Master Gardener (2022) - full transcript

The formal garden

imposes geometric strictures
on plants.

Circles, squares, triangles.

These are also known
as French gardens.

Informal gardens,

also known as British gardens,

were popularized
in the 18th century

and adhere to the shapes
and contours of nature.

A third type, the wild garden,

only appears to be wild.

It contains a seemingly



random variety
of plants and shrubs

which supports
insects and wildlife.

Gardening is a belief
in the future.

A belief that things will
happen according to plan.

That change will come
in its due time.

Okay.

We have officially begun

the timeline for this year's
Spring Charity Auction.

Charles Grow and Company
have begun the event logistics.

No doubt you've been following
the design schema.

I don't envisage there's going
to be any changes,

so we're locked and loaded.

Xavier and I are going
through the assignments

and after this,



Maggie and Xavier will head over
to the main greenhouse.

Last year's Charity Auction,

uh, collected 150,000
for Meals on Wheels.

This year,
I would like to exceed that.

Not just for the community,
but for...

Ms. Haverhill herself.

When you're ready.

The angel wings
have recovered.

Mm,
that was quite a scorching.

I don't know
what I was thinking.

You can't spreadsheet nature.
It'll only surprise you.

They'll recover
in the gate garden.

Mm, more beautiful than ever.

For the visitors,
they'll be "a moment."

Mr. Roth?

We got a message
from the Gracewood house.

Ms. Haverhill
would like you to drop by.

- When?
- Whenever you have a chance.

Nothing urgent.

Well, we all know
what that means.

- Janine.
- Narvel.

Take a seat on the porch.

Ms. Norma will be out
in a moment.

Hello, hello.

Narv.

Sweet Pea.

- Shall I go and change?
- No, porch is just fine.

I love the early morning rain.

It's very, uh...

What's the word?

Nitrogen oxide.

Soulful.

Yes, that's it.

Move over.

You know I named him Porch Dog
when he was just a pup.

I knew that was all
he'd ever be good for.

Now, how's the event coming?

Oh, very good.

I'll walk you through
the garden preparations.

Thanks, Ronnie.

Last year's show
had a wonderful reception.

- Hmm.
- This year,

we're going
to ramp up the auction a bit.

A dozen variegated
monstera cuttings,

our crème de la crème
Princess Irene bulbs,

and this year,
thanks to Yong Nursery,

- a slipper orchid.
- Hmm.

It's always fun

to watch grown men
in pastel pants

outbid each other over a flower.

But that's not the reason
why you asked me to join you.

What is it, Norma?

- I have a favor to ask.
- What is it?

My sister Betty's daughter
had a daughter.

That makes her my grandniece.

Well, my sister's been long gone

and last year,
her daughter died.

And it's been hard
on my grandniece, so I hear.

She's mixed blood.

When she was a child,

she would come to Gracewood
with her mother.

One summer,
they came every week.

And Maya, that's her name,
was enchanted.

Enchanting...

just to see her play
in the gardens.

Here's a picture.

When her parents broke up...
He was a bum...

...they moved away.

You know,
how she ended up with him.

No accounting
for people's taste.

It was okay with me, of course.

And then she got cancer.

Like my sister before her.
Tit cancer.

Well, Maya's life apparently
hasn't turned out so well.

She got in a funk,
dropped out of school,

and then lifestyle choices,
I believe they call them.

A bad crowd.

It was only a matter of time.

I felt I should do something.

I would like you
to take Maya on

as an apprentice.

I will provide transportation
and minimum wage

with adjustments.

You will teach her
how to tend a garden

as well as classes
in horticulture and so forth.

What age is she?

I'm not sure.

Twenty?

No, more.

How long has it been
since you've seen her?

I haven't.

That's your job.

She's family.

Gracewood is family.

And you would like me
to respond how?

I was hoping you'd say,
"Norma, it would be a pleasure

to be of assistance
to your grandniece."

Norma, it would be a pleasure

to be of assistance
to your grandniece.

Good.

Now, let's see
about that garden.

Hmm.

Come on, boy.

Come on.

There's a few variations
this year,

some practical, some seasonal.

You know what they say, Narv?

Money is the best manure.

- Hmm.
- The better the money,

the better the manure.

She went on to explain

that aesthetic gardens
were a recent development.

In colonial times,
gardens were utilitarian.

A cross between
a grocery store and a pharmacy.

In the Gilded Age,

they became
an entrance to high society,

a place of conspicuous display.

At Gracewood,
we have the best of both worlds.

Four generations
of curated botany,

horticulture, and display.

Now...

where were we, Sweet Pea?

You were wondering
which color dress would be best.

You wore the emerald green
last year.

With white frill
on the sleeves and neck.

That's right.

I looked pretty good.

Yes, you did.

Porch Dog, come.

You silly.

The soft yellow
autumn minaret daylilies

begin their long season first,
the second week of July.

A week later,

a profusion of sunset cosmos
follows.

Their sulfur petals
overshadow the daylilies.

Then,

just before high summer,
the color wheel comes alive.

Toward the end of the month,

overnight, the purple
and pink perennial asters

burst into bloom

and for 38 hours
they are all glowing.

We're gardeners.

We pull out the weeds.

Hello.

- I'm Narvel Roth.
- Narvel?

What kind of name is that?

What kind of name is Maya?

Well,
that is my name.

Where's Norma?

Ms. Haverhill

thought she'd give you
a little time to get settled in.

When was the last time
you saw her? Oh, have a seat.

Uh...

I don't know.
Years.

She said that you used
to come here with your mother.

- Do you remember that?
- Of course.

It looks the same. Mostly.
Ex... except for that.

- Magenta garden.
- Mm-hmm.

What did Ms. Haverhill
say to you?

- When she called?
- Uh...

I can't remember. Um...

Yeah, she said she had a job.
Like an apprenticeship.

Do I get paid?

Well, you started getting paid

the moment you stepped
out of the car.

Minimum wage.

It goes up every month.

Car service included.

You provide your own lunch.

And I pull the weeds?

Well, that's part of it.

It's also an education.

You'll learn how to garden

and you'll also have classes
in the history of gardens

and horticulture, botany.

- Seriously?
- Seriously.

And I'll be your teacher.

One hour a day.

There'll be assignments
and quizzes.

Does that interest you?

Uh...

Do you hope to someday work
in a garden?

Good.

Well, let's get you changed,

and... I'll introduce you

to some of the folk
that work here.

Okay.

There's the grand house.

This is the main potting shed.

Part of it is being converted
into a common room.

Uh, spare overalls and gloves.
Oh, do you have a pair of boots?

- Uh, these.
- We'll see what we can find.

Isobel,

this is Maya.

I told you about her,
she'll be training with us.

- Maya, Isobel.
- Hi.

Waters and soda in the cooler.

Uh, Browns Bakery
delivers sandwiches.

Put money in the honor jar
and...

Oh, if you want anything special
they can make it for you.

Oh, here's Xavier
for his sugar hit.

Xavier, this is Maya.

Welcome aboard.

Uh... this is Maggie.

Oh, at the end of the day
if you need to clean up,

there's a washroom.

This is a tool rack.

Oh, we have
a few cultural differences

that may take you
a little while to get used to.

For example, this is a riddle.

Oh, this is a hoe

and there are in fact
38 different kinds of hoes.

And how many kinds of riddles?

Well, that is
what we're about to find out.

Why don't you get changed
and... I'll see you in a bit.

Now, all of these plants here

are raised on an organic mix
of elements like perlite,

coconut coir, sphagnum moss.

But when combined with soil
it creates loam,

and loam is the best kind
of growing soil.

Now, I have a sample.

Uh, take your gloves off.

And I want you to pick it up.

Grab a handful and squeeze it.

And smell it.

And really smell it, come on.

Kiss it.

Really smell it.

Oh! And what do you smell?

Animal?

Mineral?

Vegetable?

Hmm. All three.

Now, 70 years ago
the soil in this area

was depleted
by industrial farming

and in order to fix it,
they added fertilizer.

And guess what?
It made it worse.

Come on, smell it again.

Get in there.
Come on, don't be afraid.

That's a filthy habit, Mr. Roth.

I allow myself one per day.

- See you tomorrow.
- Yep.

What is it?

She's doing okay, isn't she?

Seems to be.

Young people, who knows?

Has Norma met her?

Why not?
Doesn't that seem strange?

It's her land.

Her garden.

Her grandniece.

You know,

people used to walk on the soil.

Now they just walk
on tar and concrete...

wearing rubber soles.

They used to sleep
on the land...

and there was an exchange...

and that was a healing process.

You amaze me
when you get romantic like this.

The nandina is a species
of flowering plant

native to Eastern Asia.

The smell at certain times
of the year is minty,

with a hint of almond.

It gives you a real buzz.

Like the buzz you get

just before pulling
the trigger.

Gardening is the most
accessible of the arts.

It's already there.

Every seed is a plant,
waiting to be unlocked.

It was commonly thought
that 150 years

was the lifetime of a seed.

In the 1950s,
a Japanese botanist

discovered viable lotus seeds
in an Ice Age lakebed.

A substantial portion
were germinated.

It is now believed
that the lifetime of a seed

is between 850 and 1,250 years.

Given the right conditions,
seeds can last indefinitely.

I wear mine on my skin
every day.

All right,
special announcement.

Listen up,
I would like to raise a cup...

to Maya.

- Maya!
- Two weeks in our...

...special little community.

To Maya.

I hope we haven't made

- life too hard on you.
- Thank you, everyone.

Thank you.

Ow!

Then she gave me a book.

It was about gardens.

"What am I supposed to do
with this?" I said.

"Read it," she said.

- Thank you, Janine.
- Narvel.

Thank you.

Would you like a water or tea?

- I'll tell Ronnie.
- Oh, I'm not...

How about a Manhattan?

Ronnie makes one
where he gets a syringe

and shoots
a little cherry Cointreau

into the maraschino.

The Missus loves it.

Oh, that sounds
like just the ticket.

Mr. Roth.

Ronnie.

You clean up real nice,
Sweet Pea.

I've always said that.

Thank you.

Ronnie uses a syringe to shoot
the maraschinos with Cointreau.

It's delicious.

Janine said that.

So, how is she doing?

Uh, who?

Who do you think?

It took you long enough to ask.

So, how is she doing?

Quite well.

I think she's surprised

that you haven't come
to visit her yet.

Sometimes you have
to wait them out.

Well,
perhaps you could reconsider.

How much research did you do
before you took her on?

Huh. As I thought.

I didn't do much on you, either.

Hmm. She's an apprentice.

You were an apprentice once.

Is she smart?

Yes.

More than I could say
about her mother.

Dinner is ready.

I had something on my mind
when I invited you.

I imagined.

That was delicious.

This year's Charity Auction.

- I want it to be special.
- It will be.

It may be the last.

I'm having some...
health issues.

Oh, I'm... I'm sorry.

No, no, it's not like that,
but...

the effort it takes, it's...

Perhaps next year,
I might not be up to it.

Well, you're strong.

And if I'm not?

Well, Norma,

then it will be the darndest
Charity Gala you've ever thrown.

I've made some preparations.

- Yeah?
- Sweet Pea...

are you listening?

I don't want to repeat myself.
I get... forgetful.

That is not true.

I'm listening, go ahead.

Some preparations
with the estate managers

and legal team.

The main house
and some ancillary properties

will be sold off.

The Trust will ensure
the gardens in perpetuity

and you will have

a yearly income
and control of the gardens.

And when the time comes,

you will designate
your successor.

I leave this thing
I have inherited and maintained,

I leave it in your hands.

I'm honored,

but I think that I will beat you
out the door.

It would be nice

if the gardens remained
in the family.

Do you think she's up to it?

That is a question
only you can ask.

I think
that you should meet with her.

- Set that up.
- Hmm.

Now... take me to bed.

You first.

Let me see it.

Fire!

What happened to Johnny Boy?

Was like a son to me.

He's been talking to the Feds.

Trust me on this one.

I want you to handle it.

Uh-huh.

Now we're just looking
for a good spot...

- Mm-hmm.
- ...with the shovel.

- Can I get a pansy?
- Yeah.

Here you go.

And you just mix it
with the new soil...

and...

Nice.

That's easy enough.

- Oh, here comes Ms. Haverhill.
- Okay.

Maya.

- I'm Norma Haverhill.
- Hi.

I like your outfit.

I was wondering
if you needed any help.

We were, um...
It's under control.

Well, it's lunchtime.
Perhaps we could get a snack.

I don't have
anything prepared.

We'll use the lunch room.

Narvel mentioned that you
had expected me to come by.

That's on me.

I apologize.

I'm an old woman and sometimes
I forget what's proper.

Did you order this?

No.

It is less than suitable.

Hmm...

We could go to the main house
and Ronnie could whip us up a...

Oh, no, it's okay, thank you.

I'm a very simple person.

There's a lot to be said
for that.

In the greenhouses,
we're working

with Cleome Senorita Rosalitas.

- Already?
- Mm-hmm.

Such a beautiful flower.

And when the white sheds
to purple...

It needs to be deadheaded.

It channels the energy
to the flowers

instead of the seeds.

Do you remember me?

Yeah, of course.

And your mother?

Um, yeah. Yes.

Did she talk about me?

Yeah.

Do you wanna hear this?

- Sorry?
- Do you wanna hear this?

Um...

I got dressed for garden work,

walked over here,
I invited you to lunch,

I trusted you to Narvel.

Of course I want to hear
what you have to say.

There's nothing
I want to hear more.

Hmm.

Well, she was conflicted.

She felt
that you thought she was...

um... inadequate.

She thought that?

Yes.

You need to remember
she wasn't my child.

She was my sister's child.

But her name was Norma.

Her mother named her after you.

Betty, my sister,

didn't ask my permission
to do that.

I thought it was...

presumptuous.

Or maybe
she wanted to obligate you.

I believe
that was her point.

Because she was inadequate.

I'm not sure I like that tone.

I gave your mother
everything I could.

My sister
couldn't give her enough.

Whatever it was,
it wasn't enough.

She couldn't weed her garden.

And how could you
have known that?

There are things you know

in your flesh,

your nostrils, your eyes...

Listen to me.

I came here for a pleasant lunch

and here we are
in the muck of the past.

It is a muck farm.

And I'm sorry if I offended you.

But I'm not inadequate.

No, of course you're not.

You are impertinent.

And don't think for a second
about leaving Gracewood Gardens.

Overnight,
black aphids appeared

growing on the tips
of the Dropmore scarlet.

It was all hands on board
to spray a mix of neem oil,

karanja oil, and pure soap

to stop the outbreak
in its tracks.

I've never thought too much
about women,

other than as women.

I'm not sure what it is
about these two women,

Norma and her grandniece.

I'm not sure I want to know.

Binomial nomenclature.

Each country, culture,
has thousands of plants.

And all those plants
have multiple names

in multiple languages.

How were horticulturists
supposed to agree

on the name
for a tree or a flower?

Uh, 1700s, Carl Linné
had an idea.

Why not use
a dead language, Latin,

that everybody could agree upon?

As a result, he changed his name

to Carl... Linnaeus.

Now binomial is two words,
just like human names.

So, Rosa rubiginosa,
that's a rose.

Uh, sweet briar rose.

Take me, for example.

Roth is my genus, or category,

and Narvel is my specific name.

Now Roth means red, or Rothum.

So, if I were a Rothum,

people might say,
"Well, which of the reds is he?"

And somebody might say,
"Well, he's the one who stinks,"

and then I would be...

Rothum foetidum or
Stinking Red.

So, if you heard Rothum foetidum
you would know

that people
were talking about me.

That is, if people
were thinking about me.

And what makes you so sure

people aren't thinking
about you?

I heard that Norma
stopped by for lunch.

Word travels fast.

That kind of word does.
Uh, what did she say?

She gave me a raise.

She walked out on you.

And she gave me a raise.

You walk a line, Maya.

I walk a line.

Norma walks a line.

And you walk a line.

Be careful.

Hmm.

Mr. Roth?

- What's up?
- Maya's injured.

She said not to tell you,
but I think you should come.

Yeah. H... hold on.

I'm... I'm sorry,
I shouldn't have come.

No, nonsense.

Should I call 911?

Janine, I leave that up to you.

Yeah, I'm not sure.

If she does go,
she'll have a drug test.

We could take care of her here.

Maya.

We're going to clean you up
here, fix you up.

Get you some rest

and see how you feel
in a few hours.

I'm really sorry.
I shouldn't have come.

Hey, we're your family now.

You did the right thing to come.

You're safe, all right?
You're safe here.

Well, frankly, I think Norma's
a little tickled by it.

Not much happens
at Gracewood Gardens.

Well, it's a little
too much drama for me.

How are you feeling?

Good. Better, really.

Come tomorrow morning,
it's going to hurt.

Well, I'm ready to get back
to work.

Want to give us a minute?

Xavier, I need some help
with the replanting.

Maya,

I'm not a man to pry
into other people's lives.

I'm certainly not a man
to want people to pry into mine.

The situation here
is a little different.

We take pride in our young staff
at Gracewood.

When they succeed, we feel good.

And when they get drunk
or post a sexist meme,

well, that hurts us.

But when they get beat up...

that really bothers us.

So, you wanna get rid of me?

Absolutely not.

No, we want to be of help.

Are you satisfied with the life
that you have?

Who did this to you?

Your boyfriend?

He's not my boyfriend.

RG.

- Oh, he tells you what to do?
- Oh, he's a dealer.

RG what?

He was my mom's dealer.

After she died,
I ran errands for him.

He liked the fact

that I could pass
in fancy hotels.

And what happened?

He didn't like my attitude.

He'd been up all night,

didn't like the way
that I smelled.

He said he knew
where I was going

and he'd beat me if I came back.

And then what happened?

He did.

I think it best if you stay
at Gracewood tonight.

I'm going to talk to Isobel.

Yeah.

Gomez.

Robbie Gomez.

All right.

Wait here.

I'll, uh, go check on it.

Ms. H?

Maya was injured.

I noticed.

I get reports.

She's okay now,
but I think it best

if she stayed
at Gracewood tonight.

Why doesn't she ask?

Because I'm asking.

Did you hear about the way
she talked to me?

I'm asking.

She'll figure it out.

We all have to make our own way.

You figured it out.

You were patient with me.

Sweet Pea.

I have to catch up
on things tonight.

Next week, then.

This is really sweet.
Thanks, Janine.

I have created this life.

Filled it with rules.

Now seems the time
to break one.

Deputy Marshal Neruda?
Narvel Roth.

- Were we meeting in...
- Three months.

Hey, what's going on?

Well, something's come up and...

I wanted to meet in person,
if possible.

The same place?

Tots is still standing.

They put a Starbucks
down the block, but yeah.

Yeah. Uh, 9:00 a.m.?

That works.

- Early as usual.
- Force of habit. Sit.

It's good to see you.

Want anything?

- Uh...
- Over here.

Uh, coffee.

Yeah, and I'll have a toasted
bran muffin with butter.

Same.

So, how's my old crowd?

Dead, mostly.

Yeah, prison will do that
to a person.

Old Man finally croaked
last year.

A couple still hanging
by their diapers.

Potty Patlo's got dementia.

Johnny Boy.

Fucking Jeremiah.

Reverend Charles.

Reverend Charles Avery.

Oh, that nigger
has it out for me.

He needs to vanish.

Don't leave any witnesses.

Wait, wait, wait.

Yeah, I remember.

Thought you would.

So much for... memory lane.

Lot of hits.

Fourteen indictments.

Two years in court.

You flipped.

You broke up the band.

So, am I in the clear?

That's never going to happen.

You're a known guy.

You put the deep six
on nine bad guys.

I mean, even if they're dead,
you're not forgotten.

Every skinhead punk

wants to make
a name for himself,

move up, just gotta say,
"I found Norton Rupplea,

and I took him out."

Instant cred.

No, my friend.

You're never going to be
Norton Rupplea again.

My driver's license expires
in a few months.

I'll take care of it.

Uh, you got something
on your mind?

It concerns where I work.

You've done a terrific job.

Actually, I'm impressed.

You know, I wish for both
of our sakes we can go public.

You're a WITSEC poster boy.

If I had a little gold star,

I'd put it on your
fucking forehead

right now.

There's a young woman.

Works as an apprentice
at the gardens.

And the owner feels
an obligation to her.

She took a beating.

She was involved in drugs,
maybe a mule.

So, where do I come in?

- Uh, she has a boyfriend.
- Hmm.

Robbie Gomez, birthname.

Piece of shit. His crew work out
of the 9th Street Projects.

I was wondering
if you could pull up his name

on that databank of yours
and see.

There's gotta...
gotta be a rap sheet.

All right.

Oh, yeah.

Here we go.

- Oh, he's been busy.
- Hmm.

So, what's going on?

I would like someone,

not me of course,
uh, it's too risky,

but someone from law enforcement

to pay RG a knock and talk.

Tell him they heard stories
about the way he treats women,

one case in particular.

Tell him
they got their eye on him

and if they hear
any more such stories,

he's going to be
the first person they visit.

And obviously they've got
more reasons to visit him.

You asking me a favor?

I guess so, yeah.

Well, I think you've earned it.

I'll take care of it.

Great, thank you.

All right.

So what, you're retiring?
When are you retiring?

Hundred and two days.

You'll be assigned
a new case agent.

Hmm.

All right, maybe
we could meet up after that.

No, Narvel.

That's just not possible.

Yeah.

All right.

Good morning.

Hmm, very good.

Coming along nicely.

Hey.

- How's it going?
- Good.

You all right? Oh.

Uh... Norma has invited you
to lunch

at the house, tomorrow.

Uh, I thought
she didn't like me.

Oh, she has her own things
going on.

Hmm. And what will I wear?

Uh, that is a question
for Isobel.

I'm looking
into this situation with RG.

I left a message with someone.

- Who?
- Someone I know.

Someone you know?

Someone I used to know.

She talked about her life.

There's something
missing in her.

Something vital fell out

and something took its place.

Maya, do you take drugs?

- Why would you ask that?
- It's a simple question.

Yeah.

So what?

Often?

No, I don't have a drug problem.

But somebody does.

When did you shoot up?

- You're reaching now.
- You started it.

Let's go back.

It's so simple when it begins.

You don't ask why.

You forget how it started.

One day leads to the next.

The seeds of love grow,
like the seeds of hate.

Maya?

Come in.

- Hey.
- Hey.

Everything all right?

Yeah, good.

Uh...

So, I spoke
to a couple of people, and...

it should be safe for you
to go back to your place

in a couple of days.

Uh, and...

this is for you
to wear to lunch tomorrow.

- You all right?
- Uh, yeah.

Sorry.

Isobel got me this?

Uh, Norma wanted
to pick something out for you.

Oh.

Um...

Thank you.

Thank Norma.

Hey, hey.

Sorry.

Uh, no, no.

Sorry.

Uh, don't do that.

It looks good.

- Charles did a good job.
- He always does.

- Has he sent it out?
- Waiting on your approval.

He has it.

You're looking stunning
in that dress. Did I say that?

Uh, yes. Thank you.

Good enough to be on television.

You know, I was on television.
Did you know that?

Well, you're too young
to remember,

but Westerns were all the craze.

The Rifleman.

It was a father and son show,

was on the same time every week.

Tuesday, nine o'clock.

And, um...

Oh, God,

Johnny Crawford
was the cutest boy

I'd ever seen.

He was once a Mouseketeer.

I bet you don't know
what that is.

Oh...

Father had taken me
to Los Angeles on business.

He knew the people
who did the show

and they needed a little girl
to give Johnny a flower.

Do you know
who that little girl was?

- You.
- Right.

They filmed it three times.

Father had all his friends
come to the house

to see the show when it aired.

Right here.

Oh, I'm sure
you can see it somewhere.

Probably on the internet.

I hate the internet.

Yeah, you hardly use it.

Before cell phone cameras,

if you did something,
it was your word against theirs.

Now if you do something,

your friends just record it
and put it on the internet.

Oh, I bet there's some juicy
pictures of you on the web.

Norma, stop that.

- Stop what?
- You know what.

I hear things.

What? What things?

Is that you talking,
or your dick?

You don't think I see?

You think you can
run around the backyard

in the middle of the night
pulling your pants up,

after paying a little visit
to this one here?

Ah. Well, guess it runs
in the blood.

Just like her mother.

Norma, you asked me
to look out for her.

Yeah, but I didn't think
you were going to be

Humbert Humbert in your
own production of Lolita.

Maya's just finding her own way.

And I'm the fucking
Queen of Scotland!

- You should apologize.
- To the slut?

- Janine! Ronnie!
- You, too.

- For what?
- I want you gone.

I warned you.

I don't want you
around here anymore.

Just calm down.

Tonight. I want you out tonight.

We'll talk tomorrow.

Mr. Oscar Neruda.

That's who I'll talk to.

I remember
when he asked me to help.

He said you were a special case.

As you wish.

Norma, I want to thank you.

For what?

For having faith in me.

I thought you had a green thumb.

I didn't know
it was a green middle finger.

This was the time.

The time I had been
waiting for.

Just give me a second.

It's Narvel, Maya.

Yeah, okay. Come in.

She, uh, wants you to leave.

In fact,
she wants us both to leave.

Now.

Is she serious?

Oh, yeah, I think so.

- Can she even do that?
- It's her estate.

The gardens belong to her.

So, we're leaving.

So, do I have to go back?

Uh, well...

Uh...

You're welcome to stick with me.

If you trust me.

Can you do that?

I have to grab a few things
from my place.

Yeah.

Fuck!
That's him, that's RG.

- Where?
- Just...

The one in the red.

The other one's Sissy.

I'm just here on the left,
just one block.

Wait, I'll come with you.

No, it's okay, I'm good.

I'll wait.

Yeah?

- Yeah, who's this?
- Where are you?

Hold your fucking horses!
I'm coming.

Hey.

I'm looking for someone.

Are you the one
they call Frito the Beaner?

- That what they say?
- Now, what the fuck?

Oh, must have got
the wrong information.

You I know.

You're the one they call RG.

You're the one that got some
good advice the other day.

Yeah.

And you must be Farmer John.

I'm a gardener.

That's why I wear
these funny clothes

and carry these pruning shears
as part of my job.

You know, pruning shears,
they can snap off a branch

or a plant bulb just like that.

Same time it takes
to snap off a finger

or some testicles.

Hey, Sissy,
think twice before you move.

I've done a lot of pruning
in my life.

RG?

You got a visit from the police.

I'm the second warning.

Hey, chill, Proud Boy!

How are you feeling?

Good.

Pretty high, huh?

All right, whatever it is,

take it out
and put it on the ground.

Check your socks,
your waistband, and your duffel.

What, you want me to do it?

Huh?

Fucking Christ!

The lavender sage
and plum poppies

bloom the same time every year

but never quite the same way.

Some years
they are in giddy harmony,

other years they barely
tolerate each other.

Let me tell you how this
is going to work, Maya.

Fuck you.

You're feeling bad now,

but your system will adjust.

Piece of shit.

I would like you to go
to the bathroom now

and shower and change. It's...

it's very important
that you stay hydrated.

Narcotics Anonymous

is a fellowship of
men and women

who are learning
to live without drugs.

We are a nonprofit society

and have no dues or fees
of any kind.

I'm Narvel,

I'm a drug addict.

- Welcome, Narvel.
- Thank you.

I'm Maya,

I'm a drug addict.

Welcome, Maya.

I found a life in flowers.

How unlikely is that?

I'm not leaving until I say
goodbye to my daughter.

Now where are they?

She doesn't want
to talk to you.

She's had time
to think about your beliefs.

She doesn't share them.

Yeah, all right.
What about Annie?

You know, she's five years old.

Your wife told her that you
were killed in an accident.

Hey. I... I did everything
that you asked me to do.

And now you've testified,
you'll be relocated.

Time to start a new life, pal.

How are you feeling?

I'm shaky.

But pretty good.

You know I wasn't really
a drug addict, right?

Oh, no, no,
I didn't think you were.

But if you know any
and they come along,

there's a barf bag in the back.

'Cause...

Yeah. Go on and smirk,
Mr. Smirk.

But if I needed a barf bag,
I would have brought my own,

and that's not the case.

So, thank you but no thank you.

My daughter's 13 now.

You know, if... if at any point
that she wanted to see me,

- reach out, can she do that?
- Doesn't work that way.

And if you attempt to go around
the Marshals Service and...

contact her directly,

you'll only endanger her.

Where are they?

I don't know.

I don't want to know.

Have you ever been
to Great Dixter?

- Great Dixter?
- Yeah, I've been reading.

Dixter is... is a long way
from here.

London. England. Whatever.

Someday, maybe.

You could take me.

I thought
you already had one today.

Well...

you get a second
if you go to a meeting.

- That's the 13th step.
- Right.

You know
you talk a lot of shit, but...

there's one thing
you don't talk about.

What's that?

Yourself.

Well,
there's not much to know.

Were you ever married?

I was, a long time ago.

What happened?

Didn't work.

Any kids?

I had a girl.

She died, and that was
the end of the marriage.

Your pops?

- Yeah, he's dead, too.
- Hmm. How?

- Drugs.
- Huh.

What was his name?

- Maladi.
- Maladi.

It's an African name.

When did he come here?

- About 200 years ago.
- Uh-huh.

Say there's
about 300 botanical gardens

in the United States.

And most of them
are pretty good, some are great.

But they all owe a debt
to this guy, John Bartram.

His garden in 1728,
in Philadelphia,

it was the model for gardens
that came after.

And this guy
was generous to a fault.

I mean, so he collected seeds
from all over the Northeast

and he'd send them to botanists
all over the world.

They call them
"Bartram's boxes."

The Japanese garden's
that way...

and the tropical pavilion's
this way.

I saw your tattoos last night.

Did you want me to?

That must have taken
a long time.

It did, yeah.

Do you have anything
to say about it?

Not at the moment.

You should have them removed.

I looked into it
and I decided not to.

Well,
that's really fucked.

This way.

Are you going
to say anything?

I saw what I saw, right?

Mm-hmm.

So, can you imagine
what I'm feeling right now?

How much of a mind fuck
all of this is?

No, of course you can't.

I thought you should know
I was once someone else.

I was raised to hate people
that were different than me.

And I did.

And I was good at it.

And what did you do

to the people you hated?

Did you... beat them?

Kill them? What?

I hate Robbie and Sissy.

Are you going to kill them
for me?

- I hate...
- No, don't fucking talk to me

about hate. I have enough hate
for the both of us.

- Sorry...
- Don't touch me!

So, who are you right now?

I'm just a gardener...

who used to be someone else.

But now I'm your friend.

No, I cannot even be
in the same room as you.

No, stop! Fuck!

I drove her to the motel.

Got two rooms.

She did not say a word.

This journal
was so helpful to me

when I was under house arrest

and for many years after.

Now, I just find it a burden.

- Deputy Marshal Neruda?
- Yes.

- Narvel Roth.
- Hey.

We need to meet again.

Tomorrow?

Saturday?

Uh, things have been
a bit hectic around here,

but everybody's got
the day off tomorrow,

so that works for me.

All right, 3:00 p.m.

See you there.

Narvel?

It's Maya.

Can you open the door?

I'd like to come in.

Is that okay?

Yeah, okay.

Anything to drink?

Well, I... I got a soda
from the machine.

That's okay.

I really want
to take off my clothes.

Is that okay?

I want to take off my clothes
so bad.

I would like nothing more.

Take your clothes off.

Take off your shirt.

Turn around.

And you'll have them removed?

Yes.

Continue.

Narvel?

Whoo!

Yeah!

Whoo!

Yeah!

Uh...

Yeah, excuse me?

Sit down, Mr. Roth.

- Can I get you something?
- No.

Where's Oscar?

Deputy Marshal Neruda

is less than three months
from retirement.

He felt this would be
a good occasion

to introduce his replacement.

I'm Stephen Collins,
though folks call me Stick.

Nice to meet you.

Oscar has briefed me.

Your confidentiality has been
in no way breached.

Thank you.

I'm aware of your
exemplary record

over the last decade.

Hey, congratulations.

Oscar and I met
several weeks ago, here and...

we made an agreement.

And I just wanted an update
before I go back.

And what sort of agreement
was that?

It was about a drug crew working
in the 9th Street Projects.

Oh, he... he never said anything
about that.

Uh...

Do you think we can get him
on the phone?

I'm your handler now.

Deputy Marshal Neruda
has handed over your case.

Just like that?

- Yeah, that's how it works.
- Yeah.

What was the problem
on the 9th Street Projects?

- It was about a drug crew.
- W... what type of drug crew?

Nice to meet you, Stick.

And I'm sure you're pretty good
at your job,

but I just don't think
that you can help me

in this situation.

Hey, try me.

I just did.

- Here.
- Thanks.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Was anybody hurt?

Did you call the police?

Where... Where are you now?

Is Norma okay?

All right, I'm on my way.

Huh?

Yeah, yeah. Go, go.

There was an incident
at Gracewood Gardens.

- What?
- Vandalism.

Nobody was hurt.

It's Robbie.

It's an hour-and-a-half.
Grab your stuff.

The police left.

What did you tell them?

I didn't really see anything.

Where's Norma?

In the sitting room.
Janine's with her.

Look who's back.

The bad penny.

- How are you?
- All right.

No one came in.

Porch Dog got kicked.

Oh.

I had this.

Father's trophy Luger.

- Let me take that.
- They might come back.

They were in your cabin.

Uh, are the police coming back?

We don't know.

Well, I'd rather not be here
if they do.

Janine, look after her.

I can call them
and find out where they are.

What are you going to do?

You wait here, I'm gonna
tie up some loose ends.

No, these aren't
your loose ends.

They are now.

Well, you can't find them
without me.

I'm coming with you.

You'll do as I say?

Yeah.

All right.

We wait until dark.

All right, they just left.
They're headed there now.

It's the house,
I've been there before.

What goes on?

It's just a party house.

Video games, music, dope,
fucking.

It's just a regular house,
so people can dip out the back.

Well, all the better.

What'd he say?

"Come over any time.
All is forgiven."

Once we're inside,
you step back.

I'll take it from there.

Okay?

Craig!

Yo, Maya, wassup,

wassup, wassup, wassup?

- What's going on?
- How are you?

- I've been good.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, I hit up RG.
He told us to come through so...

Oh.

Wait, wait, wait.

Everybody out!

No, nope, not you two.

Get up, get over by the wall.

Turn around, sit down.

Down, down, down, down,
get down.

Maya? Come here.

You wanted them dead,
now here they are.

All right, come here.

Now you're gonna shoot them
right in the head.

Maya, please,
we didn't mean any harm.

You decide.
Who do you want to shoot first?

You can take whatever you want.
We know we messed up.

Concentrate.

It's your move.

Maya, please.

Stretch your legs out.

- You'll never see us.
- Hey.

- You'll never see us...
- Stretch 'em out!

Come on, out, out.

Stretch 'em out!

I need you to remember.

How's it going?

They should be done
by today.

Ronnie made some tea.

How's Porch Dog?

He's gonna be all right.

I thought I'd have to pay
the vet a fortune,

but he just...
up and recovered on his own.

- Hmm.
- Some men are like that.

I have three matters
to discuss with you.

Firstly...

there is your father's Luger.

It's an heirloom.
You should have it.

Secondly, I'd like to discuss

the restoration
of Gracewood Gardens.

And the damage seems
irreparable now, but...

plants rejuvenate,
that's what they do.

Like us.

Give yourself another year

and help me or...

help us

and next year's Spring Gala

will be an achievement
for Gracewood.

And your other point?

That's the us part.

Maya and I will be
living together in the cabin

as husband and wife.

That is...

obscene.

No, it's not.

I've seen obscene.

Have you lost your goddamn mind?

Go ahead,
pull the trigger.

Go ahead, I deserve it.
And there is a justice in it.

But I have to warn you.

The gun is not working,
and it's not loaded.

Goddamn you, Sweet Pea.

Let's talk tomorrow.
I should go.

A garden job well done
is a visual pleasure.

Where there was
an unsightly tangle,

there is a display
of what should be there

instead of what should not be.

Gardening is the manipulation
of the natural world.

A creation of order,
where order is appropriate.

The subtle adjustments
of disorder

where that would be effective.