Hard Luck Love Song (2020) - full transcript

A gritty love story about a charismatic but down-on-his-luck troubadour living out of cheap motels and making bad decisions.

Jesse?

♪ You drive and drive ♪

♪ Don't you ever sleep ♪

♪ Calling out the exit signs
Like promises to keep ♪

♪ Yeah, promises ♪

♪ To keep ♪

♪ Shooting star
Racing through the night ♪

♪ Long as you keep moving
You won't ever die ♪

♪ No, you won't ever die ♪

♪ Further along
And down the road ♪

♪ Burning up your life ♪



♪ Always someplace else to go ♪

♪ Just drive, drive, drive ♪

♪ Round and round... ♪

- Hey.
- How can I help you?

Well... I'm looking for a room.

♪ This road ♪

♪ Is gonna take us back now ♪

♪ You look so fine ♪

♪ I don't know how to act now ♪

♪ They say, my child ♪

♪ Don't stroll off easy ♪

♪ 'Cause when it's time ♪

Weird, terrifying, nightmarish...

Look at this studio



filled with glamorous prizes.

Thank you.

So, tonight, the soup du jour
is cream of broccoli.

I'll have the plain omelette.

Tomatoes instead of potatoes,
and wheat toast.

That it?

Hold the chicken salad.

What?

Yeah, just the omelette
and coffee.

♪ All of my life
I have dreamed of a love ♪

♪ The way I wanted it to be ♪

♪ Now that I've found you
My heart's so afraid ♪

♪ That somehow
You won't care for me ♪

♪ That's all
That's the reason ♪

♪ I love you so
I can't let you go ♪

♪ I must make you see... ♪

♪ Take me out
dancin', darlin' ♪

♪ I'll be your honky-tonk ♪

♪ If you take me out dancin'
Darlin' ♪

♪ I'll be your honky-tonk ♪

Fuck.

Hey, man.

Afraid of trampolines.
That's bullshit. Bullshit.

I don't know why,

but I just don't like
the taste of peacocks.

Bullshit. Fuck off!

♪ I believe I really saw it ♪

♪ I'd like to go... ♪

Other people's clothes.

Hey, bro, can you spare me
some change?

I'll get you on the way back,
man.

Holy shit.

Big night, huh?

Living the dream, my friend.

That is gonna be 12.57.

Oh, look at you.

They make these things
more colorful and pretty

every year, don't they?

Nothing prettier.

You know, I found it blowing up
against a fence line

of that vacant lot out there.

Is that right?
Well, lucky you, huh?

- Here you go.
- All right.

Yeah, man.
Stay safe out there.

Thanks.

Hey, dude, you come back.

Yeah, I said I would, man.

Here.

Oh, man. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Here.

- Oh, yeah.
- Come on.

Man,
thanks for coming back, huh?

- I said I would, man. Here.
- Oh, that's right.

Dude, thanks.

Oh!

You look after yourself,
all right?

All right.

- Thanks, man.
- Yeah, man.

Fuck!

Okay.

That is one pretty stick
you got there, boy.

Yeah, thanks.
I just got it last week.

Got tired of playing
with old bar cues, I guess.

You play a lot, do you?

Not as much as I'd like.

You know, I came third
at a local tourney once,

uh, back home,
but that was years ago.

You know,
I'm no slouch myself.

You wanna put
a little money on this?

Money?

Yeah, you know,
sweeten it up a little bit.

I guess I... I don't not gamble.

How about,
let's do 40 bucks?

I could go 40.

All right then, 40 it is.

Fuck, that should've gone in.

♪ Well, I still love you baby ♪

♪ But I won't be
Your fool no more... ♪

Shit.

Shit. Fuck.

Two games, 80.

You wanna double this again?

Let's do it.

Fuck.

♪ Well you're drinking
Bad whisky ♪

♪ Just as fast as you can ♪

♪ And you're running around
From man to man ♪

♪ Oh baby, you just got to go ♪

♪ Well I still love you
Baby but I ♪

♪ Won't be your fool no more ♪

Shit.

Good game, man.

- For me.
- Yeah.

You wanna go again?
One more? Two hundred?

Sure thing. You're like an ATM.

Thanks, man.

Yeah, whatever.

Yeah.

Fucking magician. Fires it up
in the last two games.

Let me guess.

I'm supposed to ask you for one
more game, double or nothing?

Wow, I mean, we could do that.
But we're even now,

so we can quit.

You're good, man.
I'll give you that.

No dice, hermano.

That's your call.

You ought to be careful though.

Some guys aren't as sweet
and gentle as me.

Mr. Romance.

You hustle the wrong dude
in this part of town,

they find little parts of you
up and down the highway.

Hustle?

No, man. You got me all wrong.

It's all copacetic.
No hard feelings.

Listen,
looking for some real action?

Safer?

There's this thing tomorrow,
over at Broadway Social.

Oh, yeah. Broadway, yeah,
right off Canyon, right?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hundred dollar buy in,

30 or 40 guys,
winner-take-all.

Forty guys?

Sometimes it's more.

All right. All right.

Well, thanks, man.

Good luck.

Want tacos?

This is tripe, corn...

- Ah, man, it smells good.
- It is good, bro.

Yeah, let's...
Whatever you think.

Whatever you think, man.
I'll follow you.

What's your favorite?

- Huh?
- Ah, thanks, man.

Mm-hmm.

All right.

- Hi.
- How you doin'?

- Okay.
- It's o... okay if I sit?

These are tostadas.

That looks good.

Tostadas. Yeah.

- Tos... Tostadas.
- It has the meat.

Okay. Bye.

I... Can I give you a hug?

- Huh?
- Give you a hug.

Hug.

He wants to give you a hug.

- No, no, no.
- No hug?

This, this one's
the, the tongue.

Mm-hmm.

Tongue, yeah.
What's th... the tongue from?

I'm gonna do it.

Oh.

- Good?
- Yeah.

Mm.

♪ Sometimes I feel ♪

♪ Like I am a boxer ♪

♪ Seems I'm always ♪

♪ Standing in the ring ♪

♪ Then I notice ♪

♪ Someone's been in my locker ♪

♪ Left me a note ♪

♪ That says I can't sing ♪

♪ Oh, I'll do anything ♪

♪ But break dance
For you, darling ♪

♪ My mind is filled
With ghosts ♪

♪ They're more than most of all
My loves gone wrong ♪

♪ My mind should be the way
Most people say ♪

♪ That I should just move on ♪

♪ My mind is focused on things
Past and gone ♪

♪ Where I have no control ♪

♪ I can't forget
There used to be ♪

♪ I used to see
But now no more ♪

Who's this peckerwood?

So, we got the house
rules on the board over here.

It's single elimination
until the finals.

The finals
is best two out of three.

So keep the action
moving, okay?

You in? You in?

I'm in.

Hundred bucks, player.

Jesse.

Good luck.

You ready to rumble,
young blood?

Yes, sir.

All right then.

You rack 'em up,
we'll lag for the break.

May the best man win.

Well, I'm hoping it's me.
But I have been wrong before.

♪ Yeah, ha ha ♪

♪ For you I got the ♪

- ♪ Go, go, go ♪
- ♪ Blues ♪

- ♪ Baby ♪
- ♪ Go, go, go ♪

- ♪ Go, go, go ♪
- ♪ New York City ♪

♪ Blues explosion ♪

All right, guys.

Best two out of three
gets the cash.

♪ We're going up and down ♪

♪ Over and over ♪

♪ Over and over
It's the same old thing ♪

♪ Up and down
Over and outer ♪

Shit.

♪ Up and down
Over and over ♪

Shit.

♪ It's the same old thing ♪

♪ Up and down ♪

♪ Over and outer ♪

♪ Under the radar... ♪

Mm.

Corner pocket.

- Oh, yeah.
- Nice, baby.

Woot-woot!

Eight ball, side pocket.

♪ I'm going up and down
Over and over ♪

Fuck.

♪ It's the same old thing ♪

♪ Up and down,
Over and outer... ♪

You're not taking
this money home, boy.

Just not happenin'.

Oh,
now you're fucked!

- Yeah!
- Order up another round.

Rack 'em up, son.

♪ Well, that's her train ♪

♪ It's coming down tonight ♪

♪ You're bringing
Her home, yes ♪

♪ You're bringing her back ♪

♪ And all's you'll get from me
Is a slap on the back... ♪

Almost bedtime.
I'm about to shut you down.

Is that right?

That's right.

Well, I'm happy
to prove you wrong

if you want some extra action.

What are you thinkin'?

I go a thousand.

Three balls and the eight
from beating you.

Well, if a...
If a grand scares you...

Scared?

Not hardly.

I'm not afraid
of taking your money.

Ah. Your turn, fucker.

Kinda gave you that one,
didn't I?

Some might say
that I gave you the first one.

It's that grand

that's making
you nervous, right?

A thousand dollars?
Let's make it two grand.

Ah, fuck. The fuck!

- You were nervous.
- Fucker!

- Fuck off, back off.
- Two grand.

Hey, shoot pool. Shoot pool!

Two grand? Rack 'em.
Get out of my way, man.

Sit down, man.

One. Actually,
I'm gonna go with seven.

Top pocket.

Then I'll take the two.
Down the line.

- I'm gonna take the four.
- Huh.

I've seen a lot of big runs,
but never one quite like this.

All right,
I'm gonna try...

I'm gonna go into this pocket
here inside.

Three.

All right.

All right, one in the top left.

I can clean house.

Can't believe
they'd let him come here

and let him do this to us.

Fuck.

We just got fucking hustled.

Okay,
eight in the top left.

Mother!

- Fuck.
- We gotta talk, huh?

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

That's, uh, 500 for the house.

Three grand for you.

Thank you.

Yeah, we do this
first Saturday of every month

- if you wanna come back.
- You know, I might do that.

To the...

I'm not sure this town
is big enough

for this superstar.

Leave him alone, Rollo.

Just congratulating him.

Besides, with that
little show you just put on,

I'd say you're fairly well made.

- Is that right?
- Oh, Yeah.

I heard you been shaking
every tree in town.

You find any apples?

Yeah.
They sure beat sour grapes.

And a comedian too. Nice.

So you ready to pay up?

Yeah, all right.

I was thinking
maybe you'd give me

a chance to win it back.

That might be the gentlemanly
thing to do in this situation.

Hmm, I'll pass.

No. Don't think you will.

I don't like getting hustled.
The things that I don't like

wind up in a hole
in the fucking desert.

I'll just take
a rain check then.

Yeah.

Where you goin', faggot?
We got more stick to shoot.

Looks like you fixin' to run,
huh?

You better run better
than you play pool.

I say we go rag-head
and cut this thief's hand off.

- Hell yeah.
- All right, guys.

Petey and Bump here,
they get a little excited.

So we're just gonna have
our little friendly here,

and you can go
about your business.

Yeah. Yeah, you know what?
That actually sounds like fun.

Here, why don't you get us
a couple of rounds of drinks?

Okay? But before we get started,
I gotta hit the can, okay?

Back in a flash.

Fuck.

Fuck.

How you doin' in there?

Hey, buddy, do you mind, man?
All this nervous energy

is making this
a little difficult.

You know what I mean?

♪ Then what you said to me ♪

♪ I don't know what I'd be ♪

♪ I don't know what I'd be... ♪

- Hola.
- Hola.

Dónde es la puerta de atrás?

Bueno. Gracias, amigos.

Hasta luego.

♪ Little Johnny Walker
Caught a bullet last night ♪

♪ Running from
The guitar store ♪

♪ He took a left down the alley
Guess he should've gone right ♪

♪ Now he ain't takin' nothing
No more, no more ♪

♪ Everybody knows
It's a hard time ♪

♪ Livin' with hate
And the greed ♪

♪ Most folks earn
What they get for a livin' ♪

♪ Others got to steal
What they need ♪

♪ Down on the corner,
Already talkin' ♪

♪ How they're gonna cut
That take ♪

♪ I'm out here just workin'
For a dollar ♪

♪ All I wanna do
Is stomp and holler ♪

All right.
Let's see what you got.

"Satisfaction guaranteed."

Or your money back, right?

"Open minded and versatile."
I'll bet. I'll bet.

Huh.

Fuck.

Hello?

That you, Cottontail?

Maybe.

How'd you get this number?

It's me, it's, it's Jesse.

I know...
I know who you are, Jesse.

Where are you?

Um, I'm in town. I'm at the...

The Tumble Inn, off Highland.

Um...

- Hey, Cotton...
- Don't...

Don't call me that. Please.

Sorry.

Carla?

You wanna, um, come over
and have a... Have a drink?

Okay.

It's, um, room 227.

Hmm.

I'll swing by in an hour or so.

Pants.
Where's the fuckin' pants?

Oh, my man.

Oh, shit. You sure
you don't want some of

the more high-end stuff?

No. I prefer mine
with a little protein.

Yeah?

You tell me how a company
thrives on a business model

where they throw a worm
in their product intentionally.

That's one
of life's mysteries, for sure.

Right?

All right, my man,
that comes out to 42.50.

All right.

Yeah, what have
we got here? Forty-three?

Hey, you, uh, you lookin'
for anything else tonight?

You know, like a little, uh,
party for your party?

You know,
now that you mention it,

there is something
that I'm looking to procure.

All right.
I thought so. I feel you.

I'm not a cop.

I mean, I... I'd have to tell you
if I was, right?

That's some TV horseshit.

Why don't you just, uh,
open up your coat,

lift up your shirt
and turn around?

For real.

- For real?
- Yeah, for real.

Okay. See?
No gun, no badge, no wire.

All right.

So you know
where I can get hooked up?

I do. I do.
What are you looking for?

Gandalf.

Gandalf, the White Wizard, huh?
Yeah, I know him.

Eight ball should do.

- Yeah?
- Is it any good?

I mean,
it's a little stepped on,

but it's the best shit
you're gonna find around here.

All right. Yeah, I'll take it.

All right.

It's gonna be a buck fifty,
good sir.

A buck fifty. All right.

- I'm gonna give you a buck 60.
- All right.

- Okay. Hey, thanks, man.
- Hell yeah.

Really.

All right, that'll, uh, that'll
do it for ya. Here you go.

What's your name?

- I'm Benny.
- Jesse.

- Jesse?
- Yeah.

- Right on, man.
- All right. Just like old times.

I'm here every night.
Yeah, yeah.

- Thanks, man.
- Have a good one.

Yeah.

- What's up, my man?
- What's happening?

Legend herself.

In the flesh.

- You still got the Nova.
- Yeah.

Yeah, she won't quite die on me.

Well, I always knew
she was undead.

You got here fast.

I had to catch you
before you blew away again.

How long are you staying?

Uh... depends on a
few variables.

Uh-huh.

Come on.

No.

Come on, get in here.

Mm.

Jesse.

Cottontail.

Sorry. Forgot.

It's okay.

It's okay.

You just caught me
off guard, is all.

You look great.

Better than the last time
you saw me?

Yeah.

Thank God.

It wasn't exactly my time
to shine.

- No, it was not.
- No.

- Hey.
- Hmm?

I am glad to see you
doing better.

- You look damn fine yourself.
- Hmm?

- Better than fine.
- You're a sweet talker.

You wanna drink?

Thirsty?

- Uh-huh.
- Uh-huh.

- Uh-huh.
- Uh-huh.

- Well, okay.
- Okay.

- Lead the way.
- All right.

- Here, this is for you.
- Oh, thank you.

There you go. This is for me.

This one's for me.

- That one's for us.
- No, come on.

I can't walk straight,
so I zigzag.

I zigzag.

Hey, buddy.

Ladies first.

Okay, okay, okay, stop.

Yeah, all right.

All right.

Really is so good to see you.

♪ Where is Juanita ♪

You're in fine form.

- Thanks.
- Hmm.

Yeah, I'm doing good.

New Orleans was really tough,
and I was in a bad place, and...

you know, I managed to learn
a measure of balance,

mo... moderation and whatnot.

Well, keep it up, darling.

I intend to. Cheers.

Cheers.

And what about you?
I mean, you're...

still hotter than the hinges
hanging off the gates of hell.

How you been these days?

Mm.

I'm, uh...

I'm really great. I am.

- Good.
- Mm.

I see
you're still playing music.

Yeah, yeah,
still bangin' away.

You know what, it's been
really good to me lately.

- You writing originals?
- Some.

I've been writing songs
for, um, Tucker Johnson.

- Sounds like a big deal.
- Ah.

He's, like, the fifth
biggest singer in Branson.

I can't complain.

Okay, that's amazing.

- Right?
- Yes.

- Yeah.
- Hey. What did I say?

I told you,
you are so talented.

It was always just a matter of
you pullin' your shit together.

- Mm-hmm.
- Keepin' it together.

I'm happy for you.

- Thanks, darlin'.
- Mm-hmm.

Yeah, I'm...
I'm doing good now.

Mm.

Mm.

Why don't you play me
one of those big money tunes

and I'll get you a refill?

"Big money tunes."

No? Show me
what they're paying you for.

♪ I don't mind... ♪

A little nervous, you know?

To play for me?

Well, I'm one-on-one and
that's the hardest show to play.

- Okay.
- Oh, come on.

All right.

♪ A little out of place ♪

♪ A little out of tune ♪

♪ Sorta lost in space ♪

♪ Racin' the moon ♪

♪ Climbin' the walls ♪

♪ Of the hurricane ♪

♪ Still overall
I can't complain ♪

♪ All I wanted was one shot
To let freedom ring ♪

♪ Said I had to get A permit,
tags, and everythin' ♪

♪ Never made it
Through the red tape ♪

♪ Got this paper hat ♪

♪ I got a job workin' weekdays
You want fries with that... ♪

♪ I got nothin' to lose ♪

♪ Nothin' to gain ♪

♪ Like a one-way ticket To
cruise in that passin' lane ♪

♪ I can't complain ♪

♪ I was talkin'
To my girlfriend ♪

♪ Told her I was stressed ♪

♪ Said I'm goin' off
The deep end ♪

♪ She said, "God, for once
Give it a rest" ♪

♪ We're all waitin'
In the dugout ♪

♪ Thinkin' we should pitch ♪

♪ How you gonna throw
A shutout ♪

♪ If all you do is bitch ♪

♪ I got nothin' to lose ♪

♪ Nothin' to gain ♪

♪ It's like a one-way ticket To
cruise in that passin' lane ♪

♪ I can't complain ♪

♪ Now I got a brand-new dance ♪

♪ I need one more shot ♪

♪ Gonna take my last chance
You know I won't get caught ♪

♪ Gonna make my last stand
This time I can't be bought ♪

♪ Then again on the
other hand ♪

♪ How much you got? ♪

♪ I got nothin' to lose ♪

♪ Nothin' to gain ♪

♪ It's like a one-way ticket To
cruise in that passin' lane ♪

♪ I can't complain ♪

♪ Little out of place ♪

♪ Little out of tune ♪

♪ Sorta lost in space
Racin' the moon ♪

♪ Climbin' the walls
Of this hurricane ♪

♪ Still overall ♪

♪ I can't complain ♪

Yeah!

You know I love that song.

Yeah, that's why I played it.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Looks like you need some more.

Well...

Looks like I need some more.

Hmm.

Mm.

- Go on.
- Okay.

Pour me a drink, sir.

And, uh, excuse me while I step
into the ladies' room.

Oh, Carla, you stupid bitch.

Okay.

What are you doin'?

He's never gonna change.
He's never gonna fucking change.

Fuck.
Okay. Okay.

Okay.

♪ Well, I know
I got to work, baby ♪

♪ But I'd rather be home... ♪

Moderation, huh?

Everything in moderation.

Including moderation.

Do you want some of this?

This is the least worst coke
that I could find.

No.
That'll keep me up all night.

Yeah, so then we stay up
all night and we talk.

It'll be just like old times.

Just a little.
Just a little.

Fuck.

I just want a little one.

I made a little one.

Yeah, like, a half a one.

Yeah?

- Ooh.
- It's good?

Oh, it's gonna do the trick.

- Okay.
- Uh-huh.

Ah, fuck. Man. Shit!
Fuck! Shit, fuck!

So you talk
to our old friends?

You see anybody?

That's how you got my number,
huh?

Yeah, a... a bit,
like, not so much.

You know,
you look just the same.

Yeah, we both wish.

Did you hear, uh,
Paula's sister died?

I know.
That's so fucking tragic.

Right?

- It's fucking crazy, right?
- God.

How's Rebecca and the kid?

I don't know.
I'm still the godfather.

I just don't feel like
I'm a great spiritual advisor.

Yeah.

♪ Devastator ♪

♪ You're just a
Love stimulator ♪

Ah!

I'll put on my glasses.
I got my glasses on.

I got my glasses and my hat.

I'm gonna play a song,

Actually, I don't wanna play it.

Well, I don't feel it.

♪ Let me feel it, baby ♪

♪ And if you're looking for fun
Girl, you know I'm the one... ♪

You gonna make it
rain on me with that thing, boy?

Oh, well,

you are certainly earning
it with those dance moves.

Well, you know,
the go-go dancers at the bar

I work at
taught me everything I know.

Is that right?

You know,
I have a few dance moves myself.

All right.

Shit.

Let's just
go over the ground rules.

Ground rules?

Yes. You just sit right there.

Okay. I can touch you,
but you can't touch me.

Oh, you've done this before.

If sit on your lap, no pinching,
no poking, no...

...checking the oil.

I'm just gonna come on
right in here.

You gotta stop!
That tickles!

All right.

Hold that thought.

What?

Fuck.
Where do I put this?

- Fuck.
- What?

It's a cop.

All right, get the blow.

Wait. Here, here. Shit.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah, yeah.

Put the blow in the...
In the bathroom,

in the Kleenex box.

- Okay, okay, okay.
- Okay?

Shit. Shit.

Yeah, just a second.

Um...

Come on, buddy, open up.

Come on, buddy, open up.

Come on, open up.

Oh. Hey, man.

Um, hey,
I'm sorry if the music was, uh,

a bit too loud.

Sir, we've received a number
of noise complaints.

I was asked to stop by.

Is... Is that right?

- Yes.
- Oh.

Sir, may I enter the premises?

Uh... Yeah. Yeah, sure, man.

Come... Come on in. Come in.

Hmm.

Been drinkin', huh?

Yeah, we've been celebrating.

Celebratin' what?

Uh, it's, um...

...shit, Festivus?

An airing of grievances?

Yeah.

Evening, ma'am.

Yeah, hi.

Huh.

Maybe you and I
should go talk outside.

Sure, sure.

I.D.?

Sorry, man.

That's a Blockbuster card.

Oh, shit. Sorry. Here.

And what exactly were you two
doing in there, Mr. Richardson?

Ah, no, man. Mr. Richardson's
my fuckin' stepdad.

He's an asshole,
if you know what I mean.

Yeah. Yeah, I do.

I'm just Jesse.

I'm Zach.

Zach. Right on.

So, uh, were you two "partying"?

Kinda looked like
you were partyin' in there,

- if you know what I mean.
- Oh, absolutely not, sir.

Was just hanging out,
drinking a little wine,

listening to some music,
and just catching up.

Catchin' up with a pro?

Pro-stitute?

Huh?

Prostitution is illegal, sir.

Soliciting a prostitute, it...

The woman that you're
associating with is a pro.

Are you aware of that?

I mean, she could be.

Uh, we're just... We are
two friends drinking some wine.

She looks like someone
I've seen around here before.

How... We...
We've all done things.

You know, I wouldn't...
I wouldn't wanna be judged

for some of the stuff
that I've done.

You... You know what I mean?

Yeah.
Yeah, I do, Jesse.

This one time in the academy,
I, you know, listen...

Look, let...
Let me show you, man.

Look, look, look, look. See?

That's her. That's me.
That's class of '99.

Holy shit.
She's a smoke show.

I agree. She's a fox.

- I mean, look at your hair.
- Yeah. Yeah.

Listen.

You seem like a good guy, Jesse.

I don't want you to get
into any more trouble

than you have to.

Yeah, man. I, I appreciate that.

And, um, you know,
thanks for checkin' in,

and thank you for your service.

You're welcome, Jesse.
That's all part of the job.

Gotta be thorough
working these streets, you know?

But in this
case, seems like you two

are keeping to yourselves,
you know?

Catching up,
drinking a little vino,

no crime in that.

Mm.

And just keep it down
a little bit. Not too much,

just a little bit.

Keep the front office
off my ass.

There ain't no problem
with that, Officer.

All right.

Well, heck,
if I wasn't on the clock,

I'd have half a brain
to join you guys.

Assuming there was a invitation.

Ah! Another time.

Okay, well, you, um,
take it easy.

Oh, will do... Oh.

All right,
you take 'er easy, eh?

I'm gonna try.

I'm gonna try.

We're gonna be so glad

that we didn't throw
this stuff out.

All right.

Ladies first.

No.

Hey.

Don't get all sentimental
about that photograph.

Uh, it's, it's something
that I kept. It's... Hey.

I'm not getting sentimental...
about what we used to be.

There's nothing between us.

You destroyed
whatever there might've been,

being a selfish addict asshole.

Whoa, hey,
don't be like that, Carla.

Look at you.

- Look at this.
- Yeah.

You're still a mess.

I can't believe I thought it
was gonna be different

this time. Fuck!

We're having a good time here.

Sure, sure.
We're having a good time.

We're having
a real good time tonight,

and then tomorrow

and every day after that
will be bullshit.

You are full of shit.

You're scheming
and manipulating people.

That's your art.
Jesse, you're a fucking con man.

Fuck. I thought we were having
a good time.

I'm really happy to see you.

And I'm, I'm glad
that you're doing well.

- That makes me happy.
- Yeah.

And I'm... I wanna hear about
all the other stuff

- that you've been doing.
- Mm.

You know, like, how... how's your
painting going and, and stuff?

I haven't painted in years
and I know that you know that.

No. Hey, I didn't know that.
I... Hey, I'm sorry.

What about you?
Are you really writing songs?

Is any of that true? Hmm?

- Piece of shit.
- Hey. Fuck, man.

The fuck... Who the fuck
are you to judge me?

Hmm?

Who the fuck are you
to judge me?

Okay. Let's just imagine
for a minute

that the roles were reversed.

"Hey, Officer.
I know that he's a liar

and a thief and a junkie,

but give him a break 'cause
he's also a wannabe musician."

You fucking karaoke cowboy,

you are never gonna
amount to anything.

All right. All right.

But, you know,
you're right about one thing.

Hmm.

There's never
ever been anything

between you and me,
and there's never gonna be

anything between you and me.

Because, apparently,
you are a fucking whore

that fucks for money
and you fuck people for money!

Once again,
you have no fucking idea

what you are talking about.

The only reason I came
is because it was you.

That ad is months old.

I sling drinks at a bar
called Gypsy Sally's

across the river.

I used to answer those ads
when all I needed to do

was make ends meet.

I never fucked anybody
for money.

I went on a couple of dates.

Dates, dates.

- Yeah. I did.
- Yeah.

I went on a couple of dates,

and, uh, you, you wanna know
the whole story,

or you just wanna...

You wanna know
all the gory details?

Couple of times,

I stripped a little
while the guy sat

across the room and jerked off.
There you go.

- Happened once or twice.
- I bet, I bet it was fun.

- Bet you had some fun there.
- No, I didn't.

I'm not proud
of every choice I've made

over the last 15 years.

Don't you dare tell me
that you are.

'Cause you know what I got?

I can still look in the mirror
and like myself.

I'm pretty okay in my own skin.

Can you say that?

You manipulative, soul-stealing,
son of a bitch. Hmm? Can you?

All right. Let's fucking go
to this bar then.

- What?
- Let's go to this bar.

I need some fresh air, I
need a... I need a fresh drink.

Let's go fucking check out
your bar.

Fuck you.

It's my night off.

And the last fucking thing
I wanna do

on my night off is go to work.

And I don't have to prove
anything to you.

Because, remember,
you called me, asshole.

Yeah. I fucking called you.
Yes, I did.

Because I wanted to see you.
Because I had to see you.

- Why?
- Because I couldn't leave it

like we left it in New Orleans.

Like we left it?

You left it. You left.

Oh, my God.

- Um, hey, let's just...
- You don't remember.

- You don't remember.
- Let's just... Carla, come here.

- You were so...
- Let's stop...

...fucking smashed.
You don't remember.

Just stop, stop, stop. Stop it.
We don't have to fight.

Let's just stop. Please.

Stop. Carla, stop.

You really don't remember?

Stop.

You don't remember
that I had to carry you up

- the fucking stairs?
- Fuck.

- You don't remember?
- Stop fucking fighting!

Stop.

You need to take...

a long,
hard look in the mirror, Jesse.

You need real help.
And I can't...

I can't be your abused mama
here, taking care of you.

Fuck you! Get the fuck out!

Talking about shit
you don't know anything about.

- Fuck out!
- Don't fucking touch me!

- Yeah. Fucking Big Daddy...
- Fuck you!

...waiting there.

- Waiting right...
- Fuck you!

...for you.

♪ I heard her saying
In tongues of silver ♪

♪ I saw her on a summer storm ♪

♪ I loved her
But she did not know it ♪

♪ So I don't think about her
Anymore... ♪

♪ Now she's gone,
I can't believe it ♪

♪ So I don't think about her
Anymore ♪

♪ If three and four
Were seven only ♪

♪ Where would that leave one
And two? ♪

♪ If love can be
And still be lonely ♪

♪ Where does that leave me
And you? ♪

♪ Time there was
And time there will be ♪

♪ Where does that leave me ♪

♪ And you? ♪

♪ If I had a
buckskin stallion ♪

♪ I would tame him down
And ride away... ♪

Ha!

Ugh!

I'm sorry about
all that shit I said.

I didn't mean any of it.

I know it was cruel

and I don't have the right
to judge anybody.

Least of all you.

I can be better.

I know that.

Jesse,
we've been doing this forever.

I've done this with you
over and over again.

And I've watched you. You...

You know, you,
you built your whole life

so you could get out of
whatever undesirable situation

you find yourself in,
and I can't be another one

of your situations.
I can't do it.

It's not gonna
be like that anymore.

I wanna slow things down...

just be still...

you know? I know
I can't keep goin' on like this.

It's...

I'll just stay
and evolve, you know?

I caught a bid.

Eighteen months in
Orleans Parish for possession.

And at my parole hearing,
the P.O., he told me,

"Jesse, hard luck
is like stepping in dog shit."

"Now, it can happen
to anyone once."

"But after that,
if you ain't looking out for it,

it's your own damn fault."

Well, that's real good advice.

Yeah.

I'm sorry
for what I said up there.

You know I love your songs.

Always have.

Even when I didn't wanna.

All right.

I'm so glad that I called ya.

I'm so glad that you came.

Because it's been so awesome?

Yeah, it has, actually.

It has. We just need to...

make the, the shitty parts
not outweigh the good ones.

I'm doing much better now,
you know?

Music's going well

and I got
all that song money in now.

I can take care of us.
It's not all up to you now.

Don't be a litterbug.

You have another one of those?
I'm empty.

♪ Out with the truckers ♪

♪ And the kickers
And the cowboy angels ♪

♪ And a good saloon
In every single town ♪

♪ Oh, and I remembered
something You once told me ♪

- Oh, do you?
- Yes, I do.

♪ And I'll be damned
If it did not come true ♪

♪ Twenty thousand roads,
I went down, down, down ♪

♪ And they all lead me straight
Back home to you ♪

Take it for me, James.

"Take it for me, James."

Skiddin'.

♪ And I saw my devil... ♪

Evening, Carla.

Hi, Skip. Mm.

How you doin', baby?

- Just livin' the dream, Carla.
- Hmm.

This is Jesse.

Hey.

What kinda shenanigans
you lookin' to get into

this evening, young man?

All I can get.

Hmm.

Hey, don't be afraid
to come to me

if he don't treat you right.

You hear that?
Don't you forget it.

Hi.

Hey, girl.

What's shakin', Carla?

Just my hands.
I need a drink.

Can I get a double whiskey?

How about you, cowboy?

Uh, make it two, please.

Okay.

♪ Do you ever wonder
Why she knows the words ♪

Do you wanna go watch the band
and I'll get the drinks?

Ah, yeah.

Oh. Thank you.

Be careful.

I know.

- He's a heartbreaker.
- I know.

I've been in love with him
my whole life.

What about the other thing?

I already told him it's done.

He knows I'm movin' out
as soon as I can get a place.

If you need a place to crash,
you could come stay with me.

Thank you.

Hey. Pretty good.

Right?

Fuck, I love this shit.

You know, this is the reason
why I wake up in the morning.

♪ Don't think she's
Always like the country song... ♪

Dance with me.

What?

- Dance with me.
- Ah.

Hey, come on. Give me that.

Come on.

♪ Well,
I've been gone for so long ♪

♪ Feels so good
Just to get back home ♪

♪ Back with my friends
And all the faces ♪

♪ That I love to see ♪

♪ Like a rainbow in the sky ♪

♪ Like the twinkle
In a lover's eye ♪

♪ Telling the people I meet
What I wanna be ♪

♪ Only make me
Want to tell you ♪

♪ Only make
You wanna smile ♪

♪ When you're down, down, down ♪

♪ In the country
For a little while... ♪

I'll never leave you
again, Cottontail.

Promise?

I promise.

Thank you!

So, I told her straight up...

You want to throw your
life away, be my guest.

Go ahead and marry a boy
whose best friends

are named Bonehead and Trogg.

Play a train song.

Train song.

Go ahead.
Trogg can be best man.

My thirsty needs some whiskey.

Time for one more?

Anything for you, Skip.

Anything? All right.

How 'bout you pay off my second
mortgage and my first wife?

Salut, baby.

Come over here, you little shit.

♪ Well, that bourbon
Train gonna take you ♪

♪ Find out out
Your trouble and pain... ♪

I gotta know
a bit more about you

before we let you
in our little social club.

I'm not sure
I wanna join a club

that would let somebody
like me in.

Charming.

See, the thing is...

she hadn't brought a guy
around here in a while.

Now, I assume
that means somethin'.

So, I wanna know
what your story is

and how it turned out
to be so goddamn lucky.

I've had my fair share of luck.

Sometimes the hard kind,
you know?

Same as anybody.

But I'm just
happy to be here, man.

And that, that little lady
in the bathroom,

she's a big part of that.

She's a fuckin' angel,
that's for sure.

You know, I've been tryin' to
track her down for over a year?

- A year?
- Mm.

So you've known each other
for a while then, huh?

Yeah, we went
to high school together,

we grew up together.

She's important to me, man.

She's important to me, too.

Hadn't always had the best taste
in boyfriends though.

Thank you, baby.

- She's somethin' special.
- Mm-hmm.

I think everybody
who meets her feels that.

Thanks.

You know, we all fall in love
a little bit, don't we?

Yeah, that's good.
Good for them.

- Uh-huh.
- Uh-huh.

So, what's your story, Skip?
Yeah.

I was born
in a Mexican whorehouse.

Right across the street
from a Catholic Church.

Sound like you've been
readin' my mail.

More like I stole
your record collection.

And after the miraculous birth?

After my miraculous birth,
I lived out west for a spell,

ran sound
at the Alamo Lounge in Austin,

roadie for Metallica
on the Ride the Lightning Tour,

then I moved to Nashville,
grew dope, retired,

got shot,

shot somebody, un-retired,

grew some more dope,
what-have-you,

and then ended up right here
talking to you.

Storybook.

- Pretty good so far.
- I'll say.

You gotta take good care
of her.

Yeah. I'll take care of her.

Or else she'll come to you,
right?

And don't you forget it either.

All right.

Oh, dear.

What are you two boys
carrying on about over here?

Oh, we're just tryin' to solve
a quantum physics problem.

- Oh.
- Oh, baby.

I sensed you did.

Hey, anybody wanna
hit an after-hours?

- After hour?
- Mm-hmm.

Hey, why don't we get
a couple of bottles

- and go back to the motel?
- No.

Yeah, yeah.

- Ooh, four-way.
- Where is it?

Oh, my god. We're at
the Tumble Inn, off Highland.

- Come on.
- Okay.

All right.
We'll just change.

We'll meet you there.

Yeah, I wouldn't change a thing.

Comin' through. All right.

- Good?
- Mm-hmm.

Cool.

Okay. I got you.

Okay.

- In.
- In.

All right.

Hey.

Hey.

- Hey, you.
- Mm.

- Come here.
- Hi.

That was fun.

That was so much fun.

What the fuck?

Oh, God!

- Yeah. Yeah.
- Jesse!

Well, hey there, Jesse.
You weren't that hard to find.

Jesse! Hey!

- Go... Go back inside.
- Don't touch me.

- Go back inside.
- Wha...

What, and miss all the fun?
Hot date.

Looks like you started to spend

some of that cash
you took from us.

You owe me a game, remember?

- Yeah.
- Hey.

Yeah, let's play.

Stop!

Jesse! Let me go!
Don't you fucking touch me!

Jesse!

Jesse. Babe.

Knocked him the fuck out.

You best get out of here,

or you're gonna
catch some from him, too.

Now how do you feel,
Jesse, huh?

Pullin' off that little hustle
make you feel like a big man?

Unless you're scamming
this little chick, too.

That's all right.

You wanna come?

Yeah. It's cool. Ah!

Hey!
Don't hate the player,

hate the game, babe. Whoo.

Jesse,
just give him the money.

Give him whatever they want!

Oh, we're gonna get the money.

- Don't you worry about that.
- Yeah.

What do you think will happen
if I packed your ass

in the trunk of that car
and burned it

to the fucking ground, huh?

Nothin'. Not a goddamn thing.
Nobody gives a fuck about you.

You're like that kid
on the milk carton

that got butt-fucked
so many times,

your own mom
doesn't want you back.

I, on the other hand,
I have some friends.

You know, Petey here, he,

he'd track your ass
to the end of the earth...

- Fucking right, I would.
- ...he'd scoop out your eyeballs...

...and he'd fucking shit
in your brainstem, right?

- Yes, I would.
- Right. See, this man

- has principles, morals.
- Let me go!

- This one...
- Somebody call the cops!

- Whip him like a bitch.
- Please, help us!

Somebody call the cops!

No self-respect.

Just not a stand-up guy.

Damn it!

Fuck you, redneck mother...

Don't you ever fucking
come near them!

Hey.

Easy. Easy, easy, easy.

- Oh, yeah.
- Oh, my God.

All, right.

Hey, are you okay?

Yeah, I'm all right,
I'm all right. Hey.

You sure you're all right, man?

Mm-hmm. Thanks, man.
Thanks for all the help, man.

- No problem.
- Thank you.

Any friend of Carla's
is a friend of mine, homie.

All right, we good, we good.

- No problem, all right.
- Thanks, man.

- Oh, my God, your face.
- Yeah, it's all right.

Hey, yeah, it's all right,
it's all right.

Hell all right.
Let's get the fuck out of here.

What? No, no, no, no, Lou...

No, Louis. Thank you,
thank you for your help.

I'll... I'll call you tomorrow.

Thank you.

Oh, what you talkin' about?
Baby.

- Hey, hey, hey.
- Let's get the fuck outta here.

He's not...
He's not a client.

I don't care
if he's your client.

I'm your boyfriend.
Let's get the fuck outta here.

Louis. We talked about this.

I told you, I'm,
I'm moving out.

- Whatever this... No, babe.
- Come on, come on.

- Come on, come on, come on.
- Please, please, please.

Whatever this is,
whatever this has been,

you know that it isn't working.

It's over. Please.

What, you're supposed to be
leaving with him or somethin'?

- Louis, please.
- Why she goin' with you?

That's what you think
this gonna be about?

Look, man, if that's what...
If that's what she wants, yeah.

- Hey, calm down.
- You know what?

That's not what's goin' down,
homie.

This is my special lady
right here, you feel me?

You know what? Come on.

Okay... No, no, no, no. Louis!

Hey, Louis...

I just saved your ass
from those fuckin' rednecks.

You sit right there

and let me and my girl
talk about our business.

Please.
No, no, no, no. Louis.

Hey, Louis.

What are you doing?

Louis. Come on.
Please don't do this.

Nah, nah.
You ain't about that.

Stop it! Jesse!

Ow! Ow! Louis.

Listen, we're gonna go home,
we're gonna talk about this shit

- in the morning, okay?
- Louis.

You know I'm crazy
about you, right?

You know I'll take care of you.
Don't I?

Don't I take care of you?
Don't I take care of you?

Louis. We've been over this
so many times. Please.

Let's just go home.
Let's just go home.

- I can't.
- Sleep this shit off.

- We can talk about it tomorrow.
- I don't wanna do that.

- You fuckin' making me crazy!
- Louis, stop, please!

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm...

You know how I get.
You know how I get. Come on.

- Louis.
- Come on.

Please.

Louis, we've talked about this...

- Now, get the fuck in the car.
- Stop!

- Just get the fuck in.
- Ow! Ow!

Louis!

Hey!

Louis. Louis, let me out.

Jesse?

- Fuck!
- Jesse!

Stop it!

- God damn it.
- Don't do this!

Jesse!

♪ Twenty thousand roads ♪

♪ I've been down, down, down ♪

♪ And they all lead me
Straight back home to you... ♪

Louis!

- We're gonna go home, right?
- No!

- And we're gonna talk...
- Louis!

...about this shit
in the morning.

- Let me out!
- No.

- Oh!
- Oh, my God.

Shit. Damn.

Oh, you done brought
the motherfuckin' Bruce Lee

out of a nigga now.

- Louis, don't. Louis.
- Motherfuck you up.

Man,
listen to me, all right?

She told you
that she's comin' with me.

- Okay? She's out.
- Louis, please.

She ain't out!
That's my girl, yo.

And you ain't takin' her
from me, man.

Hey, okay, you look like
a decent guy though,

you know? I know that you are.

You didn't have to save me,
but you did.

You did, Louis.

Look, man, she my special girl,
man. You understand?

I ain't lettin' her go.

Man, I, I know.
I... I understand that.

We've been through
a lot together.

Louis,
let me out of here.

Yeah, I know, I...
I'm sure you have.

I'm sure you have.

Truth is, she's all I got.

Hey, I know...
I know that feeling.

I know that feeling.
Louis, we're just people.

All of us.

- Let's just talk about this.
- Louis.

- Let's talk...
- "Let's talk about it"?

Yeah.

Nah, that fuckin' log
did the talkin' for you.

- Louis, don't!
- Hey, no, no, no, no. Louis!

- Louis!
- Louis!

- Freeze!
- Wait!

- Wait, wait, wait! No! Stop!
- What's going on?

We're friends.
We're friends. We're friends.

He had a gun
pointed at your face!

- Yeah.
- Friends don't point guns

at each other's faces, Jesse!

Ah, shoot.
I'm sorry, man. Ah!

- You all right?
- What the fuck?

I'm really... Oh!
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Sir, I'm really sorry
about that.

- I didn't know.
- That's some bullshit.

I didn't know
you guys were friends.

It seemed like
a very hostile situation.

I'm so sorry, Jesse.

I would never shoot
a friend of yours.

- I'm gonna put you in the car.
- Louis, I'm sorry.

Just until the ambulance
comes. Take it easy on the arm.

- The fuck?
- I'm so sorry.

Watch the glasses,
they look expensive.

Motherfucker
shoots first, freezes second.

Okay. All right.

Don't worry, man.
It's just a flesh wound.

You're gonna be okay.

So, the, uh, big guy...

Louis.
I, I don't know his last name.

I take it
he was an acquaintance

- of your lady friend?
- Yeah.

Go easy on him.
He saved my life.

Yeah. I forgot to read him
his Miranda Rights.

He's probably gonna be out
in a day or two.

You can do that?

I'm a cop. I can do anything.

Ah! There he is.

Thanks, man.

- Of course, man.
- Yeah.

You'd do the same for me.
Yeah.

Hey, what if after
I finish paperwork,

I come over to the Tumble Inn
and party with you guys?

You know, the girls and,
and your lady and everybody.

Sounds like a plan.
We'll be waiting for you, buddy.

I'm gonna get drunk as a fuck.

Already am.

- All right. I'll see you there.
- All right.

- Zach?
- Yeah?

I got you.

I got you, buddy.

Hey.

- Hi.
- You okay?

I'm okay.

Are you okay?

I'd say sorry
for all the things

that I need to say sorry for,

but then we'd probably
be here all night.

You came back.

Tonight, that's enough.

I'd do anything but
breakdance for you, darling.

Hmm.

Yeah! Woo-hoo!

All right.

I'm so glad
you're okay.

- What?
- An ambush.

♪ Well the broken part of me ♪

♪ And this trouble so hard ♪

♪ And this washed-up way
Of livin' ♪

♪ Since we been apart ♪

♪ And after all
We've been through ♪

♪ And even after I lost you ♪

♪ I'm still drunk ♪

♪ I'm still crazy ♪

♪ I'm still blue ♪

♪ Sweat gets so cold ♪

♪ Alone every night ♪

♪ There ain't nothin' on TV ♪

♪ You know nothin' ain't right ♪

♪ I been rollin' and rollin' ♪

♪ Honey all the night through ♪

♪ I'm still drunk ♪

♪ I'm still crazy ♪

♪ I'm still blue ♪

♪ I'm still drunk
I'm still blue ♪

♪ I'm still all tore up
Over you ♪

♪ I'm still stoned ♪

♪ I'm still alone ♪

♪ I'm still wrong ♪

♪ There's a Coke machine
Glowin' through a parking lot ♪

♪ Call it a room with a view ♪

♪ This was the best night
Of pool that I ever shot ♪

♪ I made a lot of money too ♪

♪ Looking for some company
In the weekly scene ♪

♪ Seen an ad
It just had to be you ♪

♪ I hadn't seen you
Since New Orleans ♪

♪ And I never did figure out
Where you run off to ♪

♪ I know I looked bad
The last time you saw me ♪

♪ But lately
I've been doin' all right ♪

♪ I won a tournament last week
In Oklahoma City ♪

♪ Hustled half of this town
Tonight ♪

♪ I got some cocaine
If you want some ♪

♪ It's the best
That I could find ♪

♪ Hey we could just sit here
And talk all night ♪

♪ If that big ol' guy
Out in the car don't mind ♪

♪ Like old times ♪

♪ Screw off the top
On a bottle of wine ♪

♪ Living out our own kind
Of American dream ♪

♪ Like old times ♪

♪ Your goal was always the same
As mine ♪

♪ You didn't want to throw
A fishing line ♪

♪ In that old main stream ♪

♪ You know I ain't expecting
Anybody but you ♪

♪ I don't know who that could be
At the door ♪

♪ But I'm pretty sure
That you've got a clue ♪

♪ And I bet that you've been
To this hotel before ♪

♪ Put the "you-know-what"
In the bathroom ♪

♪ But don't flush down
Just yet ♪

♪ Put your pager
In my suitcase ♪

♪ I'll get the window
You light a cigarette ♪

♪ It'll be like old times ♪

♪ Screw off the top
On a bottle of wine ♪

♪ Living out our own kind
Of American dream ♪

♪ Like old times ♪

♪ Your goal was always the same
As mine ♪

♪ You didn't want to throw
A fishing line ♪

♪ In that old main stream ♪

♪ You said no sir officer
You don't understand ♪

♪ We're just two old friends
Drinkin' wine ♪

♪ I'm sure she is But
that's not all that she is ♪

♪ She's also an old friend
Of mine ♪

♪ I got her high school picture
Right here in my wallet ♪

♪ 1982 ♪

♪ No, sir, officer
No offense taken ♪

♪ You have a good night too ♪

♪ Well, it's a good thing
We didn't throw this away ♪

♪ Baby, turn up that radio ♪

♪ Well, I'm pretty sure
That cop knew ♪

♪ What we were up to
I guess he just decided ♪

♪ To let us go ♪

♪ Oh, don't make such a thing
About that picture ♪

♪ That was just something
I kept ♪

♪ Don't get all sentimental
On me now, girl ♪

♪ You haven't even told me
What your new name is yet ♪

♪ Old times ♪

♪ It's just like the old times ♪

♪ Living out our own kind
Of American dream ♪

♪ Like old times ♪

♪ Your goal was always the same
As mine ♪

♪ You didn't want to throw
A fishing line ♪

♪ In that old main stream ♪

♪ And you didn't ♪