Guest of Honour (2019) - full transcript

Okay, thanks.

Hi.

Veronica.

- Pleasure to meet you.

- Thanks for taking the time.

Hey, of course.

I just got an email from

one of our older parishioners.

She was wanting to know

what her cut was going to be

from the sale

of her deceased husband's books,

which I thought she'd donated

to the church rummage sale.

So, I, uh, gotta figure out

how to deal with that.

Sounds complicated.

Uh, please, have a seat.

Thanks.

Sorry. I'm a little nervous,

this is a little bit...

My condolences.

I'm extremely sorry

for your loss.

Thank you,

that's very kind.

As I mentioned on the phone,

it's um...

it is unusual that your father

would have insisted on services

and a funeral here.

- I understand.

- Right.

So I take it

he never visited the church?

- Not that I'm aware of.

- Right.

So that makes it

a little unusual.

Though, of course,

we can fulfill this final wish,

we'd be more than happy to.

Great.

But, um...

I'm glad that we could meet,

I just think it's important

we spend some time so that...

so that you can give me

a sense of who he was.

That way, I can say

some words about him

for the service,

if that's all right.

Okay.

So, while we think he might not

have been a churchgoer, um...

well, is there anything that

you might wanna have mentioned

about his spiritual path?

Spiritual path?

Um... whatever made him

special to you.

A lot of things

made him special.

I found this in my rice.

You need to wear

something on your head

to protect your hair

from falling in the food.

It's not my hair.

There are rules.

We're talking about a code.

What's your name?

- Lisa.

- Hmm.

Employees working

in food preparation

need to wear a cap

or a hairnet, you see?

I am a food inspector.

Now, it's all right,

this is a private meal,

you're not in trouble, Lisa.

The idea is to stop people

from finding hair in their food.

It's not hygienic, is it?

What, so he would have worked

for the city?

Yeah.

Go to the restaurants, um...

see if the food was okay,

people were wearing hairnets.

- Right.

- Make sure it was clean.

- Stuff like that.

- Mm.

Always making sure

things were up to code,

not contaminated.

It was all about

the contamination, for him.

It seems like one of those

people that you, uh...

that you kind of hear about

but you never actually see.

Enjoy.

Yes, sir,

are you here for lunch?

Could I speak to the operator

of the restaurant?

- I am the operator.

- Right.

It's a customary check,

Health Services.

There's no need

to stop what you're doing.

- This is our busiest time.

- Yes, I understand that.

You want to show the kitchen

or shall I make my own way?

All bottles

and storage containers

need to be clearly identified,

right?

- Okay, so...

- Now, that's for the safety

of your workers,

not to mention the customers.

Yes, I'm perfectly aware

of that.

But everything made in here

goes out there,

and that's who I'm here

to protect.

You're working

in a restaurant!

Wash your hands!

What is "conditional"?

Well, it means

what it says.

Yes, I'm very impressed

for a new establishment.

So, uh...

we got a good rating?

Yep, you've done

a wonderful job.

Thank you!

Thank you, thank you.

You're welcome.

I'll just need

to sign this certificate

so you can put it in...

Right, are you sure

about this, Veronica?

Because once you give

an animal a name,

it can't be changed,

it's very bad luck.

What are you telling her now?

I'm just telling her

the simple truth.

You can only give an animal

one name.

Once it's uttered

from your lips,

that's what it will always be.

Right? So here we go.

Now is the moment of truth,

and the bunny's name is...

- Benjamin.

- Ah! Benjamin.

Does this mean I can't serve

rabbit at my restaurant?

Don't look at me like that!

Does this mean you want me

to work at your restaurant?

No, let's open something new.

I'm sure you parents

would love to invest

in a Brazilian restaurant.

Well, actually,

this is a Portuguese dish.

Okay. So we'll make

my second restaurant

a Brazilian-Portuguese

fusion

and name it after you.

Roseangela.

Beautiful name for the most

beautiful woman in the world.

Mm-hm-hm.

It's true,

I'm the luckiest man alive.

If you only knew

how happy I feel right now.

See, I'm just trying

to get as much of a sense

of who he was

in the brief time that I have.

Was there anything

about his work

that you'd like to mention?

Like what?

You know, that he was

respected by his peers.

I never met

any of his co-workers.

He kept to himself a lot,

especially after my mom died.

They met in England.

That's where he's from,

and my mom's Brazilian.

Raised here.

My mother's parents gave

a lot of money to the church.

It was important to them.

Um...

How many people are

you expecting at the funeral?

It's hard to say, I...

He used to own a restaurant,

but that was a long time ago.

And that would have been prior

to his having become

a health inspector?

Yeah.

I don't know why he did that,

that was an odd choice.

Yeah.

He made a lot of odd choices.

He's looking really tired.

Is he drinking enough water?

He's 15 years old, Veronica,

that's ancient for a rabbit.

Do you remember

all the ribbons

he used to win

in the pet fair?

Mm, yeah.

Where are those?

In my desk.

I'll see if I can find them.

Top drawer,

way in the back.

I was wondering

if you'd had a chance

- to speak to your lawyer.

- About what?

Early release.

But I don't want

an early release, Dad.

You know that.

No one decides

to stay in jail.

- I have.

- Why?

Because.

It's what I deserve.

After what I did.

Clive?

Clive, I told everyone,

leave your phones on the bus,

on your seats, no distractions,

come on, let's go.

I gotta bring this back

all the way inside,

- is that it?

- Yep.

That's right. Mike will be here

the whole time,

and if he leaves,

the door will be locked.

You can leave your phone

by mine in the front

if you're too tired

to walk all the way back.

Guard this with your life,

would you?

Like you're guarding

her phone

and all the other

fuckin' phones in this place.

There's no way.

Yeah, just watch.

Yeah?

Yep. We'll do it.

That's for sure.

What time we gotta be back

on the bus for again?

Uh...

we have an hour for dinner

before we need to leave.

You wanna join me?

Where's everyone going?

Wouldn't be everybody,

it'd just be the two of us.

That wouldn't be

such a good idea, Clive.

Why not?

Because I'm...

I'm having dinner with Mike.

- Seriously?

- Yeah.

Seriously.

I don't get it.

You don't want to be here.

No.

No, I'm just saying

the reason I came over was...

Clive had asked me out

and I needed an excuse.

Which is dinner with me.

Yeah.

'Cause otherwise,

you would have been

forced to have dinner with him.

But I never would.

'Cause he's a student.

Obviously.

So I guess I don't have

to pay for the meal, huh?

So he's attracted to you.

That's not the point.

Of course it is.

What do you mean?

He wouldn't have asked you out

if he didn't think

you were attractive.

- Does it matter?

- Doesn't it?

Doesn't it make you feel good?

Why would it make me

feel good, Mike?

You know, there's nothing wrong

with feeling good.

Good about yourself,

you know.

Havin' fun.

I'm not saying it's easy,

but...

You know, I feel good

when I listen to your music.

It's so beautiful.

We're two adults

chaperoning these students

on a band trip.

I'm no chaperone.

I'm a bus driver.

My job is over

when I turn the engine off.

Nah, this is just

a part-time job for me

while I figure out my life.

For you, it's easy...

I mean,

you're the hot young teacher.

There was one at my school,

I mean, wow, she was...

Aww, please...

no, sit down, please,

I didn't mean to...

It's okay, Mike.

This hot young teacher

needs to cool herself down.

Okay, all right,

not even talking.

Send it.

Yeah, she got it.

Wouldn't it be nice

if nothing actually happened

with those boys, Dad?

If those texts were sent

by somebody else?

If I did all of this because

this is where I needed to be?

I don't understand, love.

Try, Dad.

I know you can.

You're not suggesting...

- Hello.

- Hello, this is Jim Davis.

I'm here with

my daughter, Veronica.

We're a little early,

I'm afraid.

Oh, that's okay.

You can wait

in the piano room downstairs.

I'm just finishing

a lesson with my son

on the second floor.

Or, actually, come on up,

if you want.

So you want to keep your hands

very light,

loosen the wrists.

Hi.

I'm Alicia.

- Jim Davis.

- Nice to meet you.

- This is my daughter, Veronica.

- Hi, Veronica.

Hi.

This is my son, Walter.

- Hello.

- Hi.

Well, that's a beautiful

instrument, isn't it?

You ever seen

anything like that?

So the lessons will actually

take place downstairs.

I just... I didn't quite

understand the setup, Alicia.

- Is it...

- Sorry, it's Ali-sha.

Oh, sorry, Alicia.

Have you got

two apartments?

Well, the woman downstairs

rents from me...

Oh, I see; that's why

you call it a piano room.

Here's a thing

you can say about my dad.

- Okay.

- You can tell everyone

how he helped look after

my rabbit.

It died.

Just before my father

found out he was so sick.

And what was its name?

- His name.

- Excuse me, his name.

Benjamin.

Benjamin Bunny.

That's nice.

I was nine

when I got him.

Nine?

And how old was Benjamin?

Almost 16.

So rabbits live that long?

Yeah.

They can... the oldest one

on record is 17, so...

that's something

you can definitely say

about my father.

He was so good

at looking after my rabbit.

Whenever I'd go away,

I'd leave Benjamin

with my dad.

Last time was quite a while.

And where were you?

I was in jail.

I woke up this morning

to find that we have outlived

the myth of trust.

You woke up this morning

to the fact

we've lost the things

we took for granted

between us.

...will still

fall off the tree.

When you're in as deep

as we are, honey,

it's so easy

to get washed out to sea.

For the facts of life

are not man and wife,

but man and woman, sadly.

And the apple that doesn't

want to get eaten

will still fall off the tree.

I woke up this morning

to find that we have outlived

the myth of trust.

I just...

watched the flames

and walked away, I think.

Walter?

Walter! Oh!

I'm leaving this on

your phone.

You don't need

to show anyone.

All these years

that I've adored you,

given you my love.

Is that what I get in return

for you telling me

about what happened

with my mom in the fire?

And then,

did you let us get this close

just so you could tell me?

Now this is why

you want to break up?

Leave me?

Do you feel better

about yourself now?

Now that you've told me the

truth that I have to live with?

Except the joke is on you,

Veronica.

I'm not gonna live with this.

'Cause I'm gonna join my mom

in whatever underworld

you put her in.

Till the crowds are...

Followed in the...

Is it you I'm talking to?

But my reflection

in the wind...

You're kidding me, man.

What's up?

Two of the kids,

they're fucking

in the room beside me.

Is one of them married?

Why would you say that?

What are you suggesting

we do, Mike?

Knock down the door,

barge in there,

see if it's all okay?

Why do you make me

feel like this?

Like what?

Like I'm stupid.

I'm just trying

to see the situation

for what it is.

They're teenagers.

There are rules, but...

Yeah, you're right, um...

the walls are thin.

I was just trying

to play my music.

I understand.

Can I come in?

I wanna talk to you

about something.

What?

Is he bothering you?

I notice

he's sending you texts.

How... how would you know that?

Um, on the bus, all right,

I notice things.

It's about the music.

The texts,

they're about the music.

Good night.

It's not possible.

Are you saying

it's not your restaurant?

Clearly the same place.

I've never had rats here.

Well, perhaps

you've never looked.

Can I see your kitchen?

Someone brought that rat in

and let him loose.

Really?

You know someone who would do

something like that?

I do.

People are jealous.

Yes.

Certainly, some people are.

It would be rather

an extreme thing to do, though,

wouldn't it?

It is. Maybe this

isn't so anonymous.

Ah, there we go.

It's not possible.

Jesus Christ.

That's fresh.

Someone put them there.

- By bringing in a rat.

- Yes!

All right, let's assume

that that's what happened.

- It is what happened.

- I'm just saying that...

- Luigi, is it?

- Yes.

The combination of that video

that someone sent in and this

means I'm gonna have

to close you down.

Are you gonna put that

on your notice?

- What?

- That you found a rat?

That someone put a fuckin' rat

in my restaurant?

- My customers...

- Oh, Luigi, look.

Look.

If there were anyone here,

I'd have to ask you

to get them to leave.

Please.

- I am begging you.

- If they're truly loyal,

- they'll understand.

- I know my customers.

They won't come back.

- Not after this.

- Listen.

I'm going to give you a list

of government-approved

exterminators

so you can get on to this

right away,

and I don't normally do that.

But someone put a fuckin' rat

in my restaurant.

You seem very certain

about this.

I know exactly who it was.

I can give you their name,

I can give you their number.

Right.

If that is the case,

you need to go

directly to the police

and tell them.

And don't put the blame

on yourself.

That's the worst thing

you could do,

that's what they want you to do.

Whoever did this,

you need to strike back.

Oh, God.

Yeah, man, that was great.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Nicely done.

Can I talk to you

about something?

About what?

Uh... this.

I didn't send this.

No, I know.

It was sent yesterday while

we were giving the concert.

Which means...

Well, which means

it was sent from the bus,

which is pretty obvious

who it is.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'll...

I'll report him.

No, you don't have

to do that.

Who's gonna drive the bus after?

No, you wouldn't want...

wouldn't want

to cut the tour short.

Right? It could wait.

What do we do until then?

We could hang out.

It's a way

of getting back at him.

It's not a good idea.

Well, he's already

expecting me to react,

tell all my friends.

No, you already

told your friend.

You already told Lenny.

I have 30 witnesses who know

I was conducting a band

at what...

2:45 yesterday afternoon?

I know, yeah,

and they'll know that

when we get back

from the tour,

I thought maybe until then

I'd just act like

I received this text

and I'm okay with it.

- So?

- Is one of them married?

Why would you say that?

We're taking this further.

Further?

Yeah.

It's the only way

I'll go along with this

is if we take it further.

Hey, it's working!

He's coming.

And just like I said, guys,

act like we're having fun,

act like we're having fun.

Woo!

- Woo!

- Woo!

Woo!

Niggas, don't fuck up my vibe.

Been killin' the game and now

I'm actin' like it's mine.

You might fuck her once,

but I can fuck her

all the time.

Everybody dap me up,

I'm thinkin' it's a sign.

I'm the fuckin' man,

if you can't see that,

then you blind.

Rippin' every track, man,

it could never

block my shine.

I cannot afford

to go ghost.

Look at me, swear to God,

I do the most.

I don't ever look

at what you post.

Walked by a group of fans

and everybody froze, whoa.

You can roll a blunt

from my roach.

Really wanna meet me, when

I'm there you can't approach.

Touchin' all the kids

but I'm feelin' like a pope.

Huh, killing your career,

here's a rope.

Walter?

Walter!

This is where

you'll find me.

Blood, mess, and all.

The mess you made

of my life.

Walter?

I want to haunt you,

Veronica.

Walter!

Someday, you may find

a version of me

that you don't destroy.

Walter?

They're your students.

They're fucking kids!

What the fuck

is wrong with you?

I'll become a ghost

from your past.

I wrote that text.

Like you made my mom

a ghost from my past.

I wanted to piss you off,

I wanted to make you honest.

I don't know,

have a conversation!

- I wanna talk to you!

- Don't fuckin' touch me!

- Just fuckin' talk to me!

- Let me in!

Let me in or I'll scream.

I just wanna talk to you,

all right?

Party's over.

Everyone back

in their rooms.

What the fuck

is wrong with you?

What the fuck is wrong

with you?

What the fuck

is wrong with me?

I'll show you.

Hey! Get off! Hey!

Get back in your room,

asshole!

- Get back in your room.

- You're crazy!

"I heard you fucking

in your room last night."

Shut up!

You wish it was you, huh,

you fucking...

Shut the fuck up!

Is that the only way

you can get attention?

Party's over!

So the police,

they wouldn't have known

that this all started

with just a stupid prank?

It just set the stage

for what I did.

The hoax we played.

What do you mean?

I told the police

I abused my position of power.

Whether the kids consented

to anything we did after that

didn't matter.

I was their teacher,

they were my students.

All under 18.

I asked for the severest

possible sentence.

Why?

Because.

I wanted to go to jail.

I didn't want

any of the students,

the victims,

to testify.

Okay, but there weren't victims.

There wasn't any sex,

you just explained that.

Nothing actually happened.

I wanted to go to jail.

For something

you didn't do?

No.

For something I did do.

I found it in the drawer

when I was looking

for the ribbons, remember?

You played it

at the recital.

I remember the recital.

Everyone was so impressed.

I remember it

for different reasons.

You always wanted

to become a composer.

Do you remember

when you were very little,

we took you to that

visiting children's symphony?

You were sitting beside her.

As I was playing.

Who?

My teacher.

Alicia.

Yes.

Alicia.

You were sitting

beside Alicia

and Mom was beside you,

on the other side.

She was already sick.

Yes.

Might have been

one of the last times

she got out.

She thought

she was going to faint.

She really wanted to be there.

She loved you so much.

I also found...

this.

A lucky rabbit's foot key chain.

I was surprised

to find it there.

You were so disgusted

when I gave it to you,

you wanted to get rid of it,

and then I told you

that it was bad luck

to throw a good luck charm

away, and I suppose...

well, I suppose you must

have taken me seriously.

Alicia.

Alicia was holding your hand.

Her son was playing

on the stage with me.

What are you talking about,

Veronica?

As I was playing,

I looked over

and you were holding hands.

That's impossible.

You left me alone

in her piano room,

while she showed you

something upstairs.

That happened

a couple times.

That's when I composed this.

As I was waiting

for you to come down

from whatever

you were doing.

I don't remember

what made these things

so lucky.

It's not something

we normally use

in our cuisine,

but it's an ancient dish,

and we thought

we'd present it

as something special,

just to try.

What about the ears?

Why have some of the ears

been cut off?

The ears are for

another restaurant.

They serve them as a specialty.

- Hello.

- Garo, this is an inspector.

He's from the health department.

Hm, I see.

Um, is there something wrong?

Where are these rabbits from?

Our usual supplier.

Can I see some documentation?

We don't usually do this.

Do what?

Separate the ears.

That's not what concerns me.

You shouldn't be processing

the meat here.

We're not processing.

This is from our supplier.

We just needed

a large quantity of meat and...

And this is cheaper.

Well, it might indeed

be less expensive,

but thriftiness

and the health code

aren't necessarily

the best of friends, are they?

No, no, no, no,

that's just an invoice

for the delivery

of the rabbits.

It shows where they're from.

They're coming here unskinned,

unprocessed.

That's against code.

We have an arrangement

with another restaurant.

Yes, so she told me.

They serve deep-fried

rabbit's ears as a specialty.

As a specialty.

Hm...

All right.

I see.

Well, I'll accept that

you're not having me on

about the ears, but there are

two contraventions.

The first is that you're

processing the meat here.

The second is that

you're reselling it

to another establishment.

Those are properly farmed

animals.

I'm sure they are, but they're

not properly processed.

I'm gonna have

to close you down.

Close us down?

Yes, these are

major health code violations.

Sorry.

Look, sir, there must be

something we can do.

There is a huge event here,

and we really...

- I'm just doing my job.

- And so are we.

No, no, no, you're not,

though, are you?

You're not just doing your job.

If you were doing your job,

we wouldn't find ourselves

in this situation.

Your job is to make sure

that this restaurant operates

in full compliance

with the health code.

That's not happening here,

is it?

This is the second restaurant

I've had to close today.

That doesn't make me happy.

I understand how hard

you both had to work

to make this place what it is,

and I know it's not easy.

Please, I know

it's not easy to...

build a reputation.

Maybe I wasn't clear.

This is for a private event.

Meaning?

Meaning we are not charging

anyone for this meat.

They are friends

coming here for a party.

So the restaurant

is closed tonight?

It's on Tuesday.

We're closed

for a private event on Tuesday.

So you're telling me

that this rabbit meat

will not be served

to any member

of the paying public.

Are you sure about that

'cause I didn't see a sign

about the restaurant

being closed...

I was just about to put it up.

What about these ears?

We can throw them away.

No problem.

Why are you showing me this?

It's proof.

Of what?

How could I be holding her hand

if I was shooting this?

Does it take two hands

to shoot something

with your camera?

It takes concentration.

- But one hand.

- Does that make

any kind of sense to you,

Veronica?

That I could be

shooting you playing

whilst holding

your teacher's hand

and your mother is sick

beside me?

Your mother was seated

on my left.

Your teacher was seated

on my right.

The beginning of this video

makes that perfectly clear.

Now this was

a right-handed camera.

I'm right-handed.

How could I be shooting this

with my right hand

if I was holding her hand

at the same time?

It's impossible.

I understand.

You've done an excellent job

in proving that.

Thank you.

She was the love of my life.

- Who, Dad?

- Your mother.

You must know that, Veronica.

I could never love

anybody else.

And you promised her

you'd look after me.

Her dying wish.

Yeah.

And here I am.

Here we are.

Smile.

One more.

Wee!

How is everything, sir?

- Delicious.

- Thank you, sir.

I wonder if I could have a word

with your manager?

Your cousin, I believe.

Is there something wrong?

No, no, no, no. I just have

a question for him.

- Ah.

- Thank you.

Yes, sir. I hope everything

is to your satisfaction.

Oh, completely.

The food was delicious.

There was a small problem

in the washroom, though.

I didn't know...

It's all right.

It's not an official inspection.

I'm actually here as a fan.

I saw that wonderful article

in the newspaper

and thought, "Well,

I've got to check

that place out for myself."

You just might want to take

a careful look at the floor

in the men's washroom.

Excuse me.

- Heinz.

- Ja.

I do know your name.

I read that article

in the newspaper.

That's how I know Gunter

is your cousin.

I started a restaurant myself

many years ago.

- Oh, in this city?

- Yes, though I did have plans

to expand into other cities.

Very good, yeah.

Build an empire.

Anyway...

That's history now.

Had to sell half to my partner,

get into something

with more regular hours.

- Ah.

- I needed to spend more time

with my family.

Anyway, I'm sorry.

The reason I called you over,

Heinz,

I wonder if you could

get me another glass?

I'd love to finish this wine

with Gunter.

Oh, naturally.

One moment.

I'm so sorry.

Take a seat.

I wonder if you'd...

if I could offer you

some of this excellent wine.

It's inexcusable.

Well...

These things happen.

At least it didn't occur

during an official inspection.

You wouldn't want to have

this place closed down.

Not after all the hard work

you've put into it.

There aren't many restaurants

like this left, are there,

built on so many years

of tradition.

I read that in the article.

How your family came here

after the war,

how tough it was to settle in.

I understand

a little of that myself.

It's not easy

being from somewhere else.

We just had an inspection

a few weeks ago.

Like I said,

I'm not here officially.

Then why did you mention

closing it down?

Well, that would be

a last resort.

You can do that?

On a private visit?

Well, it's much the same

as a citizen's arrest.

Although, of course, this would

carry much more weight.

I am a professional.

I do have a badge.

What do you want from me?

You mean besides making sure

that you get rid of

this rat infestation?

Your grandson works here

in the kitchen, doesn't he?

Is he here tonight?

Yeah.

Well, I'd like a word with him.

I've tried reaching out,

phone calls, texts, e-mails,

but he just keeps ignoring me.

I think you might know why.

You're her father.

Yes, I am.

When did you work that out?

Just now.

Well...

I'd like that conversation

here with your grandson

right now.

I'd like you to be seated

across the room

on that stool by the bar

and make sure

he doesn't avoid me.

Now, if you do that, I promise

I won't show any photographs

of the rat shit in the washroom

to my colleagues at work.

Now, does that sound fair?

They were holding hands.

He denies it,

but it's what I saw.

He only let go of her hand

when he applauded me

at the end.

Was your mother aware?

What do you mean?

It's just that I think

sometimes people,

whether it's right or wrong,

they, um,

come to an arrangement.

Arrangement?

The lessons were at her house.

It was close to where we lived.

I could walk home alone.

I began lessons

when I was eight.

This was a year later.

I remember because I got

Benjamin that year.

Benjamin Bunny. Right.

Yes. Benjamin Bunny.

Sometimes Alicia

would send me off,

say she needed a rest.

I think she got migraines.

She'd go upstairs and smoke.

This one day,

I didn't leave immediately.

I had an idea

for a composition,

I was writing it down.

When I finished,

I went upstairs

and I saw her.

I remember the cigarette

in her hand.

I remember her hand falling.

The cigarette was still lit.

There was some sheet music

stacked there.

It caught fire.

I didn't want her

to become my new mom.

It must have been hard

for my father.

Losing both women

so close to each other.

I've been reaching out to you,

but you've been ignoring me.

I was told not to respond.

By my daughter?

And others.

I have a right to know

what happened.

A right?

I'm the victim here.

Your daughter

is the one in jail

for abusing

her position of power.

What she did to my friend

and me.

Of course.

What's left to know?

Well, she's come out

with some new details.

- Like what?

- Like the fact

the texts weren't sent by her.

Is that what she's telling you?

Yes. So I did some checking

of my own.

The schedule

of the concert times

and the first text

that was sent.

- Mm-hm.

- They don't match.

She was conducting

and you must have been playing.

Yeah, maybe.

And if I know my daughter,

and I do know my daughter,

she would have asked everyone

to leave their phones

on the bus.

Okay.

So someone else sent that text

to you from her phone.

I have nothing else to say.

You know, I could close

this place down.

Didn't your grandfather

explain that to you?

Yeah, did he tell you

that it would be extortion?

After what I found...

I cleaned that bathroom

spotless two hours ago.

And then the rat came in.

Did he?

I saw you go in there

right before you called

my grandfather over.

- So?

- So,

you could've planted it there.

So...

So is it fresh?

If I took it to the police?

You're right. That's precisely

the sort of thing

the police would love to throw

all their resources behind,

checking that the rat shit

you're presenting to them

is indeed fresh.

Has my grandson answered

everything you need to know?

I'd like a few more minutes.

- Can I get you anything?

- Just the bill, please.

No, it's not a problem,

it's on us.

I insist.

Listen...

All I want to know

is if that's the truth,

that the texts

were waiting for you

when you got back to the bus.

Yeah.

It happened.

The bus driver sent them.

- The bus driver.

- Mm-hm.

- And you responded?

- Sure, yeah.

Why?

It was a prank.

If I responded, then he'd

be able to see the text

next time he got access

to her phone

which was every time

that we were playing

and every time

that he was alone.

Was this bus driver

upset with her?

Upset, yeah.

Yeah. Obsessed is another way

of putting it.

He was messing around with her,

so we started messing

around with him.

That's how we lured him

into the room.

I sent her a text

inviting her to a party,

and he got it when he got

access to her phone.

And when she told the police

she'd had sex with you...

I said yes.

I said that the rumors

about the three-way,

- they were true.

- No, they weren't.

No.

They were just to bug him.

- What about your reputations?

- Our reputations?

Listen, you really think

having sex with your daughter

is gonna affect

our reputations?

They put her in jail.

No, she wanted to go to jail.

She confessed.

Nobody asked me to testify.

Nobody asked me to go to court.

They gave me some pretty useless

counseling sessions

for the terrifying trauma,

sleeping with your daughter,

and that was that.

She might have mentioned

something else.

About her boyfriend's suicide.

What did she say about that?

That she felt responsible.

- Why?

- I don't know.

You should ask her.

You know your daughter, right?

From the moment I began,

she told me

I should've started earlier.

I was gifted,

but I needed to catch up.

My father would sit in a chair

in the room

and watch the two of us,

but I began to realize

he was watching her.

The lessons were

just an excuse.

Why couldn't he see her alone?

Maybe this is how

they wanted to...

to see each other.

As though my...

...my presence made

their feelings for each other

more intense. I...

Is that possible?

That I was responsible?

Well, your mother was sick,

and whatever

might have happened

between your father

and your teacher

didn't cause that.

Might have happened?

I just meant that I...

Wait, so...

So you're saying this could

all have been in my head.

It wasn't in your head,

Veronica.

It did happen.

Alicia felt terrible

about the affair.

She was mortified

you'd find out.

She was a member

of our congregation,

and she and I became

quite close.

Well, Alicia told me

that your mother knew about

what was going on.

That she'd given

your father permission.

Did he know that?

My father?

Uh...

I delivered the eulogy

at Alicia's funeral.

Your father told me

I'd done a good job

of summing up who she was.

I asked him how he knew her.

And he said

she was your teacher.

That you were too upset

to come.

Like you were so upset

about her son.

About Walter.

Why didn't he tell me

any of this?

Maybe he thought you wouldn't

have believed him.

Now it looks like she won't

be coming home at all.

They want to move her

to a hospice

and I can't administer

the medicine.

What does Veronica think

of it all?

Oh, I haven't told her.

She knows her mommy is sick,

but I haven't managed

to talk to her

about the full gravity of it.

I don't foresee a time

where I'll ever be able to...

communicate

what's happening right now.

We thought you might come back.

I thought you were throwing

these rabbit ears away.

On second thought,

since you told us

we cannot distribute them,

we thought we might as well

serve them to our friends.

That's okay, isn't it?

It's not that

they're very popular,

as you can see.

- Are you still on duty?

- Oh, no, no, no.

Well, perfect then.

Please enjoy.

Thank you.

Another, please.

- Thank you.

- Hello, everyone!

Hello, may I have

your attention, please?

Thank you.

Time for a few words.

I'd like to introduce you

to the person

who organized this happy event,

not that she needs

any introduction, Anna.

I love you, Anna.

Thank you, thank you.

Oh.

A word.

This way.

Mm, and this.

Mm.

Um...

Well, hello.

- Hello.

- Hi.

Um, I don't know what to say.

Um, well, my name is Jim.

That's a start.

Um...

Um, I am a food inspector,

as it happens,

and I, um, I spend my days

going from restaurant

to restaurant,

making sure that things

are up to standard, you see.

Standards of health

and cleanliness.

And I was going to close

this place down, actually.

But, uh, no,

I thought I'd observed

a contravention,

something to do

with those ears over there

but, in fact,

I realize what I saw

was not what it was.

There was, in fact,

a greater health issue at work,

namely the health

of this family

and your desire to celebrate

a milestone.

Um, I don't even know,

what is it,

a wedding announcement,

I presume?

- She's becoming a doctor.

- Oh!

Thanks, Mom.

Well, um, congratulations.

- Thank you.

- Doctor. Goodness.

Um...

A reputation

is about to be made.

And here you all are, in unity,

for this feast

that will bind you

all together, so...

His blood.

I don't understand.

I'd inspected the restaurant

earlier in the week,

and they made me a promise,

so I went back to check.

I found something

they weren't supposed to serve,

and I could've

closed them down,

but then they told me

it was for a private party.

So you went back to make sure.

Yes. And like I say,

they welcomed me

and they made me feel at home.

- That's nice of them.

- Yeah.

At one point they asked me

to get up and say a few words.

Why?

I think I had become

their guest of honor.

Some of you may have heard

about my daughter.

What happened

to her reputation.

Anyway...

You see, if I told you

my daughter's name,

you'd all reach

for your phones, wouldn't you?

All pick up your phones and...

search.

And there'd be a flurry

of articles, and you'd think,

"My goodness, how could a woman

do something like that?

What kind of home

must she have come from?"

Well, I can tell you she came

from a very loving family.

A very loving family.

And my wife and I supported

her musical talent,

and I took precious time

away from work

and I was thrilled.

Thrilled to support her.

I'd attend her classes, and...

And, then...

Well, then,

her entire world collapsed

when her mother died,

of course,

and everything was different

then, everything.

Um...

You see...

I could never believe

that my daughter...

...Veronica...

...was capable of such...

terrible crimes.

And, now,

I suppose it's up to me

to find this person

who spread these rumors,

these awful rumors,

they just grew like a...

...cancer.

Like an insidious cancer.

Doctor.

Not everything can be cured.

These rumors that landed her

in jail, my little girl.

So, if necessary,

I will extract

my own vengeance...

...on this bus driver.

In fact, I swear, now,

here in front of you all...

...I will find

this horribly diseased beast...

...and kill it.

Here, the taxi will

take you home.

- Yeah.

- Careful.

Home.

Jim...

Drink as much water

as possible.

- Okay?

- Mm-hm.

This man you're speaking about,

the bus driver...

He destroyed

my daughter's life.

Yes.

Where does he live?

I'm not sure.

That's good.

Drink a lot of water

before you sleep.

Okay?

What's your address?

I'll tell him.

Ah.

Jim Davis?

You mentioned something

about your daughter.

No, no, no, no.

This has nothing to do

with my daughter.

Is this something

the two of you discussed?

Extracting some sort of revenge

against this individual

- who sent the texts?

- Revenge?

The type you mentioned

at the party at the restaurant.

"I will extract my own vengeance

on this bus driver,"

or, "I will find this horribly

diseased beast and kill it."

Have you made any travel plans?

What do you mean?

To pay the bus driver a visit?

There's also a report

of you drinking a lot.

Look, we all understand

this is probably the result

of a drunken night,

so let's just get this done.

And we'll leave you alone.

Mr. Davis?

Um, excuse me for a second.

I wanted to ask you a favor.

If you could take the feet off.

I'd do it myself,

but it doesn't seem right.

You've got the tools,

you've got the experience.

I've already cleaned the feet.

I washed them in warm water

with soap

and rinsed them thoroughly,

and then squeezed out

the excess water like this.

Now the feet

need to be separated.

I did try, I just couldn't

cut them off.

But you could.

Like you did with the ears.

You'll have to leave.

You reported me to the police.

You told them I was

going to kill someone.

Please, let's go this way.

Please, please, come.

Through here, come.

Please.

Just four quick chops

with a cleaver

and then I'll leave,

I promise.

I'll never bother you again.

Take it.

Thank you for this.

Now you must leave.

...horribly diseased beast...

...and kill it.

Where did you get this?

It was sent to the police

by someone at the party.

They were kind enough to share.

Who was kind enough, Dad?

The police?

The person who took this?

I got carried away.

Why would you say

something like that?

It came over me.

And they took you seriously?

Well, they had to, love.

It was a public event.

I uttered a death threat.

They were just following

the rules.

And why would they think

I'd have anything to do

with a death threat?

Because of these visits.

They thought we might be

planning something.

Does this mean my sentence

is extended?

What's wrong with you?

You are, Dad.

Everything you've done,

everything you are,

everything I've watched

with you growing up

is what's wrong with me.

And what's right with me.

I was lucky enough

to have met Jim.

It was brief, but memorable.

I had just arrived up here

and, frankly, at times

I felt a little out of place.

It was my first eulogy

here at this church

and it left an impression.

It was for a young woman,

Alicia,

who had passed away tragically.

Jim approached me

after the service

to say how proud he was

of his daughter's

musical talents,

and the tremendous inspiration

that Alicia had provided her.

Like so many

in our congregation,

he was devastated by her death.

So while we're here today

to mourn Jim's passing,

let's also take a moment

to remember Alicia.

Actually,

there's one last thing.

I was wondering if you could

bury these with my father?

Maybe I'll keep one.

You can have one too.

You'd like for this

to be in the grave?

Uh, I was hoping

that they could be

in the coffin with him.

That was my father's

final request.

He wanted one in each hand.

Benjamin meant a lot to him.

He meant a lot to both of us.

I looked up what made

rabbit feet so lucky.

My favorite theory

is that they're lucky

because rabbits

live underground.

It's their natural habitat.

They communicate with spirits

of the underworld.

The last work on the program

is an original piece of music

I composed myself.

It's a tune I came up with...

...uh, a very difficult

part of my life...

...when I was a girl.