spreads on horse radish--

No.

Yes.

Too funny.

The looks were priceless.

Frieda laughed so hard
that she peed her paints.

I thought that they
were going to kill us.

Collin, you really frighten me.

Why don't you pick up a bag.

Wait.

Wait.

Let me get this straight.

You don't want pistachio
shells embedded in the carpet,

but you wouldn't mind seeing
people toss out their cookies

all over the place.

[vacuuming]

Shit.

I know.

I bet we're out of bags too.

You better add
that to your list.

No, we have some
over in the buffet.

I just saw some the other day.

I had one out the other
day, because I was gonna

make a really quick pinata.

God, that's where that's been.

What the hell's this?

Did you do this?

Oh, it's not finished.

Just put it back.

I can't believe it.

You live with someone, and you
think you know just about all

there is to know
about that person.

And, whappo, you find
out he's an artist.

I think maybe you should
explore this talent, young man.

I don't want to.

I mean, I only do it
when the mood strikes.

It's not that often.

Besides, it's not
that good, really.

Not that good?

It's very good.

Finish it.

You flatter me so.

I'll flatten you so.

Hand it over.

Big brute.

Because if I don't finish
it, it can't be bad.

Oh, I'll finish it.

I'll finish it.

So you're not involved
with anyone right now?

Just myself.

No, I was until Christmas.

I was with Tim for five years.

And then what happened?

I dunno.

I mean, I know, but
I don't understand.

Psychologically,
I think I pushed

him out of the relationship.

I mean, who understands
the mind and all the tricks

we pull on ourselves?

You know, I go out of
my way to set things up

really comfortable for myself.

Then I pull the carpet out
from underneath my own feet,

just to watch myself fall.

Does that make any sense to you?

No, but keep talking.

Aw, fuck it.

It's too complicated.

Well, I drove old
Sammy boy away.

Don't ask me how,
but I know I did.

You know, I want familiarity
and stability in my life.

But give me a good dose
of it and I start inviting

havoc over for dinner parties.

So you got bored with him.

No, no, no.

It's not that simple.

I just-- I just miss him.

God, why would I chase a good
man like that out of my life?

I don't know.

Why would you chase a good man
like that out of your life?

Oh, I guess so I
have to come down here

and talk about on Saturday.

Hm.

And you?

You with anyone?

Uh-huh.

I've been with them
for about a year now.

Them?

I'm involved with
a married couple.

Hm?
Oh really?

Cha-cha-cha.

It's what I want.

It works out fine.

It really does.

Boy, I thought I was bad.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it that way.

I know you think I probably
can't make up my mind.

I ain't saying anything, honey.

I just don't understand that.

It is different.

See, I don't just want him,
and I don't just want her.

I want 'em both.

Any animals involved?

Oh yeah.

When they're gone.

Don't listen to him.

Just give him the shit.

Hey, it's my shit.

Actually, I should have some
pictures of them here, too.

Oh shit.

What?

I forgot my shoes.

This is me.

I forgot my shoes.

I need my shoes.

I can't wear the shoes I've
got on with this dress.

Are there any places around here
where I can find some shoes?

A second hand?

Goodwill?

A bargain place?
-Well, yeah.

There's plenty of 'em.

Just go up the
street, make a right.

Go about five or six blocks.

You can't miss 'em.

You ought to find something.

Hey, I gotta run.

It's been great talking to you.

Same here.

Bye.

Hey, the next time
you get a guy--

Uh-huh.

Don't screw up.

Hello.

Oh, hi.

Can we help you?

I'm beyond it.

What do you think?

Need us to

Find anything?

[MUSIC DALE DIAL, "LOST IN
YESTERDAY"]

Need a ride, honey?

Where you going, baby?

Want a ride?

Harmony.

I dunno where Harmony's at,
but we'll give you a ride.

No thanks.

Jump on in.

You can sit on my brother's lap.

Nah, I think I'll walk.

Come here, baby.

Thanks though.

Ciao.

COLLIN: I wanna know where
the hell Frieda's at.

Maybe she took a later bus.

Or maybe she met a fellow or
a gal and got sidetracked.

You said she's at the
constant mercy of her whim.

COLLIN: Oh, I've got it now.

This is all a big setup.

Frieda's not on her way up.

There's no party.

You want me to think this
for whatever sick reason.

I'm just not
falling for it, pal.

You know, you're
going to get yourself

in some serious hot water
fooling around like this.

Speaking of which, you
know I never actually

thought that I'd see her again?

First, when you told me
she was on her way up,

I couldn't wait to see her.

Now I just don't know.

It's like the memory
of Frieda's become more

important than Frieda herself.

Does that make any sense?

Maybe it just
wasn't a good idea.

I mean, maybe she
thought about it

and decided it wasn't
such a good idea.

Well, whatever happens.

What?

Now you're angry?

Am I right?

Hugh?

Hugh?

What?

You're angry, right?

About what?

You didn't hear what I
was-- oh, never mind.

Grab the jewels, honey.

Here she comes.

It's certainly no joke
about Frieda and the party.

It'll be one of the
best parties ever given,

ever to be remembered.

Lots of gaiety, lots of guffaws.

You know, I should
have hired geisha

girls to serve drinks and
go-go boys to dance till dawn.

Now, that would've been a party.

Geisha girls and go-go boys?

Well, I just want to
look pretty for tonight.

And you shall.

Oh, parties.

I love 'em.

You know, there's people in
New York who make a living

just by going to parties?

They have personalities
so lively and so shrill

they get paid to attend.

They flit from one
party to the next,

like a butterfly from
flower to flower.

Well, when I flitted
from party to party,

I certainly never
got paid for it.

In fact, I was the one
that ended up paying for it

the next day.

That's all these people do.

I've read about 'em,
professional party goers.

A steady diet of
gin and clap dip.

Damn.

Clam dip, damn it.

Can you get my back
when you're done?

Hot yet?

Cold.

You know, Europeans
are so clever.

They put a faucet in the
middle of the bath tub,

so another person can sit
comfortably at the other end.

Oh, so you shared a bath
all over Europe, huh?

No, I just bideted.

Wouldn't you like to go back?

Yeah the both of us--
you, me, our backpacks,

and a train timetable.

Oh, to sit in an outdoor
cafe, buy cheap wine,

and ogle strange men in Madrid.

Or buy strange men in Madrid
and ogle cheap cafe wine.

What an experience
you must have had,

vagabonding a whole year
all alone in Europe.

Wouldn't trade it for anything.

You know, it's funny.

Sometimes, I stop
and think I did that.

I don't know how.

It's funny.

You come back a
different person,

with pockets full of
all sorts of change

and socks eaten
alive with holes,

and a notebook full
of romantic nonsense.

You know, it wasn't
without its hitches though.

Hey, did I mention that Lodie
and Fran are coming tonight?

No.

Uh-uh.

What did France smell like?

What did it smell like?

I just imagine it has a
smell like no other place.

What did it smell like?

Chocolate bread
and coffee beans.

And Holland?

What did it smell like?

Chrysanthemums and beer.

Norway?

Norway, what did
Norway smell like?

Sweaty man and fish.

Now, there's an idea
for the travel bureau.

What's that?

Scratch the pretty picture
and smell the country.

What about the US?

Ah, the US, definitely the
smell of liberty, money.

Which, by the way, I'm going
to be a little bit short on.

How'd you do on tips last night?

50.

Can you spare me 20?

Uh-huh.

You know, back in the last
days of Frieda and Collin,

I'd take a bath every
Sunday night, a hot bath.

I'd soak for hours.

I'd keep thinking to myself,
what am I going to do?

I mean, what am I going to do?

Maybe I should have been
asking myself what am I doing?

You know what?

All I could think about is
that I should get out of here.

Every Sunday night,
I'd think that.

It was like planning
some kind of escape.

You know, one time Frieda and I
borrowed this car off this guy.

We took a drive up here, stopped
at one of those little gas

stations on Highway 11, one of
those little places you didn't

know still existed, the
kind with a big porch

and the dog lying underneath of
it, a stand of fresh vegetables

out front.

Anyway, this guy
pulls up in a pickup

truck loaded down with hay.

And out steps the most
gorgeous man I've ever seen,

all rugged, chapped.

Even said hello to us.

I could have left Frieda right
then, waited for that guy

in the front seat of his truck.

I was ready to till the garden,
slop the hogs, cut the wood,

and fall in love.

That's when I decided
to quit the big city.

So I did.

Well, I'm not exactly
planting raspberry bushes

or slopping hogs,
but at least I'm

close enough to see him do it.

So what you asking
yourself these days?

You know, I'm starting
to think that we

ask ourselves the same
questions all through life.

[knocking]

I was almost raped.

Oh my god.

Wow!

Oh god.

Oh look.

Hugh.

How about a huge hug, Hugh?

Hugh, this is Frieda.

Well, I'll be.

We we starting to
get worried about you.

Where the hell have you been?

FRIEDA: I forgot to pack
my shoes for the party.

Then I got a wild
hair at my house.

COLLIN: But you
should have called us.

Next time I'll call.

This is great.

This is really great.

And this place?

I want it!

Welcome to the
other side, Frieda.

Can I get you anything?

Yes, new feet.

Really though, I'm comfy.

After the long bus ride this
morning, the walk did me good,

I think.

I don't think I've
ever been up here.

Before.
-Oh no.

You remember.

We did a car ride up here once.

But it wasn't this far.

This is great.

I get to see my old buddy, and
his new buddy, and a new town.

We should have done
this a lot sooner.

That's what I thought too.

I'd heard so much about
you, and I thought we gotta

have you up here for a visit.

I tried to keep it a
secret as long as I could,

but this one over here
finally wiggled it outta me.

Hey, I've gotta head into
town to pick up a few things.

Is there anything you can
think of that we need?

Not me.

I'm just ecstatic to be here.

Garlic's in the oven.

Watch the timer.

And sure there's
nothing else you need?

How about some flowers?

Pick up some tulips.

Or pansies.

-How about some pansies too?
-All right.

Well, I'm taking off.

Bye.

Stay out of the cookies.

And the horseradish.

The horse-- oh.

I told him.

God.

He's a cutie pie.

I like him.

You know, I'm curious.

I wanna know more about this
couple that you're living with.

Stan and Amanda?

Yeah.

Are they married?

Uh-huh.

They've been married
for almost 10 years now.

Gosh, I knew them way
back in my Portland days.

But about a year ago, I was
down in a tavern in Belltown.

And who do you think I saw?

It was Stan and Amanda.

It's been a while, but
we talked and talked.

And the next thing I know,
I'm moving in with them.

We get along so well.

I hope you won't be
too disappointed,

but I'm not half as
crazy as I used to be.

Not that I'm boring.

I've slowed down.

Yeah, me too.

Watch your step.

I told you that we
painted houses, didn't I?

Mhm.

Oh man.

Does that take a lot out
of you, inside and out.

But they make it a lot of fun.

Sometimes between jobs,
we'll load up the can

and head over to the ocean,
find us some cheap little place

for the weekend.

Well, did you ever
stay at a place

with potted shamrocks
and a whistling teapot?

No, nothing that fancy.

But sometimes we'd just park
the van and pitch the tarp.

It's who you're with,
not where you're at.

Ooh.

Hey, watch your step.

Be careful.

Whoa.

Whoa.

Now where shall we go?

Now Stan's teaching
me to sculpt.

And I'm really not half bad.

Mandy and I have a great
big garden out back.

You'd love to meet them.

Well, how old are they?

Stan's almost 40, but
he's looking really good.

And Mandy, she's 35.

They know how to
have a good time.

I just-- I just love 'em.

I have missed you.

I really have.

I have to admit.

I was a little bit
nervous when Hugh

told me you were coming up.

And it got to be later and
later with no phone call,

I thought maybe you'd
change your mind.

What mind?

Maybe you thought-- maybe you
thought about the way I'd left.

Oh, no, no.

Don't.

You had to do what
you had to do.

Hey, I'd never blame
anybody for that.

I was really upset with you for
a couple weeks after you left.

You know, you left and you
didn't even say goodbye.

I really missed you.

It was really tough
there for a while.

But I knew.

I knew.

I guess I'm kind of
worried that maybe-- I

didn't know how
you would take it

with me coming up here and all.

I don't know what
you said to Hugh.

After my phone call
with Hugh though,

he got so excited about
having me come up.

And then he wanted
me to surprise you.

My god.

I don't know about that one.

But here I am.

Oh.

It means a lot to
me that you came up.

Mhm.

I haven't seen you in so long.

It's worked out
really good, huh?

Hugh's great.

Stan the man and
Manda Panda is too.

What's that the thing
called with three people?

Montage?

Menage a trois
ou la vie a trois.

Yeah.

You know, it's not the
easiest thing in the world,

swinging on both
sides of the fence.

I just can't have one
without the other.

I keep thinking, what if
they get tired of my ass

in this whole setup?

What will I do then?

I don't wanna be alone.

No more.

I don't wanna be alone no more.

I don't wanna start
something else.

I mean, I have dresser drawers
to put my clothes in now.

Do you remember that
stupid cantaloupe box I

used to have for my underwear?

So Hugh, he works with
retarded children?

You know, I think you'd
do really well at that.

Actually, they're mentally and
emotionally disturbed children.

Yeah.

He only does that
part time though.

He goes to school full time.

He's had this whole week off.

I guess that must've
been the reason why

he decided to have the party.

I didn't even know
about it till morning.

Mhm.

Parties.

I think it's a wonderful idea.

I haven't been to a party
for so god damn long.

I got so excited.

When I found out I had Mandy
help me make this dress.

Wait till you see it.

So you would like to be
with them for quite a while.

Yeah.

The longer the better.

I don't know if I wanna be in a
relationship with Hugh anymore.

What?

Who said that?

I just don't know if that's
what I want right now.

Well, what do you want?

Are you crazy?

Of course you want it.

Don't you remember
calling me at 3 o'clock

in the fucking morning?

Telling me how sick you
were of being alone?

I do.

I just moved up here.

I didn't know anybody.

And I missed you.

I thought it was a
mistake moving here,

but I didn't wanna move back.

I just felt like I was lost.

Well, what does that tell you?

I don't know.

But, honey, if you're apart
from Hugh, you're alone.

And I'll be getting
phone calls at 3 o'clock

in the fucking morning.

Have you given this
considerate thought?

But that's what I've been
running from all my life,

being alone.

Maybe that's what
I needed to be.

I love Hugh.

I mean, there's no one else.

He's taught me a lot.

But he's done so much in
his life, and I haven't.

I wanna swim alone naked in the
ocean, wander around France,

smelling it for myself.

Or go live in the
Tennessee hills

in a commune with
a bunch of men.

I mean, he's even
slept with women.

OK, skip that one.

He's done everything but
collect the goddamn Nobel Prize.

Give him a couple years.

I still feel like a
child, clinging on.

But, honey.

Ever since I was five,
I wanted to be an adult.

My parents friends would
ask me, what do you

want to be when you grow up?

And I'd say, an adult.
Now I wonder why.

But you and I, we
had our own freedom.

We came and we
went as we pleased.

For a while, it was great.

Then I had to
force it to be fun.

And that's-- that's why I left.

Must be nice to be an old
man, sitting in a rocker,

looking out the window
at all the dahlias,

thinking how grand
it all was, reliving

each detail memory
every afternoon

with bourbon and sherry.

I can't believe you.

Should I just slap you into
your old man years right now?

So you can grieve about your
lost youth and go pee yourself?

I don't wanna leave him
not ever to come back.

I just wanna be on my own for
a while, to really try it.

He'd understand.

But then, maybe he
wouldn't want me back.

Maybe I wouldn't
wanna come back.

If I stay-- if I stay,
I'll start resenting it.

I've written him a letter.

I'll leave it with you,
if you say it's OK I

leave with you in the morning.

I was just waiting for you
to drag my ass in on this.

I've just gotta do it.

I've just gotta do it.

[chattering]

Did you know the last
time that Tina Rocker

and Dolly Pusher got together--

You know old Dolly--

Well, you know, they
don't like each other.

I mean, they really
don't like each other.

The last time they got
together-- cat fight.

They don't get along, OK?

Good talking to you gentlemen.

Don't forget, nude
Twister at midnight.

Hey, when did you get here?

Hugh, oh, I just got here.

-You look good.
-You do too.

What's going on?

Where's your other half?

Sammy?

Yeah.

Oh, I kicked his
ass out at Christmas.

Gone.

You're kidding.

No.

Hell, I don't miss him at all.

Good riddance to bad rubbish!

Happy anniversary.

Hey, thanks a lot.

I'm glad you could come.
Don't forget.

Don't say a word
to Collin, though.

It's a secret.

Hey, what are you up to?

Oh, hi.

Oh my.

Oh my.

Oh my.

Do you know David?

This is Frieda.

Yeah, we're pool buddies.

Oh, we met earlier today.

How are things
between you and Sammy?

Are things OK between
you and Sammy?

I'm sorry to hear
about you and Sammy.

You know what?

I was looking at your shoes.

They are wonderful.

They match great.

Where'd you get 'em?

Oh, you should know.

Oh, no.

Did you go to that place?

Look at these things?

-Perfect!
-I mean, yeah.

Excellent.

I'm sorry about what happened.

You know what?

I gotta go say hi to
Collin, so I'll be back.

What was that all about?

I met him at the bar.

He gave me a sob story,
and I was his friend.

I don't know.

I really don't.

That is weird.

I know.

Well, I gotta
check on the guests.

How are things going?

Good.

See you in a bit.

OK.

Do you realize what's going on?

I still wanna leave
with you in the morning.

Do you realize that
Hugh is doing this?

It's your first
year anniversary.

This party is all for you two.

Oh no.

Oh no.

[chattering]

First word.

First syllable.

Smoky.

Pit.

Pit.

Toke.

Turkey.

No.

Smoky turkey.

Come on, honey.

Give it to us.

-Pig.
-Madness.

Give me a--

Bird.

Rice.

Bees

Veto.

It's bee.

Alice B. Toklas.

[applause]

Cheryl, way to go.

PARTY GUEST: That's really good.

It's your turn now, dear.

OK.

PARTY GUEST: This
should really be good.

I hope it is.

GROUP: Four words.

First word.

Double word.

The-- at-- a-- The.

PARTY GUEST: The?

Second word.

PARTY GUEST: The hips.

The baby.

PARTY GUEST: The mirror.

PARTY GUEST: The ring.

PARTY GUEST: The ring finger.

PARTY GUEST: Marriage.

PARTY GUEST: The
Marriage of Figaro.

[applause]

PARTY GUEST: The what?

PARTY GUEST: Marriage of Figaro.

PARTY GUEST: Book.

PARTY GUEST: Book.

Book.

PARTY GUEST: Six, seven.

PARTY GUEST: Seven words.

PARTY GUEST: A big book.

A big book.

PARTY GUEST: "The
NeverEnding Story."

You're tied.

PARTY GUEST: First word.

PARTY GUEST: I.

PARTY GUEST: Me.

PARTY GUEST: I am going.

Third word.

PARTY GUEST: Car.

PARTY GUEST: Drive.

PARTY GUEST: Small word.

[interposing voices]

Or, if, and, but.

PARTY GUEST: No.

It's very small.

PARTY GUEST: It's tiny.

PARTY GUEST: Hey.

PARTY GUEST: I married a--

PARTY GUEST: Fourth word.

PARTY GUEST: Prisoner
PARTY GUEST: Fourth.

Fourth.

Title.
PARTY GUEST: It's Frank.

Pajamas.

PARTY GUEST: Penitentiary.
Me.

What time is it?
PARTY GUEST: Convict.

Prison.

Ex-con.

Jail.

Jail Guard.

Guard.
PARTY GUEST: Bad guy.

Deputy.

PARTY GUEST: Coverall.

PARTY GUEST: Shoplifter.

PARTY GUEST: Prisoners
on Cell block H.

PARTY GUEST: Fugitive.

Fugitive.

[interposing voices]

PARTY GUEST: JLA.

PARTY GUEST: I was a fugitive.

PARTY GUEST: I was a fugitive.

What word?

PARTY GUEST: Sixth word.

PARTY GUEST: March.

PARTY GUEST: Bowling ball.

Bowling ball.

Beach ball.

Baseball.

PARTY GUEST: Fugitive.

PARTY GUEST: Mars.

PARTY GUEST: Uranus.

PARTY GUEST: Uranus?

[interposing voices]

I was a fugitive from Venus.

PARTY GUEST: That wasn't a book.

That was a movie!

PARTY GUEST: It was a movie.

It wasn't a-- yeah.

PARTY GUEST: I'm the
little train that could.

[applause]

You guys.

I'm so glad that you
all could come tonight.

And in case you don't know,
though most of you should,

it's been just about one
year since I went down

to the library on a Sunday
night and saw Collin

and started to get
to know him better.

And here we are one year later.

So the whole idea
behind this was

to celebrate our first year,
our first year of many years

together.

And so I've asked you to come
here so I we could do that.

So I hope you'll join us in a
toast, and toast to this year.

And which I hope will be the
first of many years together.

Watch it.

Careful.

So join me in a toast.

[chattering]

Cheers.

Cheers!

COLLIN (VOICEOVER): I
wrote this a year ago.

I was in a lover's apartment
alone for the first time.

It's called running.

I've been running
for a long time now.

And I'm slowing down, unable
to bear the cramping in my gut.

Hence thrown above my head,
I've become one foot and half

of my body, slamming into
the ground, left to right,

left, the sensation keeping
me from slowing entirely,

forever, towards nothing.

So I stay between faster
and faster and stopping

because I can breathe here.

I can survive here.

I remember yesterday afternoon,
rising from my stomach

to my knees, because
I whispered fuck me,

letting the wanting become
word and him inn me,

pushing out of my skin.

I could walk around through the
follicles of hair on my arm,

release the scream I had been
squelching for now and ever,

tearing the sheets
from the bed beneath,

until I am thrown prone
again to my stomach,

knowing what lies between my
body and the rest of the world,

unable to understand
what too much is.

Collin?

Collin?

Are you listening to me?

Collin, why did you invite
that Tina girl here?

You know how that upsets me.

I can't believe I came all the
way here and you invited her.

COLLIN (VOICEOVER): A head
severed once from its body

and again its other
half, left inanimate,

to scream of disembodiment
and dismembering,

one of the two ears hearing,
half the mouth speaking,

longing for its other half
like a third sex existing among

the two others, that cannot
gaze into their own eyes, kiss

their own lips, or be severed.

[chattering]

[ticking]

[crackling]