Welcome Home (2015) - full transcript

Thank you, Stewart.

That was just
heavenly.

I could live in Hawaii.

It's beautiful,

but I like coming home

to the energy
of the city.

I love how well
we travel together.

It's a true test of
our relationship, I think.

Oh, it's just a preview
of coming attractions.

Back to the real world!

Uh, don't forget Lincoln's party
tomorrow night at atrium.



'Cause that's what I do best.

You know I hate those things.

There's going to be
a lot of people there

that can be help you
promote your new book,

which, I have to say,

I didn't see you write
a single word of

the entire time
that we were away.

Well, you see,
this is not writing...

this is typing.

The writing
takes place up here.

Now that I'm home,

you know, no distractions,

I'm going to let it flow.

Okay, well,
as your literary agent,



i... I expect to see you
at that party tomorrow night.

I have about
a million emails to answer.

And you are going
to go inside

and let it flow...

Right.

Yes. And, um,

I will see you
again tomorrow,

at the party.

Will they have
free wine?

Champagne!

Yes. Okay.

Go. Go write.

Oh! And wear a suit.
A nice one.

Weird.

Really?

Who's there?

Hey!

What the...

Son of a...

hey!

-Whoa!
-Jake, enough.

Mom, I got this.

What are you
doing in my house?

You're scaring
my sister!

You shouldn't be here!

What are you...
what's going on here, lady?

Look, Mr. Paylor, I'm sorry.

How do you know my name?

It was on your mail.

You read my mail?

No, not exactly.
We were just...

look, it was cold outside,
and... and...

Jake, I've got
this under control.

We needed a place to stay.

So, what,
you're camping at my house?

How'd you get in?

You broke in.

You broke into my house.
Okay.

What are you doing?

-I'm calling the police.
-No, okay, wait.

Just don't call
the police, okay?

We're leaving.
Okay? Kids.

Go get your bags.
We're leaving.

Put that down.

Put it down, Jake.

Okay?

What now?

We'll figure
something out.

We always do.
Okay?

That's your dad,
right?

Yeah.

He doesn't look
like the kind of guy

who'd kick US out
into the cold.

What happened to you?

Mr. Paylor,

this is Dan cauley from
American express gold card.

Please return my call
at 800-327-2177 at...

Message deleted. Next message.

Yo, stew! Angelo.
How was Hawaii?

I got the past five games
all taped, buddy.

Let's connect this week

if you ain't too busy
with your hipster friends.

What do you say? Later.

Message saved. Next message.

Mr. Paylor,

this is Evita salvo
from chase bank.

You need to call me
as soon as possible

regarding
your October and November

mortgage pay...

message deleted.

End of messages.

Here's some more
coffee.

Thanks.

So, what,
are you following me?

No, we were
just walking by.

What, do you own this street?
I must've missed the sign.

Did you take a pocket knife
off my desk?

'Cause it's missing.

I don't know
what you're talking about.

Do you take
the knife, Jake?

He probably lost it.

No, I did not lose it.

Oh, for cryin' out...
do US both a favor, will you?

Just take this

and go.

Yeah, we don't want
your guilt money.

Yes, we do!

No, we don't.

Look, you really
want to help US?

Drive US to a shelter.

I don't have a car.

Liar! We slept
in your garage last night.

-You what?
-I'm sorry.

It was freezing.
We had nowhere else to go.

Come on,
just take US to a shelter.

We'll be
out of your hair.

That's my dad's old Van.
I hardly ever drive it.

I'm very busy today.

Yeah, we can see that.

Have a heart, Mr. Paylor.

Do me a favor

and watch the kids
while I check it out.

Well, I've got stuff...

I'll just be a couple
of minutes, okay?

So how are you guys doing?

We have names, you know.

Yeah. You're Jake.
I got that.

Little girl,
what's your name?

Really?

I'm just trying to
be friendly here.

She doesn't talk?

Fine. Have it your way.

Look, kid,
you can't stay at my house.

It's just the way it is.

That's the way you are.

That's the way
the world is!

You've got no right
to be in my house.

You're intruders.

You're lucky...
I could've called the police

and had
you arrested.

Yeah, we're real lucky.
Thanks for pointing that out.

Oh. Yeah.

Hello, Cynthia.

Are you sleeping?

Oh, no, I'm writing away.

It's going pretty good.

You must be
working hard.

Absolutely.

I miss you.

Yeah, i...
I miss you too.

And you're coming
tonight?

Yep, i... I'll be there.

Okay, good. Okay, bye.

Right.

How long is this going to take?

There's no room.

I'll talk to them.

Excuse me.

You telling me
you can't find a bed

for a lady
and her kids?

I'm sorry, man,
but we only house men.

No exceptions. I can probably
find a cot for you,

but I just don't have a permit
for your wife and children.

They're not my family.

Well, where'd you all stay
last night?

At my house,

but that's... that's not
going to work again.

You knew I was coming
back sooner or later.

What was your plan?

Why me?
Why my house?

I know another place.

This is the fourth shelter
we have been to today.

Yeah, it's like that every day.
Do you know what that's like?

Look, it's not a shelter,
but it'll do for a night,

till a shelter
opens up, okay?

Where
is this place?

Passengers

boarding the Tacoma bus...

This is the closest
depot. Will it do?

It's dry,
and it beats jail.

Are you offering
an alternative?

I didn't think so.

All right, kids,
come on, let's go.

Jake, no arguing, please.

Vera, wake up.
We're at the holiday inn.

It's all I got.

Thanks.

I owe you.

Mom, come on.
Vera's cold.

My mom's name
is Cassandra.

Now you know everyone's name.

Can't we just stop
at a bus depot

for a few hours
or something?

It's patrolled.

You know
we can't take that chance.

Yeah?

What, you can't call a brother back?

Aw, hey, man.
I'm buried here.

Well, I'm coming to your rescue.

Yeah? How so?

Well, the guys are coming to my place

to bowl tonight.

I bet 'em 20 bucks

that I could get you to show up.

Ange, I'm working on
a tight deadline.

Ange...

Working hard in a suit, huh?

Cynthia's got me going
to some work function.

It's a long story.

Ahh, no need to make time
for old friends.

Angelo.

Come on...

My god.
How long were they there?

I think a few days.

Well, did they
damage anything?

No.

But they did
water my plants.

Whoa. "Nightmare
on maple street."

But seriously,
you must've been terrified.

I was at first, yeah.

I'm just glad
that you're all right.

Do you think that
maybe she was on drugs?

No. No, I think
something happened to them.

They seemed more desperate
than dangerous.

Mm. Sarah grimes.

Uh, stolamagazine.

It's the next...

... vanity fair.

I've been playing phone tag
with her for weeks.

Um, if you'll
excuse me.

I just find it fascinating,
you know,

which panhandlers are more
successful than others.

Uh, what?

Yeah. I read this story
about this guy at the airport.

He makes 50 grand a year.

He takes vacations.

Okay, we'll sit
right there.

Okay, watch your sister.

Stewart.

You remember Sarah?

Yeah.

Hi, Sarah.
How have you been?

Cynthia said
some wonderful things

about your new book...

vague things.

She says you won't even
divulge the title.

With anyone else,
I'd say it was hype,

but I absolutely adored plumber's wrench.

Well, this one I think I should
probably keep under wraps

until it's finished.

You know, sometimes mystery's
good for business.

Sarah would like
an advance peek

at the masterpiece.

We just had a space
open up in our spring issue,

and your biggest fan
has convinced me give it to you.

We'd love to an excerpt
from Stewart paylor.

And it would be great buzz
for the new book.

We'd have to have it
ready in a week.

Can your client
deliver?

-Well...
-of course he can.

And the photo shoot
and interview,

that would have
to happen a.S.A.P.

We'd send someone
to your place,

keep it super-easy.

That's fantastic
'cause he's got a great tan

and he looks so cute.

You have a big
fan, Stewart,

and a very
persuasive one.

Looking forward to
seeing what you've got.

Good night, darlings.

I had her
eating out of my hands.

Well, that's because
you are a fantastic

agent/girlfriend.

And you are a fantastic
writer/boyfriend.

Listen, uh,
I've got to go.

I've got to get
some writing done.

Okay?

Oh.

And, um, I don't have
my credit card...

Oh. That's... fine.

Um... well, you sure
you can't stay

a little bit longer?

Yeah, I, uh..

I've got a lot of ideas
that are coming right now.

I've got to
get 'em out, so...

I'll call you tomorrow.

Okay. Have
a good night.

Vera!

Do not touch that.

That's a needle.

Hey, Angelo, i...

all right,
I'm willing to forgive you.

Oh, man, I tell you, I'm underwater here.

I am so over my head.

Yeah?

You sound like
I just woke you up.

Just woke up? I'm just
getting the writing started.

It's freaking 1:00 in the morning.

What is this,
hipster writer hours?

Ha ha. What do you
want from me, brother?

I want to hang out, man.

Yeah, so do I.

I swear on my mother,
I'm sorry.

Yeah. I know.

But I'm gonna keep on your case
till you cave.

Yeah, of course you are.

You wouldn't be you
if you didn't.

Wake up. We got to go.

Come on.

Come on, we got to go.

Everybody out!

Everybody in here,
let's go!

Don't...
it's going to be okay.

Just let me handle it,
all right?

We're on a waiting
list at the shelter,

and I'm looking
for work.

We just need to
get out of the rain.

We won't get in
your way, I promise.

We have nowhere else
to go. One night?

One night.

Thank you. Okay. Go.
Come on...

Is it okay if
the kids take baths?

Try and keep
to the living room.

Thank you. Okay!
Come on, kids!

Nice warm baths
for everybody.

Hi, sweetie.

You're probably
writing up a storm...

no pun intended.

I mean, this
is the perfect day for it.

This is a reminder call

thatthe stola interview
is today at 11:00.

Dress nice, be charming,

and give them a tease
about the new book.

Now back to your writing.
Mwah!

At some point, you're
going to have to tell him.

Just stop talking,
Jake. Enough.

No, I'm not
going to stop.

Where are
we sleeping tonight?

Where are we sleeping
tomorrow night?

I don't know.

Maybe a spot will open up
at the shelter.

I'll figure
something out, okay?

I'm doing
the best I can here.

You promised
to take care of US.

And I will!
Now, let it go.

Morning, Mr. Paylor.

"Stewart."

I hope you don't mind.

There wasn't much
in your cupboards,

but there's cereal.

Would you like some coffee?

Or tea?
I'm pretty sure I saw some.

So, what's the plan?

Well, I wanted to
talk to you about that.

Would you like to sit?

No. I'm fine.
Thank you.

Kids, go play outside.

What for?

Just because
I said so.

Now go.

You'd better tell him.

Tell me what?

This is my home,
Stewart.

Uh, well, the bank
says it's mine.

I've made breakfast, lunch,
and dinner in this kitchen

thousands of times.

Jake and Vera
grew up here.

You saw the murals
on the bedroom walls

before you painted
over them?

Yeah...

We made those.

You're sleeping
in my old room.

Look, these notches
are the kids' heights,

since they were little.

Two years ago,

my husband, David,
died of leukemia.

I'm sorry.

We went through
all our savings

on medical
and household bills,

'cause I had to quit my job
to take care of him.

And a year ago,
the bank evicted US.

I knew
it was a foreclosure.

I...

Of course.
You got a good deal.

Why would you
think about

the other side
of the equation?

There's a whole lot of US,
though...

On the other side,

and it's not pretty.

What happened?

Ah, we stayed with
friends for a while,

but that got old...
Mostly for them.

One couple lost
their house, too.

I felt inside-out.

For a while,
we stayed in my car,

but then
it got towed...

And I didn't have
the money to get it back.

And my computer
and our clothes

were in there.

And then I got a job,

and for four months,
we had a place,

and it really seemed

like we were climbing
out of the hole...

But it didn't work out.

And we ended up in the park,

and it got rainy and cold
and...

And I ran out
of options.

This is the last place
we used to call home.

We used to walk by here
sometimes.

And we saw you leave
with your suitcases

and your girlfriend,
I guess,

and I figured you were
going on vacation,

and that night, well...

I knew a way in.

I figured...

We'd stay for a few days,
and what would be the harm?

Look, I know this has
turned your life upside down,

but I was hoping that we could
come to an arrangement.

No, no, no.

I...

Even if what you're telling me
is true,

i... I feel bad for you,

but it just... you...

you can't just... come back.

That's not...

I have my own
problems right now,

you know. I...

No, I just...

I'll cook and clean for you.
The kids will be quiet.

I really don't think
it's a good idea.

Okay, I got my work,

and that is important,

and I got people coming.

My girlf... agent,
we have a meeting.

I'll stay out of the way,
we'll...

you're not getting it, okay?

My life is complicated.

I'm under a lot of pressure
right now.

You asked
for one night,

and I gave you
one night, okay?

Now, it's not
raining now,

so enjoy your breakfast,
but after that,

you guys have to get going.
I have work to do.

But I don't know when
the shelter space will open up.

I know you've had
some tough breaks.

"Tough breaks?"

You call these tough breaks?

Look, if this really
was your home,

I feel bad for you.

That's weird...

But it's not
your home anymore.

Okay? And you've got

to find a solution
for you and your children.

That is not my responsibility.

I can't save you.

You don't think
I'm trying?

I'm trying, Stewart!

A lot of US are trying,
and it's just not enough.

I'm not
responsible for them!

I'm only
responsible for me,

not you
or anybody else.

So I'm going to go
into my study

and I'm going to write
for about an hour,

and when I come out,
if you're still here,

I'm going to
call the police.

End of the story.

It's going to
be okay, baby.

Why do you tell her that?

Every time you do,
things get worse.

Vera, don't believe her.

Jake? What
are you doing?

Getting
out of here!

I'll be better off
on my own.

Jake. Jake! Come back.

Jake!

Jake!

Jake!

Vera, stay right there!

Cassandra?

Kids?

All right...

Hey. You must
be Stewart?

-Yeah.
-I'm Wesley Cole.

Come in.

I really appreciate

you taking the time
out of your busy day to do this.

Yeah. No problem.

My photographer's
just getting her stuff

from the car.

He's going to take
some shots of US

while we chat, okay?
Where are we setting up?

-Uh, the patio.
-Okay.

Will this work?

Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah.
That's perfect. Thanks.

I'm going to edit this
over the weekend

so that I can get
your excerpt

into the spring issue.

If not, then we're both
in a lot of doo-doo.

Just kidding.

-Actually, not kidding at all.
-This weekend?

Yeah. Is that
going to be a problem?

No, not a... problem.

Oh, hi! Who's this
beautiful little girl?

Are you Stewart's
daughter?

My niece. Uh, Vera.

How old are you?

She doesn't talk much.

Her and her mother
are visiting.

Her mother's out
right now.

I'll set up.

Listen, Vera.

I need you
to do me a favor, okay,

and, um, be my niece.

We're just pretending.

Okay? You don't have
to do anything.

Just don't
say anything.

You don't speak
anyway, do you?

I mean,
I've never heard you speak.

I... it... listen, the trick is
just be quiet, okay?

Quiet is what is called for.

Stewart!

Hi, mom. I didn't know
that you were coming over.

Oh, well, I didn't know
you had company either.

I'm sorry, I just
brought you some groceries.

Oh, yeah.
This is, uh, Wesley.

Yeah,
he's from stolamagazine .

They're like vanity fair.

They're going to
do an interview on me.

Oh! Hello, Wesley.

Hi.

And you know Vera.

Um, I'm not sure
that I do.

Ahem!

I'll explain later.

Oh...

Sweetheart,
would you like to come

and help me
unpack these groceries?

She's not talking
much today, mom.

Okay.

Um, I need someone
to help me bake some cookies.

Do you think
you could do that?

Okay.
You come with me.

Thattagirl.

Hey. I'm sorry about that.

Jake!

Jake!

Jake!

Plumber's wrench

was a collection
of deeply authentic vignettes

about the human condition...

from mansions
to low-income apartments...

all revolving around
a character named Lou.

My dad.

Yeah, he was
a salt-of-the-earth kind of guy.

You know, very wise.

Funny.

Great storyteller.

He was a pretty good plumber,
too...

Not a very good businessman.

We never had much.

Always lived in
a walk-up apartment.

It's the first time in my life
I've ever lived in a house.

The only thing pop cared about
was mom...

Family, people.

That was his thing...
people.

He'd go out
to fix a broken pipe,

come home with a story.

I'd sit and listen
to the stories

almost every night,

and one night, I just decided
to start writing them down.

What was his reaction
to you writing the book?

Actually,

he...

He never knew.

I was going
to surprise him with it

when I got finished,

but, uh, he had a heart attack
and died on the job one day.

Never saw it.

I'm sorry.

Funny thing is,

dad worked in all
kinds of neighborhoods,

all kinds of houses,

and everybody...
they loved him.

Judges, cabbies, artists...
whatever.

So at the funeral,
man, that place was packed.

Must've been
400, 500 people there.

For the eulogy,

I read from the book,

and there was a publisher
in the crowd.

Dad had cleaned his drains
a few times over the years.

Next thing I know,

I got a book.
It's a best-seller.

It's pretty wild.

Although
he never got to read the book,

pop was my writing partner.

Hey!

Hey!

Let's talk
about the new book.

You're on your own now.
No "writing partner."

What's the genre?

Is it going to be anything
like your first book?

Similar, it will be similar,
yet...

Different.

Can you give me a slant?

That's what these
interview pieces are for...

you want to whet
people's appetites.

The excerpt
you're going to give US,

is it from the beginning
of the book, or the middle...?

Definitely the beginning.

Um...

I feel like
I would just like

to let the work
speak for itself.

Uh, Wesley, thanks
for the interview.

Yeah, um, I really need you

just to tell me something
about the book...

-hey, everyone.
-Cynthia, hi.

Hi. I made it.

Yeah, so how did
the interview go?

Yeah, Sarah was looking
for some hints on the new book,

but Stewart's kind of
keeping it under wraps,

and now we've got
to hit the road.

Right now?

Yeah, sorry, I'm squeezing this
between some other stuff.

Okay, well, can we
finish up tomorrow?

Yeah, maybe.

On the phone, if you think
there's more to get.

Stewart will be
ready, I promise.

Won't you?

Cynthia!

Muriel.

Oh, I thought
I heard your voice.

I didn't know
that you'd be here.

And who
is this little one?

Uh, have I never
introduced my niece?

Vera? Never
mentioned her?

No, you haven't.

Hi, Vera.
It's very nice to meet you!

I'm Cynthia.

Jake!

-Is he here?
-Jake?

Uh, no...

Please, I couldn't
find him on foot.

I need your Van.

No, that's not...
that's not...

then help me.
I've got to find him.

Stewart?

What's going on,
and who's this?

This is Cassandra.

It's complicated,

but it's okay, okay?

Okay.

Okay, let's go.

All right, you know what?
This is my mother.

Will Vera stay with her?

I've got to go
find your brother.

Are you okay to stay here
like a big girl? Okay.

Mom?

Look after Vera,

and then we'll call you
as soon as we can.

Cynthia, I'm sorry,
I'll explain when I get back.

Sure.

This is where I last saw him.

Well, let's call the police.

No. No police.

Jake! There he is.

What is it?
Oh, okay.

Now we've got to get him
to the hospital.

No, it's okay, I just need
to get him cleaned up

and disinfected.
Can we go back to your place?

I'll just get him cleaned up,
and then we'll leave?

I got a better idea.

Angelo!

Hey!

Have you got
a first aid kit?

-Yeah, just a sec.
-Need some help.

What's going on, stew?
What happened?

Bike accident.
Thank you. I got this.

I'm going
to the washroom.

-Now?
-Yes.

Wash your cut
in there!

I'll go with him.

Thank you.

Hi.

Hi.

What really happened
today, Jake?

My mom can't do
anything right.

Is that so?

Looks kind of rough.

I tripped.

Who was chasing you?

Some guy.

Why was "some guy"
chasing you?

I was trying to get
some food, okay?

I was going to
bring it home for verie.

It's no big deal.

No, it is
a big deal, Jake.

You look like
you got run over.

You could be in trouble
with the police, then what...

get off my back.
You're not my dad.

Jake!

What was that all about?

It's nothing.
He's, um, he's fine.

He just needs
some time to chill out.

So...

I was thinking maybe you guys
should come stay for a few days,

until you found a place
at the shelter.

Rule one...

There's no more drama.

And two... you and the kids
keep in the living room.

I'm writing.

Yeah, I need
peace and quiet.

Okay.

Thank you, Stewart.

"Bike accident," huh?

You will have to
fill me in someday.

Well...

This is "someday."

You got that right.

This is some day.

Vera, you are
such a good drawer.

Oh!

Ow! Careful.

Vera insisted on
waiting up for you.

She's been bathed
and fed,

and there's
freshly baked cookies,

if anyone's hungry.

Cassandra, we didn't get to be
formally introduced earlier.

I'm Muriel, Stewart's mom,

and you must be Jake.

Hi, Jake.
You can call me "Mrs. P."

All Stewart's friends do.

You said something
about cookies?

I'm starving.

Yeah.

I'll walk mom out.

Thank you
for taking care of Vera.

Oh, you're welcome.
She is a lovely kid.

I hope we meet again.

Good night.
Me too.

Good night, Mrs. P.

I don't know why
I called her my niece.

It just came out,
you know?

It's like
it's a nightmare.

I just can't wait
for it to be over.

Do you remember

how your dad used
to frustrate you

when you were
a young teen?

What do you mean?

Well, you'd
ask him a question,

I mean, a big question...

not like "why is
the sky blue?"

But... important.

Something that happened
at school maybe,

and he... he would
answer with a story.

Usually something
that happened

on the job. Remember?

Oh, I remember.

Yeah. It was annoying.

You used to get so frustrated
when he wouldn't answer you.

You'd come and ask me.

Yeah. Why give
a three-word answer

when 3,000 will do?

I asked him why he did that,

and he said...

He said, "because

"I won't always be here

for him to ask me
what I would do."

And then he said
what he always said...

"the answers are right there.

We just need to pay attention."

Quite the day.

Yeah.

Thanks for
all the help, mom.

Of course.

Oh! And before she left,

Cynthia said
something about

finishing your phone interview
tomorrow.

Someone's going to call you.

Yeah, i... I know. Thanks.

And you might think
about giving Cynthia a call.

I know that too, mom.

I... messed things up
pretty good.

Then fix it.

10 pages...

10 pages. 10 pages.

Mr. Paylor,

this is elrich mantis
from chase bank.

Evita salvo

turned your mortgage file
over to me for review.

Mr. Paylor,
we need to talk...

Uh, morning, Stewart.

It's Wesley Cole
at, um... -00 A.M.,

calling to finish our
interview.

I spoke with Sarah

and we're definitely
going to need something more.

You missed breakfast.

There's cookies.

How's the arm?

Feels weird,
but okay.

Leg's sore.

Where's your mom?

Out.

What do you mean, out?

She went looking for work.

When's she going to be back?

I don't know.

She left you here alone?

You're here.

Verie's somewhere.

Hmm. Do you know what
a deadline is?

-Duh.
-Yeah, well...

If you don't make 'em,
you're usually in big trouble,

and I am way behind.

And?

And I was going to spend my day
working,

not baby-sitting
for a couple of...

do what
you got to do.

We can take of ourselves.

Did your mother
tell you the rules?

Stay in the living room.

Yeah. So do that. Now.

Think of it
as, like, um,

its own country...
it's got a border around it,

and you need a passport
to cross it.

I'm the only one
that can stamp that passport.

When your mother gets home,
you share that with her.

Aye-aye, captain.

Halt!

Turn the music down.

Passport, please.

-Out of the way.
-I'm sorry, sir,

but you don't have permission
to enter our country.

Really?
I own your country.

This is exactly the kind of
stuff I was talking about.

What is that?

It's a fort!

Pizza delivery!

Oh, so you ordered
pizza, Jake?

No!

Hey, stew.
Took the day off.

Thought I'd come by
and kick your butt.

Yeah, well, you are,
because I'm trying to write

and it's like king street
station in here, brother.

Hey, you're doing
a good thing here, bro,

and about
the other night?

Hey, I forgive you.

Kids.

-You like pizza?
-Sure!

Well, come and get it,
I made it myself.

We can't.

We're stuck
in our own country.

What? Stuck where?

I relegated them
to the living room

because
I have to work.

Can't get out
without a passport,

and guess who's
the king in charge?

You have gotten
so weird, man.

Hey, kids, I'm liberating you
for pizza.

Why don't you join US,
your majesty?

Extra mozzarella,
like you like it.

Just saying.

You kids like bowling?

Yeah.

Let's go!

So how's that arm,
Jake?

Ahh, it's all right.

And you must be Vera.
I hear you're a big talker.

This is great.

You take these
guys bowling, ange,

I get
some work done.

No, no, no, no, no. That is
not at all what I had in mind.

-Huh?
-You owe me a match.

Hey, you guys want to
see me and stew

in a serious blood match?

-Yeah.
-No.

Loser pays for dinner?

Are we driving in this?

We are,
but the pizza's not, huh?

Remember what you told me
two days ago?

You swear on your mother,
next time you'll go?

Those were your exact words.

-I know, but...
-hey, no, no, no.

You do not take a sacred oath
on your mother

in vain, my friend.

I got an excerpt
to write, okay?

I got an interview
coming up.

I'm working.

Stewart, you're
a freaking train wreck!

What you need
is to relax a little.

Come on,
we'll roll a few frames,

you come on back here
and finish your "exert."

I'll even help you.

-It's an "excerpt."
-Whatever!

Come on, get your ball
and your bowling shoes.

Let's go!

You see what
I got to deal with?

He's always
been like that!

That's right,
and I always will be.

Stop whining.
Hey! Pizza!

Out of the car.

-Yeah!
-That's pretty good.

Nice shot.

-It's a nine.
-Oh, man, you're pitiful.

Come on, Vera, let's go,
let's show 'em how it's done.

Orange? Orange ball?

All right,
let's go put that up there.

Put that down there.

Both hands on there.

Give it a nice roll
down there...

Verie, you got to
throw it harder.

It's never
going to get there.

Hey. Hey...

Yeah, hey! That's
what I'm talking about!

Yeah!

Hey, Vera, you get
to go again.

Come on.

Hey. Well,
what about Angelo?

He's a pretty
good coach.

You can't do better
than a strike.

Here, you're going
to need a ball

if we're going to do this.

Okay.

Now, you just...

You see that?

That's why we used to
call him "details."

What do you mean?

He's a detail man.

If he's going to
help you with something,

he's going to do it right.

I never would've made it
through high school

if he hadn't coached me
in math and English

and social studies
and home ec and...

What's this?

It's his girlfriend.

Nah. He's having
a good time.

You guys have been
friends a long time.

More like brothers.

His dad knew mine,
brought him in here to bowl.

Best buds ever since.

He runs kind of hot and cold
with US.

Yeah...

You caught him at a weird time.

He's going through
some kind of phase.

All right,
ange, you're up.

All right.
I'm up. Let's go.

Come on, Vera,
I need your help here.

Let's see...

This is really...
Pretty great.

You know, it's kind of crazy
that I'm here,

but, uh, you're right,
it's pretty great.

Better than Hawaii.

Come on.

Well, maybe not better
than Hawaii,

but... still pretty great.

I want to ask you
a question, Jake.

What?

Why were you
and your mother

so afraid
of going to the hospital?

Who said
we were afraid?

Easy. I'm not...

I'm just asking
because I want to know.

You going to
tell my mom?

I'm not going to
tell your mom.

I promise.

After my dad died,
we started from scratch.

We came home one day...

The locks were changed,

they threw all
our clothes on the lawn,

and they kept
all of our stuff.

They kept everything...

my bat, my glove,
all my games...

They even kept
Vera's Teddy bear.

Yeah.

I think your mom told me
something about that.

She didn't
tell you everything.

She had a job
working nights,

dispatching cabs.

We had an apartment.

It was crowded, but...

At least we weren't sleeping
on the streets.

Some days, she had
a double shift

and I had to come home
straight from school

to look after verie.

One day...

I got detention, and...

By the time I got home,

the neighbors called the cops

'cause verie was left alone
and she was scared.

What happened then?

The judge said

that mom couldn't take
care of US anymore.

We got sent to a foster place.

That sucked so much.

Verie hasn't said a word
since that day.

She's scared we're going to get
taken away or something.

Mom spent all her pay on lawyers
to try to get US back,

then she lost her job
for missing too many days.

Everything fell apart.

We ended up
back on the street.

It's all my fault
for being late that day.

How did you get back
to your mom?

She snuck US out
one night.

Said, without
a permanent address,

it'd be the only way
that we'd be together.

She gets caught,
then she'll go to jail,

and we'll be in foster care
for good.

So she's just trying to
get enough pay

to get US out of Seattle.

Where would you go?

You do not
take my children anywhere

without my permission!

Mom, it's okay.
We went bowling.

Jake, you know
better than that!

And Stewart,
what the hell were you thinking?

Well, we woke up,
and you weren't here,

which breaks
our agreement,

and you didn't
exactly leave

a list of
instructions.

I was working!

Mom, we had fun.
Remember "fun"?

You practically
scared me to death.

Okay, you kids go
take your showers.

-It's not even 4:00!
-Just do it.

Stewart and I
have things to discuss.

Ah, don't even
think about it.

-Stewart.
-Mom.

Mom!

Don't do anything
dumb, okay?

Don't talk
to me like that!

Didn't I just tell you
to go take a shower?

Yeah, you did.
I just don't want

to come back out here
and find out

we're sleeping
on the streets again,

but hey, at least I'm clean
because I took a shower.

Since when are you and Stewart
such good buddies?

He's okay!

At least
he listens to me.

You know what?
That's enough.

You and your sister march
to that bathroom right now.

Don't get your bandage wet.

Stewart.

This is the third time
that I've called.

What's going on,

and who was that woman
and that girl?

Wesley told me that
you haven't picked up all day.

I don't know whether
to be worr...

Leave me alone.

We need to talk.

Feel free to leave at any time.

Not until we get
one thing straight.

Those kids are my life.

I took them bowling.

They're children.
They need more of that.

So... I don't know
how to parent now?

That's not what I said.

Would you at least
have the decency

to look at me
when we're talking?

I don't want to be talking,
I want to be working,

and here you are, yet again,
stopping me from doing that,

so please get out now
and let me get on with my life.

You are so selfish.

What's that?

None of your business.

You're in here
playing computer games?

-It helps me think.
-Oh, really?

Is that what you're doing,
"thinking"?

So where's the writing?

Let's see it.

Let's see the excerpt

your girlfriend
was talking about.

-Agent.
-"Agent."

Girlfriend/agent.

Or maybe you don't
have it to show, do you?

It's a simple question.
Do you have a chapter?

Do you have
anything at all?

-Please get out.
-You don't, do you?

You don't have
a single word written,

and you're lecturing me
about taking responsibility?

I've heard
your messages,

and I've seen
your mail.

What a phony.

I might be broke, but at least

I'm not pretending
to be something I'm not.

Could be somebody else
is going to get a good deal

on this house
pretty soon.

Mom, stop it. Stewart,
don't listen to her!

Why aren't you
in the shower?

Why are you doing this?
He let US stay here.

Stewart.

He's been
lying to US all along

about the writing.

-He doesn't care about US.
-No, you're wrong.

He's the only one
who's taken care of US.

Mommy.

Vera?

Sweetheart?

Stewart's in trouble.

Jake, no! Just...

Just
stay here with Vera.

I'll go.
I won't screw up.

I promise.

I'm sorry.

You're going through
a really hard time,

and we're not
making it any easier.

And I had no right to say
those cruel things to you.

Vera told me
to come get you.

She spoke.

She was worried about you.

Can I just buy you
a cup of coffee?

When you're right,
you're right.

I'm not a writer.
I'm a phony.

What are you talking about?

Plumber's wrench
is really good.

-You've read it?
-I'm halfway through.

Hmm.

Well, those
were my father's stories.

Those aren't even mine.

But you wrote them
from your perspective,

with your words.

I mean,
isn't that what writers do?

I don't know
what writers do.

My dad, he always knew
the right thing to do.

I wish he was
here now.

Being a grown-up sucks
sometimes.

Yeah.

When I was a kid,

I used to pretend to fall asleep
on the couch, you know,

and he'd carry me to bed.

And it felt...

Safe.

Something like that.

You do have your own
stories to tell, Stewart.

We all do.

You just got to dig
a little deeper.

I don't know that
I have anything deeper.

You don't believe that, do you?

I don't
believe that.

Give it your best effort.

When was the last time
you saw your parents?

14 years ago.

So they've never met
Jake and Vera?

When I was 18,

I got pregnant

by a boy who didn't want
anything to do with it.

My father
couldn't forgive me,

and he had a temper.

My mother tried
to run interference,

and she paid
a big price for that.

But I had a piece
of creation inside me

and it made me strong,

which just...
Pissed my dad off even more.

And then a week
before my due date,

he was in a rage
and he slapped me.

My mother stepped
in between.

She told me
to get as far away

from Chicago
as I could.

And they were
still fighting

when I ran out
the back door

with a few dollars

and just whatever
I could carry.

The greyhound
took me to Seattle,

and Jake was born
at county hospital

a few days later.

More coffee?

Warm-up?

Yeah, it was tough
for a while.

But I went to community college,

and I made my way.

And then I met David...

And he fell
for both of US,

and we got married,

and he adopted Jake,
and then came Vera and...

Things were good.

Better than good.

When David died, I...

I broke into
a thousand little pieces,

and I'm still trying to
glue myself back together.

But you got to fight
for what you need in this world,

Stewart.

You can't give up.

Stewart!

What?

Hey!

Did you just say my name?

Uh-huh.

Wow! I like that.
That's cool.

I got some groceries.

That's right, I had
a little work today.

Thank you very much.

So Stewart's going to write,
and we're going to make dinner.

Sound like a plan?

Okay.

Okay? All right!

Get to work,
Mr. Paylor.

What is it? Treasure?

I found this
in the garage.

We had to leave it
when we were...

had to leave.

What's the point?

It's a time machine.

Petrified wood...

believe it or not,

this used to
be alive once.

Look. This was mine
when I was little, Vera.

Would you like it, Vera?

Do you remember me
telling you

how your grandpa
sailed the Great Lakes solo

when he was 16,

and it took
the whole summer?

Well, this was his compass.

Here, you take it, Jake,
so you'll never get lost.

Whoa. Is that you?

Yeah, sure is!

And those
are your grandparents.

Who's that fuzzy boy?

Oh, that "fuzzy boy"
is my brother Adam,

your uncle Adam.

He set the timer on the camera

and he was running
to get into the shot.

He was always moving fast.

Where's he now?

I wish I knew.

Lookit! This is your dad
on his graduation day.

Mommy.

Mm-hmm.

Tell about
when I was born.

Oh, not this again.

We've heard this story
a million times.

Please? Just once more.

Okay.

Okay, it was in this very room.

We'd only been living here
about three months,

but when we bought the place,

we were already thinking
about a home birth

and we thought that this room
would be perfect.

It was a Tuesday night.

I wasn't due
for another nine days,

but when
the contractions started,

I knew this was it,

so I called your dad
and he called the midwife.

And
where was Jake?

He was asleep on a pad
right next to US.

He didn't want to
miss your arrival.

And where was I?

You were still inside me,

but you were definitely,
definitely wanting to come out!

Finish the story.

So it went on
for several more hours,

way past midnight.

It was pretty intense.

And then, when the midwife
was helping me,

your dad went over to the piano
and he started singing.

I think I remember that.

-Uh-huh?
-That's not possible.

Well, I don't know,
stranger things have happened.

I remember the song!

That's 'cause
you've heard this story,

like, a bajillion times.

Or maybe it's because
he made it up

especially for you.

See, 'cause I'd yell,
"it's getting stronger,"

and he'd sing,

♪ the feeling's
getting stronger ♪

♪ and it won't be
much longer ♪

He was silly and beautiful.

Then, finally,

you decided
to make your entrance.

Jake, you were awake by then
and you were holding my hand,

and your dad's face was glowing.

Then he looked me in the eyes
and he started laughing,

and Jake, you started laughing,

and even though I was in pain,
I started laughing, too,

and I think the midwife
thought we were all nuts.

But the best moment of all,
Vera, was when you were born,

and your dad held you up

and I saw your beautiful face
for the first time,

and I swear, baby,
you were laughing too.

And then we realized it was
the morning of Valentine's day,

which was perfect.

And I am so happy
to hear your voice again.

We have missed it so much.

Okay, sleepy-byes.

Lots of dreams.

I'm going to go
soak in a hot tub

until I turn
into a duck.

About time.

Everything okay?

I lied.

I took it when
you were on vacation.

My dad gave me this
when I was about your age.

Are you going to call
the police?

Aw, it's just
a thing, Jake.

Things,
they come and they go, but...

It means a lot to me,

so I'm glad you returned it.

Thank you.

And...

Send.

Jake.

What?

Breakfast.

I just finished
and hit "send,"

and if you need to blame anybody
for anything,

it's me.
Call me back.

Good morning,
Stewart!

Hey, Vera.
Good morning.

You guys hungry?

Yeah.

Did you sleep
in your clothes?

No, I didn't sleep in 'em,
I worked in 'em.

You can cook?

Mm-hmm.
Who likes waffles?

-Me!
-I do.

Today is Saturday,
so we're celebrating.

Smells like
somebody's been busy.

-Good morning.
-Morning.

I finished
the first chapter.

It's going to be the excerpt
for the magazine,

and I was going to outline
a few of the others.

I hope
that you like it.

I'm sure I will.

I had an idea.

I was thinking that,
maybe after breakfast,

we could take a walk.

Can we, mom? Please?

Actually...

I would love
a little time to myself.

Why don't you kids go
for a walk with Stewart

and I'll see you
when you get back?

Just me and them?

Okay!

You guys heard your mother.

Eat up.

Then we hit the road.

Check it out. 20 bucks.

Whoa! Good eye.

You got to
pick it up.

Nah. You saw it.
That's yours.

Family rule.
Found money...

you pick it up,
goes into the family pot.

Can't buy anything.

But, if
you pick it up...

Oh, okay. I get it.

Nice one, Jake.

Let's go bowling.

Well, I can't today, Vera.

How about...
How 'bout a pretzel?

Sure.

Oh, Stewart...

"She sits across
the formica table

in my favorite greasy spoon..."

When David died,

I gave up his ghost,

and found I was left
with a broken spirit.

So many pieces,
and not near enough glue...

...she spoke slowly,
haltingly.

A tunnel opened up
and swallowed me

the day social services
took my kids...

Sipped my coffee

and, slowly opening up to me
about her life...

I've lived there ever since,

in a different place
from the real world,

a world where people laugh
and love and argue

and tuck their babies
into bed...

I could see the pain
in her eyes

as she relived a life
of living on the streets

from one day to the next.

...only a scalding bath
can wash away the stink

and make me feel human again
for a while.

Can we play
20 questions?

Well, I don't know.
It sounds pretty good.

Who goes first?

What's your favorite
kind of food?

That's easy.
Pizza.

Your turn.

Stewart...

Yeah?

Do you ever
think about your dad?

Yes, I do.

I think about my dad
all the time.

I miss him very much.

What about you?

You ever think
of your dad?

All the time.

You know
what bugs me?

I can't remember
his face anymore.

That comes back.

I have dreams about my dad.

It's just like
we're having a visit.

That's cool.

I miss him a lot.

Me too.

You guys are lucky
that you have each other.

See, I never had a brother
or a sister.

Always thought it'd be nice
to have somebody to play with.

-Stewart?
-Hmm?

Are you going to
kick US out again?

Stew, look at this.
Fuzzy dice.

Oh, yeah.
Those are cool.

Can I get 'em? Come on.
They're pretty cool.

I don't know, Jake.

I was kind of thinking
something where

we could spend
a little time together.

Flowers for mom?

There you go.

That's a great idea.

Super idea.

Okay, hide those
behind your back.

Keep your coats on.
We're leaving.

Why? Mom,
what's going on?

Time to move on.

Why?

I can't believe I was actually
starting to trust you.

I still don't understand.
What...?

You stole every word
I said to you,

and worse,
you ripped off the kids.

Mom, what do you mean?
We don't have stuff to rip off.

I brought you these.

Why did you tell him
about foster care, Jake?

You just put US
in more jeopardy.

I'm not going to turn you in.

You would
if it meant a best-seller!

Cassandra,
let's just talk this over, okay?

You're a thief
and you stole our lives!

You said
it was an important story.

You said people needed
to know what's going on

on the other side
of the equation.

It didn't
happen to you!

It's not
your story to tell.

Yeah, but i...

I'm not going back out there.

Jake, this isn't
our home anymore.

That was
just a dream.

I belong here.

Look, Jake and Vera,
they deserve better than this.

What is this?
Your come-to-Jesus moment?

You took your sweet time
getting there, didn't you?

No, I get it, you just need
to copy down our story,

because before we came along
you had nothing,

and then we stumbled
into your life,

and all of a sudden,
you had a best-seller

and you could save
your precious house.

Our house!
Which you stole from US,

because you had money,
and we didn't.

That is not
the way it happened.

Look. Jake and Vera
deserve better.

How dare you?

Jake, you think Stewart
cares about you?

You're just a character
in his book.

He's using you, using Vera,
using me,

and every moment
we ever lived!

I'm not going.

Jake, we're a family.
We stay together no matter what.

Mom, I don't
want to go!

You're just running away,
Cassandra.

Oh, you're one to talk.
Go.

Go!

You know what?
You're right, Stewart.

All you'll ever be able to tell
are other people's stories.

Hello.

Good god, Stewart.

Where have you been?

It's like you fell off
the face of the planet.

Yeah. It kind of
feels like that.

Okay, what did you write?

I'm sorry.

I was rushed,

I wasn't in a great place to...

Stewart, are you kidding me?

Sarah loves it.
She says that it's wonderful.

She wants to publish
more excerpts as a series.

She does?

Yes! And she wants to pay you

a lot of money.

Oh?

I owe you an apology.

I was beginning to doubt you, Stewart,

and I'm sorry.

Whatever you're doing,

keep on doing it,
finish the book,

and the stolaseries
is going to make it

a guaranteed best-seller.

Stewart?

Yeah?

That woman
and those kids, uh...

Is this something that I should know about?

No.

They're gone.

Um... are you all right?

Yeah.

Get some rest.

Just let me know

if you're interested
in having a bit of company.

Okay?

I will.

Okay. Bye.

Stewart?

There you are!

The front door was wide...

What happened here?

Apparently Cassandra
didn't like my story.

So... so why would she...

Well, anyway,

I found some of your old books
and games,

and I thought
the kids might enjoy them.

They're gone.

What?

I don't know...

There's nothing I could do
about it.

Don't look at me
like that, mom.

I'm sorry, mom,

but I got something
I have to do.

Yeah.

Here, Vera, have one
of these cough drops.

Jake, where
did you get that?

Why, would you
have bought it?

Look. I have
a little money, okay?

I'm giving you half

for emergencies only.

Okay. Go!

Just like
old times, huh?

We're not in
a position to be proud.

I miss Stewart.

I'll get a job,

I'll make
a little money,

and we'll move
to another town.

♪ Surprise!

Hey.

A check!

For...

The excerpt.

Oh! Yeah. Great.

Well, I don't want to
disturb the genius at work,

and I got to
get to work.

Did you know that
your voicemail is full

on both your phones?

Yeah, it's just,
I've been, you know,

hibernating
with the writing...

Well, if you decide that
you want to take a break,

there's this, uh,
important cocktail party

at 6:00 P.M.,
purple club.

Sarah grimes
is going to be there.

I was hoping
that you'd be my date.

I don't know.

Um...

Stewart?

Are we okay?

Of course.

I just... you know,
had a lot happening lately.

I'm kind of a mess.

I'm not exactly date material.

If you change your mind...

I would love to see you
and...

Yeah, maybe we could talk?

Yeah.

Great.

If I finish the outline
of the book,

i... I will come.

Are you that close?
That's... that's great.

Um, maybe I will see you later.

Yeah.

Whether
I finish it or not,

okay,
I will be there.

Yeah?

Thank you.

Get back to work.

No, I totally understand.
So, in four days? Okay.

All right.
Well, thanks very much, then.

-So?
-Nothing right now.

They told me to come back
in four days, though.

Did you
believe them?

"Come back never"
is what they meant.

How is it
possible for you

to be so grumpy
24 hours a day?

Come on, sweetie.

Let's get you
some cough medicine.

Thanks.

Jake, stay with US.

Yeah.

He's here now.
Come quickly.

The police are on their way.

Gotcha, kid!

Don't touch him.

Run, Jake! Run!

The cops are coming!

No, you don't.

Mom!

Run! Don't split up!

Stewart!

He's gone.

Stay here.

-Ange.
- Find 'em yet, stew?

Not yet,
but I'm going by the bus depot.

Okay. Okay, let me know.

Last call
for the bus to Toronto.

Last call
for the bus to Toronto...

Bus to spokane
leaves from bay 3.

Bus to spokane
leaves from bay 3.

The bus to Portland
leaves in 20 minutes.

The bus to Portland
leaves in 20 minutes.

This is the last call
for the bus to Portland.

"Purple club, 6:00 P.M."

Bingo!

Stewart.

You made it.

Mwah. You rewrote
the excerpt?

I felt
it needed some work.

It was fine!

No, not "fine."

Simply divine.
I just read it.

The "Cassandra" character,
the voice was so authentic.

And bravo!

I usually can't stand it when
a man writes a woman's story,

because it's so full of
cliche and projection.

You have made me do something
I have never done.

What's that?

I'm holding the presses.

It's being edited for printing
as we speak.

Stewart! Stewart!

What?

-You need to go right now!
-Why?

- ...Needs you.
- What is it?

Mom's in jail.

-What? Okay. I got to go.
-Right now!

Okay.

My white knight.

He's always ready
to save somebody.

As long as it gets US
another chapter.

Where are they?

Um, they're with
Angelo and my mom.

They're fine.

Did you bail me out?

Look, if I go to court,
I will go to jail,

I will lose the kids,

and they will be in
foster homes forever,

so I need to get
out of Seattle

as fast as I can...

you cannot
keep running.

Tell me,
what I am going to do, then?

What are my options?

Stay. At my place.

That way, you have
a permanent address.

And then what?

You get your own place.

I don't have money.

I don't have a job.

What you do have
are the rights to the book.

I had Cynthia
sign them over to you

last night.

Why?

Because.
It's your story.

I'm just a guy
who got lucky enough to tell it.

Well, every story
needs a writer.

Can we do it
together?

You and me? Together?

We can give it a shot.

And about
the court and stuff,

I, uh...

My dad was friends with a judge.
I'll call him.

I think it'll be okay.

Okay.

How did you bail me out?
You don't have any money.

I took an advance
against the excerpt.

You bailed
yourself out.

Then I guess
it's going in the book.

Let me get that.

Mom!

Hi.

Hi.

Thank you.

For what?

For being such
an amazing young man.

I love you.

...tell me something
I don't know.

You got your car, Mrs. P,
or you need a lift?

-Well, i...
-mom?

I was kind of hoping
you'd stick around today.

I need your help.

And you too, Angelo,
because, uh,

we're going to
make pancakes.

Oh, ho!
You mean Mrs. P's super-secret

pancake recipe?

Oh, you kids
are in for a treat.

What can I do to help?

Actually,
you could help me out

down at
the bowling alley.

I need someone.
What do you say?

A job? For real?

A real job,
work to do and everything.

Benefits are so-so,

but kids
will bowl for free.

Yes! Absolutely yes.

When can I start?

Tomorrow. I'm off today.
Makin' pancakes.

Did you say pancakes?
I'm starving.

Well, come on.
Let's get started.

There's a bowl.

I want to help too!

You bet.