California Solo (2012) - full transcript

A former Britpop rocker who now works on a farm gets caught driving drunk and faces deportation after living in Los Angeles for many years. His efforts to stay in the U.S. force him to confront the past and current demons in his life.

Welcome to another
addition of "Flame-Outs."

The show where we
consider the tragic

and sometimes
spectacular deaths

of the world's
greatest musicians.

I am your host,
Lachlan MacAldonich.

I know you can do it.

But the market is
special, alright.

Okay, it's about talking
to the customers

and Lachlan has a
way with them.

Flattery will get
you everywhere.

You gotta rotate,
a higher rotate.



Back up a little bit.

Good.

How we doing tonight, Sir?

Fuck-a-duck.

Where were you heading?

Home.

Where are you coming from?

A bar.

Out of the car, please.

Yes.

You're gonna go
against that wall,

against that chart.

Against the wall.

Look at me, please.



I knew that.

Okay, here we go.

To your right, please.

Is that badass, that look?

Come on, let's get
one taken together.

I don't think so.

Well, Mister McAldon...

MacAldonich, Lachlan
MacAldonich.

Is that Irish?

Excuse me, I am from Scotland.

We have your BAC level
written down here

at point-two-four.

That is an aggravated DUl,

which means that your
license is suspended,

effective immediately.

Four months for one DUl.

What a crock.

I tell you, Warren.

You see, back in the U.K.
they would have

dumped me on the front
step and rang the Bell.

Well, maybe when I was a kid.

Yeah, here too.

That's... that's
that's bullshit.

Well, what am I gonna
do about Saturday now?

Shit.

Goddamn DUl.

What the hell, man, I...

I thought you were
smarter than that.

Oh, shut up.

You know, in a previous life,

I'd only get to see this side
of Saturday in the arse end.

Bet you had some crazy
nights back in the day, huh?

Yeah... Ancient history now.

Yeah, I know.

Fuck off.

This guy comes home
one day, right?

He says to his wife,

"There's a rumor
going around at work

"that the postman has had sex
with every woman on this street

except one."

And she says, "I bet it's
that stuck-up co-ed"

at number fifty-six."

Oh, that's what I'm
trying to figure out.

Ain't that always the way?

How about a radish?

- Radish?
- Yeah.

I know it sounds crazy.

Try a little salt, a
little butter, fantastic.

Yeah, you cook?

I don't cook.

A customer told me.

You alright there, my friend?

I see you've been
eyeing these eggs?

How many would you like?

These eggs are laid with love.

Happy chickens.

Cage free, chemical
free, hormone free.

Matter of fact, the only thing
that ain't free is the cost.

Four dollars for the dozen.

Thank you very much.

Alright, Beau?

Hey, Lachlan... How you doin'?

Good... What's good today?

Thank you, Sir.

Tomatoes are spectacular.

"Peachy" tomatoes.

- Yeah... Peachy?
- Yeah.

I think you can do
better than that sign.

They'll work with the sea
bass I just picked up.

I have some mushrooms,
lemon, and capers.

Very tasty.

Well, work's been
really slow lately,

so I've had plenty
of time to cook

pathetically
elaborate dinners.

That's perfect.

When do I get to try one?

I told you, when I get
an invite to your farm.

You have had an
invite for months.

Oh, by the way, my
boyfriend is here.

He, uh, he usually works
late Friday nights,

so he can't make it,

but I dragged his ass out
of bed this morning.

Hey, Paul...

Come here.

Look, if you do want to come,

it's quite simple really.

If you leave at the
ass-crack of dawn.

Yes, thank you very much,
Julian, thank you.

Back to work.

Thanks.

- How ya doin'?
- Oh, um, Paul this is Lachlan.

Nice to meet you.

You're both musicians.

- Oh yeah, what do you play?
- I'm a DJ.

- A really good one.
- Right.

Some good stuff in
the bins over there.

Yeah, I just found The Beach
Boys "Sunflower" over there.

Classic.

Hell of a lot better
than "Pet Sounds",

if you ask me.

A fellow contrarian, I see.

Absolutely.

Did you get a coffee?

I did not get a coffee

'cause the coffee
guy's too slow

and I couldn't
wait any longer.

You ready to go?

Yeah... I'm just gonna
get these and, yeah.

Well, it's nice to see
you this morning, Beau.

Nice to meet you too, Paul.

- I'm gonna go pay for that record.
- Cool.

What's the damage on these?

Oh, just make that a buck.

- No.
- I'm telling you.

Thank you.

There you go.

Alright, Robinson
Farm, Road 28.

I'll sleep with one eye open.

Okay.

See ya.

Bye.

Alright, my friends,

Some lovely carrots here,
some lovely zucchini.

We've got...

You ready?

Yep.

Drive downtown.

Where to?

Towards the tall buildings.

What for?

I want to stop somewhere
before we go home.

You took the FST.

I'm sorry, I took the what?

Field Sobriety Test.

Yeah, well he had me
get out of the car

and stand on one leg.

If I hadn't been so drunk,

I'd have probably found the
whole thing rather humiliating.

And I probably would've
passed it as well.

There's no such thing
as passing those tests.

No matter what you do,

it's just more
evidence against you.

You should never
agree to them.

Well that's good to know, now.

Thanks.

Okay.

If we plead guilty, I
do my courtroom thing,

I can probably get you four
months suspended license

plus a fine in
the neighborhood

$4,000. or $5,000.

Wow.

That's the best
you're gonna get.

Oh, one other thing.

What's your
immigration status?

Permanent legal resident.

Got a green card,
been here for years.

Good... No prior arrests?

One.

You have a prior?

Arrest or conviction?

Half an ounce of
marijuana or something.

It was a long, long time ago.

But you're gonna need to speak
to an immigration lawyer.

I have a guy I
recommend, David Piper,

and I'll see if he can see you
first thing Monday morning.

Yeah, but I-I'm a
permanent legal resident.

- I got a green card.
- No, doesn't matter.

You should talk to
Piper, he's the guy.

Uh, oh, one last thing,
and this is important.

Do not drive while your
license is suspended.

We don't want to have a
bad situation get worse.

Okay?

- You alright?
- Yeah.

You mind if I go hang out?

Yeah, yeah.

Alright.

Enjoy yourself, have fun.

We have a winner!

Jacob Welsh.

There's a bunch of kids out
there stuffing their face

with cherry pies.

Am I the only one that finds
that vaguely disturbing?

I met with your
lawyer friend today.

He seems like a decent guy.

I'll probably have to consult
with an immigration lawyer now.

What the hell's that mean?

You're illegal?

Fuck off, Warren.

I'm practically
American these days.

They wouldn't recognize
me back home.

Did you see Melodie
out there today?

No.

She's like flippin'
that Baton...

Boom!

Grabbed it out of the
air every single time,

never dropped it once.

But I remember Julian back
in the day, you know,

he's like out there dressed
up like a little cherry tree.

And he's, you know,

he's giving it everything
he's got, you know.

And it's like, every year I
dread coming to this thing.

And then I get here and I
see my kids and the parade

and I'm just, you know...

Hey, I'm... I'm sorry, man.

Oh.

Not at all, Warren.

That's an absolutely beautiful
sentiment, brother.

Cheers.

Welcome to another
edition of "Flame-Outs".

The show where we
discuss the tragic

and sometimes
spectacular deaths

of the world's
greatest musicians.

I am your host,
Lachlan MacAldonich.

Tonight, Marc Bolan, of T.
Rex.

Back in the 1970's this guy was
the biggest star in the U.K...

Immensely talented.

His car hit a tree
outside London

when he was just shy of 30.

His poor wife was driving.

Some would say that Marc
Bolan truly met his end

nine days previously when,

during his last
public appearance,

he slipped and fell
over on the TV

in front of millions.

His old pal, David Bowie,

standing there
beside him laughing,

already well on his
way to a lifetime

of Ziggy stardom.

But, this broadcast
is about tragedy.

And what could be more
tragic in the annals

of British Rock
than Marc Bolan?

A rocker with a
genuinely good heart

who became all flabby
and egotistical.

Man, he broke some
hearts back in the day.

Including mine.

I must have listened to
this record at least

10,000 times.

But hey, I promised I
wouldn't talk about myself

on "Flame-Outs" until
I'm actually dead.

So, in the meantime, let's
just stick to Marc Bolan.

Tell me about your
prior conviction.

Well, it's all a bit
of a blur now, really.

More than fifteen years ago.

But I was getting on a
plane, next thing you know,

I'm getting taken
in for grass.

Drugs.

Yeah.

Had them in my bag. Stupid.

Anyway, I was in a
band at the time.

And our manager, he sorted it.

He... No more than
a speeding ticket,

he said at the time.

Yeah, you got a good manager.

Uh, what kind of
visa were you on?

I don't remember.

H-1-B?

0-1

0-1.

0-1.

"Extraordinary ability",
something like that, yeah.

Oh, those are tough to get.

I know.

You wouldn't think
to look at me now.

- Wow.
- Yeah.

Well, look, uh, alright.

Here's the issue as I
see it right now, okay?

Um, under current
immigration law,

both the DUl and possibly
this prior drug conviction

count as violations
of moral turpitude.

I- I'm sorry to
interrupt you, um,

I'm just a bit confused about
the immigration side of this.

I've got a green card.

I mean, surely that means I'm
practically a citizen here.

No.

Not at all.

You can face removal
proceedings whether you have

a green card or not.

It doesn't matter.

Shit.

Look...

No offense to
anyone, you know.

But I ain't a terrorist.

I'm not a drug mule.

Uh, I'm a moderately
lazy Scotsman.

I just... I just want to
live out the rest of my days

in this lovely land
I've called my home

for the last 12 years.

I can help you.

Good, great.

How much do I owe you?

Well, in these cases I normally
work on an hourly rate.

But I think in your case
it's more cost effective

to go with a flat fee.

Right, okay.

How much is that?

$5,000.

Half up front and, uh,
half when we're done.

Oh, it's Lachlan.

Hey, Wendell!

Look at you, man!

Look at your hair.

Well, that's the music
business, isn't it?

- Good to see you.
- It's good to see you, man.

- How you been?
- I've been well.

- I've been well, yeah.
- Fantastic, okay.

Oh, God, you know, I was
in London last week.

I was at this event with
like Mick and Rod Stewart,

all of them,

and all they could
talk about, Lachlan,

was how fucked the
music business is.

Poor Mick, probably taken
the scrambled flamingo eggs

off the rider.

- Flamingo egg whites, mate.
- Oh, yeah.

Very fit bastard.

Makes Iggy look fat.

For sure.

How you doin', you alright?

Yeah, I'm well, I'm well.

Not playing so much anymore.

No rolling stone, I'm
afraid, too much moss.

But I'm keeping busy.

Doing a lot of broadcasting
at the moment.

Good, good.

Well, it's a podcast,
in actual fact.

But I, like, discuss
the spectacular deaths

of the world's
great musicians.

Marvin Gaye, Janis Joplin,
Serge Gainsbourg.

Lindsay Lohan.

Did you do a show on Jed?

No, not yet, no.

Fuck, Wendell, to be honest,

it's more of a hobby, really.

Right.

Well, what do you do for work?

Actually... sorry.

Do you recall that
marijuana charge

that you helped
to get us out of,

way back in the '96
Glass Houses tour?

No.

Okay, LAX.

- I had some weed in my bag.
- Oh, geez...

Stupidly stuck it through the
X-Ray machine like an idiot.

Yeah, I remember.

Well, that small misdemeanor,

coupled with a recent DUl,

means I might be
getting kicked out

of the good ol' US of A.

That's fucking terrible.

Yeah, well, I've got
a lawyer who thinks

he might be able to help me,

but uh, his fee is $5,000.

Fuck.

Wendell.

Come on, man.

You're the only
friend I have left

whose house I have to drive
up a considerable incline

Lachlan, I've told you
a thousand times...

I know... I know
what you said,

and my house is in order,

but it's just a tiny, wee
fucking house, that's all.

Yeah, well, you just
got to have some money

under the fucking
bed, okay, Lachlan.

Okay, right...

I work on a farm.

I don't mind my life.

I don't mind it at
all, in fact, but...

I've got less than
$1,200 in the bank.

I don't even have
a credit card.

I've got money coming in,
Wendell, I can pay you back.

I just cannot go
back to the U.K...

Nothing for me there.

And you understand
that, don't you, man?

Yes, I understand that, man.

Do you ever go back?

- No.
- Never?

Never.

Then why the fuck
did you come to me?

'Cause you... Why the fuck...?

Fuck, 'cause you're
Johnny-on-the-spot, aren't you?

Thrive in a crisis,
and all of that.

To wit, the old drug charge.

Yeah, Johnny-on-the-spot,
that's good.

I cleaned up every shit pile you
ever trod in, and your mates.

- Right, didn't I?
- Yeah.

- That was me doing that.
- I know.

Except the last one.

You've cost me, boy.

You've cost me a lot
more than five grand.

Yeah, well, I think we made you
quite a bit as well, Wendell.

Your brother made it, alright?

Your fucking brother
made me the money.

Not you.

It wasn't about the money.

You see, what you've
got to understand is,

I haven't given you a thought.

I didn't know whether
you were alive or dead.

- Cheers.
- That's right.

And I was never your
manager, you see, Lachlan.

I was never your
fucking friend.

Jed was the band.

So if they send you
back to England,

I think it would be
about fucking time.

Take care of yourself.

You tight-fisted
mother fucker.

Five grand.

Open the fucking gate!

Five grand, you fucking wank?

Fucking dick. Hurry up!

Fuck.

The people of the
state of California

have charged you with
one count of violating

California Vehicle
Code section 23-152-A,

driving under the influence
of alcohol or a drug.

And with one count of
violating Vehicle Code

section 23-152-B

driving with a blood
alcohol content

of point-zero-eight
percent or greater.

These are misdemeanors
and carry with them

a maximum punishment of
six months imprisonment.

How do you plead?

Not guilty, your honor.

Defendant pleads not guilty.

We'll set the pre-trial hearing
for approximately 30 days...

Two shots, please.

Rough day, huh?

Tell me about it.

Yep.

Totally shite fucking day.

Oh, fuck me.

There we go.

That'll be five dollars.

Hey, Beau.

Hey, Paul.

Two weeks runnin', eh?

Yeah.

How were the tomatoes?

Thank you for
pushing them on me.

Beau didn't uh, tell me
who you were last week.

Who am I?

Well, I was spinning
at a party that night

and I put on a song from
"Bank Street Waltz"

by The Cranks.

And I'm looking at the
back of the album,

the band photo.

And I'm like, holy shit.

There you are standing
right next to Jed.

The guy from the fucking
farmer's market.

Man, "Bank Street
Waltz" is literally

my favorite album of all time.

Yeah.

He hasn't stopped talking
about it all week.

Look, I'm doing a
party in a few weeks

at Three of Clubs.

You gotta come.

No, thanks for the invite,

but I don't do anything
like that anymore.

Anything like what?

Anything interesting.

Oh, it's all you know,
your kind of stuff, man.

You see, Blur, Stone
Roses, Black Grape, Oasis.

Look, if you come, I'll
play the whole the entire

side one of "Bank
Street Waltz".

No, you know, I-I've
heard quite enough

of that album, thank you.

No, seriously.

You gotta come.

I really don't want to, man.

Babe.

He can't make it.

Shh... He's coming.

Shh?

He doesn't want to.

Alright, look, if you
change your mind,

it's Three of
Clubs next month.

And um, you know, we'll make
you the guest of honor.

It's gonna be amazing.

I hope... I hope you
change your mind.

It's really nice to meet you.

Seriously.

It's a pleasure,
it's an honor.

I'm really sorry about
your brother, man.

Cheers... I appreciate that.

Yeah... Cheers.

So, you were a big
deal back in the day?

I was the guitar player
in a big deal band,

for a moment, yeah.

How come you never
said anything?

You ever heard of The Cranks?

No.

So what do you want me to say?

I don't know.

Something.

"I play guitar.

I'm a big fucking deal."

Something like that.

Jesus Christ.

I didn't think it was
that bad, actually.

Fuck off, it's "not that bad."

24 months probation.

$5,000 fine.

Four months in prison.

It's a first plea offer.

We can push back on
the prison time.

Okay, but we can't go
any further with that

until we find out what
is gonna work best

for your immigration
situation.

Yeah, I know, I
understand that.

He says you still haven't
gotten back to him.

I'm trying, man. It's just...

I know, I'm sorry.

I just don't have the money.

Okay, I... I understand.

This is what he said
he could do for you.

He'll take a
thousand up front,

as a consultation fee.

And then a thousand more to
be paid at a later date.

But we've got to get him
on board right away.

I understand.

I'm possibly interested in
selling an old guitar of mine.

It's a Les Paul
90-60 Sunburst.

How much will one of
those go for nowdays?

Well, that depends on what
kind of shape it's in.

Well, have you heard of
The Cranks, my friend?

Doesn't ring a Bell.

No?

Album called "Bank
Street Waltz"?

"Glass Houses?"

No.

Well, they said that
the lead singer

was the British Kurt Cobain.

I thought that was
nonsense, but anyhow...

I... I'm not too big
on British bands.

Well, it was used by the lead
guitarist of The Cranks.

He bought it directly from
Paul Weller of The Jam,

who played it before him.

You're familiar with The Jam?

You work in a music store.

Let me guess, you're
the guy from...

The Cranks... I was, yeah.

So what kind of
condition is it in?

Trust me, man.

This guitar is of
royal lineage.

It's steeped in
musical history.

Well, my partner is the vintage
guitar buff around here.

Trying to move it fast?

Well, when you finish
gauging interest,

why don't you just
bring it on by,

we'll take a look at it.

Sure, I'll do that.

Thank you.

You fucking loser,
you fucking loser.

I'm sorry I didn't
make it back.

I'll be in bright and early
tomorrow, I promise.

- Yeah, hello?
- Lachlan?

- Yep.
- It's Beau.

From the farmer's market.

Beau, how ya doin'?
Yeah, of course.

I forgot you gave me your phone
number a few months ago.

Yeah, well, yeah, I
forgot too, completely.

I was thinking that
tomorrow I might just want

to get in my car and drive.

Uh, could I come
check out the farm?

I tell you what, tomorrow
it just so happens

to be my day off, so
you're welcome to come

any time you like.

Okay, yeah, sure.

Thank you.

Hey... Welcome.

Alright.

So this is where all
my food comes from.

Well, actually this row
here, see the empty row,

you eat all of that.

So, how did you
start working here?

I grew up on a farm.

I actually know how to
do some of this stuff.

A few years ago when an
opportunity came up,

I thought, back to my roots.

And what do you do here?

Are you immigration
or something?

- No.
- A lot of questions.

I'm just... I am...
I'm curious.

Well, I am, in actual
fact, the manager.

Oh.

Warren sells loads
of these, you know,

direct-to-the-consumer
baskets.

I deal with those
and also handle

the wholesale orders.

How do I sign up for a basket?

Well, I could tell you,

but then you wouldn't have
to come to the market

every Saturday.

True.

That is true.

So here we have
Burt and Doris.

Oh-ho.

The mental chickens.

Want to help me feed them?

Um, I think I'm... I'm good.

Thanks.

I'm good.

Watch this, I'll
just be a second.

Okay.

Get back, beasts.

Great.

No skill required.

You're cheating.

I know you're cheating.

I didn't cheat that time.

But you know,
anything for a win.

Warren, I want to see you,

but I'm on my last
legs here, man.

Yeah?

Pretty active for a
school night, huh?

Ah, come on, Warren.

I'm just having a drink.

Alright.

I got your Gatorade.

So tell me...

why did you want to
come and see me today?

I don't know.

I guess I've had your
farm's address tacked up

on my fridge for like months.

And everytime I see
you I feel like

you're just as sad as I am.

Oh...

Good night.

Night, night.

You know, I don't-I don't
think I should drive.

Well, neither can I.

Listen, my place ain't much,

but you're welcome to
come stay the night.

Oh, um...

It's cool.

Yeah?

No pressure.

We can get a taxi.

Okay?

Welcome.

You weren't kidding.

Well, I told you.

Well, it's not a bad space,

it's just, I don't know,

it needs a little
straightening up.

It's okay, you can say it.

It needs a woman's touch.

I think it's nice.

Do you still play?

No.

Is this the one you
played when...

Mm-hmm.

Will you play me something?

No.

It's the best way to
impress a girl, you know.

I've been known to use
that tactic in my day.

Yeah, I'm sure.

You aren't gonna
give up, are ya?

Mm-mm.

Oh, fuck it... Any requests?

No, you can choose.

My choice.

Well...

I did have a solo album
once the band broke up.

- It was called...
- I know.

I Googled you last week.

- "California Solo".
- Ooh...

You Googled me, did you?

- Mm-hmm, guilty.
- Oh, my God.

Where has all the
mystery gone, Beau?

You know, I remember the days

when people used to
speak to each other.

Old fashioned.

Okay.

I forget the words.

Wow. It's been a while.

That was beautiful.

Yeah?

Hey.

Listen, you sleep in the bed,

I'm gonna sleep here.

Oh, we can share the bed.

I mean, we're both grown-ups.

Yeah.

Yeah, you're absolutely right.

Um...

just so you know...

nothing is going
to happen tonight.

No.

God, of course not, no.

Right.

Long day.

I'm drunk.

What do you think?

Underdeveloped.

Yeah.

But, by how much?

Couple of days, maybe a week.

I don't know.

Yeah, see.

Shit, I need to take this.

Yeah, Mister Domenico.

Okay.

And what is it?

Probation?

I'll have to go to court.

Okay.

Alright, cheers.

Bye-bye.

Well, well.

Are you gonna keep
us in suspense?

No.

I got the plea bargain.

I'm not gonna get deported.

Then I guess we're
stuck with ya.

Unfortunately, for you.

Even more unfortunate
for you, my friend.

Lachlan Mac...

MacAldonich.

It's Lachlan MacAldonich.

Tough name to say.

Never take the easy road.

- I'm Carol Brody...
- Hi, Carol.

Your probation officer.

- Right this way.
- Sure.

I'm with Immigration and
Customs Enforcement,

I need you to come
with me, please, sir.

Oh, whoa, whoa,
whoa, what's this?

We'll explain everything.

Miss Brody?

ICE put a hold on you.

You have to go with them.

So, what is this... So,
is this a trap, yeah?

It's standard procedure, sir.

Well, you haven't even
read me my rights yet.

Because you're not
being arrested,

you're just being detained,
Mister McDonald.

Okay, name.

Lachlan MacAldonich.

Date of birth.

First of April, 1969.

Alright.

Place of birth.

It's Kilmarnock in
Scotland, in the U.K...

K- I-L-M-A-R-N-O-C-K.

Marital status.

Divorced.

Any children?

Yeah, a daughter.

Her age?

Thirteen, I think.

Occupation.

Agricultural worker.

Alright, Mister MacAldonich...

do you know why
you've been detained?

I haven't got a fucking clue.

Well, your case was
referred to this division

after your conviction
on a DUl...

To initiate removal
proceedings.

Sir, this is a fucking joke.

But I've already sorted all
this out with my lawyer.

Wanna watch your
language, please, Sir?

Now this is your
notice to appear.

In about two or three weeks

check with your lawyers
for the exact date.

A judge... I'm sorry, I...
I don't want this.

This is a... This is
a fucking mistake.

Those are your charging
papers for immigration court,

so you're gonna need those.

Yeah, but man, it's a mistake.

Not my problem, sir.

Okay, can I go now, please?

No, you can't.

You have a bond
posted for $10,000.

I thought you said that
I hadn't been arrested.

It's not bail, it's a bond.

Now if you need,

we have a list of
local bail bondsman

who will post bonds for
immigration removal cases.

I recommend you
call one of them.

Do you mind if I make a
phone call from here?

Yeah, go ahead.

Let me call my lawyers.

Tear 'em a new asshole.

Well, well I thought
we took this plea deal

in order to avoid this.

Well, it's not an
exact science.

You make a judgment
based on case law...

Well, well nobody told me when
I was signing up for this

that you were
fucking guessing!

Alright, calm down...

No, don't tell me to
calm down, Mister Piper.

Don't tell me to
calm down, mate.

I took your sound
legal advice.

I paid for your
sound legal advice,

and you've stuck me
in a raft and sold me

right up the fucking river.

We're not there quite yet.

You still have a decent...

We are there.

We're here right fucking now!

Look at us!

We are doing our best to
try and figure out...

Don't do your fucking best!

You go fix this!

You will fix this or
you're gonna understand

why I was kicked out of every
fucking club in the U.K.!

Do you get that?

I will not go back there!

I will fucking not
go back there!

Okay... Okay.

Well uh, do you have
someone to post your bond?

I tell you what.

You post my bond, friend-o.

I'm sorry, that's
against firm policy.

I got all these Mexicans
working on my farm,

and it's the Scottish guy that
gets into shit with immigration.

Warren, I'm sorry, man...
I'll pay you back.

Yeah, how you gonna do that?

Is your boss planning
on giving you a raise?

Yeah, hello?

Hey, it's David Piper.

You got a sec?

Look, uh, I found out a little
bit more about your situation.

Turns out it was that
old drug arrest.

Three ounces of marijuana
found on your person.

It turns out they could've
deported you at any point

in the last fifteen years.

Then why didn't they?

Well, no one was
paying any attention.

Basically, we got two options.

Um, first one, you accept
the removal ruling,

you go back home, and
you never come back.

Oh, please, please don't tell
me I have to pack my bags.

- Come on.
- No, no, not necessarily.

The second option is this.

It's something we call
extreme hardship.

We would basically have to
prove that your removal

from the country would
'cause extreme hardship

to a US citizen.

It's the only viable
choice we've got here.

Anyone you can think of?

I don't believe there's
anyone who gives a toss

whether I'm here or not.

Now that was The Cranks.

First track from the album
"Back Street Waltz".

I haven't listened to this
for many years, my friends,

but what a ball we had.

What a ball.

I cannot humbly call
him one of the greats.

But fuck it, yes I can,

because that's
exactly what he was.

Jed MacAldonich.

He never followed a single
rule from the moment

he was conceived.

Grew up listening to the records
of The Smiths, New Order.

When he was seventeen

he made a pilgrimage to
the Hacienda Night Club

in Manchester with his
little brother in tow.

A few years later they
were playing The Hacienda.

They and The Cranks.

We were The Cranks.

A couple years after that
we recorded an album

at Abbey Road Studios.

"Magical One".

But the death of Jed
MacAldonich did not happen

in England, my friends.

No.

His demise came in a
shining death trap

we call the Hollywood Hills.

Recording the third album,

his stupid little brother
brought in some bad drugs

to keep him going
through the night.

He kept hassling
Jed to take it.

He didn't care that
Jed was determined

to go straight, you know?

To straighten out.

But the little brother,

he never went back
to the U.K...

How could he?

How could he face the family?

Devastated fans.

Angry friends.

He knew what he'd done.

And he didn't need anyone
to fucking tell him.

Jed's best years
were still to come.

We didn't see past that.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, hello?

Julian, customer.

- I'm busy.
- Oh, shit.

You okay?

- You okay?
- Thanks. Yeah. - Okay.

Two bucks, ma'am.

- Two?
- Yeah.

Thank you.

Oh, fuck.

Hey.

Slow day?

Well, I'm slow today.

That's for sure.

Everything okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

How are you?

Not great.

Paul and I decided
to take a break.

I don't like the idea of
cooking just for myself.

Well, I eat.

Oh, you do, do you?

Mmm-hm, a lot, yes.

And I know that's all
I can help you with

because I'm a shite cook.

So, you would like to
come over for dinner.

No, no.

Well, yeah... I mean,
you said, you know,

you need another
mouth to feed.

Well, I do.

Okay, cool.

Alright, I'll text
you my address.

Yeah, sure.

Find us something to
eat then, alright?

Right... Thanks.

Hey, Julian.

Yeah.

I'm gonna be staying
in LA today.

No.

I'm not unloading the
truck by myself again.

Julian, listen, life is
happening to me, man.

I'm powerless to stop it.

Yeah, well you're supposed
to be there to unload

the truck when it gets
back to the farm.

Come on... Hey.

My Dad's gonna be pissed.

I'll talk to him in
the morning, okay?

Excuse me, my friend.

Um, does Catherine
Breem live here?

She doesn't live here, no.

Shit.

Well, she lived here
a few years back.

I'm sorry to bother you.

Hang on.

She's our landlord we
rent the house from.

Oh, right.

Do you know where she
happens to live now?

I'm an old friend.

Alright, let me give
you her number first.

- You can...
- Thank you.

You can call her.

Fantastic... Thank
you so much.

Fuck-a-duck.

Hello?

- Hi, is that Catherine?
- Yeah.

It's you-know-who.

Oh my... Lachlan?

Yeah, how are you doin'?

Hah!

Surprise, sur-fucking-prise.

6-6-1... is that
where you're living?

Uh, it's Antelope Valley.

No, well at the moment,
actually, I'm smack bang

in the middle of our
old stomping ground.

What for?

Well, I stopped
by our old place,

the guy told me you'd moved.

And he gave you my number?

Yeah, well it's the
accent, remember.

It causes Americans
to trust me.

Oh.

Is something wrong?

No, no, no, why?

Well, you're calling me.

Okay, listen, can we
meet up somewhere?

Jesus, Lachlan.

Okay, fine, you know what,
I'm home right now.

So why don't you
just come on by.

Perfect, perfect.

What's the... I'll get a pen.

You need my address?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hold on, I've got
one, I've got one.

No, you don't.

No, I do.

No, you don't have a pen.

Alright, Catherine, I
absolutely do have a pen.

Oh, my God.

Turn around.

- What?
- Turn around.

Green house.

You're still angry.

No, I'm not... Honestly.

No, I can tell.

The corners of your
mouth are all pinched.

Well, are you my favorite
person in the world?

No.

But you know, I get it.

I get you, and that's it.

That's a bit severe, isn't it?

Which part?

Well, that you get me.

It's like you got the
final word on me somehow?

Well, I'm not qualified
to make a judgment?

Well yeah, but you haven't
seen me in ten years.

Exactly.

I rest my case.

So much for small talk.

That's right.

Okay, look, I've
had some problems

with immigration recently.

The only way I'm gonna be
able to stay in the country

is if I can prove that
I'm worth something

to someone who's
a citizen here.

Yeah, bureaucratic bullshit.

I see.

Combined with all my
fucking mistakes.

So, what do you need, money?

No.

I need you.

I need you and Arianwen
to both need me.

What does that mean?

If I can prove to
the authorities

that by deporting me they are
going to 'cause you and Arianwen,

and this is their words,

"extreme hardship,"

then they'll let me stay.

Lachlan, you've been
here ten minutes,

you haven't even asked
how she's doing?

Well, of course
I'm interested.

Sorry... How's she doin'?

She's a great kid.

I'd like to see her.

Come on.

Just a meeting.

You, me, Arianwen.

We'll have a coffee,
take it from there.

I know you haven't
had it easy.

Neither of us have.

But for you to come
here and ask me...

Look, Catherine, look,
you know, it ain't easy.

And it ain't easy sitting
here asking you for this.

Ari's gonna come home soon...

Good.

I don't think she's
ready for this.

I was a selfish
prick back then.

But I was also a fuck
load of a good time.

And she knew, she knew she
was signing on for a party.

She fucking knew that, man.

No way was she signing
on for a husband.

A fucking father...
Jesus Chri...

Mmm.

I hate talking about this.

Where on Earth did
you get that?

I know where you got that.

That's Paul's, isn't it?

Well, I stole it
out of his crate.

This is an original... You
know, you missed that.

So that...

Is that you around the
time you married her?

And that's Jed?

Aye.

She should have known
you were a dead-ender.

I can tell.

What happened?

Well, don't you know
how to use Wikipedia?

It's cool.

Crazy, crazy time, you know?

Especially after
that India tour.

That's when it all kicked off.

Sorry... It's Paul.

Hmm.

He's just...

been texting me nonstop.

Hmm?

You know what tonight is?

No.

It's that Brit Pop thing.

He's begging us to come.

- He knows I'm here?
- Yeah.

That's why he's hounding me.

He wants you to come.

Alright...

And, uh, he wants his
Cranks record back.

Okay.

I can just say we're
not gonna go.

No, wait, wait, wait, no.

Let's go.

Seriously?

Fuck it, why not?

I could use the distraction.

Hey, Beau.

Gimme that motherfucker!

Hey, man!

How you been, man?

So glad you made it!

Yo, this is Lachlan
from The Cranks!

Oh, shit!

They brought my record back.

Hey, you guys want a drink?

Yeah, I'd love a drink.

Yeah, hello?

Lachlan.

Catherine.

I'm only doing this
because Ari's therapist

thinks it'll be
good for her, so...

Okay.

Okay, what?

A meeting One cup of coffee.

No promises beyond that.

Right, of course...
of course not.

Two Figs at uh, 12:00?

I'll be there.

Don't be late.

No, I won't be...

Fuck me.

Oh, man.

Beau?

Beau?

Beau, I-I'm sorry,
babe, I have to go.

You don't have any
aspirin, do you?

Yeah, just give me one second.

- Hey.
- Hey.

You were a piece of
work last night.

Yeah?

I remember nothing
after a certain point.

My head seems to remember
fucking everything.

Thanks.

My ex-wife wants to
meet me after all.

That's good news, right?

Well, she's bringing
my daughter with her.

Good.

He's actually really nice.

He's funny... He's
really funny.

Oh, he's right here.

Is that really you?

Hey.

What did you do last night?

Oh, it was a, it
was like an event,

like a tribute.

Yeah, live it up
while you can.

Where was it at?

You know, I've got
absolutely no idea,

but it was a wonderful night.

A large coffee, please.

Yeah, me too, thank you.

And could you get me a mimosa?

Cheers.

So...

It's really good to see
you again, Arianwen.

Do you remember me?

I- I've seen some photos
of you and Mom together.

Arianwen.

Oh, wee Arianwen.

Lachlan, you know, it's Ari.

What?

Her name.

Mom, it's cool.

No it's not, it's your name.

What's Ari?

Her name... It's Ari.

Well, that's what
everyone calls me.

Arianwen's too complicated.

Nothing wrong with
being complicated.

Well, no one can pronounce it.

Well, it's, you can, you
pronounce it exactly

the way you spell it.

No one can spell it either.

Fuck, it's a beautiful name.

A beautiful name and
she thought so too

when we chose it.

Hey, thank you.

Thank you.

So you're at high school.

Yes, ninth grade.

Ninth grade.

What's that, then?

I think that's roughly the
time I dropped out, in fact.

Yeah.

I didn't-I didn't
actually drop out.

What I mean is that...

I left one day and
I didn't go back.

Why?

To meet my brother, you see.

We went to Manchester,
in England.

We went for the weekend, end
up staying seven years.

What happened?

Everything happened.

The music scene was buzzing
and bunch of parties,

lots of drugs,
lots of drinking.

Let's just talk about now.

Let's just keep it to
the present, you know?

Yeah.

Now.

I got this form
from my lawyer.

And it's a list of reasons
why a person can claim

extreme hardship from
a relative, you know.

Lines one, two,
three, and four.

You have a major medical condition, e.
G., brain tumor,

multiple sclerosis,
cerebral palsy,

for which you need your spouse
to help take care of you.

You're caring for an elderly,
chronically disabled...

- That's hilarious.
- What is this?

No, forget it, forget it.

Skip down to levels
two and three.

Much more reasonable
reasons, I guess.

Uh-uh.

I can't perjure myself...

No, I don't want you
to lie, Catherine...

and I certainly won't let Ari.

Well, I don't want you to
make her feel uncomfortable.

We can find language that
works for us, you know?

Look at you.

No, I won't re... I
won't create a history

that didn't happen.

We aren't creating anything,
it's just a form.

It's nothing.

Could you speak to
your mother, please?

Oh, you're not
serious, are you?

- Come on.
- Lachlan, don't.

Fuck it.

Fuck it... Thank you
very much, once again.

You're gonna leave?

I knew this was
never gonna work.

Sit down.

Come on.

Arianwen...

it was really lovely
to see you again.

Just finish your coffee.

Really lovely.

Lachlan, sit down,
you're being ridiculous.

Later.

Okay, Warren, look, if you're
pissed about yesterday,

I'd like to apologize.

Yeah, it's uh, this
new girlfriend in LA?

No, see now that's not
where I was going.

Lachlan, the first half
of you job on Saturdays

is to get up and
load the truck.

The second half of your job
is to sell the produce.

The third half of your job
is to bring the shit home

and restock it.

This new deal where you
stay in LA every weekend

and make my son do your work,

it is not acceptable.

I know, you're right.

This came for you.

It's from immigration.

I hope your shit's
in order, man.

This will be the last edition
of "Flame-Outs", my friends.

Looks like I'm gonna have to
take my show on the road.

But, as promised,

I've saved the best for last.

And what could be better
than the Western world's

original tragic musician,
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Hey, what does a rocker
like me know about Mozart?

Than the Stones and
the Sex Pistols, eh?

Listen to this.

The man had more talent
in his little pinky

than most of us have
in our entire body.

He worked to his very
last on this one

in order to finish
it before he died.

Sadly, he didn't make it.

And not only did he come
up short on his Requiem,

but his wife, Constanze,

she spent her husband's
dying days hustling

to try and get payment
from the Count

who commissioned the Requiem
in the first place.

Unfinished business.

I played this, and
it's for you.

Yes, Lachlan here
for Mister Piper.

Yes, it's Lachlan.

Listen uh, I've been thinking
about what you were saying.

It's really time
for me to go back.

No, no, that's-that's
just not gonna work out.

I want to go home.

I need to go home.

Hi, this is Beau's phone.

Leave a message. Hey,
Beau, it's Lachlan.

How you doin'?

No, I just wanted to
thank you for, oh,

that lovely hospitality you
gave me over the weekend.

That was really, really nice.

And you know, maybe,
maybe a voice-mail

isn't the right
way to say this,

but I really wanted to be that
lad in your bed last night.

Fuck off.

Not Paul.

He's-he's not the man for you.

I mean, I'm not even
saying that I am.

It's just that he's
fucking definitely not.

Another wee one, Brian.

No, I think you're
good, Lachlan.

Good, man, I'm always good.

Another wee one.

What's the matter
with you, man?

I've got money,
I've got money.

My money's as good as anybody's
in that fucking bar.

How about if I pour you?

How about if I pour you, eh?

That's right.

Warren.

Hey, tucked the kids
up in bed, have you?

Yeah, hours ago.

Hey. Nice... Nice, lovely.

So I'm here to drive
you home, my man.

I'm going fucking nowhere.

I'm listening to
music, come on.

I'm gonna listen
to some music.

John Lennon.

I love John Lennon.

What'd you go and die for,
that bastard shot you.

- Thanks for coming.
- Yeah.

- Janis Joplin!
- What happened?

- Cut 'em off.
- The Doors, Jim Morrison!

Tell you what, I'm not
gonna be running out

of subject matter, am I?

What else?

What else is on here?

Hey, let's take a,
let's take a load off.

Hey... Who the fuck says!

Come on, man, don't...

Flash of temper there, Warren?

I got out of bed in the
middle of the night

to come get you,
so let's just go.

Oh, away from your perfect
wee farmhouse, eh?

Your perfect wee
kids all dressed up

as cherries and bananas.

Don't talk bad
about my family.

You talk about my family?

You want to talk
about my family?

Do you know who's not
in this jukebox?

Do you know who's not
in this jukebox?

My brother, Jed.

And do you know why?

Do you know why?

I know fucking why!

Because he died!

He died before he got
a chance to be in

a fucking American jukebox!

And it's my fault... I
fucking killed him.

I can't go home.

I can't go home.

It's just a black night, man.

It'll-it'll feel different
in the morning.

You ready to go now?

No, I'll fucking go myself.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Alright, now I'm not asking!

And I'm not telling.

You really want to
find out what happens

if you get a second DUl?

Yeah, no, actually
that would be...

You're not driving.

Give me the fucking keys.

You're not going to do it.

Ready?

Thanks for coming to
collect me, Beau.

You didn't have to do this.

I know.

Thanks, anyway.

Well I was your
one phone call.

Your two phone calls.

I was wasted.

I'm really sorry.

You need to get
your shit together.

Hey, Beau.

Oh, hi.

Sorry. That's alright.

You're lost in music, eh?

Hey, thanks for meeting me.

I like coming down here.

The buses are a pain
in the butt, though.

How'd you get my number?

Snuck it off my Mom's
phone last night.

Excellent.

And what did Catherine
have to say about that?

Nothing.

She's at work.

I had to sneak out
of school, though.

All that stuff I was talking
about stopping off school,

I mean, I don't want you to
think I was endorsing that

in any way.

Oh, yeah, I know.

I'm like first in
my class in grades.

Well, that's good.

That's really good.

I was shite in school.

Never stuck in, never
applied myself, you know?

Are you playing
somewhere today?

No, I don't, I don't
play anymore.

Oh.

So, where do you work?

On a farm.

That's weird.

Really?

No, no, it's cool, it's cool.

What are you listening to?

Oh, do you want to listen?

Yeah.

Hey, you have good taste.

So, how long have
you worked there?

Oh, at the farm,
four years now.

And before that
you lived in LA?

How come you never
came to see us?

What did your mother tell you?

That she told you
to leave us alone.

So, I did.

I guess...

if it were me...

at least I would have tried.

You know?

Yeah.

You're right.

Alright.

Arianwen...

would you like to run
an errand with me?

Hello?

How ya doin', my friend?

I don't know if
you remember me,

I was here a few weeks back?

Yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah, I remember.

Glad you came back.

My partner nearly
tore me a new one

when he heard you'd come by.

Apparently he was
a fan of the Jam.

Well, I have to say that
it's finally time for me

and the old battle axe
to go our separate ways.

Alright.

Let's take a look.

Is this a real Les Paul?

You recognize it?

I play in a band.

Guitar?

I have a Gibson too, but
it's just a regular one.

That's unbelievable.

It's not as bad as I
thought it would be.

Let me see what I
can get for you.

You're selling it?

- Yeah.
- Why?

I don't have any
money, sweetheart.

I need some.

You know, I bet my partner's
gonna keep this one for himself.

Yeah, well I hope he takes
better care of it than I did.

So...

This is good.

Yeah.

Um...

I've got to get back before
my afternoon class starts.

My bus picks me up over there.

I'll walk with you.

Okay.

Any plans for the summer?

Not yet.

I may get a job at a coffee
shop where my friend works.

Well...

how do you fancy
visiting me in Scotland?

Are you kidding?

No, I have to go
back, unfortunately.

But hey, look...

I'd really like give you
something before I go.

Oh, wait a minute...

Now look, all you
have to do is promise

that you'll buy a plane
ticket with that.

I need to talk to my
Mom about that first.

No, I'll call her,
I'll convince her.

I wouldn't be so
sure about that.

It'll be okay.

You're going back to Scotland?

Afraid so.

Because I'll do that
extreme hardship thing

with the government
if you want.

I don't mind.

Oh.

No.

Just promise me instead...

you'll come visit me.

I promise.

And hey, let's get
a cab instead.

Forget the bus.

Okay.

Here you are, bro.

I do remember you.

You do?

My first memory.

You accidentally slammed
the car door on my hand

when I was three.

I had to go to the
hospital and get stitches.

I'm so sorry, Arianwen.

It's okay.

It's something to
remember you by.

I guess.

Yeah, I'm gonna see you soon.

Go on in.

See you now.

Hey, Catherine.

I hope you're happy.

Yeah, perfectly...
Why do you ask?

She's 14 and you
hand her 600 bucks?

Yeah, well, tell you what,

why don't you come
visit me too?

So you're going back?

Yeah.

Ari's therapist still
thinks it's a good idea

that she get to know
her biological father.

She's... she's obviously
an excellent therapist,

I would say.

Catherine, you still there?

One week.

Thank you.

I want photos of
where you're living.

I'm gonna email you a list
of rules that we follow.

I know she'll stick to them.

Yes, dear.

It's you I'm not
so sure about.

And just remember one thing.

She's 14.

Catherine...

I'll be a good Dad.

How about you?

You doin' okay?