Intimate Stranger (2006) - full transcript

I

believe that an open road

is a metaphor to life.

Some days you can see for

miles, everything's clear.

Other times, what's just

beyond the headlights

is dark and unknown.

But if you keep control,

if you believe in yourself,

you can make it through

any twists and turns,

no matter how it might otherwise seem.

- I hate thunder.

- It was just the wind.

Come on, time for bed.

Come on, buddy, double time, come on.

Breaker went off again.

Come on, keep going.

Okay.

- You know, I used to

be afraid of storms too

until your grandma told me

exactly what thunder was.

- It's a refraction of

atmospheric pressure

when lightening moves faster

than the speed of sound.

- Mm, no, thunder is God letting

out a very, very big burp.

- You're weird.

- Yeah, well, guess what, it's hereditary.

Goodnight, kiddo.

Love you.

- I love you too.

Sweet dreams.

- To the brightest, the

shrewdest, the wisest,

and by far the brashest investment broker

in all of Kansas City, Karen Reese.

Thank you.

- Hey, hey you!

- Hey.

Congratulations!

Thank you.

- So when are you gonna make her partner?

- Ah yeah, right, you

need the jaws of life

to pry anything out of this guy.

- That is not true.

I'm not cheap.

- Lenny, hey, how are you?

This is my brother-in-law, Lenny.

This is Alex.

- Hey.

- Donna, of course, you

know, my bossy older sister.

- Oh yeah, great, okay, thank you.

That would be me.

- And this is ah.

- Oh, Denis Teague, one

of our new consultants.

Just moved here from New York.

You two met briefly

last week at Brubaker's.

- Yeah, I remember.

- It's nice to see you again.

- Nice to see you.

- Karen, that's the song from the thing.

- That's the song from the thing.

- Gotta dance.

- We gotta dance.

- See ya later.

- You, come.

Darling, yes.

♪ I never knew you were loving me ♪

♪ I've been around and I can feel ♪

♪ I got my back up against the wall ♪

♪ I'm here to jump, baby, if you fall ♪

♪ I never knew that you wanted me ♪

♪ If I danced like you ♪

Hey, Jerry, can I have a--

- Long Island, no lemons, on me.

- Wow.

- Brubaker's, right, I remember.

- I'm impressed.

So, Denis Teague, exactly

what do you do for Lenny?

- Ah, I manage their

venture capital accounts.

I move their money to the

right places, exciting, huh?

- Are you good?

- I'm the best.

- Oh, my God, I can't breath.

Woo, I hate this humidity.

I hate it.

I swear to God I am moving to Arizona.

So, where's this Randy guy?

I thought I'd get to meet him.

- Ah, Randy Stroud is over.

- Oh.

- He was a bit overbearing.

- Ooh, do tell.

Ah, well, he

sent me three emails a day,

absolutely convinced that

we're meant for each other,

and on our third date he

pulls out the calculator

and divides the bill.

- We call her The Terminator.

- No, but listen to this.

Then he asks me to cover the tip.

- Oh.

- Nobody gets past the third date.

- Mm, I love this song.

- Oh, no, no, no.

- Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yes.

- Ah no, I don't dance.

- Come on, yes you do.

Everybody dance, come on.

- I, I don't dance.

Yes, you do.

Hey!

- Don't worry, Alex, she

only has eyes for you, honey.

♪ Gonna find I'm unreal ♪

♪ I've got to have you ♪

♪ I've got to have you by my side ♪

♪ Got to have you all the time ♪

♪ Oh, I can't hold back baby ♪

And at WKFL Weather,

it looks like it's gonna

be another scorcher

here in Kansas City with

temperatures reaching the high.

- Don't go far.

Okay.

- How's he doing?

Hey, guys!

- I think he's missing his dad.

- Yeah, well, that's to be expected.

Hey, it's Denis.

My God, he's jogging in this weather.

Nobody jogs in this weather.

- I do.

Hi.

Hi.

- What a surprise.

Yeah, what a coincidence.

- Yeah.

- Nice to see you.

- You too.

- Good to see you again, Denis.

- You too, Donna.

- I think I'm gonna go

get the boys some water.

- Hey, I had a lot of fun the other night.

- So did I.

- Um, would you like to have

dinner with me sometime?

I know this is really awkward.

I would've asked you the other night,

but I'm kind of out of practice with this.

- I would love to have dinner with you.

- Yeah?

Mm hmm.

- Okay, I'll call ya.

- You don't have my number.

- I'll get it from Lenny.

No, no, we ended up hiking through

Thailand, and Myanmar,

Vietnam for about three weeks.

It was incredible.

- Wow, that's amazing.

I was just talking to my sister

last week about Thailand.

It's my dream vacation.

- Why don't you go?

- Ah, you know, I'm a single mother.

Justin's way too young.

- Well, couldn't his dad take

care of him why you were away?

Oh, sorry, that's a prying question.

No, it's okay.

I'm an open book.

Um, John and I were only

married for a couple of years.

He was very controlling

which doesn't suit me at all.

- Oh.

- And now he has obligations to Justin,

which he rarely fulfills,

which upsets Justin,

and is John's little way

of getting back at me.

- Sorry, that's too bad.

- What about you?

Have you ever been married?

- Once, it ended very badly,

which is why I'm so out of practice,

but I hope I'm doing better than ah,

what's his name, Randy Stroud.

- Oh, please don't mention that name.

- Sorry.

- I think you're doing great.

This is wonderful.

Wine list, sir.

- Thank you.

I'm a Merlot drinker.

- So am I.

That's all I have.

- Oh, oh, great.

Um, Bremer Estates.

- Ooh, a connoisseur.

- It's the only one I

knew how to pronounce.

- So what's your dream vacation.

- Oh, I don't think it's where you go

so much as who you go with

that makes it a dream vacation.

- Hmm, I like that answer.

- What, he can't afford roses?

- I don't like roses.

Freesias are my favorite.

- Wagner needs an amended deal

memo by the end of the week.

I'm on it.

- I figured.

I know freesias are your favorite.

- Okay, besides the fact

that you're my boss,

I am five years older than you,

which means you're way too

old for me, sweetie.

- You think I'm teasing.

- You are.

Hey, Dad.

- Hey, sport.

- Okay, goodnight, sweetie.

No junk food.

- I know, have fun.

- So who is this guy?

- None of your business, John.

- It is if it involves Justin.

Have fun.

- Wow, these butterflies are beautiful.

- Caught them myself actually.

- Would you do, hunt them down

with a little bow and arrow?

- No, chloroform in a jar.

I know that sounds really awful,

but it's actually quite painless.

It was a hobby of mine when I was a kid.

I, I, I didn't have

the greatest childhood.

I guess butterflies made

me think that my life

could turn into something

beautiful too, you know?

Try this.

Hmm?

- Mm, he can cook too.

- Well, that remains to be seen.

♪ Then the siren ♪

♪ They surrender me to a life

sentence of your charms ♪

- I can not remember the last time

somebody cooked for me, thank you.

♪ There's just the way I touch you ♪

- Oh, my God.

I love this song.

I love this song.

What are you doing?

♪ Makes you wanna believe in me ♪

- Whoa, I thought you

said you didn't dance?

- Not in public.

Oh, okay.

Wow, whoa, you've got a couple of moves.

- I took some lessons.

- Did you?

- When I was young.

Hmm.

♪ I'm not stupid and you're no fool ♪

♪ What they think is insane ♪

♪ No, it's cruel and there's

just the way I touch you ♪

♪ Just the way I love you ♪

Um, I

have a three date rule.

- What's that?

- If something happens on the second date,

there has to be a third.

- Well, I better make sure

something happens then.

♪ We've had trouble ♪

♪ Of that there's no doubt ♪

♪ All in all I'd still have to say ♪

♪ That I'll love you

till my breathing stops ♪

♪ Till the stars collide

in the Milky Way ♪

♪ There's no other, though

I might look around ♪

♪ I know better than

to lose what I found ♪

♪ I'm not stupid ♪

You have no jump shot.

You wish, no jump shot.

You can't.

- I know I'm probably being paranoid,

but this note is handwritten.

He obviously delivered

the flowers himself.

Randy was so obsessive when

we went out, and a black rose?

What does he think, he's being subtle?

- Did you talk to him?

- Left a message.

Told him in no uncertain

terms to leave me alone.

Just creeps me out that

he would show up here.

- Well, it should.

This is your home.

You've got a son.

- I'm gonna hold onto this,

just in case he decides to

make another appearance,

and I have to get a restraining order.

- Good idea.

- You've got battery

backup if you lose power.

Call the 800 number.

Mm hmm.

- They'll log you in and get you online.

Great.

Should be all set.

- Here, I'll show you out.

Thank you.

Thank you.

- Why, what did I do?

- Ah, it's just nice having you

here while this is going on.

- You're welcome.

- What're you up to this weekend?

- Nothing.

- Want to come to my parents house?

They have a beautiful place.

It's on a river, cool breeze,

best sweet tea you'll ever have.

- I'd love to.

- Hey, this is Denis.

This is my guy, Justin,

and his main man, Anthony.

- Hey there, sport.

- Come on.

- I think I'll take that

as my cue to, to go.

Call you tomorrow.

- Okay.

Oh, um, can you do me a favor?

Would you mind mailing these?

They're invites for

Justin's birthday party.

There's a mailbox at

the end of Pine Street.

They still pick up tonight.

- Yeah, sure, sure.

Anything else you want me to do,

like wash you car, clean

your gutters, mow your lawn?

- I know, using up all

my privileges, aren't I?

You're great.

So, do I have your approval?

- Dad calls me sport.

- I know, but he doesn't know that.

He didn't mean anything by it.

You know nothing and no one

could ever come between us.

Hey.

Love you, kiddo.

That's what I'm talking about.

- I love you, Mom.

Come on, Karen,

you've been on your own for six years, ah.

- Well, I like being on my own.

Is there a limit to how long

a woman could be single?

I like my life.

I don't need a man.

We just want good

things for you, sweetie.

It seems like such a great match.

I mean you both have the same tastes.

It's like you guys have known

each other your whole lives.

I know, I know.

So what's the problem?

Ah, there isn't one.

I think that's the problem.

Hmm.

I know.

Like things are actually

going my way for once.

Hi, sport, everything all right?

Well, I don't

know how to use it.

Oh, your father never

taught you how to fish, huh?

No, well, bobber

fishing when I was little.

I didn't like hooking the worms.

Ah, yeah, me neither.

There's a much better way to fish, here.

I'll show you how to cast.

Okay.

- Stand up, over here.

The secret to a good cast,

you're gonna hold on tight to the rod.

Uh huh.

- Push your thumb down on

that button and keep it down.

- Okay.

You try, you

right-handed or left-handed?

Ah, left.

Okay, so you stand like this.

Finger there.

Right.

Thumb on the button.

Take the rod, thumb

on button, hold it down.

Bring it back and swing it up.

- See, I am always right

about these things.

- Yeah, well, we'll see.

I already have a trail

of broken men in my wake.

Why destroy another perfectly good one?

- Hmm, don't be such a pessimist.

- I'm not being a pessimist.

- I think he's very sweet,

and taking time with Justin

like that, it's lovely.

Mm hmm.

- Takes a lot of practice and

don't be discouraged, okay?

It's a right of passage.

- Did, did your dad ever

teach you how to fish?

- No.

Come on, try again.

You're doing great.

Okay.

- Is that the first time that

Justin's fished like that?

- Yeah.

There you go.

- Here are the Wagner redlines,

and Royals tonight, first base, punch it.

- Oh, yeah, I can't.

I'm going on a date with Denis.

I'm already late.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, okay,

so they're in last place,

but come on, this is baseball.

Karen, you love baseball.

- I know I love baseball.

Next weekend, I promise, I gotta run.

- Whoa, whoa, first, first base.

Are you sure

no one could see us?

- We're in the middle of nowhere.

Ah, cheers.

- Cheers.

- How would you like to come with me

to the Caribbean next week?

I've got some business

in the Grand Cayman's.

The Grand Cayman's?

Mm hmm.

- Wow, you're serious?

- Mm hmm, we'll get a

private little bungalow.

We'll have our own beach.

Sounds amazing, but I, I can't.

I can't leave Justin

and I really can't leave

until this Wagner deal

is closed and you're mad.

- No, no, of course not.

I just wanna spend more time with you.

- Well, I'd like that too.

It's just not a good time

for me to do that right now.

- I think I'm falling in love with you.

I don't wanna response to that.

I just, I just wanted to say it.

- I'm glad you did.

So, any ideas for your birthday tomorrow?

- Well, you already know.

I want that new MTB mountain bike.

I told you I don't

think you're gonna get it.

It's kind of expensive.

Plus you just got a new bike last year.

- Yeah, but that bike's so tight, Mom,

and nobody else has one yet.

- Better start saving your allowance then.

- Mom?

Mm hmm?

- Can Denis come to my party?

- You kinda like him, huh?

- He's cool.

You gonna have to let him spend the night

sooner or later, you know?

I don't care.

- Do I even want to know how

you know about these things?

- Come on, I'm in fourth grade.

- Oh, right.

Hello?

Hmm.

Hello?

- Who was it?

- I don't know.

Squirrels.

- So, you ever been married?

- Justin.

- No, that's, that's okay.

Um, yes, I have.

- Kids?

- No.

- Do you wanna have kids?

- Well, that would depend.

- On what?

- On who I decided to get married to.

- You gonna marry my mom?

- Okay, that's enough.

You clear your plate and go

upstairs, get ready for bed.

Okay.

- See ya later, sport.

Yeah, see ya, Denis.

- Rules were meant to be broken.

I'll behave myself.

- No, you won't.

Mm hmm.

- Mom.

Oh.

- I heard those noises again.

- We have an attic above the

garage and sometimes critters

tend to get caught in the crawlspaces.

- Oh.

- I heard it last night too

on the other side of my wall.

- It scares him.

He thinks there's monsters in the attic.

- You want me to have a look, sport?

- You don't mind?

- Oh no, I get them in my house too.

How do I get up there?

- I'll show you.

Why don't you go and start your bath.

I'll be right up, okay?

Yeah, okay.

- Excuse the junk.

Maybe I'll get you to put

all these up there one day.

- I would be happy to.

- Thanks.

The ah, the light hasn't

worked up here for forever.

Uh huh.

- So you'll have to use the flashlight.

Okay.

- Wish me luck.

Good luck.

- Ah.

Here squirrel.

Where are ya?

Ah, hey, get outta here, get!

Watch out, get out!

Shoo!

- He's out!

Get outta here!

- You okay?

- Yeah, well, mission accomplished.

- What's wrong?

- The A.C.'s off.

Gonna go check the breaker.

Justin?

- Yeah, yeah, good catch, good catch.

Great, okay, bring it over here.

All right, now, here's

the tricky part, okay.

What you wanna do is you

wanna get it by the wings.

- Okay.

- And then you wanna

take these two fingers,

and you wanna pinch it right

there but never very hard.

There, that's all there is to it.

When this was a caterpillar,

it was just a bug,

but now look, all those beautiful colors

all blending in together like that.

It's pretty amazing, huh?

- Mom.

- Hey, there you are.

- Look what I got.

- Wow, that's pretty cool.

I hope it was already dead.

- Mom, it's just a butterfly.

- Why don't you go get cleaned up.

People are gonna be here pretty soon.

Okay.

- Hey.

Hi.

Did you get my note?

- I did, yeah.

You know, next time I'd prefer it

if you'd talk to me before you go.

- Sorry, you're right.

I should've asked, but

I didn't wanna wake you,

and he was up and.

- No, it's cool.

I'm glad you guys like each other so much.

Did you do this?

- Oh yeah, after last night,

I thought I'd take a look at

the A.C., but don't worry,

I can put this back together

in like five minutes.

- You don't have to do that, you know?

- It's no big deal.

- What happened to the A.C.?

- Ah, I don't know.

The breaker keeps popping.

I've had somebody check

it out three times.

I don't know what's going on.

- Well, have Denis look at it.

- Mom, Dad here yet?

- Not yet.

Can I open my presents?

- After cake and ice cream.

- Okay, you know what?

We'll ride our bikes later, okay?

- So did you swing a new bike?

- He doesn't need a new bike.

You're doing it.

- Doing what?

- The Terminator.

It's true, every time you get any form

of stability in your life,

you find an excuse to sabotage it.

- No, I don't.

What'd he do?

- Nothing.

- You have a problem with intimacy.

He treats you like a queen.

- I know, I'm trying.

There's just something.

- Mm, yeah, I know it's rough.

He fixes everything,

except the kitchen sink.

The rest of us should be so lucky.

- He's reasonably good looking.

You know, seems nice enough.

He's got a kind of funny haircut though,

and he's old, definitely old.

- You're forgetting charming,

attentive, and very romantic.

- Well, I'm happy for you.

- You're jealous.

- No, I'm not jealous.

Yes, you are.

- I am actually happy

for you, I'm serious.

What's the name

of your date, hmm, Bambi?

- Brandy, actually.

- She's not your type.

- Now look who's jealous.

- I'm not jealous.

- You're jealous.

- That was my watermelon.

- You're jealous.

- I'm not jealous.

You're so jealous.

- Cool, Coldplay.

Thanks, Aunt Donna.

- You're welcome, honey.

- Now, I know this isn't

what you asked for, kiddo.

- Your Mom's pulling your leg, sport.

You wait right there.

Awesome!

- Oh!

Thank you so much!

- Oh, don't thank me.

It's from your mom.

- You're the coolest mom ever.

This is so cool.

Thank you so much.

Can I ride it?

- Yeah, just be careful.

Okay.

- Have fun.

- What're you doing?

- Well, I, I, heard him

mention it a couple of times,

so I just thought that...

- I can't buy the kid

everything he sees on TV.

I'm trying to instill some values here.

- Okay, you're right, you're right.

I'll ah, I'll take the bike back.

- You're not gonna take the bike back now.

Come on, he loves it.

- I know I overstepped my

boundaries here, okay, guilty.

Hey, punish me.

I deserve it.

Don't be mad at me.

Huh, come on.

Come on, I hate it when you're mad at me.

- When have I ever been mad at you?

- This is the first time and I hate it.

That's better.

You did send

him the invitation, right?

- Mm hmm, I mailed it to him,

and I left him two

messages on his voicemail.

Has nothing to do with you, kiddo.

Tell you what, why don't

you go ride your new bike

around the neighborhood for awhile?

I'll keep an eye out for him.

Okay?

Okay.

- John, I don't know

what's going on with you.

Maybe you're uncomfortable

because I have a date.

I don't know, but to not show up

to your own son's birthday party.

You broke his heart.

Hello?

Look, whoever this is lose my number.

- Well, you called me, it's John.

What're you talking about

Justin's birthday party being today?

His birthday isn't till Wednesday.

- Don't you play games with me, John.

I sent you the invite two weeks ago.

I left you two messages.

It was his party today.

- Well, my machine's been

deleting my messages,

and I didn't get an invite.

Look, I don't appreciate

these games, Karen.

You could've called my office.

- Yeah, well, you don't have

the best track record, John.

It's not like you

haven't done this before.

I didn't know

about the party, Karen.

- Are you lying to me?

No, will you just put

Justin on the phone for me?

- He's um, he's riding his bike.

I'll have him call you when he gets home.

Great, well, that's

very generous of you, bye.

- You know John probably threw

it out with the junk mail,

or he's lying.

He does that.

That way he can say

that you never sent it,

and it's your fault.

- No, I don't think he was lying.

- Well, obviously it's John

who's making the phone calls.

You know how jealous he gets

when you're dating someone else.

- Yeah, no, I don't, I don't know.

All the, all the calls are

coming from a private number.

Randy is the only one I

know who's got blocked I.D.

Getting three calls a day.

He used to send me three emails a day,

and he left three dozen

roses on my doorstep.

- Have you called the police?

- Yeah, they say there's

nothing they can do,

because I can't prove it.

- Well, maybe Denis can help.

- Why could Denis help?

- I don't know, because he's

good at everything, isn't he?

- Oh, careful.

- You scared me.

What're you doing up there?

- You wanted those boxes up here.

I rang the doorbell, but you

must've been in the shower.

- Yeah, I was.

Um, don't worry about it.

I'll deal with it later.

- Oh, there's just a few more.

- Denis.

- Okay.

I think you've got

another squirrel up here.

- It's fine, just leave it.

- Sure.

You've barely touched your food.

What?

- Denis, I think we need to

slow things down a little.

- What're you talking about?

- I think you're great,

and I've completely

gotten caught up in this,

but it just feels like things

are moving a little too quickly.

- Is this about the bike?

- No, it's not about the bike.

It's not really any one thing.

It's just a feeling.

I wanna be honest.

- Ooh.

- Denis, I'm not breaking up with you.

I'm just saying that I wanna--

- A slowdown, I heard you.

- I'm feeling a little crowded, Denis.

- Well, you um, do

everything you have to do

to get to know a person,

their likes, their dislikes,

what makes them happy,

and ah, you still end

up looking like a fool.

- Denis, come on.

Come on, you're taking this the wrong way.

- Oh, okay.

Well, um, I understand.

So ah, you take all the time you need.

Would you care

to see the dessert menu?

- No, I think we're done here.

- Hey, kiddo, Casey said

you guys had a good time.

- She's a cool babysitter.

So, how was dinner?

- It was okay.

- Is Denis here?

- No, I think that we're just gonna

be friends for a little while.

- He was gonna take me and

Anthony butterfly hunting.

- I know, I'll take you and

Anthony butterfly hunting.

- Yeah, I guess.

- Goodnight, sweetie.

- Goodnight, Mom.

- Okay, squirrel, wherever

you are, this is not a hotel.

Time for you to come out.

- Mom.

Mom.

Mom.

- Oh, what time is it?

- Are you okay?

- I must've caught a bug or something.

Are you ready for school?

- Yeah.

- Well, you look terrible.

- Thank you.

- Why don't you go home?

- No, Wagner's office needs

his paperwork by Friday.

- So do it tomorrow.

I'm serious, I'll give you a ride home.

- Oh, I broke up with Denis.

He's very upset.

So is my son.

Why can't I just have

a normal relationship?

- Hey, I liked him.

- You know I really don't feel very well.

- Come on, I'll give you a ride.

We'll get Lauren to follow in your car.

- Thanks.

- There.

I gotta drive out to Columbia,

meet with Dick Speeder.

You gonna be okay?

- Yeah, I think so.

- Okay.

- Hmm, why are you so good to me?

- You don't know, do you?

Don't tease.

- You see a smirk?

Get some sleep, okay?

- Hey there, sport!

Hey, Denis, I

thought you and my mom broke up?

- Well, that's up to your mother.

But hey, maybe if you sweet

talk her a little bit,

she'll let us look for

butterflies this weekend.

- Sounds good.

- Let's go.

- Hi, kiddo, how was school?

- Good.

- Hey.

- Denis.

What're you doing here?

- I called your work.

They said you were home sick,

so I thought I'd bring

you some comfort food.

- Justin, why don't you go

up and change your clothes.

- Okay, see you, Denis.

- Later, sport.

So, what do you say you let

me fix you guys some dinner?

- I don't think that's a good idea.

- I didn't mean to come over unannounced.

I just thought that at the very least

we could still be friends, right?

- That's really sweet.

- But?

Okay, um, my gift to you.

I hope you feel better, really.

Whoa!

- Hi.

- You look better.

- Yeah, actually, I'm

feeling a lot better.

- Cool.

- You need the amended contracts.

- Yeah, good, thanks.

- Oh, would you like a drink or something?

You wanna come in?

- No, I can't, I got, I gotta go.

- Okay, be right back.

- All right, thanks.

- Am I completely losing my mind?

Did I leave the amended contracts at work?

- I thought you said you worked

on them yesterday from home?

- I did.

But they're not here.

I can't find them.

No one would've touched them.

They're not here.

Ah.

- Mom, what's going on?

- Go back to bed, Justin.

- I can't sleep.

It's too hot.

- Well, there's nothing I can do about it.

I'm not in the mood.

Go back to bed.

I know I look terrible.

I just can't seem to shake this flu.

I also can't find the contracts.

What?

What?

- Mr. Wagner got that last night.

They're pulling out of the deal.

Somebody made some

accusations against you.

- What?

- Sour deals with past clients.

- But this is a lie.

They're all lies.

You know that, don't you?

- Yeah, of course I know that,

but you know, Wagner has a

reputation for being skittish.

He's been burned before.

- Well, just explain it to him.

- I have, Karen.

He's walking, okay?

- No, well, he can't.

I'll call him.

I'll explain it to him.

Alex, this is the only

thing I have right now.

- Karen, I just spent the last two hours

on the phone with him, okay, he's done.

What the hell's going on here, Karen?

Was this your ex-husband or?

- I don't think so.

I don't think John would do this.

- Then who?

Hello.

Randy?

Randy's not here.

- Well, I need to speak to him.

He's out of the country.

I'm subletting his place.

- Out of the country where?

He's working for a

contractor in the Middle East.

Been there since May.

Want me to leave a message?

He checks in once a week.

- Um, no.

- Hey, so glad you called.

You must be feeling better, hmm?

- Did you do this?

- I don't know what this is.

- I spent months on this client, Denis.

I am a single mother.

I need that money.

- No, Karen, I had, I had

nothing to do with this.

- You left the flowers.

This note is in your handwriting.

Randy's out of town.

Are you surprised to hear that?

Has been for months.

You never mailed the invite to John.

You probably figured out some

way to erase his messages too.

So this is your thing?

This is what you do?

Scare women, make them feel vulnerable,

so that in some sick, twisted way

all this would make me need you?

- Karen, I don't know

what you're talking about.

That's just crazy.

- If you ever step foot

near my house again,

I will ruin your life.

Jail will be the safest

place you could be.

Hi, Karen.

- Hi.

Feeling any better?

- Ah, no, not really.

I, I've been having these headaches,

so is it a tumor?

- It's not a tumor.

Good.

- You do have a slight bladder infection,

which is what caused

some of the discomfort.

- Bladder infection?

Well, I've been feeling

groggy and low energy.

I'm never sick.

- Well, it may be stress.

A bladder infection can mask

some of the other symptoms.

- What'd you do, hunt them down

with a little bow and arrow?

- Chloroform in a jar.

And the first time

you woke up with these headaches?

- Almost two weeks ago.

I'd just broken off my

relationship with him.

And did

you have this feeling

of discomfort before then?

- No.

- And you think he's been in your bedroom

on more than one occasion?

- I know he has.

At first I thought it was a

dream, but it, he was here.

- Your security system

showed no unauthorized entry?

- Well, I'm sure he knows

his way around that.

- Karen, what's going on here?

- I think Denis has been

breaking into the house,

and I think he's been drugging me.

What?

Denis Teague?

Yes?

- I'm Detective Donnelly.

I need to ask you some questions.

- Regarding what?

Drugged her?

Oh, she completely lost it.

Karen, Karen, Karen.

- I need to know where you were

between 10 o'clock last

night and seven this morning.

- I was on a business trip.

I just got back this morning.

- You were not in Kansas City?

- No, Omaha, I've got my hotel receipts

if you wanna see them,

and I got gas receipts,

and food receipts, and.

Look, I haven't seen Karen

since, since she invited me

for a coffee about a week ago.

- She invited you?

- Karen has a history of well, paranoia

when it comes to her ex-boyfriends.

- Do you know any reason why

she would accuse you of this?

- Money.

- What do you mean?

- She's broke, she just lost a big client.

She said it was my fault

the deal fell through,

because ugh, because she was spending

too much time with me, you know?

Made her lose her focus, whatever.

- Are you in possession

of chloroform, Mr. Teague?

Oh, she's

gonna use that against me?

Okay, um, I

use to collect butterflies.

I haven't done it since I was a kid,

and I can't remember the last

time that I bought chloroform.

No, I don't have any chloroform.

- Would it be all right

if we searched your home?

- Absolutely, you can

look anywhere you want.

We can go there right now if you'd like.

Listen, um, I know this isn't exactly,

well, it's not legal,

but ah, because of her past,

I was concerned for myself

when she invited me out for coffee.

I recorded the conversation.

Do you wanna hear it?

Mm hmm.

- Here it is.

- I need that money.

I will ruin your life.

Jail will be the safest

place you could be.

He's edited what I said.

That's taken out of context.

- That may be, Miss Reese,

and I am not dismissing your allegations,

but the rest of his story checks out.

He was out of town.

- No, he wasn't.

He's covering all his tracks.

He's very clever, Detective.

Somehow he's been

breaking into this house.

- Who is Randy Stroud?

- He's a man I dated.

That's who I thought sent the flowers,

and who I thought was

stalking me, but it was Denis.

- And you can prove it was Mr.

Teague who left the flowers?

- Well, he wrote the note.

It was his handwriting.

- You don't think Randy is

the one who left the flowers?

- Randy is out of the country

and has been for months.

You figure it out.

- Do you still have the note?

Mm hmm.

- Look, what about the chloroform?

Denis collected butterflies,

used chloroform.

- It's one possible

cause for her symptoms.

We will have the tests done.

Chloroform disappears from

the symptoms very quickly.

- I was not hallucinating!

That man was in my house!

- What now?

- I'm gonna look into

this Randy Stroud fellow.

I need to question your ex-husband.

- What about Denis?

- We will have the

handwriting sample checked,

but we've searched his house.

We've checked his alibis.

Right now his hands are clean, I'm sorry.

- Well, then I want you to

check this house, all of it.

- I don't see anything!

There's no other access to the

attic from inside the house?

- No, just here.

Have you

changed your alarm code?

- Yeah.

- Well, there's really

nothing more I can do here.

- This is one hell of a system.

- I want it replaced.

- Your money, Fort Knox

should be so lucky.

- I want every lock changed,

two bolts on every door.

I'm changing all my numbers too.

I know it sounds crazy.

I swear to God I wanna kill him.

- Well, do us a favor and don't.

I don't want my kids looking at Aunt Karen

through prison bars, much less, Justin.

- You did have a fever the other night.

Maybe, just maybe, you were hallucinating.

- Lenny.

- I'm just saying let's

hope that's what it was.

- Have you talked to him?

- No, not yet.

- Have you talked to John?

- Ah, yeah, I talked to him.

He's out of town.

He's being really sweet actually.

I'm just not sure he believes me.

- Well, we do, both of us.

- This is our new phone number, kiddo.

I need you to keep it in a safe place,

and don't give it out to anybody.

- Mom, you already gave this to me.

- No, I didn't.

- You gave this to me this morning.

Sorry, I've just been under

a little bit of stress in

case you haven't noticed.

- Well, then don't make things up.

- What did you say?

- Nothing.

- Come here.

I am not making this up.

Now, I know you like Denis, and I'm sorry,

but he is not a good man,

and I need you to understand that, okay?

- Okay.

- I need you to be on my

side for this one, kiddo.

I need an ally.

- Sorry.

- Still friends.

Hello?

Hello, Karen.

- Denis, how did you get this number?

I won't be made a fool of.

- I own a gun.

Denis, I am warning you.

Stay away from me and

stay away from my son.

- You were right about your

ex-boyfriend, Randy Stroud.

He's been out of the country

for three months, checks out.

- Which leaves Denis.

- Do you own a gun, Ms. Reese?

- No.

Yes, I do, but it's not mine.

It's my ex-husband's.

I don't actually use it.

- Did you threaten Mr. Teague?

- I told him to stay away from my house.

I think I have that right.

- You don't have the

right to threaten him.

- But he threatened me.

He violated me.

- Your tests were all negative.

Your blood work showed no

chloroform in your system.

- But you yourself said it wouldn't

stay in my system for long.

Well, what about the handwriting?

- Inconclusive, he's

threatening a restraining order.

You don't want that on your record.

- Listen, I know that it

is my word against his.

I also know that cases like

this don't usually get resolved

until someone gets hurt.

Denis is a dangerous man, Detective!

I just hope by the time

you figure that out

it's not too late.

Justin, put your bike in the

garage and your skateboard.

It's gonna rain soon.

- So they won't do anything?

- No, they think my anxiety over Denis

induced the whole thing.

I don't know what to think anymore.

After I got done talking to them

his story does make more sense than mine.

- But fingerprints has gotta be,

hair samples are in

your house or something.

- No, he spent way too much time here

for any of that stuff

to be held up in court.

I swear to God, I don't know what I'll do

if he shows up here again.

Just tell me you believe

me even if you don't.

- Hey, yeah, I believe you.

- Where have you been?

- Gross.

- Oh, shut up, bike in the garage now!

- I am gonna go home very

quickly and get some things,

and I will be right back.

- We'll be fine.

- Okay.

Okay.

- Hey, you didn't smirk.

- You should go inside.

It's gonna pour.

I'll be back in less than an hour.

- I hate thunder.

- It's just the wind.

Come on, time for bed.

The breaker went off again.

Come on, keep going.

Okay.

- You know, I used to

be afraid of storms too

until your grandma told me

exactly what thunder was.

When lightning moves faster

than the speed of sound.

Goodnight, kiddo.

Love you.

- Sweet dreams.

Justin, what're you doing?

- I'm scared.

Mom!

- Justin!

Justin!

Justin, we have to...

- You make a noise and you die.

Nod if you understand.

Good girl, downstairs now, go.

Drive.

- Where is Justin?

- Close the garage door.

- Where are we going?

- Just drive.

9-1-1,

what is your emergency?

- Mom, my mom, she, she's

in terrible trouble.

- I showed you nothing

but kindness, Karen.

Gave you everything I had.

I would've given you

everything you ever wanted.

I love you.

- I love you too.

Don't patronize me.

You don't love me.

You tried to ruin me.

Tried to ruin me because

you think I'm a fool.

Well, I'm not a fool.

- Karen!

Alex.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, okay, I gotcha, buddy.

All right, check.

- Denis, where's Justin?

You know he looks up to you like a father.

Don't you hurt him.

Don't you hurt my baby.

- Justin will be fine, Karen.

Like you say, he looks

up to me like a father.

Just like a father, hmm.

Slow down, Karen.

Karen, slow down.

- Put the gun down, ma'am!

Put it down now!

Are you Karen Reese?

Ma'am, your son called 9-1-1!

He told the operator what happened!

Ma'am, please, put the gun

down now or we will shoot!

I

believe that an open road

is a metaphor to life.

Some days you can see for

miles, everything is clear.

Other times what's just

beyond the headlights

is dark and unknown.

But if you keep control,

if you believe in yourself,

you can make it through

any twists and turns

no matter how it might otherwise seem.

- It's all slated for the police auction.

Everything he told you was a lie.

We found the phone he was

using to tap your line.

Some blankets, a water bottle, and food

we're hidden in one of the boxes.

He made himself comfortable up there.

These journal entries

begin the 17th of June.

When did you first start seeing him?

- A few days after the

Wagner deal, around the 22nd.

So are you saying he was

in my attic before then?

- The entries are pretty

benign, your likes, dislikes.

He wanted to make sure

you liked him I guess.

And then it looks as if he

was gathering information

to try and get you back.

He wrote here the first

chloroform he gave you

was only intended to make you sick.

- So that I would need him.

What about the others?

- His twisted way of

regaining control I guess,

but then once he became a

threat, he intended to kill you.

We found a grave.

- Oh, my God.

- Would you like a copy of this?

- No.

- I should've listened.

I talked you into him.

We all did.

- I don't know what to say, Karen.

He had everybody fooled, sorry.

- Bad people don't come

with warning labels.

Thank you guys for all your support.

I couldn't have gone through

this without both of you.

I just hope he goes to

jail for a long, long time.

That would be poetic justice

to know that his every

move was being watched

by somebody else for the rest of his life.

- I hope he chokes on his own medicine.

- Wow, it's so easy to

make you guys laugh.

♪ I wanna soak you up

just like you did before ♪

♪ You're the one that

opened up every door ♪

♪ I'm on the inside line

and I'm here alone now, uh ♪

♪ Give a dog a bone ♪

♪ I wanna hold you ♪

♪ Just talk to me ♪

♪ Just need me ♪

♪ We'll be all alone now, baby ♪

♪ You're my one desire ♪

♪ You're my baby ♪

♪ You're my burning fire ♪

♪ Do you know how long

I've waited for you, baby ♪

♪ You're my baby, yeah ♪

♪ I can't see myself

with no one else, baby ♪

♪ I can't see myself with

nobody else but you ♪

♪ I can't see myself with

no one else but you ♪

♪ I can't see myself with nobody else ♪

♪ I wanna see you ♪