Reunion (2001) - full transcript
A bittersweet and heartfelt story about going back. In the twenty-four hours before their 20th high school reunion, five friends, a younger brother and a mysterious photojournalist are reunited by determined Mayor Margaret to remember the "good times of 1981"
♫ Multicom Entertainment
Group Opening Music
(ominous music)
(chattering)
(cool music and chattering)
(triumphant music)
(motorcycle revving)
(sighs)
- Good evening fellow
graduates of the class of 1981.
It's been a long time, 20 years.
That's a long time.
(chuckles)
Oh great Margaret insult
them right off the bat.
I recognize a lot of you
in this room here tonight.
Hell I've slept with most of you.
(laughs)
I am sure all of you have
been through some changes.
As many of you know, I
am now the mayor of Ojai.
Thank you, thank you very much.
(mutters)
I remember that precious
summer after graduation,
that last summer before we were expected
to move on with our lives.
It was freedom.
I remember my mother
telling me, Margherita
you don't have to win a Pulitzer Prize
(speaks spanish)
big brass ring ha!
It was the Brady Bunch.
- I'm so sorry to bother
you but your assistant Luisa
has called so many times.
- What does reunion mean to you?
- Well um you loved somebody once
and then you see them again
and all those feelings
come back up from inside.
- Great.
Great.
(radio chatter)
(hip hop music)
- Shit!
Shit!
(door slams)
Shit!
Shit!
I came this far.
(marching band blares and whistles)
- Coffee?
- Yes I'll have a coffee.
How about a cheese
sandwich um with avocado
and lettuce and tomato and salt and pepper
and a little mayo please.
You know what make that um breakfast.
I'll just have a little breakfast
and scrambled egg whites
and hash browns, crispy.
- Coffee?
- Couldn't live without it.
Thank you.
Class of '81?
- Mm yes actually.
- Are you here for the reunion?
- Yeah.
I don't remember where my yearbook is.
- My mother found it
for me in my old bedroom
in my closet where I grew up.
- Uh huh.
- Brad Wellington.
You are?
- I'm Jeanie.
My name's Jeanie.
- My sister had a goldfish called Jeanie.
- That's an awfully odd
name for a goldfish.
- Matter of opinion.
- Hmm.
- Oh you wanna look at it.
- No, I'm not nostalgic.
- But you came to your 20th reunion.
- I'm not nostalgic either.
- But you have a yearbook.
Could I have a turkey club dry?
- So I don't know you.
- No smoking please.
- I don't smoke.
Maybe I, maybe I know you from P.E.
- Maybe.
- You know our graduating
class wasn't that big.
Whose homeroom were you in?
- Come on you remember who
your homeroom teacher was
20 years ago?
- Well how can you forget
a drunk homeroom teacher?
I mean she'd come in with toilet
paper draggin' off her foot
and then there's the time
she had her skirt stuck
in the back of her tights,
the day of the week
printed on the back of her underwear.
Tuesday on her ass.
(laughs)
- I remember that.
- You remember that and
you don't remember me?
- I guess so.
- And I don't remember you.
I think I should have remembered you.
(keys jingling)
(Hispanic music blaring)
(speaks Spanish)
- Good evening my fellow
graduates of the class of 1981.
We're gonna reminisce,
talk about trends and fads
and cool fashions.
We're gonna talk about
halter tops and bell bottoms.
Okay, what I remember the
most was that precious summer
after graduation.
Shit, Luisa!
(elevator music plays)
- I recommend Antigua.
Blue water, good nappers.
No, can you give me a minute
to return these calls okay?
And then I'll (mumbles).
Mindy?
(papers shuffling)
- It's not your fault Erv.
Okay?
You hear?
- Yep.
- Here?
- Yep.
You know why, excuse me.
Why don't you let me
follow through on this one?
- It's my job.
I'll get it over to them today okay?
- I think you should take the day off.
- Fine.
- I think you should go home.
(cries)
Mind, you deserve better than him.
(uplifting music)
- Hey, how'd you like a real authentic
Lieutenant Colonel's jacket?
- Whose?
- Mine.
- You're not really a colonel.
You're way too young.
You aren't even a grandfather yet.
- You're right.
Hey, I gotta go, my pop's waiting for me.
You want it or not?
(twangy uplifting music)
(rock music and phone ringing)
- Boccali's?
Hey Mr. Roberts how you doin'?
I love the heat sir, I'm a pizza maker.
Yeah, you come see me in 20 minutes
and I'll have your special
pie waiting for you.
Yeah, you too Mr. Roberts.
- Hang on.
We're gonna be late.
- I know I know Luisa.
I know.
- Bobby!
Bobby get your ass off that motorcycle.
Hey Yvette, tell your
sister I'd like to see her
again sometime.
Hey nice manners!
Bobby get your ass inside.
You got a mess to clean up
and some pies to deliver.
I don't pay you minimum wage
to flirt with cheerleaders.
- But you gotta get good
tires 'cause your car
won't go without and your
future's ridin' on it.
There aint no doubt about it.
(tires screeching)
Thanks for coming!
- No problem and
congratulations on your opening.
And as soon as all my tires are bald,
I will be in for a new set.
- Come down in anytime
for a free inspection
before they go bald mayor or a rotation.
- Oh I will keep that in mind Stan.
- Margaret, we need to
resolve the speed bump issue
and the set master Zodie Park.
Oh very flat, very useless.
- Uh sweetheart, schedule
a speed bump meeting
with Mr. Andretti, yes thank you darling.
- Margaret, you are just the mayor
that I needed to see today.
- What brings you to Ojai, tires?
- No, space.
Margaret, this is Free Sky.
She's the yoga instructor
from the one mind institute
in Ventura.
- Yes I took one of your classes.
- She wants to open up an
institute right here in Ojai.
- Excellent, Luisa Luisa can you put
Miss Frisky.
- That's Free Sky.
- Free Sky of course.
- Oh thank you.
Free Sky.
- Oh my god.
- Margaret, when you're
done City Councilman Beard
would like a word with you.
- Okay, Luisa step away from the door now.
- Oh photographer.
- No, photojournalist.
- Capturing your every
moment back in rustic Ojai.
- Look like you did in high
school just sittin' at the diner
- What like this?
- Bye high school Brad.
- What?
- You transformed.
- Meaning?
- There's the shoulder
hunch for one thing.
- Occupational hazard.
- Oh yeah?
What do you do?
- They call me the terror of Polk Street.
- Dare I ask why?
- I'm a bus driver.
- I live in San Francisco but I don't take
public transportation.
- Yeah I know those types.
Hey listen, driving around
a bit, taking in the scenery
if you wanna tag along.
I'll show up for your pictorial.
- Sure, why not?
- Alright.
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
- How do you keep these
plants alive in this heat?
- Well your mother gave
them the will to live,
I just do the seasonal maintenance.
How are you?
Hi, son.
Well I am damned.
I knew you were coming
but I forgot it was today.
I can never remember where
I put the damned calendar.
- Well, couldn't miss my 20 year reunion.
- Well 20 years slip
by without my noticing?
- Yes sir.
- Well are you high-ranking military men
allowed to have a cold
beer on your day off?
- Considering I'm permanently off, sure.
- What did you say Pat?
- I'm retired.
Let's go have that beer.
- Pat?
(tv blaring)
Christ Pat.
- Pop, hear me out.
- I'm gonna hear you out.
But this better be good,
you don't just abandon
the United States Army.
- I didn't abandon anything.
I retired just like anybody else would
in any other profession.
- Pat, your 37 years old.
- I got my whole life ahead of me.
- Well what the hell are you gonna do?
You gonna come back here
and help me in the garden?
- Maybe I will.
- What's the real reason
you left the Army?
- Come on Pop okay?
- Because you have what it takes
to be a commanding officer.
- And I made the choice to leave.
I know how much it means
to you that I had a career
in the Army and I know mom was proud too.
I woke up everyday and
I worked for America.
- Your mother loved you
more than anything else
in this world.
- I know that.
Hey Pop, why don't you put on a tie.
Let me take you to dinner.
They still got a restaurant in this town
that uses white linen right?
Please.
(country music)
(weeping)
(wistful music and weeping)
- Ty?
Ty?
Ty!
Ty!
- Mindy?
Mindy is that you?
Mindy oh my god you look great!
- Oh I'm having a bad day.
Oh you're sweaty.
- Yeah it's 110 degrees out here.
- Oh yeah.
God, god it's amazing I can't believe it.
I recognize you after what?
- Twenty years.
- Twenty years.
- I know well, you know.
I'm the only black man out
here in 110 degree weather
walking into town.
- Yeah I guess that plays a factor.
- Sure you're okay?
- Small town tragedy.
Umm, god well get in the car.
(country music)
- Whoa get outta town huh big guy.
Oh come here look at you huh?
Spittin' image man, exactly the same.
Cool hat, cool clothes, such a cool guy.
Hey you're in town for the reunion?
Yeah, molly and I you
know, we got two kids.
Sarah, she's like a little doll
and Barry, well the wife likes Manilow.
He's five, never stops talkin'.
It's all excellent man.
Got a great house, great job, eat well.
It's excellent.
Say so what's your deal?
- I'm good yeah.
- Yeah oh let me guess, big
CEO of an internet company?
Huh, hope it's for the kids?
Huge stock options.
Oh god.
- Listen uh
- You still with all the ladies?
Yeah god.
- Listen uh.
- There's no stopping Brad Wellington man.
Put it up.
Still single.
Hey look I gotta get going.
The kids are out roasting in the car.
Tomorrow night, we'll
catch up on old times.
- Alright man I'll see you.
- Have I got a photo for you.
- Of what?
- Of that moment, seeing an old friend.
- I got no clue who he is.
(country music)
- Well I mean, I think I
look pretty good for 37.
At least I don't have secretary butt.
- [Ty] You're a secretary?
- A legal assistant, jeeze.
I mean I look good compared
to my husband's friends
and their wives.
The wives of plastic
surgeons, they're like
the Stepford Wives.
Not me, not a stitch.
- As I recall, you wanted
to become a doctor.
- Yeah well that wasn't realistic.
I mean I have had this
husband who has the same goals
who had the same goals, but you know,
someone had to pay the mortgage.
It was me.
- You gonna tell me why you were crying?
- PMS, god I can't believe that
this is the first impression
you have of me after 20 years.
(horn blares)
God, I know I know it's been a long time.
I mean I used to hear from Patrick.
He used to send me postcards
from all these exotic places
like Haiti and Somalia.
Yeah, he stopped writing
like three years ago.
Anyway, I check in on his
dad every now and again.
You know his mom died,
cancer in the uterus.
- Oh wow that's tough.
- Yeah.
(country music)
(gravel grinding)
- Look at this gorgeous structure.
- [Brad] Yeah.
- Oh.
- Gorgeous.
Hey Jeanie, where do you
take most of your photos?
- I'm freelance, I travel
all over the world.
- Planes give me the creeps.
- How do you get anywhere?
- Well I haven't left San
Francisco in three years.
- That's funny because
I live in San Francisco
and I'm never there.
- Where are you then?
- All over.
Provons, Copenhagen.
- How long did it take you to get there?
- To Denmark it's 14 hours.
- You'll never catch me
in a plane that long.
No fuckin' way.
What is that like three plane meals?
- How'd you get here then?
- Good old trusty train.
- Aren't you feelin' a little drunk?
- It's only the afternoon.
- I feel good.
In high school I was the
designated drunk driver.
- What?
- Hmm.
(sleepy music)
what is a ranger anyway?
- Like a forest patroller I think.
- What's that got to do with football?
- Maybe that's why they're the
worst team in their division.
- Oh shit.
- There's something so beautiful
about an empty stadium.
- Good old Jimmy B, star
quarterback snapped his neck.
That's what I think about
when I look at this stadium.
(grunting)
Did you play sports?
- No.
- I did sports for the sweaty male bonding
in the locker room.
- Gross, are you gonna smoke that?
- Why you want one?
- No, nooo.
- Hi.
- George and who is this?
Patrick.
- This is him, back for the 20th reunion.
- Patrick, do you remember me, Flora?
No, I'm sure you don't.
- She taught you nursery school.
- George, I never thought
I'd see you in here in a tie.
- Come on Flora give me a break.
- Special dinner?
Patrick, enjoy your meal.
- Thank you.
- Good afternoon gentlemen.
My name is Roger and I'll be serving you.
Can I interest you in a cocktail?
- Uhh.
- I'll just have something cold in a can.
- I'm sorry sir, we don't
serve anything in a can here
but we do have a lovely array of drafts.
- Oh fine, just bring me something cold.
- Fantastic.
And would you care for something cold?
- Vodka martini two olives please.
- Man after my own heart.
- A far cry from The Pork Pit.
(laughs)
So what are your plans?
- I was thinking the swordfish.
After years of knowing, I'm not sure.
I could be a great camp counselor.
Travel agent.
- Well, if you're thinking of
sticking around for a while.
There's an open door policy at your home.
I want you to know that.
- Thanks pop.
I may take you up on
that for a little bit.
- A cold one for dad
and a cocktail for the son.
So what's the occasion if
you don't mind my asking?
- 20 year high school reunion.
- 20 years, get out.
Couldn't be more than ten right?
First time back in a while?
- You could say that.
- Umm sticking around or is
this just a quickie trip?
- I'm not sure yet.
- My son just retired from the military.
He's a lieutenant colonel.
- Oh a military man.
- I'm ready to order.
- Yes sir.
- I'll have the sirloin steak well done,
nevermind the fancy sides,
just bring me a big potato.
- [Waiter] Sirloin well,
no leeks and portobello,
just a good old baker for dad, and you?
- I'd like the swordfish please.
- The sword for the retired military man.
I'll leave you two alone.
- I know you have questions
about me retiring.
- I made a career in the military
and I never wanted to leave early.
Those were the best years of my life.
- It's time for a fresh start.
It's been twenty years.
It felt right.
- Pat.
- Hot buns from the oven.
- There's no photo for Jeanie Moran.
- I was sick that day.
Let's see your photo.
- What?
- You look the same.
If I could be anywhere it would
be on the moon by the sea.
Fuji Kuo.
- Brad Wellington, Ojai prophet.
- You could always
judge the popular people
by the amount of signatures
in their yearbook.
Wow.
You're a popular guy.
Let's head out.
(twangy music)
- Did you write for the
high school newspaper?
- No, there was no high school newspaper,
- [Brad] I know, just testing.
Were you on the debate team?
- I didn't like high school.
- I had you pegged as like a
pro high school kind of gal
on the debate team,
popular at school dances.
- I didn't go to the school dances.
- That's why we never met.
I would have definitely
asked you to dance.
- I don't think so Brad.
- I think so.
- Do you remember the
back roads to this town?
- Umm yeah, how about the rock?
You ever been to make-out rock?
- I lead a very exciting and full life.
- So what you're saying is
you've never been to the rock?
- It's a rock.
- Well if you were gonna
remember any location
from your Nordoff days,
it would be the rock.
- I remember this great
clearing in the woods
and I would go there and I'd day dream
and I think that if we cross a bridge
and then there's a road.
Okay no umm, if we go towards
my old house and park there,
we can walk and I think that
I'll remember it that way.
- First of all I need a welcome basket.
- Check.
- Second, we need at least
one vegan dish for the buffet.
Every other goddamn person
is a vegetarian these days.
- Tofu burritos stuffed with
tomato and baby eggplants,
a vegan orgasm.
- Okay, band.
Not that horrible trio that you booked
for the literary luncheon.
- I like the accordion player.
- Oh dare I ask who is
playing for this event?
- Pizazz, you'll love them.
- Where do you come up with these bands?
Okay, it doesn't matter,
because by 10pm the entire class
of 1981 is going to be half in the bag
and dancing to bad cover tunes.
- You nervous?
- For what?
- Oh come on, you haven't
seen some of these people
in 20 years.
You're the town mayor now.
The last time they heard little Margaret
was getting caught by the local police
in the backseat of some
prep school boys car
with her undies around her ankles.
- But it is all about
campaign financing these days.
- Are you serious?
- Oh we'll talk.
- Hey, let's go.
- Ta ta.
(twangy music and sniffing)
- JC!
- JC, he works here?
- He runs it.
- He runs it?
- Ty, Ty how's my favorite king of cool?
Oh man, got a little sauce
on your shirt there, psych!
- What's up with the cold JC?
Longest cold in history
huh, five-year sniffle?
- This is is amazing man,
you in my pizza place.
How many years has it been?
- 20 years man.
- Wow, and you came here
for a slice of my pizza?
Are you ready for the best
slice of pizza you ever had
in your life huh, huh, huh?
Listen, you order off this menu.
Whatever you want and I'll get it for you.
I'll make it for you like that!
- Beer?
- Beer, come here often?
- When Bryan was alive.
- You guys were close?
- Well you know my husband was never home.
Medical school, you know I'd get lonely.
- Well pizza, JC, that
doesn't make any sense.
Now he did something else wasn't he?
- Drummer.
- That's right he was a drummer.
What was the name of the band he was in?
- Blue Hunger.
Yeah, when Bryan died his
family didn't give him
much of an option you know?
Guilt factor.
- Similar to salami slices,
totally tofu lasagna?
- Well you know, JC wanted
to evolve with the times.
Safe to say it's not a very big hit.
- Now Bryan never married huh?
- Nope.
- Yeah, I wanted to come to the funeral
but I just couldn't bring
myself to come here.
- You okay JC?
- Two piping hot similar-to-salami slices.
- Thank you.
- JC, what is that?
- Kale.
- And that is?
- Kale you jackass.
I did away with Bryan's
recipe, too traditional.
Basil and sauce, that's wheat
crust and I use soy cheese.
- [Ty] Nice.
- [JC] How the hell are you Mindy?
- I've been better.
- Oh Mindy.
Hey you got a little
sauce on your shirt there.
- Oh psych.
- Listen, I want you
guys to come here tonight
with any one of Bryan's
friends that you see
around town for the reunion.
Bryan would have liked that.
It'll be like you guys were
here with Bryan, you know?
Like old times.
- Yeah.
- Everything is on the house huh?
- [Mindy] That's sweet JC.
- I'll be there.
- Look at this, look at this
in the middle of a busy street,
goddammit.
Hello, hurry up yeah come on.
(mumbles)
- And then there's Margaret.
- Oh yes Miss Margaret.
- Yeah wow, she put the
whole reunion together.
She couldn't bear to see the
20 year go by like the 10 year
with no fuss.
So, here we are.
Just happened to fall on a really bad day.
Well, the real scoop on
Margaret, she's the town mayor.
- Margaret?
- Yep, town mayor.
- Is the mayor of Ojai.
Yep and she didn't have to
fuck anybody to get there!
Well nobody she didn't want to that is.
I mean she legitimately
climbed the political ladder.
Assistant to a councilman, blah blah blah.
Are you involved with anyone?
- [Ty] Yeah I have a girlfriend.
- Do you love her?
- I think that's a
fairly intimate question.
- Oh come on Ty you know
we're old high school friends.
Come on tell me do you love her?
- I like her.
- Oh oh I see.
But you don't love her right?
- It hasn't been an issue.
- Right right right.
So perhaps she thinks you love her.
You ever think of that?
And she has no idea you don't love her
and just when she thinks you're
gonna tell her you love her
right, that's when you're
gonna dump her right?
- I don't know.
I don't think we need to be
talking about this Mindy.
- You guys are all the same.
You'll just hold on to
her until she's too old
to attract anybody who could
possibly be any good for her
and then you just dump her
off into the world right?
Right?
And then she has to find
a man who'll be willing
to face the awful odds that
one out of every four babies
born to older women are retarded.
- There are a lot of 37-year-old women
who have babies that aren't retarded.
- [Mindy] Oh really?
And I suppose you think
I should just run to LA
and get a boob job and
let it all hang out,
cut my hair and stuff?
- Mindy, you don't need a boob job.
- [Mindy] What do you advise me to do Ty?
I mean why am I asking you anyway?
You men are all the same.
- Thanks, hey don't forget about my car.
- Oh shit let me call that in.
- Oh Papasito Chulo, look
what you blossomed into.
- It's the mayor!
- Wait let me look at you.
You are one sexy Ojai grad.
- I need company.
- I know I'm coming.
- What's wrong with her?
- I know, listen you going
to Bocalli's tonight?
- Yeah I'll be there.
- Okay, mwahh.
I will see you later.
Okay we have got to get you a briefcase.
- See ya, see you later!
- Afternoon Jim, Mike.
Goddamn democrats are taking over.
- I need your signature for
the meeting on Thursday.
- It's Friday Luisa go home.
I'll see you Monday.
I'm serious baby take a load off.
- Bye.
- Have a good weekend.
- Bag, bag, bag, bag.
Thank you.
- Okay.
- You got a Valium?
Okay let's go!
- Holy shit, my house!
It's gone.
- That's gonna be an ugly shot.
Not to mention sad.
- Oh life's sad.
There's beauty in sadness.
- I bet you think that's so artistic.
- What's that supposed to mean?
I've done some of my best work
with a cloud over my head.
- Oh there's a big
difference between a bad day
in happy land and sad.
- I've been deeply sad.
I've been depressed.
- You think you've been depressed.
- You know you don't even know me.
How can you say I haven't been depressed?
- So what was your deal in high school?
- I hardly think high school mattered.
- Then why are you here?
- Just curiosity.
- You don't have many friends do ya?
- I have plenty of friends now.
I think that leads to the orange groves.
(triumphant music)
(grunting and announcers grumbling)
- God why is always so cold
in this damn freezer section.
I get sick and bam, oh
god it just got colder.
- Afternoon Mayor.
Mindy.
- How's the practice Mark?
- It's excellent.
There's a high level
of vanity this year so.
This is Trina.
- Don't introduce us.
I already know Trina.
- We have the same nail polish.
- Is everything all set?
- In stone.
- Good, good work.
- What?
- Good work.
- Oh, one of our finest moments.
(giggles)
- Chocolate fudge swirl.
- Oh yum, okay we gotta go.
- [Mindy] Don't forget the cherries!
- Good idea.
- Ice cream, Ice cream!
After she wraps her
muscular, equestrian legs
around him and fucks him like
oh he's never had it before!
There just each gonna have
a little scoop to cool off.
- Put some cucumbers on those eyes girl.
Just get yourself to
Bocalli's, stop crying!
- Attention all customers,
Mindy is leaving.
Mark,
have a nice day.
- Don't tell me that you
made out in the groves too.
- What you didn't?
- Me and my friends would come down here
with big bottle of cheap
wine and get sloppy drunk.
Swim around on the ground wasted.
Just flapping our arms like wings.
- This is it.
This is where I would
come after school and sit
just before dark.
And I would leave and
then you and your friends
would pass through.
- And we never met until today.
- I think that we should go.
(romantic music)
wait wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Go over there and just sit down.
- Here?
(guitar strumming)
♫ I've seen a rainbow out a rainy day
♫ Drink your tears swallow your pride
(phone rings)
- Hello?
- [Charlotte] Hi.
- Hey.
- [Charlotte] It's Charlotte.
I'm calling.
- Yeah, you guys decide
whether you were coming or not.
- [Charlotte] Yes, we'll be there.
- Ten minutes right?
- [Charlotte] Yeah.
- Ten minutes?
- [Charlotte] Yes.
- Okay, um I'm in room 306 alright.
- That was unexpected.
- Give me a break.
You would have been disappointed
if that didn't happen.
- (laughs) I hardly think so.
You know this was fun.
And I think that when we
go back to San Francisco
that we could have a cup of
coffee or a drink or something.
- Yeah.
- Brad.
- I'm a bus driver and you're
a glamorous photojournalist.
- That's not what I mean.
- No, I'm just ordinary and
you found a photo experience.
A little photo experience to write about
in your travel journal,
like a reunion memory.
- You're kind of an asshole.
- Thanks.
You sure know how to get a second date.
- Are you trying to quit or something?
- As a matter of fact I am.
- You're so different.
- I thought you didn't know who I was.
- Boy man do I ever.
You were, you were the
guy that I dreamed of
from 9th grade to senior year.
There's a waste.
- So you were obsessed with me.
- No I was young I guess and lonely
and when I saw you at the diner,
I didn't even recognize
you because you act
and you look so different.
I guess when I did recognize you
I thought it would be a little flare.
- So you had a loose end
to tie with old Brad.
All done now?
Off to the reunion, mission accomplished?
- I'm not going to the reunion.
I came here for the wrong reasons.
- Well tell me.
- I don't have any friends
to see at the reunion.
Just a bunch of people that are gonna say,
Jeanie, Jeanie is that you?
I mean Jesus Christ you blossomed so much
and you know you used to look so you know?
- So you were the ugly
duckling that became a swan?
What's so traumatic about that?
- You've actually really
become an asshole.
- So you weren't the prom
queen or the class clown
but you succeeded right?
You're happy right, you're over it right?
You're not over it?
- I am.
I don't care.
- No you're not.
You slept with me for who I was.
Someone who wasn't in your league.
That's not a sign of over it.
- It was my personal reunion okay?
- You came back here to
be validated by a bunch
of presumably overweight,
caddy, undersexed graduates,
who you shouldn't even think about twice?
Life is strange like that.
Hey are you hungry?
I wanna go get a slice at Bocalli's.
- Yeah I like Bocalli's.
- Bryan was one of my best friends.
- You know my parents
used to take me there
every Friday night?
It was quality time with
their introverted daughter.
- So your parents knew you were a loser?
- Shut up, I wasn't a loser fucker.
- Alright alright.
I'd like some more of your company today.
- You know what?
You're a catch-22.
- Is that good?
- You know what the worst
part of living alone is Pat?
The tube.
I never watch that crap in my life
and now I find myself planning my day
around the antique annex, jeeze.
It's your mother's fault.
She got me hooked.
- Pop you ever miss the Army?
- Yeah yeah I do.
Hell that was my life for 40 years.
Luckily I had a family life too.
- I'd like to have a family.
- Pat what are you talking about?
You can't do that.
- [Waiter] Are our pallets happy?
- Everything is fantastic thank you.
Why not?
- What do you know about raising kids?
- As much as you and mom
knew and you raised me.
I learned from you guys.
- But how are you?
This is absurd.
Who would be the child's mother?
- Pop, I have read a lot
of literature on this.
A child,
- I need some air.
(door rapping)
- Uh I feel a bit awkward out here.
- You know, I've practiced this for years.
I even wrote songs about it.
- I got Charlotte pregnant,
left, and denied it was my child
isn't a good title for a song.
- None of my songs have titles.
Come on have a seat,
you're making me nervous.
- Better?
- Took me a long time
to get to this place.
And I wanna just tell you.
- 20 years for you.
A lifetime for your son.
I can't speak for him Ty
and I don't know what he is
gonna say or what he's gonna do
when he gets in here, but I can tell you
that he is a sweet kid.
- Look all I wanna do
is hang out with him.
I just wanna meet the kid.
He could come back with me to LA.
- You should know that he is
very close to his step dad
and that he was worried that coming here
would jeopardize that, so
you have my husband to thank
for telling him that it was okay.
- Okay, I'm ashamed already okay?
I'm ashamed.
Fuck it's 20 years later
and I'm back in this town.
It's like we're back in high school again.
You want me to explain
to you what happened?
You want me to tell you.
- Not to me!
Tell it to your son.
I have to go.
- Charlotte.
- I have to go.
- Charlotte!
Thank you.
- Sure.
- You smoke?
- Under duress, yes I smoke.
- Can I have one?
I smoke under duress too.
Pop how old are these?
- I got them when the Vietnamese
withdrew from Cambodia.
- 1989?
Pop.
- Patrick, I prayed that the
Army would straighten you out.
Sharing hardships with the other
men defending your country.
- Pop.
- I went 32 days without a bath in Korea.
- Pop, I told.
- You told?
- I told.
I couldn't keep it inside any longer.
I couldn't pretend, couldn't
lie about who I am, what I am.
- You fool.
- No I am not a fool.
It's the United States Army that's a fool.
One night I told a superior.
That was it.
- Oh boy.
Drive me home.
Patrick, I always bragged
about you to my peers.
Hell I bragged about you
to anybody who'd listen
to a broke down old noncom.
My son in Operation Desert Shield.
My son in Operation Desert Storm.
My service in Korea was one of the three
proudest accomplishments of my life.
- What were the other two?
- The day I married your mother
and the day you were born.
(door slams)
- I love you Pop.
(playful music)
- I know this evening is
to be one of joviality
but it also one of remembrance.
Two people aren't with us today.
A Mr. Jim Friday.
I wish I could say I was
one of Jim's best students
but math and I well, we were incompatible.
But Mr. Friday was as
devoted and patient with me,
as he was with all his students.
We miss him.
Yes, we all knew Bryan.
Bryan Noonan ahhh.
Bryan was not only a close,
personal friend of mine,
he was also a star football player,
an A student, and a
tremendous pizza maker.
Someone I always went to for advice.
He is greatly missed.
How was that Bryan?
You'd be writing the speech
for me if you were here.
Yeah I know I'll be alright.
Take care of yourself.
(cheering and whistles)
(door clangs)
- I lost my earring.
- Forget it.
- Be right with you folks.
Can I get you anything else Mr. Lewis?
- This isn't Ricotta.
- It's tofu but I swear it
tastes just like the real deal.
- You got garlic bread right?
- I forgot the garlic bread.
Two seconds Mr. Lewis,
one more minute folks.
- That's Bryan's younger brother.
I wonder what he's workin' here for.
- You know I think that
Bryan used to deliver pizza
to my house.
He was cute.
- Yeah he's alright.
- Brad.
Brad holy fucking shit it's Brad hey man!
You got a little bit of
sauce on your shirt there.
Hey Mr. Lewis this is Brad,
he was Bryan's friend in high school.
- This is Jeanie.
- Lovely wife Brad,
pleased to meet you Jeanie.
- She's not my wife.
We actually just met.
She's a graduate of Nordoff.
- Your brother used to
deliver pizza to my house.
- JC, your making pizza now?
Last time I saw you you
were banging on them drums.
- Someone's gotta make a the pizza.
- Yeah Bryan, what about
Bryan, where's Bryan?
- What?
This isn't your idea of a joke?
So you don't know?
Oh wow, I thought everybody had
found out one way or another
- What what are you talking about?
- Bryan was killed.
- What?
- Hit and run.
- You're fucking with me right?
- I took over the joint five years ago.
My folks tried to get ahold of you.
Margaret, she tried.
There was no trace of you.
Jeanie, can I get you anything?
- Yeah I could use a big glass
of read wine and a slice.
- Here to please.
- This is fucked.
- Tell me about it.
I lose my brother and get his
career all in the same week.
(inspirational music)
- JC!
Oh it's Brad Wellington.
Brad Wellington, ohhhh.
It's Brad Wellington.
- You're all grown up.
- Yes and I sure wish
I would stop growing.
- Hey I just hear about
Bryan and I'm really sorry.
- You're acting like I'm the widow.
You were on the cheerleading
squad, top pyramid right?
Oh god then why do I know your face?
It's not important, I know you now.
Mindy Water, Mindy.
- Jeanie Moran.
Now were you the Mindy that
changed her hair color?
- That's me, I was a red
head, a brunette, and a blonde
all in my senior year.
God, good memory.
I've been a blonde way too long.
- How about jet black?
- Yeah in your silly girl fantasies.
Wow, Brad we don't want to talk
about Bryan's death anymore.
I mean, it's been a long time.
Thanks.
Especially this weekend.
Come on, it's our high school reunion.
- Mindy you want a slice?
- Definitely not.
- Brad?
- Yeah whatever.
- [JC] How about garden pepperoni?
- Sure.
- You know it was a bitch
for Margaret to find you.
Where you been?
- I been driving a public
bus in San Francisco.
- You what?
- I'm a civil servant.
I drive a public bus.
- Would you be shocked if I
told you that I'm relieved?
- Relieved why's that?
- Well, because my life
hasn't exactly like I thought
it would either.
I need some wine JC.
(door rapping)
- Hey.
- How you doing?
- How's it going?
- Not bad.
- Come on in.
- Thanks dad.
Guess I just wanted to hear
that out loud you know.
Is this your guitar?
- Yeah.
- You mind?
- Go ahead.
(strings ring)
- I never really practiced.
So uh, how is LA?
Meet Lenny Kravitz or anybody?
- Nah.
I play with some pretty
cool people though.
You know every now and then it's,
I have a good time.
Um, it's been pretty good.
You play that thing much?
- Yeah sometimes.
Not that much though you know?
It shows.
You sure are black.
- What'd you expect.
- True.
I got your nose.
Definitely got moms
eyes though, definitely.
- You know you're tall like my father.
- Grandpa, sounds funny.
So you had a thing for white women huh?
- Well you know, besides your mother,
umm you know, there are
not a lot of black folks
in this town.
- Tell me about it.
- [Ty] Yeah, you got a girlfriend?
- Yeah, yeah I do.
She's real cool, real cool.
- She's white?
- Why do you ask I mean,
you think I'm gonna
get her pregnant or something?
Skip out on her?
What?
- No, you know, it's just kinda strange
and I know you know
this but it's 20 years,
20 years and uh here you are.
- I'm not here for the whole
bonding experience you know.
It's, we may find out we
don't even like each other,
It's not important, you
know what's important to me
is that I found out, I found out who I am,
where I come from you know?
That's that's the most important part.
- You pretty smart huh?
- I like to think so yeah.
Well uh, I gotta head out.
I told some friends I was
gonna meet up with them
you know later, do some stuff.
I guess I'm out.
- It's nice meeting you.
- Nice meeting you too.
I'll be in touch.
- Okay Michael.
Your mother has my number.
- Right right, take it easy.
(yelling and honky tonk music)
- Happiest day of my life, well
not the happiest but
one of extreme clarity,
was when I discovered red wine.
I mean red wine was my
lover so many times.
I mean don't get me wrong.
I'm not a wino or anything
but red wine is good
when you're down, but it's
also good among best friends.
- Down goes Frazier!
- Bryan's death just ripped JC to pieces.
I mean he hasn't been the same since.
- He's um, he's jumpy.
(sniffs)
- JC is doing cocaine Brad.
- Really?
- Ding ding ding gee Brad driving the bus
sure has stamped out a few brain cells.
- Oh thanks Mindy.
- Well I mean he's amped.
(whispers)
- What?
- Holy shit Patrick!
- Oh!
Hey, Brad.
God I am so happy to
see all you guys here.
Hey JC.
- Hey Pat.
- How are you?
- Good.
- Hey this is my first
chance to offer condolences.
I regretted missing the
funeral everyday since the day.
- What is it with you people?
I don't wanna talk about
Bryan's death all night long.
Mayor.
- The golden boy finally
graces us with his presence.
Where have you been?
- I been around.
- My personal Richard Gere.
(whistles and cheering)
(wistful music)
Oh and I know you, Jeanie Moran.
Who the hell do you know in this group?
- I'm with Brad.
- Well I had no idea you
and Brad were friends?
- [Jeanie] Yeah we met
today and Bonnie Lou's.
- Don't tell me you slept with Jeanie too.
- You're funny.
I should have considering
I graduated high school
because of her.
Chemistry was not my favorite subject.
- I did let you cheat didn't I?
- Yeah you saved my
ass on that final exam.
- [Jeanie] Well I liked helping you.
You had all the guys.
- Every single one of them.
- Hey respect the town's mayor.
Jeeze.
(cheering and whistles)
(chattering)
- You were free.
I mean a self-employed artist.
- And you like the military.
- And your friends must love that.
(chattering)
- The family game.
- Thumper!
- And we play!
- Why do we play?
- [Group] To get fucked up!
- That's you Brad.
- You guys actually think
I'm gonna remember my sign
from a stupid high school drinking game?
- Well I know it's kind of stupid
but I remember I was finger and ear.
- Okay there you go, Brad come on
show show us your sign.
Ty, everybody everybody show us your sign.
- What are you doing Margaret?
We're not in high school anymore.
- I'm trying to be nostalgic Brad.
- Yeah, I'll just drink too
much and barf on the floor.
Ty will run off with his
guitar and not join the group.
Mindy will cling to her future husband.
You'll get on your back
somewhere in some field
and Bryan will, Bryan's fucking dead.
He won't be able to participate
in this little exercise.
Then we will have captured 1981.
Jeanie, you're like the mystery graduate.
What would you be doing?
- If you're so interested in now Brad,
what brought you here?
- Curiosity.
- Okay so if you're so
curious about how we evolved
over the last 20 years,
I''ll be so bold as to start.
I'm not clinging to that damn
lying husband of mine anymore
because he just divorced me.
It's official today.
So I'm the one who was left behind.
- Maybe we should get you
that condo in Santa Barbara.
- That bastard is not gonna
kick me out of my hometown
into some divorcee's
suburb like Santa Barbara.
- Why do we have to do this?
Why can't we just hang out?
- Why, what's the point?
- Because that's what reunions are for.
- This is private reunion Patrick
among so-called best high school friends.
- Okay, I'm gay.
(laughter)
And I was gay in high school.
So like Mindy, I have also stayed the same
yet dramatically changed.
- How have you changed?
- I told the Army I was gay
and I was asked to leave.
- What did your father say?
- He thinks I'm gonna be bringing
home strange teenage boys
in hula skirts and makeup
at all hours of the night.
He's so pissed.
- Your father has a very
vivid imagination or you do.
- Well if he could imagine
such a thing, he would have.
(laughter)
- Okay, now that we've gone through
this Mr. Passive Aggressive,
what ever happened to you,
golden boy?
- No wait please you guys wait.
I can't stand it.
This is so great you guys.
- This is great.
- I have a confession.
I was Weenie Jeanie.
- Who's that?
- The biggest loser of 1981.
- No way.
- Way.
- I slept with Weenie Jeanie.
- Yes Brad you did but I wasn't a loser
and I don't know why some
people are the losers.
I mean how does that get
determined year after year
after year, generation after generation?
I mean, I mean it makes
you scared that your kid
will be the one that's
the chosen one, the loser.
You know it's horrible.
I mean I don't know what
I would do if some kid
picked some awful name to call my child.
I mean it would break my heart.
- I thought you were kind
of hot in a gawky way.
- You knew who I was all along?
- No but I remember you now
and I remember, I remember you in homeroom
and I remember you in the cafeteria
and I remember you in the
library all alone hiding
all crunched up over in
your cubicle with your hair
in your face.
You never smiled at anybody or anything.
And I kind of thought
maybe you might have been
a bit retarded.
(laughter)
- This is sick.
What are you a stalker?
(laughter)
- It's like destiny.
I mean they finally found each other.
So sweet.
(laughter)
- I love making pizza
but I fucking suck at it.
My brother Bryan, he was
good at making pizza.
He was the best at making pizza.
Okay you people tell me what do I do
that makes any difference?
What do I do that matters?
- You're a great drummer.
- You guys are getting me
all emotional, excuse me.
- You're good at snorting coke.
- Shit.
- Hey you know, I mean
you're a great drummer
and you're an amazing friend.
- And you know how to run a business.
- I'm gonna do it.
I'm gonna quit the coke.
- Yeah you should.
- I'm gonna get my life together.
- Yeah and the pizza
is gonna be better too.
Okay people, what do you say
we cool off a little bit.
- Hold on a second, I started
this whole raw exposing thing,
so I might as well tell
you about my hard fall
from perfection.
The mark I left on you 20
years ago, it's all bullshit.
- You know you're too hard on
yourself and I barely know you
- Thanks Jeanie, thanks but
I've been basically unimpressed
with myself.
- You know I think we always
have this illusion of what
we were and what we're gonna be.
None of it ever adds up.
- Yeah, it's called a midlife crisis.
- I'm not blaming my problems
on any timeline theory
Margaret or anybody for that matter.
And Jeanie, when I thought
you didn't know me,
I relaxed a little bit.
I hadn't relaxed like that in a while.
- It seems like we're taking
this whole reunion thing
a little too seriously.
I mean it seems like this final judgment
you know, judgment day or something.
It's really just a silly
banquet with bad music.
- Hey!
- I mean a killer time
with everything perfect.
- Yeah.
(laughter)
- What I'm saying is, it's just a marker.
I mean it's just a 20-year
marker that brought us all
back together again.
I mean we may not even
see each other again
until the next reunion.
So who gives a shit what
anyone thinks about anyone?
An excuse for us to pretend
we're in high school again.
I don't think it could
be any more than that.
- I'll drink to that.
- I think we're being
too hard on ourselves.
I think we should try
to have some more fun.
I do.
(sniffles) Let's have some fun.
I'm gonna try.
- [Jeanie] You're gonna do it.
- I can.
(inspirational music)
(giggling)
- You got the key, mayor?
Okay go.
(suspenseful music)
(screaming and laughing)
(Cuban music)
- You know folks, I'm not
coming to the reunion.
- Why?
- I'm going back to LA, I
can't take this town man.
- Personally I can't wait.
I'm dying to see how fat
and lame those people are
that weren't so nice to me.
(collective chuckle)
Hey you wanna be my date?
- I don't know I was kind of
thinking of taking the mayor.
You know, get me some
action at the reunion.
- You have been a riot all night.
I told you I have no room for you
in my little black book anymore.
- What do you mean?
This town doesn't know about
you and your little past
and all your little boyfriends.
- What she is very discreet?
- I can't go to the reunion I mean,
Mark's gonna be there with his new item.
No I can't, I'm just not strong enough.
I'm gonna buy myself a ticket to Antigua.
- I'm gonna quit the coke guys.
(laughter)
No I really mean it and I'm
gonna sell the pizza place.
- So it's Jeanie and me
at the party tonight.
- [Patrick] And me.
- Good for you Patrick.
- If I'm gonna think
about moving back here,
I'm gonna hang out with the locals.
- Oh that'll be dangerous for your IQ.
- Okay stop dissing the town.
This is a good town.
(wistful piano music)
Good evening class of 1981.
Welcome, welcome.
I spent some time with my best friends
from high school last night.
We haven't hung around each
other in a group since,
that last summer after graduation.
(sighs)
You see these people all grown up now.
And you realize no matter where you go
or what you learn or how much
you think you've changed,
you are basically the same person
with the same needs and expectations.
We all moaned and groaned
a little bit now and then.
Then and now, but we had some fun.
I don't know what will change
for any of us in this room.
I wish you all the best.
It's been so damn long and
I don't think any one of us
know who we really are.
Still,
this is your night class of 1981.
You have a good night.
(inspirational music)
- Well the golden boy finally
graces us with his presence.
Where have you been?
- I've been around.
- And my own personal Richard Gere.
- I am neither and officer or a gentleman.
- I bet.
Thank you madame.
I know you.
(folksy music)
♫ Open the windows
♫ Turn on the fan
♫ If you wanna love baby
♫ You've got to die
♫ I'm not that person anymore
♫ I'm not the person willing
♫ You've got to keep moving honey
♫ If you wanna keep living
♫ I'm not rooted in the past
♫ In the present I'm not here as you
♫ The future is fading
♫ Time evading
♫ Wouldn't you like to be here
♫ Far gone enough to be here
♫ The whole world is going there
♫ Presently nowhere
♫ No matter the shape or form
♫ Like a mountain pull me apart
♫ Let myself get wet
♫ I let myself be fed
♫ I'd like to be like driftwood
♫ Floating with the flood
♫ I'd like to be like driftwood
♫ Being taken for a ride
♫ I I
♫ Being taken for a ride
♫ Uhhh ayyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhhh ayyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhhhh ayyyyyy
♫ Being take
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhh ayyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhh ayyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhhh ayyyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhhh ayyyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhh ayyyyyy
(chattering)
- [Margaret] Good evening
my fellow graduates
of the class of 1981 hahaha.
It's been a long time.
Group Opening Music
(ominous music)
(chattering)
(cool music and chattering)
(triumphant music)
(motorcycle revving)
(sighs)
- Good evening fellow
graduates of the class of 1981.
It's been a long time, 20 years.
That's a long time.
(chuckles)
Oh great Margaret insult
them right off the bat.
I recognize a lot of you
in this room here tonight.
Hell I've slept with most of you.
(laughs)
I am sure all of you have
been through some changes.
As many of you know, I
am now the mayor of Ojai.
Thank you, thank you very much.
(mutters)
I remember that precious
summer after graduation,
that last summer before we were expected
to move on with our lives.
It was freedom.
I remember my mother
telling me, Margherita
you don't have to win a Pulitzer Prize
(speaks spanish)
big brass ring ha!
It was the Brady Bunch.
- I'm so sorry to bother
you but your assistant Luisa
has called so many times.
- What does reunion mean to you?
- Well um you loved somebody once
and then you see them again
and all those feelings
come back up from inside.
- Great.
Great.
(radio chatter)
(hip hop music)
- Shit!
Shit!
(door slams)
Shit!
Shit!
I came this far.
(marching band blares and whistles)
- Coffee?
- Yes I'll have a coffee.
How about a cheese
sandwich um with avocado
and lettuce and tomato and salt and pepper
and a little mayo please.
You know what make that um breakfast.
I'll just have a little breakfast
and scrambled egg whites
and hash browns, crispy.
- Coffee?
- Couldn't live without it.
Thank you.
Class of '81?
- Mm yes actually.
- Are you here for the reunion?
- Yeah.
I don't remember where my yearbook is.
- My mother found it
for me in my old bedroom
in my closet where I grew up.
- Uh huh.
- Brad Wellington.
You are?
- I'm Jeanie.
My name's Jeanie.
- My sister had a goldfish called Jeanie.
- That's an awfully odd
name for a goldfish.
- Matter of opinion.
- Hmm.
- Oh you wanna look at it.
- No, I'm not nostalgic.
- But you came to your 20th reunion.
- I'm not nostalgic either.
- But you have a yearbook.
Could I have a turkey club dry?
- So I don't know you.
- No smoking please.
- I don't smoke.
Maybe I, maybe I know you from P.E.
- Maybe.
- You know our graduating
class wasn't that big.
Whose homeroom were you in?
- Come on you remember who
your homeroom teacher was
20 years ago?
- Well how can you forget
a drunk homeroom teacher?
I mean she'd come in with toilet
paper draggin' off her foot
and then there's the time
she had her skirt stuck
in the back of her tights,
the day of the week
printed on the back of her underwear.
Tuesday on her ass.
(laughs)
- I remember that.
- You remember that and
you don't remember me?
- I guess so.
- And I don't remember you.
I think I should have remembered you.
(keys jingling)
(Hispanic music blaring)
(speaks Spanish)
- Good evening my fellow
graduates of the class of 1981.
We're gonna reminisce,
talk about trends and fads
and cool fashions.
We're gonna talk about
halter tops and bell bottoms.
Okay, what I remember the
most was that precious summer
after graduation.
Shit, Luisa!
(elevator music plays)
- I recommend Antigua.
Blue water, good nappers.
No, can you give me a minute
to return these calls okay?
And then I'll (mumbles).
Mindy?
(papers shuffling)
- It's not your fault Erv.
Okay?
You hear?
- Yep.
- Here?
- Yep.
You know why, excuse me.
Why don't you let me
follow through on this one?
- It's my job.
I'll get it over to them today okay?
- I think you should take the day off.
- Fine.
- I think you should go home.
(cries)
Mind, you deserve better than him.
(uplifting music)
- Hey, how'd you like a real authentic
Lieutenant Colonel's jacket?
- Whose?
- Mine.
- You're not really a colonel.
You're way too young.
You aren't even a grandfather yet.
- You're right.
Hey, I gotta go, my pop's waiting for me.
You want it or not?
(twangy uplifting music)
(rock music and phone ringing)
- Boccali's?
Hey Mr. Roberts how you doin'?
I love the heat sir, I'm a pizza maker.
Yeah, you come see me in 20 minutes
and I'll have your special
pie waiting for you.
Yeah, you too Mr. Roberts.
- Hang on.
We're gonna be late.
- I know I know Luisa.
I know.
- Bobby!
Bobby get your ass off that motorcycle.
Hey Yvette, tell your
sister I'd like to see her
again sometime.
Hey nice manners!
Bobby get your ass inside.
You got a mess to clean up
and some pies to deliver.
I don't pay you minimum wage
to flirt with cheerleaders.
- But you gotta get good
tires 'cause your car
won't go without and your
future's ridin' on it.
There aint no doubt about it.
(tires screeching)
Thanks for coming!
- No problem and
congratulations on your opening.
And as soon as all my tires are bald,
I will be in for a new set.
- Come down in anytime
for a free inspection
before they go bald mayor or a rotation.
- Oh I will keep that in mind Stan.
- Margaret, we need to
resolve the speed bump issue
and the set master Zodie Park.
Oh very flat, very useless.
- Uh sweetheart, schedule
a speed bump meeting
with Mr. Andretti, yes thank you darling.
- Margaret, you are just the mayor
that I needed to see today.
- What brings you to Ojai, tires?
- No, space.
Margaret, this is Free Sky.
She's the yoga instructor
from the one mind institute
in Ventura.
- Yes I took one of your classes.
- She wants to open up an
institute right here in Ojai.
- Excellent, Luisa Luisa can you put
Miss Frisky.
- That's Free Sky.
- Free Sky of course.
- Oh thank you.
Free Sky.
- Oh my god.
- Margaret, when you're
done City Councilman Beard
would like a word with you.
- Okay, Luisa step away from the door now.
- Oh photographer.
- No, photojournalist.
- Capturing your every
moment back in rustic Ojai.
- Look like you did in high
school just sittin' at the diner
- What like this?
- Bye high school Brad.
- What?
- You transformed.
- Meaning?
- There's the shoulder
hunch for one thing.
- Occupational hazard.
- Oh yeah?
What do you do?
- They call me the terror of Polk Street.
- Dare I ask why?
- I'm a bus driver.
- I live in San Francisco but I don't take
public transportation.
- Yeah I know those types.
Hey listen, driving around
a bit, taking in the scenery
if you wanna tag along.
I'll show up for your pictorial.
- Sure, why not?
- Alright.
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
- How do you keep these
plants alive in this heat?
- Well your mother gave
them the will to live,
I just do the seasonal maintenance.
How are you?
Hi, son.
Well I am damned.
I knew you were coming
but I forgot it was today.
I can never remember where
I put the damned calendar.
- Well, couldn't miss my 20 year reunion.
- Well 20 years slip
by without my noticing?
- Yes sir.
- Well are you high-ranking military men
allowed to have a cold
beer on your day off?
- Considering I'm permanently off, sure.
- What did you say Pat?
- I'm retired.
Let's go have that beer.
- Pat?
(tv blaring)
Christ Pat.
- Pop, hear me out.
- I'm gonna hear you out.
But this better be good,
you don't just abandon
the United States Army.
- I didn't abandon anything.
I retired just like anybody else would
in any other profession.
- Pat, your 37 years old.
- I got my whole life ahead of me.
- Well what the hell are you gonna do?
You gonna come back here
and help me in the garden?
- Maybe I will.
- What's the real reason
you left the Army?
- Come on Pop okay?
- Because you have what it takes
to be a commanding officer.
- And I made the choice to leave.
I know how much it means
to you that I had a career
in the Army and I know mom was proud too.
I woke up everyday and
I worked for America.
- Your mother loved you
more than anything else
in this world.
- I know that.
Hey Pop, why don't you put on a tie.
Let me take you to dinner.
They still got a restaurant in this town
that uses white linen right?
Please.
(country music)
(weeping)
(wistful music and weeping)
- Ty?
Ty?
Ty!
Ty!
- Mindy?
Mindy is that you?
Mindy oh my god you look great!
- Oh I'm having a bad day.
Oh you're sweaty.
- Yeah it's 110 degrees out here.
- Oh yeah.
God, god it's amazing I can't believe it.
I recognize you after what?
- Twenty years.
- Twenty years.
- I know well, you know.
I'm the only black man out
here in 110 degree weather
walking into town.
- Yeah I guess that plays a factor.
- Sure you're okay?
- Small town tragedy.
Umm, god well get in the car.
(country music)
- Whoa get outta town huh big guy.
Oh come here look at you huh?
Spittin' image man, exactly the same.
Cool hat, cool clothes, such a cool guy.
Hey you're in town for the reunion?
Yeah, molly and I you
know, we got two kids.
Sarah, she's like a little doll
and Barry, well the wife likes Manilow.
He's five, never stops talkin'.
It's all excellent man.
Got a great house, great job, eat well.
It's excellent.
Say so what's your deal?
- I'm good yeah.
- Yeah oh let me guess, big
CEO of an internet company?
Huh, hope it's for the kids?
Huge stock options.
Oh god.
- Listen uh
- You still with all the ladies?
Yeah god.
- Listen uh.
- There's no stopping Brad Wellington man.
Put it up.
Still single.
Hey look I gotta get going.
The kids are out roasting in the car.
Tomorrow night, we'll
catch up on old times.
- Alright man I'll see you.
- Have I got a photo for you.
- Of what?
- Of that moment, seeing an old friend.
- I got no clue who he is.
(country music)
- Well I mean, I think I
look pretty good for 37.
At least I don't have secretary butt.
- [Ty] You're a secretary?
- A legal assistant, jeeze.
I mean I look good compared
to my husband's friends
and their wives.
The wives of plastic
surgeons, they're like
the Stepford Wives.
Not me, not a stitch.
- As I recall, you wanted
to become a doctor.
- Yeah well that wasn't realistic.
I mean I have had this
husband who has the same goals
who had the same goals, but you know,
someone had to pay the mortgage.
It was me.
- You gonna tell me why you were crying?
- PMS, god I can't believe that
this is the first impression
you have of me after 20 years.
(horn blares)
God, I know I know it's been a long time.
I mean I used to hear from Patrick.
He used to send me postcards
from all these exotic places
like Haiti and Somalia.
Yeah, he stopped writing
like three years ago.
Anyway, I check in on his
dad every now and again.
You know his mom died,
cancer in the uterus.
- Oh wow that's tough.
- Yeah.
(country music)
(gravel grinding)
- Look at this gorgeous structure.
- [Brad] Yeah.
- Oh.
- Gorgeous.
Hey Jeanie, where do you
take most of your photos?
- I'm freelance, I travel
all over the world.
- Planes give me the creeps.
- How do you get anywhere?
- Well I haven't left San
Francisco in three years.
- That's funny because
I live in San Francisco
and I'm never there.
- Where are you then?
- All over.
Provons, Copenhagen.
- How long did it take you to get there?
- To Denmark it's 14 hours.
- You'll never catch me
in a plane that long.
No fuckin' way.
What is that like three plane meals?
- How'd you get here then?
- Good old trusty train.
- Aren't you feelin' a little drunk?
- It's only the afternoon.
- I feel good.
In high school I was the
designated drunk driver.
- What?
- Hmm.
(sleepy music)
what is a ranger anyway?
- Like a forest patroller I think.
- What's that got to do with football?
- Maybe that's why they're the
worst team in their division.
- Oh shit.
- There's something so beautiful
about an empty stadium.
- Good old Jimmy B, star
quarterback snapped his neck.
That's what I think about
when I look at this stadium.
(grunting)
Did you play sports?
- No.
- I did sports for the sweaty male bonding
in the locker room.
- Gross, are you gonna smoke that?
- Why you want one?
- No, nooo.
- Hi.
- George and who is this?
Patrick.
- This is him, back for the 20th reunion.
- Patrick, do you remember me, Flora?
No, I'm sure you don't.
- She taught you nursery school.
- George, I never thought
I'd see you in here in a tie.
- Come on Flora give me a break.
- Special dinner?
Patrick, enjoy your meal.
- Thank you.
- Good afternoon gentlemen.
My name is Roger and I'll be serving you.
Can I interest you in a cocktail?
- Uhh.
- I'll just have something cold in a can.
- I'm sorry sir, we don't
serve anything in a can here
but we do have a lovely array of drafts.
- Oh fine, just bring me something cold.
- Fantastic.
And would you care for something cold?
- Vodka martini two olives please.
- Man after my own heart.
- A far cry from The Pork Pit.
(laughs)
So what are your plans?
- I was thinking the swordfish.
After years of knowing, I'm not sure.
I could be a great camp counselor.
Travel agent.
- Well, if you're thinking of
sticking around for a while.
There's an open door policy at your home.
I want you to know that.
- Thanks pop.
I may take you up on
that for a little bit.
- A cold one for dad
and a cocktail for the son.
So what's the occasion if
you don't mind my asking?
- 20 year high school reunion.
- 20 years, get out.
Couldn't be more than ten right?
First time back in a while?
- You could say that.
- Umm sticking around or is
this just a quickie trip?
- I'm not sure yet.
- My son just retired from the military.
He's a lieutenant colonel.
- Oh a military man.
- I'm ready to order.
- Yes sir.
- I'll have the sirloin steak well done,
nevermind the fancy sides,
just bring me a big potato.
- [Waiter] Sirloin well,
no leeks and portobello,
just a good old baker for dad, and you?
- I'd like the swordfish please.
- The sword for the retired military man.
I'll leave you two alone.
- I know you have questions
about me retiring.
- I made a career in the military
and I never wanted to leave early.
Those were the best years of my life.
- It's time for a fresh start.
It's been twenty years.
It felt right.
- Pat.
- Hot buns from the oven.
- There's no photo for Jeanie Moran.
- I was sick that day.
Let's see your photo.
- What?
- You look the same.
If I could be anywhere it would
be on the moon by the sea.
Fuji Kuo.
- Brad Wellington, Ojai prophet.
- You could always
judge the popular people
by the amount of signatures
in their yearbook.
Wow.
You're a popular guy.
Let's head out.
(twangy music)
- Did you write for the
high school newspaper?
- No, there was no high school newspaper,
- [Brad] I know, just testing.
Were you on the debate team?
- I didn't like high school.
- I had you pegged as like a
pro high school kind of gal
on the debate team,
popular at school dances.
- I didn't go to the school dances.
- That's why we never met.
I would have definitely
asked you to dance.
- I don't think so Brad.
- I think so.
- Do you remember the
back roads to this town?
- Umm yeah, how about the rock?
You ever been to make-out rock?
- I lead a very exciting and full life.
- So what you're saying is
you've never been to the rock?
- It's a rock.
- Well if you were gonna
remember any location
from your Nordoff days,
it would be the rock.
- I remember this great
clearing in the woods
and I would go there and I'd day dream
and I think that if we cross a bridge
and then there's a road.
Okay no umm, if we go towards
my old house and park there,
we can walk and I think that
I'll remember it that way.
- First of all I need a welcome basket.
- Check.
- Second, we need at least
one vegan dish for the buffet.
Every other goddamn person
is a vegetarian these days.
- Tofu burritos stuffed with
tomato and baby eggplants,
a vegan orgasm.
- Okay, band.
Not that horrible trio that you booked
for the literary luncheon.
- I like the accordion player.
- Oh dare I ask who is
playing for this event?
- Pizazz, you'll love them.
- Where do you come up with these bands?
Okay, it doesn't matter,
because by 10pm the entire class
of 1981 is going to be half in the bag
and dancing to bad cover tunes.
- You nervous?
- For what?
- Oh come on, you haven't
seen some of these people
in 20 years.
You're the town mayor now.
The last time they heard little Margaret
was getting caught by the local police
in the backseat of some
prep school boys car
with her undies around her ankles.
- But it is all about
campaign financing these days.
- Are you serious?
- Oh we'll talk.
- Hey, let's go.
- Ta ta.
(twangy music and sniffing)
- JC!
- JC, he works here?
- He runs it.
- He runs it?
- Ty, Ty how's my favorite king of cool?
Oh man, got a little sauce
on your shirt there, psych!
- What's up with the cold JC?
Longest cold in history
huh, five-year sniffle?
- This is is amazing man,
you in my pizza place.
How many years has it been?
- 20 years man.
- Wow, and you came here
for a slice of my pizza?
Are you ready for the best
slice of pizza you ever had
in your life huh, huh, huh?
Listen, you order off this menu.
Whatever you want and I'll get it for you.
I'll make it for you like that!
- Beer?
- Beer, come here often?
- When Bryan was alive.
- You guys were close?
- Well you know my husband was never home.
Medical school, you know I'd get lonely.
- Well pizza, JC, that
doesn't make any sense.
Now he did something else wasn't he?
- Drummer.
- That's right he was a drummer.
What was the name of the band he was in?
- Blue Hunger.
Yeah, when Bryan died his
family didn't give him
much of an option you know?
Guilt factor.
- Similar to salami slices,
totally tofu lasagna?
- Well you know, JC wanted
to evolve with the times.
Safe to say it's not a very big hit.
- Now Bryan never married huh?
- Nope.
- Yeah, I wanted to come to the funeral
but I just couldn't bring
myself to come here.
- You okay JC?
- Two piping hot similar-to-salami slices.
- Thank you.
- JC, what is that?
- Kale.
- And that is?
- Kale you jackass.
I did away with Bryan's
recipe, too traditional.
Basil and sauce, that's wheat
crust and I use soy cheese.
- [Ty] Nice.
- [JC] How the hell are you Mindy?
- I've been better.
- Oh Mindy.
Hey you got a little
sauce on your shirt there.
- Oh psych.
- Listen, I want you
guys to come here tonight
with any one of Bryan's
friends that you see
around town for the reunion.
Bryan would have liked that.
It'll be like you guys were
here with Bryan, you know?
Like old times.
- Yeah.
- Everything is on the house huh?
- [Mindy] That's sweet JC.
- I'll be there.
- Look at this, look at this
in the middle of a busy street,
goddammit.
Hello, hurry up yeah come on.
(mumbles)
- And then there's Margaret.
- Oh yes Miss Margaret.
- Yeah wow, she put the
whole reunion together.
She couldn't bear to see the
20 year go by like the 10 year
with no fuss.
So, here we are.
Just happened to fall on a really bad day.
Well, the real scoop on
Margaret, she's the town mayor.
- Margaret?
- Yep, town mayor.
- Is the mayor of Ojai.
Yep and she didn't have to
fuck anybody to get there!
Well nobody she didn't want to that is.
I mean she legitimately
climbed the political ladder.
Assistant to a councilman, blah blah blah.
Are you involved with anyone?
- [Ty] Yeah I have a girlfriend.
- Do you love her?
- I think that's a
fairly intimate question.
- Oh come on Ty you know
we're old high school friends.
Come on tell me do you love her?
- I like her.
- Oh oh I see.
But you don't love her right?
- It hasn't been an issue.
- Right right right.
So perhaps she thinks you love her.
You ever think of that?
And she has no idea you don't love her
and just when she thinks you're
gonna tell her you love her
right, that's when you're
gonna dump her right?
- I don't know.
I don't think we need to be
talking about this Mindy.
- You guys are all the same.
You'll just hold on to
her until she's too old
to attract anybody who could
possibly be any good for her
and then you just dump her
off into the world right?
Right?
And then she has to find
a man who'll be willing
to face the awful odds that
one out of every four babies
born to older women are retarded.
- There are a lot of 37-year-old women
who have babies that aren't retarded.
- [Mindy] Oh really?
And I suppose you think
I should just run to LA
and get a boob job and
let it all hang out,
cut my hair and stuff?
- Mindy, you don't need a boob job.
- [Mindy] What do you advise me to do Ty?
I mean why am I asking you anyway?
You men are all the same.
- Thanks, hey don't forget about my car.
- Oh shit let me call that in.
- Oh Papasito Chulo, look
what you blossomed into.
- It's the mayor!
- Wait let me look at you.
You are one sexy Ojai grad.
- I need company.
- I know I'm coming.
- What's wrong with her?
- I know, listen you going
to Bocalli's tonight?
- Yeah I'll be there.
- Okay, mwahh.
I will see you later.
Okay we have got to get you a briefcase.
- See ya, see you later!
- Afternoon Jim, Mike.
Goddamn democrats are taking over.
- I need your signature for
the meeting on Thursday.
- It's Friday Luisa go home.
I'll see you Monday.
I'm serious baby take a load off.
- Bye.
- Have a good weekend.
- Bag, bag, bag, bag.
Thank you.
- Okay.
- You got a Valium?
Okay let's go!
- Holy shit, my house!
It's gone.
- That's gonna be an ugly shot.
Not to mention sad.
- Oh life's sad.
There's beauty in sadness.
- I bet you think that's so artistic.
- What's that supposed to mean?
I've done some of my best work
with a cloud over my head.
- Oh there's a big
difference between a bad day
in happy land and sad.
- I've been deeply sad.
I've been depressed.
- You think you've been depressed.
- You know you don't even know me.
How can you say I haven't been depressed?
- So what was your deal in high school?
- I hardly think high school mattered.
- Then why are you here?
- Just curiosity.
- You don't have many friends do ya?
- I have plenty of friends now.
I think that leads to the orange groves.
(triumphant music)
(grunting and announcers grumbling)
- God why is always so cold
in this damn freezer section.
I get sick and bam, oh
god it just got colder.
- Afternoon Mayor.
Mindy.
- How's the practice Mark?
- It's excellent.
There's a high level
of vanity this year so.
This is Trina.
- Don't introduce us.
I already know Trina.
- We have the same nail polish.
- Is everything all set?
- In stone.
- Good, good work.
- What?
- Good work.
- Oh, one of our finest moments.
(giggles)
- Chocolate fudge swirl.
- Oh yum, okay we gotta go.
- [Mindy] Don't forget the cherries!
- Good idea.
- Ice cream, Ice cream!
After she wraps her
muscular, equestrian legs
around him and fucks him like
oh he's never had it before!
There just each gonna have
a little scoop to cool off.
- Put some cucumbers on those eyes girl.
Just get yourself to
Bocalli's, stop crying!
- Attention all customers,
Mindy is leaving.
Mark,
have a nice day.
- Don't tell me that you
made out in the groves too.
- What you didn't?
- Me and my friends would come down here
with big bottle of cheap
wine and get sloppy drunk.
Swim around on the ground wasted.
Just flapping our arms like wings.
- This is it.
This is where I would
come after school and sit
just before dark.
And I would leave and
then you and your friends
would pass through.
- And we never met until today.
- I think that we should go.
(romantic music)
wait wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Go over there and just sit down.
- Here?
(guitar strumming)
♫ I've seen a rainbow out a rainy day
♫ Drink your tears swallow your pride
(phone rings)
- Hello?
- [Charlotte] Hi.
- Hey.
- [Charlotte] It's Charlotte.
I'm calling.
- Yeah, you guys decide
whether you were coming or not.
- [Charlotte] Yes, we'll be there.
- Ten minutes right?
- [Charlotte] Yeah.
- Ten minutes?
- [Charlotte] Yes.
- Okay, um I'm in room 306 alright.
- That was unexpected.
- Give me a break.
You would have been disappointed
if that didn't happen.
- (laughs) I hardly think so.
You know this was fun.
And I think that when we
go back to San Francisco
that we could have a cup of
coffee or a drink or something.
- Yeah.
- Brad.
- I'm a bus driver and you're
a glamorous photojournalist.
- That's not what I mean.
- No, I'm just ordinary and
you found a photo experience.
A little photo experience to write about
in your travel journal,
like a reunion memory.
- You're kind of an asshole.
- Thanks.
You sure know how to get a second date.
- Are you trying to quit or something?
- As a matter of fact I am.
- You're so different.
- I thought you didn't know who I was.
- Boy man do I ever.
You were, you were the
guy that I dreamed of
from 9th grade to senior year.
There's a waste.
- So you were obsessed with me.
- No I was young I guess and lonely
and when I saw you at the diner,
I didn't even recognize
you because you act
and you look so different.
I guess when I did recognize you
I thought it would be a little flare.
- So you had a loose end
to tie with old Brad.
All done now?
Off to the reunion, mission accomplished?
- I'm not going to the reunion.
I came here for the wrong reasons.
- Well tell me.
- I don't have any friends
to see at the reunion.
Just a bunch of people that are gonna say,
Jeanie, Jeanie is that you?
I mean Jesus Christ you blossomed so much
and you know you used to look so you know?
- So you were the ugly
duckling that became a swan?
What's so traumatic about that?
- You've actually really
become an asshole.
- So you weren't the prom
queen or the class clown
but you succeeded right?
You're happy right, you're over it right?
You're not over it?
- I am.
I don't care.
- No you're not.
You slept with me for who I was.
Someone who wasn't in your league.
That's not a sign of over it.
- It was my personal reunion okay?
- You came back here to
be validated by a bunch
of presumably overweight,
caddy, undersexed graduates,
who you shouldn't even think about twice?
Life is strange like that.
Hey are you hungry?
I wanna go get a slice at Bocalli's.
- Yeah I like Bocalli's.
- Bryan was one of my best friends.
- You know my parents
used to take me there
every Friday night?
It was quality time with
their introverted daughter.
- So your parents knew you were a loser?
- Shut up, I wasn't a loser fucker.
- Alright alright.
I'd like some more of your company today.
- You know what?
You're a catch-22.
- Is that good?
- You know what the worst
part of living alone is Pat?
The tube.
I never watch that crap in my life
and now I find myself planning my day
around the antique annex, jeeze.
It's your mother's fault.
She got me hooked.
- Pop you ever miss the Army?
- Yeah yeah I do.
Hell that was my life for 40 years.
Luckily I had a family life too.
- I'd like to have a family.
- Pat what are you talking about?
You can't do that.
- [Waiter] Are our pallets happy?
- Everything is fantastic thank you.
Why not?
- What do you know about raising kids?
- As much as you and mom
knew and you raised me.
I learned from you guys.
- But how are you?
This is absurd.
Who would be the child's mother?
- Pop, I have read a lot
of literature on this.
A child,
- I need some air.
(door rapping)
- Uh I feel a bit awkward out here.
- You know, I've practiced this for years.
I even wrote songs about it.
- I got Charlotte pregnant,
left, and denied it was my child
isn't a good title for a song.
- None of my songs have titles.
Come on have a seat,
you're making me nervous.
- Better?
- Took me a long time
to get to this place.
And I wanna just tell you.
- 20 years for you.
A lifetime for your son.
I can't speak for him Ty
and I don't know what he is
gonna say or what he's gonna do
when he gets in here, but I can tell you
that he is a sweet kid.
- Look all I wanna do
is hang out with him.
I just wanna meet the kid.
He could come back with me to LA.
- You should know that he is
very close to his step dad
and that he was worried that coming here
would jeopardize that, so
you have my husband to thank
for telling him that it was okay.
- Okay, I'm ashamed already okay?
I'm ashamed.
Fuck it's 20 years later
and I'm back in this town.
It's like we're back in high school again.
You want me to explain
to you what happened?
You want me to tell you.
- Not to me!
Tell it to your son.
I have to go.
- Charlotte.
- I have to go.
- Charlotte!
Thank you.
- Sure.
- You smoke?
- Under duress, yes I smoke.
- Can I have one?
I smoke under duress too.
Pop how old are these?
- I got them when the Vietnamese
withdrew from Cambodia.
- 1989?
Pop.
- Patrick, I prayed that the
Army would straighten you out.
Sharing hardships with the other
men defending your country.
- Pop.
- I went 32 days without a bath in Korea.
- Pop, I told.
- You told?
- I told.
I couldn't keep it inside any longer.
I couldn't pretend, couldn't
lie about who I am, what I am.
- You fool.
- No I am not a fool.
It's the United States Army that's a fool.
One night I told a superior.
That was it.
- Oh boy.
Drive me home.
Patrick, I always bragged
about you to my peers.
Hell I bragged about you
to anybody who'd listen
to a broke down old noncom.
My son in Operation Desert Shield.
My son in Operation Desert Storm.
My service in Korea was one of the three
proudest accomplishments of my life.
- What were the other two?
- The day I married your mother
and the day you were born.
(door slams)
- I love you Pop.
(playful music)
- I know this evening is
to be one of joviality
but it also one of remembrance.
Two people aren't with us today.
A Mr. Jim Friday.
I wish I could say I was
one of Jim's best students
but math and I well, we were incompatible.
But Mr. Friday was as
devoted and patient with me,
as he was with all his students.
We miss him.
Yes, we all knew Bryan.
Bryan Noonan ahhh.
Bryan was not only a close,
personal friend of mine,
he was also a star football player,
an A student, and a
tremendous pizza maker.
Someone I always went to for advice.
He is greatly missed.
How was that Bryan?
You'd be writing the speech
for me if you were here.
Yeah I know I'll be alright.
Take care of yourself.
(cheering and whistles)
(door clangs)
- I lost my earring.
- Forget it.
- Be right with you folks.
Can I get you anything else Mr. Lewis?
- This isn't Ricotta.
- It's tofu but I swear it
tastes just like the real deal.
- You got garlic bread right?
- I forgot the garlic bread.
Two seconds Mr. Lewis,
one more minute folks.
- That's Bryan's younger brother.
I wonder what he's workin' here for.
- You know I think that
Bryan used to deliver pizza
to my house.
He was cute.
- Yeah he's alright.
- Brad.
Brad holy fucking shit it's Brad hey man!
You got a little bit of
sauce on your shirt there.
Hey Mr. Lewis this is Brad,
he was Bryan's friend in high school.
- This is Jeanie.
- Lovely wife Brad,
pleased to meet you Jeanie.
- She's not my wife.
We actually just met.
She's a graduate of Nordoff.
- Your brother used to
deliver pizza to my house.
- JC, your making pizza now?
Last time I saw you you
were banging on them drums.
- Someone's gotta make a the pizza.
- Yeah Bryan, what about
Bryan, where's Bryan?
- What?
This isn't your idea of a joke?
So you don't know?
Oh wow, I thought everybody had
found out one way or another
- What what are you talking about?
- Bryan was killed.
- What?
- Hit and run.
- You're fucking with me right?
- I took over the joint five years ago.
My folks tried to get ahold of you.
Margaret, she tried.
There was no trace of you.
Jeanie, can I get you anything?
- Yeah I could use a big glass
of read wine and a slice.
- Here to please.
- This is fucked.
- Tell me about it.
I lose my brother and get his
career all in the same week.
(inspirational music)
- JC!
Oh it's Brad Wellington.
Brad Wellington, ohhhh.
It's Brad Wellington.
- You're all grown up.
- Yes and I sure wish
I would stop growing.
- Hey I just hear about
Bryan and I'm really sorry.
- You're acting like I'm the widow.
You were on the cheerleading
squad, top pyramid right?
Oh god then why do I know your face?
It's not important, I know you now.
Mindy Water, Mindy.
- Jeanie Moran.
Now were you the Mindy that
changed her hair color?
- That's me, I was a red
head, a brunette, and a blonde
all in my senior year.
God, good memory.
I've been a blonde way too long.
- How about jet black?
- Yeah in your silly girl fantasies.
Wow, Brad we don't want to talk
about Bryan's death anymore.
I mean, it's been a long time.
Thanks.
Especially this weekend.
Come on, it's our high school reunion.
- Mindy you want a slice?
- Definitely not.
- Brad?
- Yeah whatever.
- [JC] How about garden pepperoni?
- Sure.
- You know it was a bitch
for Margaret to find you.
Where you been?
- I been driving a public
bus in San Francisco.
- You what?
- I'm a civil servant.
I drive a public bus.
- Would you be shocked if I
told you that I'm relieved?
- Relieved why's that?
- Well, because my life
hasn't exactly like I thought
it would either.
I need some wine JC.
(door rapping)
- Hey.
- How you doing?
- How's it going?
- Not bad.
- Come on in.
- Thanks dad.
Guess I just wanted to hear
that out loud you know.
Is this your guitar?
- Yeah.
- You mind?
- Go ahead.
(strings ring)
- I never really practiced.
So uh, how is LA?
Meet Lenny Kravitz or anybody?
- Nah.
I play with some pretty
cool people though.
You know every now and then it's,
I have a good time.
Um, it's been pretty good.
You play that thing much?
- Yeah sometimes.
Not that much though you know?
It shows.
You sure are black.
- What'd you expect.
- True.
I got your nose.
Definitely got moms
eyes though, definitely.
- You know you're tall like my father.
- Grandpa, sounds funny.
So you had a thing for white women huh?
- Well you know, besides your mother,
umm you know, there are
not a lot of black folks
in this town.
- Tell me about it.
- [Ty] Yeah, you got a girlfriend?
- Yeah, yeah I do.
She's real cool, real cool.
- She's white?
- Why do you ask I mean,
you think I'm gonna
get her pregnant or something?
Skip out on her?
What?
- No, you know, it's just kinda strange
and I know you know
this but it's 20 years,
20 years and uh here you are.
- I'm not here for the whole
bonding experience you know.
It's, we may find out we
don't even like each other,
It's not important, you
know what's important to me
is that I found out, I found out who I am,
where I come from you know?
That's that's the most important part.
- You pretty smart huh?
- I like to think so yeah.
Well uh, I gotta head out.
I told some friends I was
gonna meet up with them
you know later, do some stuff.
I guess I'm out.
- It's nice meeting you.
- Nice meeting you too.
I'll be in touch.
- Okay Michael.
Your mother has my number.
- Right right, take it easy.
(yelling and honky tonk music)
- Happiest day of my life, well
not the happiest but
one of extreme clarity,
was when I discovered red wine.
I mean red wine was my
lover so many times.
I mean don't get me wrong.
I'm not a wino or anything
but red wine is good
when you're down, but it's
also good among best friends.
- Down goes Frazier!
- Bryan's death just ripped JC to pieces.
I mean he hasn't been the same since.
- He's um, he's jumpy.
(sniffs)
- JC is doing cocaine Brad.
- Really?
- Ding ding ding gee Brad driving the bus
sure has stamped out a few brain cells.
- Oh thanks Mindy.
- Well I mean he's amped.
(whispers)
- What?
- Holy shit Patrick!
- Oh!
Hey, Brad.
God I am so happy to
see all you guys here.
Hey JC.
- Hey Pat.
- How are you?
- Good.
- Hey this is my first
chance to offer condolences.
I regretted missing the
funeral everyday since the day.
- What is it with you people?
I don't wanna talk about
Bryan's death all night long.
Mayor.
- The golden boy finally
graces us with his presence.
Where have you been?
- I been around.
- My personal Richard Gere.
(whistles and cheering)
(wistful music)
Oh and I know you, Jeanie Moran.
Who the hell do you know in this group?
- I'm with Brad.
- Well I had no idea you
and Brad were friends?
- [Jeanie] Yeah we met
today and Bonnie Lou's.
- Don't tell me you slept with Jeanie too.
- You're funny.
I should have considering
I graduated high school
because of her.
Chemistry was not my favorite subject.
- I did let you cheat didn't I?
- Yeah you saved my
ass on that final exam.
- [Jeanie] Well I liked helping you.
You had all the guys.
- Every single one of them.
- Hey respect the town's mayor.
Jeeze.
(cheering and whistles)
(chattering)
- You were free.
I mean a self-employed artist.
- And you like the military.
- And your friends must love that.
(chattering)
- The family game.
- Thumper!
- And we play!
- Why do we play?
- [Group] To get fucked up!
- That's you Brad.
- You guys actually think
I'm gonna remember my sign
from a stupid high school drinking game?
- Well I know it's kind of stupid
but I remember I was finger and ear.
- Okay there you go, Brad come on
show show us your sign.
Ty, everybody everybody show us your sign.
- What are you doing Margaret?
We're not in high school anymore.
- I'm trying to be nostalgic Brad.
- Yeah, I'll just drink too
much and barf on the floor.
Ty will run off with his
guitar and not join the group.
Mindy will cling to her future husband.
You'll get on your back
somewhere in some field
and Bryan will, Bryan's fucking dead.
He won't be able to participate
in this little exercise.
Then we will have captured 1981.
Jeanie, you're like the mystery graduate.
What would you be doing?
- If you're so interested in now Brad,
what brought you here?
- Curiosity.
- Okay so if you're so
curious about how we evolved
over the last 20 years,
I''ll be so bold as to start.
I'm not clinging to that damn
lying husband of mine anymore
because he just divorced me.
It's official today.
So I'm the one who was left behind.
- Maybe we should get you
that condo in Santa Barbara.
- That bastard is not gonna
kick me out of my hometown
into some divorcee's
suburb like Santa Barbara.
- Why do we have to do this?
Why can't we just hang out?
- Why, what's the point?
- Because that's what reunions are for.
- This is private reunion Patrick
among so-called best high school friends.
- Okay, I'm gay.
(laughter)
And I was gay in high school.
So like Mindy, I have also stayed the same
yet dramatically changed.
- How have you changed?
- I told the Army I was gay
and I was asked to leave.
- What did your father say?
- He thinks I'm gonna be bringing
home strange teenage boys
in hula skirts and makeup
at all hours of the night.
He's so pissed.
- Your father has a very
vivid imagination or you do.
- Well if he could imagine
such a thing, he would have.
(laughter)
- Okay, now that we've gone through
this Mr. Passive Aggressive,
what ever happened to you,
golden boy?
- No wait please you guys wait.
I can't stand it.
This is so great you guys.
- This is great.
- I have a confession.
I was Weenie Jeanie.
- Who's that?
- The biggest loser of 1981.
- No way.
- Way.
- I slept with Weenie Jeanie.
- Yes Brad you did but I wasn't a loser
and I don't know why some
people are the losers.
I mean how does that get
determined year after year
after year, generation after generation?
I mean, I mean it makes
you scared that your kid
will be the one that's
the chosen one, the loser.
You know it's horrible.
I mean I don't know what
I would do if some kid
picked some awful name to call my child.
I mean it would break my heart.
- I thought you were kind
of hot in a gawky way.
- You knew who I was all along?
- No but I remember you now
and I remember, I remember you in homeroom
and I remember you in the cafeteria
and I remember you in the
library all alone hiding
all crunched up over in
your cubicle with your hair
in your face.
You never smiled at anybody or anything.
And I kind of thought
maybe you might have been
a bit retarded.
(laughter)
- This is sick.
What are you a stalker?
(laughter)
- It's like destiny.
I mean they finally found each other.
So sweet.
(laughter)
- I love making pizza
but I fucking suck at it.
My brother Bryan, he was
good at making pizza.
He was the best at making pizza.
Okay you people tell me what do I do
that makes any difference?
What do I do that matters?
- You're a great drummer.
- You guys are getting me
all emotional, excuse me.
- You're good at snorting coke.
- Shit.
- Hey you know, I mean
you're a great drummer
and you're an amazing friend.
- And you know how to run a business.
- I'm gonna do it.
I'm gonna quit the coke.
- Yeah you should.
- I'm gonna get my life together.
- Yeah and the pizza
is gonna be better too.
Okay people, what do you say
we cool off a little bit.
- Hold on a second, I started
this whole raw exposing thing,
so I might as well tell
you about my hard fall
from perfection.
The mark I left on you 20
years ago, it's all bullshit.
- You know you're too hard on
yourself and I barely know you
- Thanks Jeanie, thanks but
I've been basically unimpressed
with myself.
- You know I think we always
have this illusion of what
we were and what we're gonna be.
None of it ever adds up.
- Yeah, it's called a midlife crisis.
- I'm not blaming my problems
on any timeline theory
Margaret or anybody for that matter.
And Jeanie, when I thought
you didn't know me,
I relaxed a little bit.
I hadn't relaxed like that in a while.
- It seems like we're taking
this whole reunion thing
a little too seriously.
I mean it seems like this final judgment
you know, judgment day or something.
It's really just a silly
banquet with bad music.
- Hey!
- I mean a killer time
with everything perfect.
- Yeah.
(laughter)
- What I'm saying is, it's just a marker.
I mean it's just a 20-year
marker that brought us all
back together again.
I mean we may not even
see each other again
until the next reunion.
So who gives a shit what
anyone thinks about anyone?
An excuse for us to pretend
we're in high school again.
I don't think it could
be any more than that.
- I'll drink to that.
- I think we're being
too hard on ourselves.
I think we should try
to have some more fun.
I do.
(sniffles) Let's have some fun.
I'm gonna try.
- [Jeanie] You're gonna do it.
- I can.
(inspirational music)
(giggling)
- You got the key, mayor?
Okay go.
(suspenseful music)
(screaming and laughing)
(Cuban music)
- You know folks, I'm not
coming to the reunion.
- Why?
- I'm going back to LA, I
can't take this town man.
- Personally I can't wait.
I'm dying to see how fat
and lame those people are
that weren't so nice to me.
(collective chuckle)
Hey you wanna be my date?
- I don't know I was kind of
thinking of taking the mayor.
You know, get me some
action at the reunion.
- You have been a riot all night.
I told you I have no room for you
in my little black book anymore.
- What do you mean?
This town doesn't know about
you and your little past
and all your little boyfriends.
- What she is very discreet?
- I can't go to the reunion I mean,
Mark's gonna be there with his new item.
No I can't, I'm just not strong enough.
I'm gonna buy myself a ticket to Antigua.
- I'm gonna quit the coke guys.
(laughter)
No I really mean it and I'm
gonna sell the pizza place.
- So it's Jeanie and me
at the party tonight.
- [Patrick] And me.
- Good for you Patrick.
- If I'm gonna think
about moving back here,
I'm gonna hang out with the locals.
- Oh that'll be dangerous for your IQ.
- Okay stop dissing the town.
This is a good town.
(wistful piano music)
Good evening class of 1981.
Welcome, welcome.
I spent some time with my best friends
from high school last night.
We haven't hung around each
other in a group since,
that last summer after graduation.
(sighs)
You see these people all grown up now.
And you realize no matter where you go
or what you learn or how much
you think you've changed,
you are basically the same person
with the same needs and expectations.
We all moaned and groaned
a little bit now and then.
Then and now, but we had some fun.
I don't know what will change
for any of us in this room.
I wish you all the best.
It's been so damn long and
I don't think any one of us
know who we really are.
Still,
this is your night class of 1981.
You have a good night.
(inspirational music)
- Well the golden boy finally
graces us with his presence.
Where have you been?
- I've been around.
- And my own personal Richard Gere.
- I am neither and officer or a gentleman.
- I bet.
Thank you madame.
I know you.
(folksy music)
♫ Open the windows
♫ Turn on the fan
♫ If you wanna love baby
♫ You've got to die
♫ I'm not that person anymore
♫ I'm not the person willing
♫ You've got to keep moving honey
♫ If you wanna keep living
♫ I'm not rooted in the past
♫ In the present I'm not here as you
♫ The future is fading
♫ Time evading
♫ Wouldn't you like to be here
♫ Far gone enough to be here
♫ The whole world is going there
♫ Presently nowhere
♫ No matter the shape or form
♫ Like a mountain pull me apart
♫ Let myself get wet
♫ I let myself be fed
♫ I'd like to be like driftwood
♫ Floating with the flood
♫ I'd like to be like driftwood
♫ Being taken for a ride
♫ I I
♫ Being taken for a ride
♫ Uhhh ayyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhhh ayyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhhhh ayyyyyy
♫ Being take
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhh ayyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhh ayyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhhh ayyyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhhh ayyyyyy
♫ Being taken
♫ For a ride
♫ Uhhh ayyyyyy
(chattering)
- [Margaret] Good evening
my fellow graduates
of the class of 1981 hahaha.
It's been a long time.