Low Down (2014) - full transcript

I often thought

my father was born of music...

some wayward melody

that took the form
of a man.

He heard music everywhere.

Squeaking bedsprings,
buzzing flies,

dripping faucets
were all filled with
rhythm to him.

That he was
"a great jazz pianist"

was the opinion
of Charlie Parker,
Lester Young,

and scores of others
who played with him.

I, too, was in awe
of his talent.



But I loved him
out of all proportion...

as only a daughter could.

One more time.
Motherfucker.

Hey, Hobbs,
maybe not the fifth...
that last note?

- Try sharp eleventh.
- Yeah.

- That's the Monk note, man.
- That's right.

Yeah, man.

- What'd you think of that?
- I loved that one.

The circular spherical midnight?

Mm-hmm.

I think
it felt good.
- Yeah? Yeah.

Maybe something
a little bit more
danceable?

Whoop.

Hey.



Push the button,
mutton.

Ah. My lady.

Kind sir.

- Hey, where are you goin'?
- That thing's too slow.

You're fast on
your feet, "Vargas."

Dance lessons
have paid off handsomely.

Grab those rabbit ears, too.

Why don't you, uh,
put on some coffee?

You want a cup of coffee?

I'm good.

Joe Albany,
we had an appointment

scheduled in my office
three days ago.

Did you forget
to mark it down
on your calendar?

I'm sincerely sorry about that.

You see, I took a job
down in Palm Springs...

very nice place, legit,
a lot of film people.

Mm, one of the terms
of your parole, Joe,
is that you call me.

You inform me of any work
that you procure.

Do you have any record
of this employment?

Uh, it was a cash job.

Unfortunately,
I don't have much left.

I owed a few people
some money. I...

I got the TV out of hock
for my kid and so...

Mm. I don't like having
to leave my office, Joe.

I have a new air cooler
that I enjoy very much,

and I don't like this town.

So I don't care to travel
the streets of this town

and track down people
who are not considerate
of my valuable time.

You must turn up on time.

No excuses will be accepted.

- Is that clear to you?
- Yes, perfectly.

Should it be necessary
for me to return here,

you will be returned
to the penitentiary.

Is that also clear to you, Joe?

- Yes, sir.
- Right.

Now please,
roll up your sleeves.

Other arm.

Nothing fresh.

I've been clean.

And that will be
$3.55.

Hey, champ.
You got any money on you?

What?
Is that a joke?

Okay, okay.
I know you.

Pay later.
Okay?

Are you sure? I...

I know you.
Pay later.

See?

Our luck is changing.

You brought her back.

She'll live
and I'll get her
another body.

Let me die.

Ugh!

Hey, listen to this one.

"Due to your melodic nature,

moonlight never misses
an appointment."

What?
Let me see that.

Wow.
That's poetry.

I'm gonna keep this one.

I can't take this any longer.

Oh, it's "Night of
the Living Dead."

Mm.

That's a good one.

You have to shoot him
in the brain.

It's the only way to kill him.

Oh, good.
Thanks for that info.

Who is it?

Hey, it's Lew.

Hey, Joe.

I was just walkin' along,
noticed you were home.

Thought I'd come up,
say hi.

You think I'd be okay
if I just came in

and rested for a few?

No. I'm here
with my daughter.

Listen, here's the story.

- Keep it down.
- Shh.

- Keep your voice down.
- Okay, I'm sorry.

So here's the story.

I just copped

and...

I ain't feelin'
so good out here.

Fuck you showin' up here.

Aw, man, come on.

I'll just be in
and right out.

No.

Got a little taste for you.

You think I give a shit?

There ain't nobody
that followed me.

Just wait there.

The whole story becomes more
ghastly with each performance.

Difficult to imagine
such a thing actually
happening...

He's just gonna use
the bathroom for a second.

Come on.
- Oh, thank you, man.

Hurry up. Go on.

You better not make
a fuckin' mess in there.

Wake up, Jo.
Time for school.

It's the weekend.

Yeah.
It is, isn't it?

That's great news.

That's the best news.

We'll go do something fun later.

- ...to renovate the
- Hollywood sign,

and guess who's
gotten into the act?

Well, Alice Cooper.
The Hollywood sign

is a rebel,
I mean, a nightmare.

And that's just like
his lifestyle.

- Hey, Jo.
- I'm cleaning my lifestyle,

and I wanna clean the sign up.
It should be Hollywood,
not "Hollyweird"...

I have a big surprise for you.

Oh, but you have
to remember one thing...

Ta-da!

Really are
as skinny as a little
stray kitten, Amy-Jo.

You must eat.

"Amy-Jo."

I never call her that.

You should.

I named you after
my two favorite sisters
in "Little Women."

Amy, pretty
and self-possessed,

and Jo,
the independent tomboy.

Yeah.
I know that.

Well, you seem to have
the tomboy part down.

I think she's got
the pretty part down, too.

Guess what, Jo?

Your mom wants to start
singing again.

We can try to work together

like in the days of old.

I thought you didn't
like working with singers.

I don't recall saying that.

Well, I for one will be honored

to have a collaborator
as brilliant as your father.

Think it calls
for a toast, don't you?

"If music be the fruit of love,

play on."

- Beautiful.

Amy-Jo.

- Not here.
- Why?

We can go somewhere else.

It's a pity
your dad has to work

in a glorified pizza parlor.

I think it's great.

- - Right on.

Thank you,
Billy Strayhorn.

That was a tune he wrote,
called "Lush Life."

I hope I did it justice.

We'll take
a short break now.

- Joe?

Joe.
You were great.
Come sit with me.

Joe, my man.
- One second, man.

Joe...

Nice work.

- We enjoyed it.
- How're you doin'?

Well, this has become
a crashing bore.

I'm getting out of here.

Why don't you
go over there

and sit with the boys' club?

Just... listen.

- Mom, it's okay.
- You're right.

I'm okay.
Amy-Jo...!

Porter?

Porter?
There any messages...

- Hey, hey.
- What're you doin'?

What hap...
Hey, Sheila.

Amy...

your mom...

ah, so you know.

"I wanna hold
your claw."

Ha. That's right.

It's Valentine's Day,
isn't it?

Yep.

Let me make you breakfast.

We only have two eggs.

I'll run to the shop.

- Only one egg.
- Oh, well.

I'll be back in a flash
with the hash.

Corned beef hash,
that is.

"Today...

is named

after a saint...

who got his head chopped off...

for performing weddings.

Ouch."

"Happy Valentine's Day,
Dad."

Hello, Joe!

- Hello?
- Gram?

Amy, is everything all right?

No.

What's going on?

Is your father there?

No.

Well, where is he?

Oh-hh.

I hear you wheezing.
Your chest hurt?

Yeah.
- All right, now.

Okay, I want you
to sit over there.

All right,
you just sit down.

Sweetie,
I'll get you some water.

- There you go.
- Thank you.

Too bad the chauffeur
had a day off.

Oh.

There is a book...

that I have
been thinking
you would enjoy.

Here it is.

Now, you've got
to trust me on this.

I know you like it.
It's Dylan Thomas.

I want you to read that.

Dylan Thomas was 15 years old
when he left school.

So you have two years
to become a writer

as good
as Dylan Thomas.

Yeah, there's plenty
of room in here

for all your things.

Mm.

I'll see what I have
in the refrigerator.

Noodles and gravy?

- Third title defense in
- New Orleans for the champion.

With a minute to go
in the 10th round,

The place is beginning
to warm up to the action.

Two good punches
by the champ.

Two left-hand leads
by Johnson.

Both those shots blocked.

And it's good
the right hand was,

because it was whistling.

How can you believe
in all those things?

Because as Charlie Chaplin said,

"I am a citizen
of the world."

Johnson on the left,

six years younger at 25.

pinpoint punching...

with even
left-hand leads.

The referee Jesus Selas...

a staggering left-hand lead!

- And it jarred the champion.

Hello,
sweetness.

It's so good to see you.

Are you coming home soon?

No, I live in hope.

Hey.

- Sit here.

Look at that.
Thanks, Mom.

- You look all in.

I'm doin' all right.
Much better now

that I can
finally see my girls.

The bureaucracy is inhuman.

What about you,
monkeyshines?

Life treating you all right?

Yeah.
I hate school.

You and me both.

Have you had a chance
to play at all?

Yeah. There's
a piano in the chapel
I can sign up for.

I can imagine
it's ghastly out of tune.

I've played worse.

Hey, I got you some change

for those nutty
vending machines.

Marquez, 3-7-9-1.

- Dr. Huerta to the dispensary.
- Dr. Huerta.

I need your help.

I need you
to go see my P.O.

All right.

What exactly
do you want me to ask him?

I just need you to ask him
what the hell's going on.

I was sent here
pending review to get clean.

Okay, great.
Tell him I'm clean.

What the hell
is wrong with you, Joe?

You only had
six months left
on your parole.

I know.

Thank God they put you here
and not back in prison.

Yeah, well,
it ain't prison,

but they still
won't let me leave.

I mean, why the hell
did they pick me up
for marks anyway?

That's the wrong question.

Why do you have them?

I'm crawling out of my skin.

Oh, hey.
There she is, folks.
The queen of the rodeo.

Her arms overflowing
with riches.

Thanks.

Mmm.

Albany, 3-4-1-7-7.

Well...

lovelies,
that's my cue.

- Bye, Dad.
- Bye, love.

See you soon,
I hope.

Yeah.
Take your cigarettes.

That's what I came for.

- Bye.
- Yeah.

John Dean finished his testimony

before the Senate
Watergate committee today.

- The interrogation of Dean...

You can't help yourself
if you can't think straight.

You've got to feed the mind.

Look at you go.
You eat like a linebacker.

- I love it.

You know,
you feed the body,

you feed the spirit.

You want a tomato?

- Sure.
- Here you are.

My neighbor up the street
grows these.

- Nice and fresh.
- Do you want bread?

No, thank you.
Not right now.

So tomorrow we'll go
and get your father.

I don't know why
he does stuff like that.

I just don't know.
I don't understand.

I'm glad you're here.
Hmm?

- I'm gonna feed you up.

Yeah, you'll be
a little fat thing
in a couple of weeks.

Here we are.

Good luck, Joe.
Keep playing it clean.

Joe.

Wow.
It's a... it's a...

A handcrafted shoe polisher.

I thought
you could use
a new one.

Oh, fantastic.

Wow. You know...

I dreamt about
this food in there, Ma.

What a waste of a dream.

Wasted dreams.
Wasted dreams.

Mine is a life

strewn with wasted dreams.
Speaking of which,

how much back rent
do I owe on this palace?

- Two weeks. I paid one.
- Shouldn't have bothered.

We could have always
gotten another room.

- You should've
just boxed up my stuff.
- Hey, just a minute.

What kind of idea is that?

Your daughter can't
live out of a box.

Joe, you do understand
that one of the terms
of your probation

is to establish
permanent residence?

Yeah, yeah.

Where's my fucking wallet?

- Joe?
- I'm goin' out.

Why won't you just sit down
and relax, all right?

- All right,
you can't go out.
- Jesus Christ.

- Have a ginger ale.
- I don't want any
fuckin' ginger ale!

I'm almost out of smokes.
I need to fuckin'...

Don't you ever
get tired of lying?

Yeah, well,
we know you're no
fuckin' saint yourself.

No, I'm not a saint,
but I suffer like a saint
with you for a son.

- Ma, get the hell
outta my way.
- What are you gonna do,

knock me down?

- Let's all sit.
- It's almost ready.

If you don't fucking
move on your own,

- I will move you.
- Cut it out, Dad!

- Move.
- Why don't you
just kill me?

Put me out of this misery.

There's a knife on that table.

Do me a big favor.

Yeah? Don't put ideas
in my head.

You get away from her,
you asshole!

I hate you!

Don't you ever
talk to your father
that way again.

Look at the sadness
it causes.

Where's my
goddamn wallet, huh?
- Behind you.

What is wrong with you?
Every single night you get...

Hey.

Stay close, okay?

Okay.

Hey, LaPrez.

- Is this your train?
- Yeah.

I like it.

- A little rusty, though
- Yeah.

- I need to wash it off.
- Mm-hmm.

But then it's
going to get more rusty,

yeah, 'cause it's metal.

Is that it?
Is that it?
Yeah.

It looks like...

sort of like a...
a lamp to me.

It's fantastic.
I love it.

You sure?
- Yes.

How much
can you do with it on?
Is it gonna stay on?

It stays on.
There's like a...

there's a base thing.
It hurts, though.

- We've got to file out
some of this.
- Okay, okay.

I love it.
You're gonna get
reimbursed.

I have to go. I'm late.

All right, see ya.

Hi.

Hi.

What are you guys watching?

- Do you have a lot
of homework?
- No, it's Friday.

Oh, yeah.
I always forget that.

Oh, I got you this.

Thanks.

I'll save it for dessert.

Hey.

- Did I hit you?
- No. I'll live.

What was that anyway?

- Licorice.
- Oh?

Then it's completely
understandable.

- It's good, right?
- What's that?

It's good.
The music.

Yeah.
It's really beautiful.

It's my dad.

Really?

Joe is your dad?

Yeah.

Wow.

It was nice to meet you.
See you later.

Hey there, kid,
glad you made it.

I read some Vishnu.

- Who's Vishnu?
- Evidently a Thai writer.

Read this.
Read this before Vishnu.

Bravo!
Bravo, Maestro.

Hey.

What shall I play next,
Fun Bun?

Um...

"Over the Rainbow"?

- Hey there, Peanut.
- Hey.

Sorry I didn't meet up
to walk home with you.

It's not like I need you to.

Oh, I know that,
but I like to.

- I didn't
hang you up, did I?
- No.

Where are you going?

Me? I'm not
going anywhere.

- Why the cologne?
- Jeez,

can't a guy smell good?

Hey, listen.
Why don't you
and your little friend

check out what
movies are playing
down at the Vine?

- Wait. What little friend?
- LaPrez.

It's still
99 cents there, right?

- Yeah.
- Okay.

There we go.
Here. Hang on.

I know
I had another buck
around here somewhere.

Ah.
Here we go.

Great.
Here you go.
Popcorn.

Okay. Hey, be back
before dark

and don't talk to any creeps.

Go on now.

You're still here.

I live here.

Really?
Where?

Uh.

Right down here.

No one's supposed
to actually live here,

so I get it for pretty cheap.

Just watch your head.
I'll get the light.

Whoops.
I'm sorry.

This is the bathroom.

- Thank you.
- Dry yourself...

you'll catch a cold.

That's, uh, that.

Watch these stairs here.

- I can't believe it's here.
- Yeah.

Here it is.

I also have my own private

entranceway to the alley.

Some light. Ahem.

- It's so cool.
- Yeah? I just...

- Does it work?
- just fixed it, actually.

Let me play something

I think you'll...
think you'll like.

Uh, there it is.

- She sounds like a bird.

I like it.
Good choice.

Well, I guess I better
go check in on my dad now.

Yeah, okay.
I'll show you out.

I don't want you to get lost.

Yeah.

It was awfully nice that, uh,

you visiting me.

Don't forget to watch your head.

Bye.

Amy.

Did you see these records
I brought over?

Check 'em out.

Eric Dolphy.

Booker Little,
he's my favorite.

He died so young.

Clifford Brown
was his favorite
and he died young, too.

Crazy.

It's like God
wants to take these guys
'cause they're so good.

Yeah.
This'll do nicely.

- You know this one?
- Mm-mm.

You're gonna dig it.

I assure you
of that, young lady.

You are in for the truth.

Yeah.

Excuse me.

Hey, man...

I got what we want
right here.

You think
she's gonna go
to sleep soon?

I live in hope.

- I'm gonna go
to bed now.

Oh, okay.

- Good night, love.
- Good night.

Sweet dreams.

Is it cool?

Alain, are you ready?!

The girls are good to go!

Yeah. I'll be in
in a minute.

Gotta go, gotta go.

Okay, just back up
just a little bit.

Okay...
right up here.

Okay, ladies.
Wait here one second.

Cowboys,
come with me.
Come with me.

Okay, right here
by this tumbleweed.

Alain, on your mark, please.
Here we go, right over here.

Okay, could we get
this light over?

Be right on him.

Can we get
that red gel here?

Now, headdress on.

Please be careful.

Could we get him the, uh, thing?

Yeah, right there.
Good. Hang on...

"Cowboys and Indians,"
take one.

- Mark it.

Oh, that's great.

You look so beautiful.

Okay, take out your guns.

Yeah, "pow, pow."

Help yourself down...

Very good, gentlemen.
Spin those guns.

Okay, you see him.

Now, take your time.
That's good.

Okay, kneel down...

okay, now kiss him.

- All right.
- Good.

Hold it right there.

Take his cock in your hands.

And now put it in your mouth.

Ow!

Cut! What the fuck?

- Out of my way.
- Hey, there she is...

Back to one.

Psst, Joe?

Yeah?

I just let your P.O.
into your room.

You might want to take
the kid out for a while.

Ah... yeah. Yeah.

Hey, Jo,

what do you say
we go for a walk?

I'm all right,
Grandma.

I'm...

- Dad?

- Dad?
- Yeah.

Do you think
we can go back yet?

Did you finish your homework?

I finished an hour ago.

Come on.

Thank Christ
he didn't find this.

What is that?

Are you going somewhere?

Yeah, I was...

I was lookin' for
the right time to tell you.

Um...

I need to leave for a while, Jo.

Why?

A lot of reasons.

I... I can't keep myself
straight here.

You understand?
If I stay here,

I'll never get better.

And I know a lot of cats
workin' in Europe.

I could...
I could play there
and make some money.

But here...

here, nobody
seems to care
about the music.

- I care.
- I know.

And you're
my number one fan.
But...

Christ, I don't even have
a fucking piano here, Jo.

What about your probation?

Well, I...

I figure if they
find out I left

because I was tryin'
to do somethin'...

to accomplish something...

creatively, well,

I mean,
you'd have to be
a real crumb

- not to back that up.
- Okay.

Can I come with you?

Yes, soon.

I just need to get
a little money together.

Then I'll send
for you, I promise.

Come on, Joe.
No tears.

You'll get to
hang out with Gram
for a while.

Say something.

Please?

Nothing I say is gonna make
any difference, is it?

Hey.

I need help with my mother.

You do?

What's goin' on with her?

Uh, take LaPrez to the lobby

and wait for me there, okay?

Oh, Jesus fucking Christ.

Many years ago, the public
opinion polls

in this country showed a trend
away from organized religion,

but now the polls indicate
that trend is bottoming out.

And these days
there seems to be a revival
of that old-time religion.

I've decided to give you
twice as much for it.

No, no, no.
I want my Tide.

LaPrez?

Yes?

It's time for you to say
goodbye to your friend

and come with me.

Hold on.
What's happening here?

Are you a relative of the boy's?

No, but, I...

Well, I'm with
Child Welfare Services.
Please let me do my job.

Please come with me, dear.

Fuck.

- Hello?
Joe Albany
on the line.

Do you accept the charges?

Yeah, yeah.
No, no, I accept charges.

Thank you.

Hello, Mom?
Can you hear me?
Did I wake you?

Joe, I hear you.
It's 3:00
in the morning.

What's going on?

I got big news.
I'm coming home.

Why?

Is-is... is
everything all right?

Sure.
Everything's fine, Ma.

So when will you be here?

Uh, my flight gets in
around 3:30.

3:30 when?

- At 3:30 this afternoon.
- This afternoon?

Yep. Listen, I gotta run.
Kiss to Amy.

Joe? Joe?

Your father
seems to be coming home.

Wow.

It's really...
news.

- I need some coffee.
- I'll have some, too.

No, no, no.
You should go back
to sleep.

Nah. The sun will be up
in a couple hours...

might as well see it.

Oh,
how are you?
You look good.

Look at you, Jo.
You're so beautiful.

I'm speechless.

Amy, go get your father
a nice cold glass

- of ginger ale.
- Ah, yeah.

And maybe some of those
little tarts that we made...

if we have
any left over.
I can't remember.

So, where is my bunk

in this tiny slice of heaven?

You could...
you could sleep there
in Amy's bed.

Amy can take the daybed
and I can be on the sofa.

Okay, great.
That's okay?

Yeah.

Thanks, Joe.

Dad, you want me
to put your stuff in there?

Mm-hmm.
Thanks.

- Is that all you have?
- I'm traveling light.

- Joe? Joe?
- Yeah?

You're playing with dynamite
coming back here.

How... how long
are you planning on staying?

What, are you trying
to get rid of me already?

No, but, Joe...

You skipped out
on your parole.

You could go back to prison.

Yeah, yeah.
Hey, listen.

I have something
for you, dear lady.

My advance on a recording
I made in Paris.

- Here.
- Oh, thank you, Joe,

but I... I can't...
I can't take that.

No, please.
I'm happy to do it.

Besides...

I wanna know
it's in good hands.

Well, if only
for the safekeeping.

Hey.

I see I made it
onto your wall of fame.

Ha, ha!
Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, check this out.

Düsseldorf.
It's a swinging little town.

I gotta take you there someday.

Hmm?

Ah, this is cozy.

Is that the lucky fella
I've heard tell about?

Yep.
That's him.

- Cory, huh?
- Cole.

Cole. That's right.
Good-looking kid.

He's a lucky guy.

Whew.
I went to a lot of fancy
restaurants over there,

but nothin' came close
to your cookin', Ma.

That doesn't surprise me.

Hey, get your elbow
off the table.

- Cole plays the drums.
- Oh, yeah?

I'm in this band.
We're just rehearsing,

trying to get
something going,
you know?

I mean, I understand
if you're busy and whatnot,

but we'd be honored
if you could come by
sometime

and share your
musical wisdom with us.

Maybe. Uh, sure.

I don't know
about wisdom, though.

- Hey, hey.
- Hey.

Looks like
I'm interrupting
your supper.

Ah, what are you talking about?

Get over here.

Hey, Joe.
Welcome home, buddy.

- Far out, man.
- Yeah, come on in.

How are you
keeping yourself, Hobbs?

Can I make you a plate?
Are you hungry?

- Did you have dinner?
- Oh, no, thank you.

Hobbs, this is Amy's fella Cole.

- Nice to know you, Cole.
- Hi.

So, Cole, you weren't
by any chance

named after
the great Cole Porter?

No, I was born
around Christmas...

so they called me Cole.

Who's Cole Porter?

Amy, who's Cole Porter?

Is that some kind
of joke or something?

You think I've gone stupid
while you were gone?

Never.

He's one of our greatest
American composers.

You'd dig him,
I'm sure.

I'd love to hear it sometime.

Did you take your medication?

- No, I did not.
- Thank you.

He has to take
an anticonvulsant.

Oh.

- You have epilepsy?
- Yeah,

but it's not so bad anymore.

I was really lucky.
I got, you know,

on the first
nine-week trial ever.

"Klonopin."

Hmm. I heard about this
in the UK.

I never heard of it.

Have you always had seizures?

Not until my stepdad started

knocking my head
against the wall.

Ah.
I'm sorry to hear.

That's life.

Gram's trying
to get Cole to try some
natural alternatives.

I certainly am.

The Chinese
have been studying
the human body

for centuries.

She found out about this
healing martial art

called "chi kung."

It's pretty cool.

It's a lot
of breathing
and movement,

meditation...
that kind of thing.

Oh, yeah?
Let's see some moves.

Yeah.

Show us some moves...
make you feel better.

Okay.

Um, but I'm...
I'm just learning.

So...

Oh, shoot.
I messed it up.

I'm supposed
to get back to here.

- Hey.
- That was beautiful.

Good boy.

- Come on, Hobby.
Uh-oh. Watch out.

- Come on, Hobbs.
Give him a fight.
- I'm not feelin' that good.

My dad was this
Golden Gloves champ.

- On your feet, knave.
- Let's see how you fight.

Let's see you jab.
Let's see you jab.

- Hobbs, get up!
- Come on, come on!

Hobbs, come on,
give him a good jab.

- Come on.
- Ah!

- Oh, shit, man.
- You okay?

Yeah, yeah,
I'm fine.

Hobbs, you
fight like a baby.
- I need some ice.

Who fights
with their glasses on?

Oh, don't worry.
His face is used to this.

- Let's get some dessert.
- You gonna make it?

Yeah, yeah.
I'm fine.

Jeez. You come all the way back
from Europe and you punch me

in the fucking nose.
Excuse my language.

You haven't lost your touch.

He's a little rusty.

Oh, hey, Hobbs.
Cole here is a drummer.

Ah, that's good.
See, you kids need
to swing, man.

Your music is so loud,
you're bashing your brains in.

I don't know how
you can think about
playing any music.

Who's your favorite?
Who do you like, Hobby?

Max Roach.
- Yeah?

That's magic. You float
when you hear that music.

It seems difficult
that a human being
could even do it.

It's just...

- ...wow.
- You listen to Max?

Max Roach?
- Yeah. Great drummer.

Sounds familiar.
- Played with Clifford Brown.

- Played with Charlie Parker.
- Yeah, I know Charlie Parker.

Joe played with Bird,
of course.

Really?
- Yeah, yeah.
I played with Bird.

Here in L.A.
we played a gig.

It was a live air shot
and I'm "comping."

He was obviously
not happy with me.
He was glaring at me.

And I didn't know what to do,
so I turned the beat around.

I started playing everything
kind of backwards

and he gave me
a sterner look

and I finally didn't know
what to do and I said,
"Fuck you, Bird."

And I think it came over the air

and he said,
"You're fired, Joe."

And... and, uh,

he turned and he left,
one eye staring at me.

I swear to God.

Bird... we used to go buy
reeds for him...

three and a half...
cut it down for him.

Direct line
to God, man.
- Yeah.

Yeah. I think they're all
touched by something wonderful.

They're all touched by God.

They die for
what they believe in.

I've heard you play, Joe,
and I sincerely think

- you have been touched by God.
- Thank you, Ma. Hmm.

But the positive side,
I've been playing, man.

Yeah?

- I can't believe how much
you've been recording.
- Oh, yeah?

Good to see there's
still some people

willing to
sink a little money
into jazz over there.

Here's Dad.

Hey, go back,
go back, go back.

He's so serious.

It's coming off a little bit.

I'm taking the empties
back to Mayfair.

Do you need any help
with them, Grams?

- No, thank you, dear.
- You sure?

Oh, yeah.
You two have a good time.
I'll be right back.

Bye.
- Goodbye.

Hey.

- - Oh.

He was so good.

Nobody like that.

So how long
do we have you
here for?

Indefinitely.
- Indefinitely?

- What?
- Yeah.

I was fucking deported.

Fuck, man.

For what?

For holding less than
one lousy ounce of pot.

- No.
- Yeah.

They took me down,
stamped my passport
"cancelled"

and threw me
on the first plane.

I can't go back
for three years.

Shit, man.

- Democratic nominee
- Jimmy Carter

was busy explaining
what he meant

in a weekend interview
with the Associated Press.

Thanks, Mom.

You know,

let her know what the hell
is goin' on here.

The first thing in the morning,

you've got to go downtown

and see if you
can find yourself
a public defender.

End of story.
No more bullshit.

...$8,000 annual income

might be the dividing point.

The Democratic Party

and the great leaders
of the Democratic Party...

Two, three...

And then go to the interject?

And then... okay.
So that last part again.

So... that last part
real quick.

Dum-dee-da...

And now we'll go
to the interject.

They've only been
playing together
a few weeks.

Really?

Sorry about that.

We're...
this is the one...

that's the first one
that we actually wrote
together.

It's supposed to be
kind of a medley thing.

Chapter two
of a 16-part...

yeah.

We're still working on it a lot.

Let's do this at 51.

Okay, one, two, three...

- Cole!
- Cole!

No! Don't hold him down...
that's how he'll get hurt.

Yeah, just clear
everything away
around him.

- Should I call an ambulance?
- No, not yet.

Have you got a blanket?

Clear the way!
Clear the way!

Take it easy.
Take it easy, man.

Take your time.

Hey.

Hey.

Is that part of the...
part of the act or...?

I sure missed this little joint.

He'll be okay, Jo.

I know it's
a frightening
thing to witness,

but, I daresay,
you get used to it.

I'm glad you were there.

- I'm glad you're here.
- Wow. You better be,

'cause you're stuck
with me now, kid.

You and Cole seem really...

connected.

That's nice to see.

I think we are.
We have a lot
in common.

Ah, that's good.
That's really good.

Listen, Jo.
I want you to know
that you can

talk to me
about anything.
You know?

Stuff with boys...
things like that.

You might feel
uncomfortable and...

No.
No, I wouldn't.

I mean,

I'd ask your advice or whatever.

- I'd tell you things.

I'm glad.

Your mother and I
are both very...

sensuous beings.
Passionate.

I always assumed
you'd take after us,
so...

I don't know.

I guess I am.

I mean,

Cole's very...

"passionate."

But I haven't been with
anyone else besides him.

Ah.

Well, that's fine.

Mm-hmm.

Man, I have a big day tomorrow.

We should hit the road.

Are you ready?

Ma, do I have any clean
handkerchiefs?

What?

Do I have any clean
handkerchiefs?

- Hand soap?
- Handkerchiefs!

Oh, handkerchiefs!
- "I'm sorry, sir.

I... I'm clean.

I...

I promise to do
whatever it takes."

Aw, Jesus Christ.

Okay.

What the...?

Get rid of that fucking dope.

- Don't flush it.

Joe. Jesus.

Oh, hey, Amy.

Step aside, man,
and hear my tale.

Yeah, yeah.

Thought maybe you were
some of "L.A.'s finest."

No, no, 'tis Greeks
bearing gifts.

- For you.
- Thank you so much, Joe.

Yeah.
Thanks, man.

Wow.

Joe.

Yeah. Wow.

It...

This is not mine.

Kitty, come here.
The coast is clear.

Joe, Amy,
this is Kitty.

Hi, I'm Kitty.

Yeah,
she's a singer.

I've been working
with her voice a little.

Hi. Kitty.
Nice to meet you.

- Hi.
- Joe.

- A singer, huh?
- Yeah.

Hey, Amy.

Can I offer you some pop?

- Or some water maybe?
- No, I'm good.

- Oh, okay.
- You sure?

So what's going on, man?

Well, I had my day in court.

- Yeah?
- Excuse me.

So what's it gonna be?

Are they gonna
send you up for a spell?

No, not that.
But...

I got five years' probation.

That's 1,825 days.

Some kid.
She was a math major.

Yeah.

They dole out
any other punishment?

- N.A. meetings?
- Nah, thank God.

If I never see the inside

of another one of those
sewing circles of misery,

- I'll be
doing all right.
- Hear, hear.

You sure dodged a bullet
there, Giuseppe.

- Yeah.
- The judge
a jazz fan or what?

Are you psychic now, Hobby?

I don't think so.

Because he was a jazz fan.

A big-time fan
of the recordings
I did with Prez.

Far fucking out, man.

The legendary Joe Albany
rides into the sunset!

Fantastic!
Congrats.

Man, man, man.
Am I itching to play.

Anywhere,
anytime.

How 'bout we try
to book some practice time
down at the union?

Maybe get a couple cats
together, maybe not.

But at least we're playing.

Hell, worst case,
we can try and clean up

this ungodly sty
and practice here, but...

Yeah, I got rid of the piano.

It was a real piece
of shit, anyways.
Remember?

You still have your horn,
right, Hobby?

Well,
that brass bitch...

that one done run off
with the ol' piano.

- Hmm.
- I hear they shacked up

- at that pawnshop
over on Third.

- Yeah.
- Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Hey, hey, hey.

- Fuck!
- Who's that?

Well. Hello.

And thank you,
my dear.

Oh, sorry about
the interruption there.

But, you know,
pssh...

I forgot my key.

Lew's in between pads.

He's staying here
just temporary-like.

Well, we're gonna get going.

Joe just came by to share
some glad tidings, man.

Don't go.
You just got here.

- Come on, Amy.
Well, it was
nice to meet you.

Oh, yeah.
Nice to meet you as well.
- It was nice to meet you.

- We can still play, Joe.
- Get your horn, man.

That's your daughter, huh?

Hey, ain't you all grown up now?

Come on, Jo.

So listen, Nat.

I've been trying
to line up some gigs

and I know
you're the main man
about town, so...

Oh?

Uh-huh.

Yeah,
that's what I hear.

Drag. Yeah.

Well, okay.
If anything comes up,

I do mean anything,

I am ready,
willing and able.

Yeah, it's
Hollywood 6-4636.

That's correct.

All right, well,
keep up the good fight

and hopefully I will
speak with you soon.

Okay, take care, Nat.
Yeah, bye.

No luck?
- Not yet.

But hope, she springs
eternal, my dear.

I got a
whole book of hope
right here.

Is this Mom's number?

I think so.

Mm, yeah.

Does she ever cross your mind?

No, not often.

Well, maybe
she should.
I mean,

she did have
something on the ball
once upon a time.

Besides being a drunk.

Don't do that, Jo.

We all fall down on our ass.

We all need a hand getting up.

I want you
to grab on.
Grab me.

- You okay?
- Yeah.

Best mud of your morning.

- It's kind of squishy.
- Feels good.

You okay?

Yeah.

You wanna hop up here?

Anything to drink?

Yeah, I'll...

I'll have a ginger ale, please?

And two phone books?

That's great.
Thanks.

- Are you okay?
- I don't feel well.

Did you take your pills?

I threw...
I-I threw them out.

Is that okay?

Okay.

No, they made me feel like shit.

Sorry.

- It's also getting dark...
- Yeah.

- Oh, my God!
- It's okay.

Thank you.

What the fuck
are you looking at?!

I'm sorry!

I'm gonna go call Gram, okay?

Sir, please walk outside.

No!

Stop! He's sick!
He has seizures!

He can't help it!
He's sick!

You're not helping
the situation any better.

- Calm down!
- He can't control it.
He's sick!

You are not helping this!

He's sick!
He has epilepsy!

He's sick
and he can't help it!
He has seizures!

- Calm down.

He would've been admitted
there not long ago...

one hour, maybe two.

One moment.

Are you a relative?

Yes, I am.

Well, he's being held
for evaluation.

What does that mean exactly?

Psychiatric evaluation.

You can speak with
the doctor in the morning.

Yes. Thank you.
I'll do that.

What did they say?

Cole's getting
the medical attention
that he needs now.

All right?

Please, cara mia,
don't fall apart.
All right?

- Can I see him?
- Of course
you're gonna see him.

Oh, Joe.
Thank God you're here.

Cole had a seizure
and was arrested,
and Amy...

I don't wanna hear
about that now, Ma.

I just need some fucking peace.

No!

That's what you need.

Shh, shh.

Look at me.

Look at me.

- All right?
- I can't.

I want you to try to sleep.

- - Shh, shh.

- I can't.
- Shh, shh, shh.

- You're a strong girl.

- You're a strong girl.

Excuse me.

Hi.

Hi.

May I leave a note
for Sheila Albany?

Have you checked the bar
down the street?

No.

Can I help you?

I was looking for...

Sheila Albany.

Sheila,
if you know this kid,

better tell her to get lost.

That's my kid.

Come over here.

Sit down.

Well, you came looking for me.

So now what?

I wanted to see you.

Huh.

Well, there's not much
to see anymore.

You want something?

No, I'm good.

And a ginger ale
for my fair charge.

You look
more like Joe
all the time.

What does he have
to say about me?

He doesn't say
anything about you.

How is he?

He's in bad shape.

I don't know how to help him.

It is a true pity
that he was forced
to come back

to this creative wasteland.

"Forced to come back"?

Deportation.

Least that's what he told me.

Didn't he tell you,
his little musketeer?

Sure, I knew that.

I just didn't know
he was talking to you.

Well, we speak quite frequently.

He told me about
your boyfriend and his
unfortunate affliction.

An interesting choice
for your deflowering,

I'll give you that.

- What are you talking about?
- Never mind.

Let's...

let's talk about you.

I mean,
what are you into?
Are you...

a scholar or a cheerleader

or something
quite different
altogether?

Your father
is very concerned
for your welfare.

And let's just say
the reports I've
been getting

are less than stellar.

- I don't believe you.
- Hmm?

I don't believe you.

No?
I can't say
I blame you.

But nonetheless,
I'm afraid it's true.

Your father fears
that on top of you
being no longer a virgin,

that you suffer
from a sort of
self-loathing.

But I'm afraid
what pains him most

is that you are...
and I quote...

"no academic."

So now that the cards
are on the table

and I know all your
dirty little secrets...

let's reassess.

First, the, um...

it's apparent that you're...

no scholar.
Oh, dear.

Second, judging by
your father's reference

to self-loathing,

you couldn't possibly
be a cheerleader.

However, there seems
to be an indication

that you may well
just be a slut.

What,
no answer?

It's funny,
'cause you do
rather look like one.

Thanks.

That's all
I needed to hear.

- Bravo.
- Fuck you.

Okay, I'd like to welcome
any newcomers

who are joining us tonight.
And if anyone is new

for the first time here,
could you please raise
your hands?

Welcome.

- And your name?
- Joe.

Welcome, Joe.

Thanks.

Would you like to share with us?

Uh...

I'm not sure of the setup here.

Well, uh...

I've been on dope
for about 30 years now.

Uh, that's over half my life

in and out of prisons,
nuthouses, what have you.

I think that...

I hope...

that I can say
with some knowledge

that the longer
you live with this,

the more it'll place you
in some terrifying scenes.

That said...

I'm, uh...

I'm not here
to take some pledge...

I'll likely never keep.

Because for all
its inherent horrors
and soul suffering,

I must confess,
I love getting high.

Anyway...

You see, I have
a daughter Amy, and...

I have a daughter
that I hope to...

that I need to...

shepherd.

Pardon me, miss.

I'll give you $50
if you'd be so kind

as to let me have
a look at one of those.

Get lost,
shitkicker.

Ah, don't be that way, darlin'.

How 'bout a hundred
for the both of 'em?

Is Hobbs here?

Uh, no.
He's out for the evening.

Anything I can do for you?

Come on in.

So...

How can I be
of assistance to you?

I need
to get some stuff
for my dad.

He's sick.

I don't know if I know

what kind of "stuff"
you're talking about,
exactly.

Yes, you do.

Is your dad out there
hidin' someplace

just waitin'

to come in here and, uh,

filet me like some kind
of fish or something?

No.

He doesn't know
I'm here.

Can I just get it now?

You know...

it's kinda funny.

'Cause I was just thinkin' about

havin' a little taste
of this myself.

You wanna share it with me?

Thank you, Johnny.

I think it's time for
a new total on our board.

The time is exactly,
uh, 12:10.

And let's take a look and see
what's doing on the total board.

That's the old total,
Bob.

We've got to get
a new total up there.
So I'll tell you what...

- First of all, we have
- JM Service Company,

$100. We certainly
thank you...

Very good.

And I have one here
that I need to read.

It's from "a proud grandma."
It's Opal Mayer, or Meyer

I think it's Mayer.
She pledged 35...

That was fantastic. I want you
to hit that note...

- - Joe...?

Once again, 361-4141.

We're gonna be here
all night and tomorrow

and we want to hear from you.
Now we're gonna go back...

Come sit down by me.

My poor lost boy.

Johnny, do you have
one more thing to add?

One more thing,
please, Monty.

I have a young girl,
her name is Judy Stiles

and she gave me $25
when I went and had my...
hair done.

Nice girl.
She said, "I have
a healthy child"...

Hey, is that
my darling daughter?

Yes, Dad.

Come here a sec.

I want you to know something.

I want you
to know that there's
a gentle Savior

who is smiling down upon you.

And His hand
will always be there
to guide you

with loving benevolence.

Dad was always trying
to get clean,

and he would now and then.

But his time passed

and he died just shy
of his 64th birthday.

I wondered how it felt

to float like him.

And for many nights to come,

I would float above
the darkness of my life.

Did being the most luminous
object in the galaxy

justify sacrificing
all earthly cares?

I decided...

fuck it.
It didn't.

You're being recorded,
you're being recorded.