Paper Covers Rock (2008) - full transcript

I'm up.

We're gonna be late for school.

Uh, in fact it was Sam that
requested that you be here today...

And that you be involved
in all aspects of her recovery.

Uh, which I think
in and of itself

is an excellent indication
of how far she's come.

That said, we still have
a long road ahead of us,

at least six months
of extensive outpatient therapy.

You suffer from
severe chronic depression

with self-destructive ideations.

Provided you stick
with our regimen,



there's no reason to think
that you can't lead

a healthy and productive life.

You ready
for a little normalcy, Sam?

Oh, I almost forgot...

Uh...

Bet you're happy
to be getting outta here.

Not that it's such a bad place.

A little dull maybe, but...

Hmm...

I, um...

I forgot something.

What's the matter?

I... I forgot my toothbrush.

Forget it.
I have an extra one at home.



I'll be just a second.

Say good-bye, Sam.

Cookie?

Three rules.

No smoking in my apartment,

clean up after yourself,

and respect my privacy,
which means stay out of my room.

Same as when we were little.

Except now we're grown up, so you
have to actually abide by them.

Isn't this nice?

So, Geoffrey called
this morning.

Lola's good.

You're gonna have to deal
with her, Sam, sooner or later.

All in good time, right?

Glasses are up here.

Careful with these 'cause they
don't necessarily always stick,

so it might fall on your head.

Napkins.

These for the... the wipe-down
and this one is good,

and then use these
for the glasses

so it doesn't get
any sticky things on it.

When you come in,

put your shoes on the rug.

This is where you're gonna
be sleeping.

It's much more comfortable
than it looks.

Uh, that's your fitted sheet
and your blanket.

Hang your jacket up
as soon as you come in.

If you... You can go ahead
and do that now.

Lift it straight up, back.

And then it rolls forward...
Very good.

Okay.

Um, so you can leave that,
and in the morning,

right when you wake up,
fold these up,

put 'em back up there, okay?

This is my living room.

If you would keep all your stuff
kind of together over here,

that would be great.

I got you this for your clothes,

so don't leave your clothes
lying around.

Put 'em in here.

And you might want to take
a look at this.

All your mail's being
forwarded here.

Is that all my stuff?

- So, what's your plan
for tomorrow?

Dr. Gold in the morning.

And then?

I don't know.

Well, I am gonna hit the hay.

I get up pretty early.

I... I wanna see her, Ed.

- I swear, I do. I just can't.
- I know, I know.

I'm... I'm not ready, not now.

Not yet.

You gonna be all right?

Get some sleep.

The first time
was right after my mother died.

I thought it was normal
to, you know, be sad...

But maybe it was
more than just sadness?

And how did you cope with it?

Well, uh...

- I found out I was pregnant, for starters.
- Mm-hmm.

How old were you?

Nineteen.

Okay, and so the pregnancy,
uh, turned you around?

Well, at first, I...

I didn't have time
to be depressed

when Lola was born.

Um...

Then Geoffrey...

he got, I don't know,
kind of weird, I guess.

Mm-hmm.

He never really got into
the whole father thing.

Hmm.

Uh, are you still
in love with him?

Sam?

Do you think it's time
that you, uh, moved on?

- I mean, let's try to put things into perspective.
- I'm not crazy.

Okay.

You like Thai food, don't you?

I'm not hungry.

Dr. Gold said the medication
might affect your appetite.

Mmm... Oh, I love ginger.

It's like a cleansing tonic.

So, Geoffrey called again today.

Just to check in,
see how you're getting along.

Lola's good.

Have you taken a look
at your mail?

No.

I really think you should.

I will.

Excuse me?

I will.

And I'd appreciate it
if you'd stay out of my room.

I... I didn't go in your room.

Well, someone did.

It wasn't me.

Sam, you're lying.

You are a liar.

I asked you not to go
in my room.

It was very simple.

So, you took
the sleeping pills because...

you couldn't fall asleep.

And you had every intention
of just waking up

and, as you put it, making a a
fresh start of things, right?

So, why the...
Why the plastic bag, Sam?

Sam?

I said, why the plastic bag?

Well, I I've been thinking
a lot about that, actually.

Uh...

I mean, I obviously didn't
want to wake up, right?

That's the crazy part.

I... I wanted both things...

To wake up, but not to wake up.

Okay, which is
completely impossible.

But that's exactly
what I wanted.

Something...

totally impossible.

$1.25.

How much for the...?

It's five dollars
for the whole bunch for them.

How much for just one?

We don't sell 'em by one.

Okay, thanks.

Come back.

There. It's your lucky day.

Oh, I thought this week
would never end.

Not from being overly busy.

When you're busy,
time flies, you know?

Have you given any thought
to going back to work?

You always seemed happy
at that eye office.

I'm sure they'd be thrilled
to have you back.

I can't.

Why not?

I'm sure they've hired
someone already.

Well, what if they haven't?

It's been...
It's been two months.

So?

What if I told you
I was sure they haven't?

- You called them?
- No, they called me.

A couple of days after...
After you went in the hospital.

You must have put me down
as your emergency contact.

They were worried
when you didn't show up to work.

I mean, they would have
found out anyway.

Nice people, right?

They want you back.

I can't.

Why not?

I... I just can't.

You don't have anything
to be ashamed of.

I'll check the paper tomorrow.

I'll ask around at work.

H.R. guy owes me.

So, it ain't rocket science.

I mean, you empty
a few wastebaskets,

you manage the recycling bin,

you do some light dusting
around the office.

That sort of thing.

Probably a lot different
than what you're used to.

Ed tells me you were an eye
doctor or somethin' like that.

No, I was a receptionist
at an optometrist's office.

Well, this is what I got
to offer.

Pay ain't great,
but the people are nice...

and the hours are good.

When do I start?

You busy now?

No, no.

I just need to change clothes,
if you don't mind.

Sure thing.

Glad I could help.

- Sorry.
- No, no, don't mind me.

I just, uh...
Just forgot my iPod.

Oh, okay.

It's a nice view, right?

Yeah.

I'm Brian.

Sam. It's short for Samantha.

Everyone just calls me Sam.

It's a nice name.

I gotta get back to work, so...

Hello?

Hello?

Well, tell me, Sam,
what's important to you?

- Seeing my daughter again.
- Mm-hmm.

But yet you are avoiding her.

But I told you I'm not ready.

Mm-hmm, and what do you think
is holding you back?

I don't know.

I thought that's what
we were figuring out.

Okay, Sam, I'm going to ask
you something,

and I need you to be
completely frank with me,

no matter how uncomfortable
what I'm about to ask you

makes you feel, okay?

So, can I count on you
to be completely frank with me?

Okay.

Why are you collecting
Saran wrap?

Excuse me?

Well, your sister tells me
that she found

a rather large quantity of used
Saran wrap in your dresser.

I'm curious as to why you'd want
to hold onto such a thing.

When I was in the hospital...

Ed, uh...

- She came to see me almost every day.
- Mm-hmm.

Pretty much every day...

And every day,

um, she'd bring
this little muffin.

It was flaxseed, I think.

She said it would make
my hair shiny.

I felt like if I wasted
any of it...

even a little crumb,
it was... it was like...

But why were you saving
the Saran wrap?

That's what they were
wrapped in.

I mean, her hands
touched it, so...

So throwing away the Saran wrap
is like throwing away Ed?

Something like that.

But it's not Ed.

It's... it's just Saran wrap.

You understand that, don't you?

$1.25.

Here you go.

Thank you.

Help you?

How much for...?

200.

What about this one?

175.

You got anything cheaper?

How cheap?

Uh, 40 bucks?

Over there.

This one?

No, to the left.

- This one?
- More left.

This?

But it doesn't have any wheels
or anything.

40 bucks
and, uh, I'll throw in a seat.

What the hell is that?

I bought a bike.

Well, where's the rest of it?

I don't have it yet.

Well, don't scratch up the floor

and take off your shoes.

I'm not crazy.

What?

I said I'm not crazy.

What kind of a thing
is that to say?

Of course you're not.

Why would you say such a thing?

Dr. Gold told me about you
looking through my stuff.

I'm only looking out for you.

A lot has happened
in the past few weeks...

months...

And...

But I don't think you're crazy.

I have never thought that,
not... not even for a minute.

It's just...

- I worry.
- About what?

I can't say exactly.

I'm gonna try
and kill myself again?

No! Don't say that.

Then what?

You know, frankly, I don't see
what the big deal is.

When you were in the hospital, I went through
your entire life with a fine-tooth comb.

It took me two weeks.

That's different.

Really?

How?

It just is. I...

What'd you think
you were gonna find?

- Razor blades, sleeping pills?
- Okay, enough! I said enough!

I'm on your side, Sam.

I've always been on your side.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello? Who is this?

15 bucks, take it or leave it.

They were sitting out there
in a puddle.

No one's ever gonna buy them.

Oh, really?

What are you doing, then?

$8.

I'll tell you what.

Rock, Paper, Scissors.

- What?
- Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Best of three.

I win, you walk out of here
with the tires, 15 bucks.

You win, they're free.

Okay.

Three, two, one.

Scissors cut paper.

Three, two, one!

- Rock crushes scissors.
- All right.

Three, two, one!

Paper covers rock.

Well played.

Hey.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Uh, what you got there?

It's, uh... it's for my bike.

So, how...

How'd you like the music?

It was nice.

So how about some dinner, maybe?

I... I have to work.

Okay. I mean,
I wasn't thinking tonight.

I was thinking maybe tomorrow
or the weekend, maybe?

Yeah, um...

It wouldn't have to mean
anything.

- It'd just be food.
- Yeah.

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

I... I didn't mean to freak
you out or anything like that.

No, no, it's not that,
it's just...

No, no, we just...
We can just forget it.

No. No.

No...?

I mean, no, as... as in yes.

As... as in yes to dinner?

Yeah, yeah.

Really?

Why not?

Well, all right, then.

Hey.

Hey.

So, what's your plan?

Uh, Dr. Gold, work,
and then home.

I was thinking maybe we could
go out tonight.

Jackson Diner, maybe.

I... I can't.

Why not?

I kinda have other plans.

Other plans?

I'm having dinner with someone.

You mean, like a date?

Um, no, just dinner.

With who?

Just someone I met.

Where did you meet him?

At work.

You mean, he actually, like,
works in my office?

Yeah.

Is it someone I know?

I don't know.

Well, what's his name?

Brian.

Brian Bender?

I don't actually know
his last name.

Did you tell him
you were my sister?

No.

Why not?

I don't know.
It never came up, I guess.

Dr. Gold says it's important
not to withdraw.

I'm just trying to get
some perspective...

to move on.

You don't have to apologize.

I think it's great.

- You do?
- Yeah!

Get out there.

Have some fun.

It'll do you some good.

Brian Bender.

I mean, he's harmless.

He's a... he's a little flaky,
but he's harmless.

I'll see you.

Why the smile?

Oh, am I smiling?

Mm-hmm.

I feel good.

I mean, I'm not bouncing off
the walls or anything, but I...

I feel, uh, different, you know?

- Just... Not great, just better.
- Mm-hmm.

Things are coming along
very well.

And, of course, your meds
are finally kicking in.

I... I would like to see
my daughter.

All right, you're sure?

I'm positive.

Well, if she were here right
now, what would you say to her?

I-I don't know.

"I'm... I'm sorry"?

A lot of things.

We have made...

really great progress
in very little time.

And now that your meds
have finally started to kick in

and you're feeling better...
Not great...

I just think that we shouldn't
jump ahead of ourselves.

- I want to see my daughter.
- I know, and I know...

It's been two months.

- I've done everything you told me to do.
- Mm-hmm.

- I take my medication, I got a job.
- Right, Sam...

I'm careful not to withdraw.

I'm going out... I'm even
going out on a stupid date.

Sam, please, you're...

And when I tell you
I want to see my daughter,

you tell me it's my meds
kicking in.

Fuck you.

I don't need
your fucking permission.

You know, what I am
suggesting is that perhaps

you're not the only person that
we have to worry about here.

You think my own daughter
won't want to see me?

Well, I wouldn't know.

But I imagine that she's had
a pretty rough time of it.

I mean, you haven't seen her
since... since that day.

Have you given
one moment's thought

to what she might be
going through?

Why don't you check in
with Geoffrey?

Just see how she's doing.

Just take it one step at a time.

Where's the harm in that?

I won't be late.

Have fun.

How do I look?

Great.

Thanks.

Don't wait up.

I won't.

I'll have... I'll have
a cranberry juice.

Hey, I am so sorry.

I'm so sorry. All right?

- Well, what happened?
- I just got totally slammed at work.

And, uh, I could really use
a drink... a drink.

Do you... what do you want?
What are you having?

Actually, I think I'm gonna go.

Okay, I just got here. Please.

Please?

- I'll have a cranberry juice.
- Okay.

Uh, cranberry juice
for the lady,

and I'll have a Jameson's
on the rocks, please.

Thanks.

Cheers.

So, how come you didn't tell me

that, uh... that Ed
was your sister?

It... it never came up.

- Is that a problem?
- No, not at all.

Uh...

She's a real...
She's a real ballbuster.

So, you guys work together.

She's my boss.

I guess you don't drink anymore?

Why do you...
Why did you ask that?

Well, just because you ordered,
uh, cranberry juice.

Why didn't you call
the restaurant?

I mean, I was waiting
over an hour.

I got totally slammed at work.

I... I am sorry.

If you don't believe me,
please say so.

Otherwise, can you just drop it
and have a good time?

I... I think I'm gonna
go home now.

- Hey, I'll... I'll walk out with you.
- Yeah.

Taxi!

Uh...

Okay, so, I am so, so sorry.

Yeah.

Me too.

Friends?

- That was quick.
- Yeah.

Hey!

Something happen?

No.

What happened?

Nothing.

We ate dinner
and I... I got tired.

Did he stand you up?

No.

He stood you up, didn't he?

No, no, he... he just
showed up a little late.

How late?

I don't know. An hour?

An hour?

Tell you what.

I'm gonna make us
a nice pot of tea.

We can watch a movie,

and then tomorrow morning
I will take you out

for a nice,
big pancake breakfast.

How's that sound?

Fuck Brian Bender, all right?

You didn't say anything
to him, did you?

What do you mean?

I mean, uh, about me.

I'm not following you.

It just seemed like maybe
you might have said something.

I told him you were my sister,
if that's what you mean.

Is that all?

Oh, I get it.

You got stood up,
so now it must be my fault.

- I didn't...
- I must have sabotaged your date, is that it?

No, I didn't say that.

No, but it's what you thought.

Well, news flash, Sam.

Sometimes people let you down.

Welcome to life.

- I told you he was a flake.
- I know.

I am the one
trying to lift you up,

and you have the nerve
to accuse me

of intentionally screwing
up your date.

I didn't mean it
to come out that...

Was it Brian Bender
who came to visit you

every fucking day
at the hospital?

Are you staying rent-free
in Brian Bender's apartment?

Did Brian Bender pull 15 fucking
favors to get you your job?

- I said I'm sorry.
- Well, you should be.

You should be.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello.

You got to leave me alone.

Don't get me wrong.

I know what
you're going through.

I didn't come here
to talk about us.

I'm ready to take Lola back.

I can't do it right now,

um, but I got a job,

and pretty soon
I'll have my own place.

Wait a minute.
Hold on, hold up a second.

Did you read any of
those letters I sent you?

- No.
- There's nothing about a lawyer?

Well, Ed told me that she
gave 'em to you herself.

So?

I'm su... I'm suing
for full custody.

The papers are going through
any day now, Sam.

That's... that's not possible.

It Is.

She lives with...
She lives with me.

She lived with you, but now
she's living with me now, Sam.

It's gonna stay that way.

She's my daughter.

- You abandoned her, Sam.
- I was in the fucking hospital!

You were not a mother
way before that happened.

I was sick,
I went to the hospital.

- And... and I'm better now, see?
- Sam...

- You never wanted her!
- That's fucking bullshit, you know that?

- You left us!
- I left you, Sam.

That's right! That's right!

You left me.

You said you never would.

You made a promise,
and you broke it.

You just don't get it, do you?

Do you have a fucking clue
to what you put her through?

What I put her through?

For six weeks she woke up in the middle of
the night screaming, fucking hysterical,

'cause she thought
you were dead, Sam.

And she thought that
she was the one who killed you.

You get it now?

You got to get yourself a lawyer

and read those letters
I sent you.

- I don't need a lawyer to see my own daughter.
- You got to get a lawyer, Sam.

- We're gonna do this once...
- No. No.

- We're gonna do it right...
- No.

And then we're gonna
be done with it.

Fuck you!

See you guys later.

Don't drink too much.

Hi there, sweetheart.

- What'll you have?
- Vodka.

- Vodka and...?
- Ice.

Ice.

Six bucks.

Can I have another?

You sure?

I know you.

- No.
- Yeah, I know.

I think I know you.

I'm sure I know you.

- No.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I think I know you.

Yeah.

Fuck it.

Come again?

Fuck it.

Well...

if that's the way
you feel about it, honey...

fuck it.

Uh...

So, what's your name?

Uh, Ray.

- Ray?
- Yeah?

Will you get me out of here?

W-Where do you want to go?

- I don't care.
- Oh.

Oh, we can go over
to my place if you want.

It's just, uh...

It's not much to look at, but
it's right around the corner.

Just... just get me
the fuck out of here.

Okay.

Okay, yeah, yeah.

- Right this way.
- Yeah.

Don't forget my bike.

Uh, yeah.

Okay.

Yeah.

Just, uh... be careful
of the shoes, okay?

Just be careful.

I like shoes.

You, uh... why don't you come in
and have a seat?

Over there.

Okay.

Yeah, uh...

let me get you
something to drink.

You're, uh, vodka with ice,
right?

Right.

Oh...

It's not every day
I get somebody like you

coming in the old locker room.

Say, what did you say
your name was again?

Anyway, uh...

vodka and ice and...

everything nice.

Just, uh...

Yeah.

Not bad.

Not bad at all.

My tire.

Excuse me?

My tire.

Tire? Yeah, that's a tire.

Yeah.

You said you'd fix it.

Huh?

- You said you'd fix it.
- I did?

In the bar.

Why don't we just...
Oh, just forget about the tire.

You know? Okay?

Just forget about the tire.

Don't...

Shit.

Fucking stupid, man.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

Look, is everything
all right in there?

Go away.

- But I live here.
- Go away. Just go away.

Say, what are you doing
in there?

Huh?

Are you okay?
What are you doing in there?

What was that?

Wh...

Huh? What was that?

You all right?

I'll tell you what.

Why don't we come out here
and, and, and...

And we'll talk about
fixing your tire?

Huh?

Are you gonna tell Ed?

What? Ed? Ed who?

- Yeah. Yeah.
- Who the hell is Ed?

Or Dr. Gold or Geoffrey?

Dr. who?

Geoffrey.

They talk to each other.

What'd you say?

Okay, look, I'll tell you what.

I... I think I'm gonna go out
for a little bit

and get some fresh air.

And then you come back...
I'll come back, all right?

Oh...

Where have you been?
I've been worried sick.

Did you know that Geoffrey
was taking custody of Lola?

Yes.

I told you all along you should
be reading the letters.

You made it pretty clear
a few weeks back

you wanted your privacy, so...

You think...

You think I'm unfit
to be a mother?

I think that you need
to take care of yourself.

I think that you need
to make sure you're healthy

before you can be
any good to Lola.

- I love you, Sam...
- Shut up.

- What?
- I said shut up!

You sick, twisted,

pathetic bitch!

My whole life you've been
telling me how much you love me,

how you're the only one
on my side, lifting me up.

- And it's true.
- It's bullshit!

Bullshit!

What are you doing?

I'm leaving.

Sam, you don't have to do this.

We can work it out.

You said some things
you didn't mean, and I did too.

Let's just...
Let's just forget about it,

and we can just...

move on.

It'll be okay.

- I have to go.
- Sam!

- No.
- What am I supposed to do with your stuff?

Throw it out. I don't need it.

- I'll be in touch.
- You walk out right now...

and I'm not gonna
forget about it.

I'm not bailing you out
next time.

Move.

Sam, don't.

Move.

- I'll be in touch.
- Sam!

Stillwell Avenue,
Coney Island, last stop.

Jennie, look at this big eel.

Right here. See?

Look, right there. Look.

You see the eel? Look it!

Did you see that eel, Jess?

Cool, I can see him underwater!

Why are you here?

I came to see you.

Why?

'Cause I miss you.

Why are you crying?

'Cause I'm happy.

Are you gonna stay with me?

I want to, more than anything
in the whole world...

but I can't.

Not yet.

Why?

I have to go away.

To the hospital?

No, nothing like that.

Just, uh, someplace different.

Just for a little while

till I get some things
worked out.

How come?

'Cause I love you.

But I'll come back soon, okay?

Promise?

Promise.

Come on, everyone.
Find your buddy.

I have to go now.

I know.

Here, let me tell you a secret.
Come here.

Lola, come on, honey.

Make your two lines
facing that way.

- Kind of cold for a swim.
- Oh, no, it's not.

This is the time of year to go.

November, when the air's cold,
the water feels warm.

It's all in the perspective.

It's just great.

Sweetie, you ought
to try it sometime.

It's a lot of fun.