I Am Watching You (2016) - full transcript

♪ ♪

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

[sighs]

[ringing continues]

Hey.

[Karen]
Nora!

[Nora]
Karen!

Ya blew me off last night.

Oh, you would've loved
the band we saw.

Oh.



I'm not really up
for much these days, Karen.

You need to get out
of the house.

You're like a shut-in.

Hey, what are
you doing right now?

I'm trying to write, but I'm...

stuck.

I guess I just need
a little inspiration.

Nora, Mark was three months ago.

Look, I know
he broke your heart,

but you need to get back
to your romance blog.

You can't keep
the Internet fans waiting.

I know.

I am.

Well, I was calling to complain
about this missing woman case



- I was assigned, but...
- No, no!

I'm here for you.

How is life in the trenches?

The woman's name is
Maureen Gallagher.

The paper wants to
do a whole series.

It's a crime beat.

If it bleeds, it leads,
that whole thing.

Mm-hmm.

Gruesome.

Yeah, most of my articles
end up online anyway.

Well, there's nothing wrong
with a little online following.

I mean, if it wasn't for
my romance blog,

my Cassandra stories would
never see the light of day.

Hey, that is not true!

You're gonna land
a big book deal,

but right now
we're talking about me.

Of course. Continue.

You remember freshman year at BU

me, you, and Scotty,
in Bernstein's writing seminar?

He was like,
"Forget traditional journalism.

Newspapers are dead!"

- Yeah.
- I can tell he was right.

Barbara is driving me crazy.

Sometimes it feels like
dating that woman

is like death
by a thousand little paper cuts.

No, a thousand is too few.

Nora? Nora?

What? Yeah?

I'm trying to complain
about my girlfriend here.

- Are you listening?
- Yeah.

Something about paper cuts.

You seem distracted.

My hot neighbor is back again.

Are you watching him
from your window again?

No, I'm writing.

[chuckles]

Talk about inspiration.

You like him,
you do something about it.

[sighs]

I'm coming over Thursday.

Okay, well, bring wine.

Uh, duh.

Okay. Love you. Bye.

[Nora V.O.] Cassandra often watched
the stranger from her window.

Strong, handsome, mysterious.

She wondered
what it would be like

to know the stranger.

Her thoughts raced.

A red light emanated
from within her.

She had forgotten
what inspiration felt like.

Might this stranger
hold the key?

Could her muse be
right next door?

[keys jingling]

Huh.

[door opening]

[door closes]

[Nora V.O.] Cassandra'd
watched him come and go,

often with bright, brilliant,
new brunettes in hand.

Cassandra was intrigued.

He lived tucked away
in the secret of shadows.

She fantasized
about meeting the stranger,

for the red light grew warmer.

♪ ♪

[vocalizing]

[gasps]

[Nora V.O.] The stranger
appeared out of the shadows,

enveloping her.

Cassandra held her breath
as his hands coasted

over her body.

She wondered how
the touch of a stranger

could seem so familiar.

[phone rings]

Hi, Scotty.

[Scotty]
Morning, sleepyhead.

Did you sleep
on the couch again?

- Mmph.
- Yes?

You can't just nod.
You're on the phone, Nora.

What do you want, Scotty?
It's early.

Come meet me. I'm writing an
article about breakfast potatoes

and I need you to weigh in.

Hash browns, fritters,
tater tots, or home fries.

[groans]
Tots.

And since this is work,
I can expense everything.

Come on, Nora.

What do you say?

I'll meet you in 15 minutes.

- Hey.
- Hey.

[Scotty]
I'm glad you came out.

Really. I haven't...
I haven't seen you in weeks

- and you look great.
- Thanks.

I mean, a little tired,
but great.

What?

I stayed up all night writing.

- Um...
- Huh?

I forgot what it felt like
to be inspired.

Hm.

Well, this is why I write
about food, not people.

I mean, give me some
extra spicy kimchi

or a perfect soufflé,
and that's inspiration.

I have this neighbor...

- Yeah?
- Who I...

occasionally sometimes...

maybe...

watch... through the window.

I never pegged you
for a peeping Tom.

I'm not, like,
busting out the telescope.

It's just the angle
of the buildings.

I can see into his bedroom.

Kinky.

- No!
- Yes.

It's innocent.

- Mostly.
- Good for you.

And Mark was, what,
six months ago?

Three months ago.

Mark wanted to hike
the Appalachian Trail

and surf Cabo
and I am a homebody

who needs constant Wi-Fi access.

We weren't really
built to last, but...

You were just too different.

Yeah, I know.

But back to
this neighbor rebound, like...

No!

It's not that.

It... it's just
a little daydreaming...

about his eyes...

and his smile...

- Okay.
- And his chest.

I... I get it, Scotty.

I know I tend to have
a little bit of a...

overactive imagination,

but since I write
romance novels,

I don't think
it's such a bad thing.

Nora, I want you
to have something.

Someone real in your life.

So do I.

[door opening]

[sighs]

Stupid.

Did you lock yourself out?

Yeah.
[chuckles]

I guess...

I guess I left my keys in there

and I don't even have my phone.

Oh. Well...

you can use mine.

I mean, we could
call a locksmith.

Oh. Yeah.

Thank you.

I'll... I'll just wait here.

Or you can come in if you want.

All right.

Oh. He said 40 minutes.

For the wait.

- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.

[ambient music playing]

[chuckles]

So how long have
we been neighbors?

Um... about two years.

Has it been that long?

Mm.

I'm Nora Nichols.

[chuckles]

Lucas Wheeler.

- Now we're not strangers anymore.
- Right.

Um, you're a... a writer?

Yeah. There is a method
to this madness.

And what do you do?

Ah. Photographer.

Yeah.
That makes sense.

That's why you're gone
all the time.

Yeah.

I get sent to New York
a lot on assignment.

Oh.

And what do you shoot
in New York?

Fashion?

Sometimes, yeah.

I actually had
a client over last night.

We did a test shoot.

Oh.

Client.

Hm.

Your, um...

your boyfriend's not
around tonight.

Ex-boyfriend.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to...

No, that's okay.

What's, uh, what's
your... your genre?

Romance.

Mostly.

You know, fantasy
versus reality.

Oh.

Prefer fantasy.
[chuckles]

[chuckles]

[both laughing]

How do you focus this?

- Let me show you.
- Okay. Sorry.

To set up focus, you want it...

- close like that.
- Oh, hey!

- Like that.
- Sneaky!

And see, that is why I don't
want to work in fashion forever.

'Cause it's all
about appearances.

That's the opposite
of why I love photography.

And so why do
you love photography?

'Cause it's a journey.

And you're searching for that...

that one perfect moment.

And then you can
capture it forever.

You try to find the real moment

and I try to create it.

I mean, that's...
That's what writing is.

You choose the words

so carefully and give
the characters emotions

and create this whole world.

Hm.

One real moment.

I search for it
and you create it.

[knocking]

- Oh, shit! I...
- Oh, shi...

- Oh...
- I'm gonna go to the bathroom.

- I'm sorry.
- It's okay.

Hey.

- Lucas Wheeler?
- Yeah, that's me.

This it?

Change it or for
a new set of keys?

I just need one key.

[Nora V.O.] The stranger
emerged from the darkness.

His rough, vulnerable power

drew her closer
to the red light.

They lingered,
sharing a charged moment.

She looked upon his face
with new wisdom.

Cassandra was determined
to discover something in him

no one had ever seen.

[sighs]

[giggles]

[gasps]

[keys jingling]

Hey!

- Hey!
- Thank you so much for the photo.

Oh, yeah. My pleasure.

[chuckles]

- Ooh.
- Uh.

Sorry.

It's okay.

Your work is so beautiful.

Well... have a nice day.

- Yeah, you too.
- Okay.

Bye, Nora.

Bye.

[Nora V.O.] This time was
different for Cassandra.

Her body was alive,
burning, satisfied.

She moved forward,
confident and in control.

It was in this moment that

Cassandra set her sights
on something new

and decided to pursue
this inspiration.

[Karen]
Nora, come on.

We had to go 10 minutes ago.

Oh! Sorry about the buzzer.

Oh, it's fine.

You look great!

- You look great!
- Whatever.

And your makeup!
So beautiful.

And now we're playing
the compliment game.

[chuckles]

- The car is almost here.
- Okay. Sorry.

I'm just still
getting myself together.

Scotty was worried you'd bail.

You hate stuff like this.

Oh, well, it's his birthday.

Oh, I didn't get him anything.

Can I share a present with you?

Yeah, sure.

What is... all this?

Okay, I get it.

Good job, Lucas.

- [chuckles]
- [phone vibrates]

Oh! Car is here.

Oh! Um, I'll meet you
down there in two minutes.

Okay.

But you're telling Scotty
why we're late.

Okay.

[door closes]

- Hey!
- Hey.

Are you staying in tonight?

Yeah, I have some work to do.

- I got some photos to develop.
- Oh.

The red light!

- What?
- [chuckles]

I would sometimes see
a mysterious red light

underneath your door and I
always wondered what it was.

- You have a dark room.
- I do.

Do you wanna come inside?

See the mysterious red light
for yourself?

[sighs]
I have a friend waiting.

A female friend. Karen.

But raincheck though.

Absolutely.

- Okay.
- Okay.

- Good night.
- Yeah, good night.

♪ ♪

[Karen]
Okay, goody-two-shoes,

it's time to spill all about
your brand new man candy.

What?

Please tell me you've done something
borderline x-rated with this guy.

Um...

[Karen]
I know that look.

It's strictly PG, isn't it?

Am I right?

I insist you go home immediately
and you sleep with that guy.

Yo, I'm drunk and I actually
agree with her for once.

Well, you gotta have
some wild times.

- Wild times?
- Yeah.

You've dated Mark all through
college and grad school.

It's time for you
to make some mistakes.

Yeah.

We need some more
shots over here!

- Oh, no. Please don't do that.
- Hello?!

- [chuckles]
- Yes!

- Yes!
- All right, do three more?

[Karen] More shots please!
Three more shots!

Yes! Yes!

One for the birthday boy

and she's getting laid tonight!

♪ ♪

♪ I must confess ♪

♪ I've done you wrong ♪

♪ And now you're tangled ♪

♪ In the web of my song ♪

♪ Love's a gamble ♪

♪ When you feel
like I do ♪

♪ Events are bust ♪

[Scotty]
Shots!

- Oh.
- You're evil!

- Yes!
- Nora, toss it back.

It's my birthday, dammit.

What are we doin'?

Uh-huh.

[sighs]

[knocking]

Um, and this is the same girl
in these photos?

Yeah.

Some of my best work
was with her.

She was your muse?

She inspired you?

She did.

I have to tell you a secret.

Yeah?

I've been watching you...

through my window.

Yeah?

Yeah.

I have a secret too.

I didn't lock myself out
last week.

Can I see the dark room?

Yeah.

It's the reason
you came over, right?

Mm-hmm.

Wow.

Hm.

Yeah.

So I spend most
of my time in here.

Hm.

It seems very involved.

Why not just go digital?

I love the discipline.

The texture and the composition,

exposure...

I'm a tactile person.

Secret stash?

Some of my favorites.

It's my best work in there.

Can I see?

Not yet.

Tell me about your work.

What happens in your...

fantasy writing?

Sex.

Crazy sex.

Lots of it.

♪ ♪

♪ I should walk away ♪

♪ But I can't find a reason ♪

♪ Is it pleasure or pain ♪

♪ That gives me this feeling ♪

♪ Feeling ♪

♪ Falling apart
at the seams ♪

♪ Unraveled emotions
expose all my dreams ♪

♪ Falling apart
at the seams ♪

♪ Don't say a word ♪

[sighs]

I had a great time.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Nora V.O.] She was
warmed by the red light.

It undulated through her body...

piercing her skin.

Her mind pulsed with excitement.

To being young, wild, and free.

And everyone getting
laid last night.

- Here, here.
- Mm.

I can't believe you snuck out.

I didn't sneak out.

I had a flash of inspiration.

Mm, gotta strike
while the iron's hot.

- Yeah.
- Ooh!

Hot irons. I like that.

Nora!

What has gotten into you?

You were not
like this with Mark.

[Scotty]
I like the new Nora.

- She takes charge.
- [giggles]

It's a nice change.

To new Nora!

Okay.

Are you gonna see him again?

I don't know.

I mean, I...

I'm not ready
for a real relationship.

I'm also no good at casual sex.

- Hey, nobody is.
- Hmph.

But he lives right next door.

I mean, what if it gets weird?

Yeah, but this is,
like, every guy's fantasy,

the woman next door
who just wants to get laid.

- Yeah.
- Uh-huh? Yeah?

But just be honest
with what you want.

Nothing too serious.

- A lady in the streets...
- But a freak in the sheets!

Oh, yeah!

Hey, does anyone want
to be my plus one tonight?

I can't.

I gotta cover
a press conference downtown

about that missing woman
Maureen Gallagher.

Nora, wanna tag along?

Um, I have plans.

To write.

It's fine.

No, I'll fly solo.

[sighs]

Hm.

[chuckles]

[chuckles]

[clinking]

No thanks.

[sighs]

[both chuckle]

[Nora V.O.] Cassandra reclined
further against the pillows,

spent, satisfied, but still
curious about the stranger...

the stranger now in her bed.

[knocking]

♪ ♪

Hey.

♪ Hearts against the wall
tonight with you ♪

♪ Time steps backwards ♪

♪ Setting fire to truth ♪

♪ Setting fire ♪

♪ Hearts against
the wall again... ♪

[Nora]
The thing is...

I'm not really ready
for something...

serious yet.

It's okay.

[Nora] I'm just trying to, you
know, focus on myself right now

and I want to be
upfront about that.

I understand.

[Lucas] We don't have to
talk about this right now.

♪ Holding on again ♪

♪ Holding on to you again ♪

♪ Holding on again ♪

♪ Holding on to you again ♪

♪ It's a little too late,
a little too much ♪

♪ Holding on again ♪

♪ It's a little too late,
a little too much ♪

- ♪ Holding on again ♪
- [Lucas] I'm always traveling.

- It feels good just to...
- ♪ I said you were ♪

- Stop. -♪ Said you were
my biggest mistake ♪

♪ Oh, but I still let you in ♪

- [giggles]
- ♪ What a mess we've made ♪

♪ A mess ♪

♪ Hearts against the wall
again with you ♪

- ♪ Oh, but I lost my mind ♪
- [moans]

♪ And I found myself
with you ♪

♪ Found myself ♪

[moans]

Mm.

Didn't you get
enough last night?

No.

- [giggles]
- [shutter clicks]

Plus, this is you right now

with nothing to hide.

Except this pillow.

[chuckles]

Aww.

- [shutter clicks]
- No!

- Stop it!
- [laughs]

Join me in the shower?

In a minute.

Last one.

- Okay.
- Okay.

[groans]

[shower running]

[thump]

Nora?

Coming.

How's that friends with benefits
situation treating you?

Honestly, it's the greatest.

Consider my wild times
had and had well.

[laughs]

So, he's living up
to all your fantasies?

And then some.

And I'm finally getting
somewhere with this novel.

Maybe I can finally get to
move past ebooks and downloads.

And I have
this publishing contact.

Margaret Ross, she agreed
to take a meeting with me

after she caught wind
of my following.

Nearly a million reads
and I'm only halfway done.

What? You're, like,
Internet famous.

Well, or at least Cassandra is.

I'm so proud of you!

- [chuckles]
- Like...

Yeah, I don't know!
It's... it's so easy this time.

The words just come.

It's because you're
writing about yourself.

No, I'm not. I'm...

I... I'm just trying
to write something honest.

[shutter clicks]

[shutter clicks]

[shutter clicks]

- [phone ringing]
- [sighs]

Margaret will see you now.

Miss? Miss Nichols?

Yes, what?
Oh, yeah.

Elevator's down the hall
and to the left.

Thank you. Thank you.

Frankly, Margaret,
I'm tired of seeing

women surprised
by their own sexuality.

Somewhere along the way,
we convinced ourselves

that female fantasies are
more about what men want

than what women want.

We've lost control
of our own fantasies,

and it has to change.

I mean, women can be
heroic and ruthless

and courageous and kind,
and yes, sexual.

We have to stop projecting
these dangerous ideals

of being a certain weight
and looking a certain way.

I mean, we didn't invent
these ideals

and we certainly
don't value them,

so why have we agreed
to live them?

Hm.

I have been watching your career
for a while now, Nora.

You've got quite
a decent following,

lots of reads, lots of shares,

and your Cassandra ebooks
have had some success.

They have.

But this...

is fresh.

I'm going to need you
to pull everything off

your romance blog immediately.

We'll talk to PR,
we'll have them put out

some kind of notification
to your readers saying that...

Wait, why?

Because I want to publish
a Cassandra novel.

-[gasps] - And we can't be
giving this away online for free

if we want people to buy it.

Margaret, I...

Congratulations, Nora.

This is different
from your other work.

Now, we're going to finalize
the deal first obviously,

so please talk to your lawyer,
but I see big things.

A national book tour,

maybe even some
talk show appearances.

Oh!

Margaret, this is fantastic.
Thank you.

When can I have a final draft?
Two weeks?

Two weeks?

We have a gap
in our publishing schedule,

so I'm gonna need it
by the end of the month.

I see.

I know it's
a very tight deadline,

but hey, that's how things go.

I have no doubt I'll be
able to meet your deadline.

Good.

Well...

there was one more thing.

There's going to have to be
at least one bondage scene.

- Oh!
- [chuckles]

It's very in right now.

♪ ♪

[moans]

[sighs]

I'm proud of you.

[chuckles]

Yeah, I'm gonna be...

I'm gonna be writing nonstop
until I make my deadline.

You'll make it.

I probably won't have time
for anything else.

Well...

I don't want
to be a distraction.

So then this is goodbye
for a little while.

I understand.

[grunts]

[grunts]

[sighs]

Well, if you get writer's block,
you know where I live.

[sighs]

[Nora V.O.]
She was swollen with pleasure

from the depths of her belly
from the tips of her toes.

His grip tightened
upon her flesh

as her nails scored red
down his back.

- [giggles]
- [knocking]

[door closes]

[phone rings]

♪ ♪

Mm.

[sighs]

Can't sleep, huh?

[moans]

And then they began thrusting

and throbbing together in agony.

Wow.

Some muse you've got there.

Mm-hmm. Yeah, I do.

All that tie up stuff,

you actually did that
with Lucas?

They say write what you know.

[chuckles]

And you're, like,
being safe, right?

Yeah. Are you giving me
a condom PSA right now?

No, no. Not just that.

I mean, you're being safe
because you trust him?

Yeah, sure.

You don't even know him.

I do in the biblical sense.

Right?

She's got a point, Nora.
I mean, he's your neighbor,

but you don't know anything
about his life.

Uh, he's a photographer.

Have you met his friends?

No.

Where did he grow up?

I don't know.

Look, you guys told me
to have a no-strings fling

with this guy,
now you're being all judgy.

Hey, no.
There's no judgment here.

Only mild concern.

- I mean, you're using this guy for inspiration...
- I'm not using him.

Yeah, you're using him,
but that's okay

as long as he's
on the same page.

Look, we're not even
seeing each other anymore

'cause I have this deadline
and then after that

probably a book tour.

You've got a hickey
on your neck.

I had writer's block.

[both laugh]

Hey, look, Nora,
you know we love you

and you deserve
to have your fun.

Just, you know, be careful.

Okay.

♪ ♪

[phone rings]

[ringing]

[Lucas]
Hello?

Hey.

Is everything okay?

Hey.

Yeah.

Last night was amazing.

Yeah, it was.

I miss you, Nora.

I have to go, okay?

Okay. Well, call me later.

Yeah.

Bye.

Uh...

[phone rings]

[knocking]

[Lucas]
Nora?

I know you're in there.

[knocking]

Lucas.

Hey, Nora.

I got invited
to this gallery opening

and some of my work
is gonna be there.

Would you join me?

Oh.

I'm working.

Come on.

It's... it's right
around the corner.

[sighs]

Lucas, I really can't.

Mm.

'Cause you... you went
out with your friends earlier

and you have time for them
and you don't have time for me,

so it just feels like
you're avoiding me.

No.

I... I mean, I did...
I went out earlier,

but not... I'm not avoiding you.

I... I have this deadline

and I see my publisher
tomorrow in the morning, so...

[sighs]

Look, maybe if I can
get enough work done,

maybe I can meet you.

Yeah?

Yeah.

- Okay.
- Okay.

All right, I'll see you soon.

[sighs]

This pacing is all off.

[sighs]

No gallery for me tonight.

Sorry, Lucas.

[knocking]

[groans]

Oh...

[knocking continues]

Have anything to say to me?

Oh, how was the show?

How was the show?

Where were you?

I was here.

Working. I told you.

No.

You told me you'd come.

And I was waiting for you.

I am always waiting for you.

Lucas, I... I'm... I don't... I...

I'm sorry.
I was working.

I gave up a job.

To be here with you.

I didn't know you did that.

I didn't ask you to do that.

I'd give up anything for you.

Listen, Lucas...

our time together
has been great,

but I'm really focused on
my writing right now, you know?

And I... I'm sorry.

I don't have time for,
like, a real relationship.

I thought that
we talked about that.

[sighs]

We have so much fun.

"Fun"?

So...

you had your fun
and now it's over.

No. I... I'm...

Is this part of your fantasy?

Where you meet guys,
fall in love with them,

and then you get off
by treating them like shit?

No.

You came to my room in the
middle of the night, yes or no?

- Yes or no?
- You know what?

Lucas, I think you should leave.

Okay?

I think you should leave now.

No writer's block tonight?

I thought I was your muse.

You know what?

You're mine too.

I'm not willing to
let you go just yet.

Leave.

Now!

[clattering]

[grunting]

You're sure?

Yeah, it was like
he was a different person.

He was freaking out,
breaking things.

It was really scary.

Hm.

Well, I hate to play
devil's advocate,

but you did just dump the guy.

What are you talking about?

You broke his heart

and he went home
and tore up his bedroom.

You can't blame the guy
because you can actually

see into his bedroom.

You remember back in grad school

when Melissa cut me loose?

I put my fist through a wall
and I screamed in the street

and I got drunk every night
for, like, a week.

This was different.

It was like he wanted
me to see him.

But isn't that your little game?

Like, you guys watch
each other through the window?

Maybe he's still playing.

Well, it's not fun anymore.

And I have the biggest meeting
of my career tomorrow.

I mean today in five hours.

[scoffs]

Well, get some rest.

- [sighs]
- I'll crash on the couch.

And tomorrow, we'll work out
your escape plan, and...

I'll wait till then
to say, "I told you so,"

about the whole dating
your neighbor thing.

- Thank you.
- Yeah.

[Nora] Come on, Scotty!
We'll be late!

[Scotty]
I'm comin', I'm comin'.

- Thank you for staying over.
- Yeah.

You know, just tell me when you
make your pile of sexy money.

I'm not sure the money itself
will actually be sexy.

Oh, it will.

Good luck with Margaret.

- You'll do great.
- Thanks, Scotty.

- Bye.
- I love you.

[grunts]

[groans]

[groans]

[Receptionist] Ms. Nichols,
Margaret will see you now.

Thank you.

- [grunts]
- [groans]

Brilliant. Really brilliant.

I love the exploration
of that fine line

between obsession
and inspiration.

Thank you, Margaret.
That means so much.

And Cassandra as
the sexual aggressor...

so smart.

I can't wait to see how it ends.

I do need you to
incorporate those notes

that I e-mailed you
in the next draft,

which I'm gonna have
by Friday, right?

Friday.

No problem.

Who knew erotic thriller
was really your genre?

Hey, best friend!
Great news!

[Karen] Nora, get down
to County Hospital.

What happened?

[Woman on PA]
Dr. Landry...

Karen, how is he?

I... I don't know.

I... I couldn't go anywhere.
I couldn't.

Ladies, we need to
run some tests.

Visiting hours are over.

[Man on PA] Paging Doctor Maria.
Doctor Maria...

Oh, my God.

I... I just saw him.

He stayed over last night.

[groans]

[Both]
Scotty?

Are you okay?

- [groans]
- He'll be okay.

He's Scotty.

[Woman on PA]
Paging Monica Sabrina...

When's the last time
you ate anything?

There's a ramen place
two blocks over.

Scotty loves that ramen place.

Rest. We'll be back soon.

Come on, let's go.

There's nothing we can
do right now.

[Man on PA]
Oncology...

- Hey!
- Hey.

Nora, please! I...

Please, I...

I just want to apologize.

Look, I was way out of line
last night, and, um...

I'm sorry.

Can I come in?

I don't think that's
such a good idea, Lucas.

I have a lot going on right now

and my friend's in the hospital.

Somebody I know?

I don't think so.

What the hell is this?

Don't you want to open it?

What?

I think you're gonna love it.

How did you get in here, Lucas?

You left the door unlocked.

I feel terrible...

about yesterday.

But I saw this...

and I thought of you.

It's from the '30s.

It still works. Try it.

What is this?

It's from the other day.

When you were with your friend.

You followed me?

Are you mad?

Look, Nora, we had a fight.

But I'm sorry.

You need to forgive me.

This... this is over.

Don't ruin this, Nora.

You know...

[sighs]

I just... I can't right now.

I'm just... I'm tired.

Well, what about your novel?

What?

It's about me.

Right?

No.

It's about a version of you

that doesn't really exist.

[sighs]

I'm just really tired
right now, Lucas.

[sighs]
You know?

Okay.

Please go.

Will... will you please just...

- I'm sorry.
- I...

Anyway, Scotty's mom said

we should know something
by the end of the week.

The doctor seemed pleased.
Optimistic even.

- Thank goodness.
- Mm.

So what are we gonna
do about Lucas?

Nothing.

I ended things definitively.

He's obsessed with you.

He's just the brooding
artist type.

I don't think he'd
actually ever do anything.

He was in your apartment.

You know you can't stay there.

In my apartment?

I kind of have to.

You should crash here
for a couple of nights.

At least until
you get your writing done.

[sighs]

I can't do that.

I have my notes
and everything there.

Okay.

So, you crash here tonight
and you get your stuff tomorrow.

You're just being dramatic.

I'm gonna go get a drink.

- Okay. Grab me a soda.
- Okay.

- A local middle school teacher...
- Oh, hey!

This is that new report
I've been covering!

Back to an ongoing story.

The search
for Maureen Gallagher continues

Maureen has been missing
for four long weeks,

and though her family has...

You only have diet?
Ugh, I hate diet.

Shh! This is the missing
woman I told you about.

Maureen is 5'6.
She has dark hair and blue eyes

-and two moles on her left cheek.
- She looks familiar.

Maureen was a local volunteer...

- Oh, really?
- I kind of feel like...

I've seen her face before.

Huh. She kind of looks like you.

If you have any information
about Maureen, her whereabouts,

- or her disappearance,
- I've probably seen her on TV.

Please contact authorities.

Bye, Karen.

[phone rings]

[Nora's voicemail]
Hi, you've reached Nora Nichols.

Leave a message
and I'll call you back.

[Lucas] Hi, Nora. It's Lucas.

I hate to do this
over the phone,

but I need to talk to you.

I feel horrible

about what happened
the other night, and...

I know we were keeping
things casual.

Truth is, I actually had
a great time with you

and... and I never thought

I would fall
for someone so fast,

but this has gotten too intense.

So, it's over.

I don't want to see you anymore

and I need to break up with you

before things get
out of control.

I'm sorry it had to
end like this.

Um...

Okay, that's it.

Take care and good luck
with the book.

Maybe I'll see you
around the building sometime.

[sighs]

[chop]

[keys jingling]

[distant chatter]

This is my place.

Do you have my keys?

- Do you have my keys?
- Uh...

Do you have my keys?

- Come inside?
- Yes.

Yeah.

[knocking]

[knocking continues]

[knocking continues]

[Lucas]
Nora?

Are you home?

I'm home.

Do you wanna open the door?

No.

Did you get my message?

Yeah, I did.

Do you want to talk about it?

Not really.

Well, I'm gonna take
a job in New York,

so I'm gonna
be gone for a while.

Okay.

You know, I was thinking
when I came back

we could just start over
and we could just be friends.

I'll see you in a few weeks.

To being single.

So let me get this straight.

Your crazy, obsessive stalker

broke up with you?

- Through a voicemail.
- Ugh.

And he had a date last night.

Did you...

Mm-mm.

Okay, I watched
for a little bit.

[chuckles]

All things considered,
I think you dodged a bullet.

I still feel like
you should move out.

No, he's in New York.
He'll be gone for weeks.

All right. Well, I gotta go.

You're not the only one
with a deadline.

My Maureen Gallagher piece
is due by the end of the day.

Nora?

Why are you acting strange?

I just remembered something.

That photo that
I saw on the news,

I've seen it before.

I saw it at Lucas' apartment.

What?

Do you think
he could be involved?

Let me do some digging.

We would need evidence. Something
to connect the two together.

Hey, get to work.

Let me worry about Maureen
and you focus on Cassandra.

I'll be back later tonight.

Bye.

[door opens, closes]

♪ ♪

Oh, God.

I made the box.

[Lucas]
Nora?

I know you're in here.

Apartment 22. Please hurry.

[Dispatcher]
Remain calm.

Help is on the way.

Thought you'd change your mind.

I called the police.

You broke into my house
and then you called the police?

That's bold.

She was your favorite.

Who?

You know who. Maureen.

Maureen.

Maureen Gallagher.

She's been missing for weeks

and you have her picture
in your secret little box.

So what?

You think I killed her?

I don't know what to think.

Nora, I know you want
to be with me.

I know how long
you've been watching me,

how long you've been
spying through my windows

watching me get out
of the shower

or watching me make my bed

even before Mark was around.

- This is all in your head.
- That's not true.

I don't think you're being
very honest with yourself.

You did something to Maureen.

Nora, we are meant to be.

Ever since we got together,
your writing is so much better

and you're inspiring
my photography.

[Officer]
LAPD!

Help! I'm in here!

And you knew he was
supposed to be out of town?

This is ridiculous.

I didn't do anything wrong.

You broke into your
ex-boyfriend's apartment, ma'am.

He's not my ex-boyfriend.

But you two dated?

[police radio chatter]

Not exactly.

That is Maureen Gallagher

and she's been missing for weeks
and he knew her.

Sir?

Maureen was one
of my models, yeah.

I've known her for years.

Are you aware she's been
reported missing?

Yes, of course.

And why exactly did
you want to see

this particular photograph?

He was obsessed with her
and I think that he had

something to do
with her disappearance.

If you want me to
answer any questions...

Fine. Mr. Wheeler,
why don't you

come down to
the station with us?

- Ms. Nichols?
- Yes?

You'll stay in your own
apartment from now on.

[police radio chatter]

[Officer]
Sir?

[police radio chatter]

Karen...

[Karen] Are you okay?
What's wrong?

I just had a crazy run-in
with Lucas and the police.

The police? Nora!

What happened?

[sighs]

I don't want to talk about it.
What'd you find?

I found Maureen Gallagher.

Wait, what?

Maureen eloped
with her boyfriend last month

and was found
in Riverside today.

Turns out it was a runaway case.

But she was reported missing.

Yeah, well, I guess her parents
didn't approve of the guy.

Oh, my God.

Yeah, turns out Lucas is
just some broody creep,

not a murderer.

He did know Maureen though.

They did a shoot
together last year.

Yeah.

Well, that's the last time
that we play Nancy Drew.

- Deal?
- Deal.

Do you still wanna come over?

Yeah.

I'll bring pizza and we can
discuss your taste in men.

Ha ha.

I can make a salad,
but, um, I still have,

like, 30 pages to write.

I'll proofread.

Thank you.

♪ They don't understand
why we trying to... ♪

♪ And truth be told ♪

♪ We've been putting ourselves
in a heart attack... ♪

[phone rings]

[Nora's voicemail]
Hi, you've reached Nora Nichols.

Leave a me...

[sighs]

♪ We last forever ♪

- ♪ We last forever ♪
- [sighs]

♪ We last forever ♪

[vocalizing]

[creaking]

[sighs]

[gasps]

So this is what it's like
when you're watching me.

Did you enjoy watching
the other night?

Did I make you jealous?

I want to be with you, Nora.

One more time.

I want to taste you.

[grunts]

[grunts]

[phone rings]

- [ringing stops]
- [gasping]

You never answer it anyway.

Lucas, this isn't you.

Karen is coming.
She'll be here any second.

You always have time
for your friends.

Karen...

and Scotty.

Scotty.

Did you...

You've seen how he looks at you.

You could have killed him.

You lied to me.

No, I didn't.

- I read your book.
- I didn't.

It's about me.

You used me.

No.

I'm sorry, Lucas.

- [grunts]
- [shattering]

[groans]

You think you're cute?

[grunts]

[groans]

- Thank you.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Nora?

[gasps]

Oh, God.

Nora.

You're okay.

[Woman] [laughs] Oh, I'm
gonna need a car service!

[overlapping chatter]

[Margaret]
Oh, my God, Nora.

Our numbers are
going to be huge!

Gillian Flynn just tweeted out
a recommendation.

They're calling it
an intimacy thriller.

No more sappy romance novels
for you, young lady.

This is the big league.

Your public awaits.

Thank you, Margaret.

Go.

[cheers and applause]

Hi.

I'm Nora.

- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too.

Who should I make it out to?

- For Christina please.
- Okay.

- Thank you!
- Thank you so much!

- Thank you so much!
- Thank you!

[all cheer]

Look at this line!
Your fans are crazy.

Yeah, the price of fame.

Oh, and what would
you know about that?

I'm the one who
actually paid the price.

Hey, no pouting,
Angela Lansbury.

Sign our books.

- Who should I make it out to?
- "To Scotty...

whose unbridled sexuality inspired
all the love scenes in this book".

- Uh-huh.
- Mm.

And for mine, you can just put "To
Karen, whom I love and worship".

Of course.
Thank you guys for coming.

Oh, we wouldn't have missed it.

- Dinner tonight?
- Yes!

- And you're buying.
- Ha!

Who do I make it out to?

How about, "One real moment.

I search for it
and you create it".

It's my favorite line
when they first meet.

In the book.

My friends tease me.

They, uh, they say I look like
the guy you describe.

So what do you say?

Do I look like your fantasy guy?

♪ ♪