Scrap (2022) - full transcript
After getting laid off, young single-mom Beth finds herself living in her car and struggles to hide her homelessness from her estranged brother Ben.
["I Can't Get Started" playing]
♪ I've been around the world in a plane ♪
♪ Settled revolutions in Spain ♪
♪ The North Pole I have charted ♪
♪ But can't get started with you ♪
♪ Around the golf course I'm under par ♪
♪ And Metro-Goldwyn wants me to star ♪
♪ I've got a house and a show place ♪
♪ But can't get no place with you ♪
[phone alarm ringing]
[voicemail] Hi, Ms. Anderson,
this is Louisa from United Collections,
in reference to your
past due account...
[voicemail] Hey, Beth, it's Jules.
How are you?
It's been forever. Let's get coffee,
or hike, or something.
[knocking]
-You need any help?
-No, I'm fine.
[woman] Okay.
-The double-smoked bacon and cheddar.
-[server] Anything else?
Um...
Yeah, do you...?
Could I get, like, a...
large Americano?
[cell phone ringing]
Hello?
[woman over phone] Hello, may I
please speak to Beth Anderson?
-This is she.
-Hi, this is Taylor from Piper Brook.
We spoke yesterday.
-Yes, um, of course.
-Gwen loved what you had to say.
So we wanted to invite you
to an in-person interview.
-Uh-- Yes, that would be great.
-I know it's late notice,
but would you happen to be
available today at 1:00 p.m.?
Um, let me just check my schedule.
Yes, I spoke with my assistant
and I can definitely make that work.
-Wonderful, I'll email you the info.
-Perfect. Thank you so much.
-[cell phone ringing]
-[sighs]
Hey, hey, sorry I didn't call you back.
You know, in some families
there's a limit to sibling privilege.
How much longer do they need you there?
The Atlanta office is a hot mess.
Another two days?
You said that a week ago.
Look, I really appreciate it. Things are
just taking a lot longer than I thought.
Well, Birdy misses you.
-Mommy?
-She's right here.
-Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!
-You tell her.
Hi, Mommy.
Hi, sweet girl. Have you been having fun?
-When are you coming to pick me up?
-Um, soon.
Are you coming to my ballet recital?
Of course.
Mommy, when are we going back home?
Will you tell your uncle that I had to go
to a meeting but I'll call you soon, okay?
-I love you.
-Okay, love you, Mommy.
You're enabling her.
She's got a lot on her plate.
Honey, she's always got
a lot on her plate.
-[sighs] I gotta go.
-Have a good day.
-Spare a dollar, miss?
-Not today.
[elevator dings]
-May I help you?
-Beth Anderson, we spoke earlier.
Oh, yes, so glad you could come in.
Why don't you take a seat?
-Thank you.
-Can I get you a water?
-Oh, no, I'm fine.
-Still or sparkling?
Uh...
-So any other questions for me?
-No, this has been great.
Beth, I'm so, so glad you came in.
We'll let you know.
Fantastic.
Okay.
By the way,
I love your shoes. Louboutins?
Calvin Klein.
Adorable.
-[server] What can I get for you today?
-Hi. Could I get a burger,
just a regular hamburger,
and a medium lemonade.
And that'll do it.
-That'll be $6.42.
-Thank you.
[distant sirens wailing]
[cell phone ringing]
[phone beeps]
Beth, I need to talk to you.
What is going on?
I'm really worried about you.
Please call me when you get this.
[urinating]
It says here you can have vivid dreams.
Have you been dreaming a lot lately?
Yeah.
Last night I dreamt I was stabbing you
with a needle in the ass every night.
It was awesome.
Well, impatience is also a side effect.
[chuckles]
[gasps softly]
-[car window shatters]
-[car alarm blaring]
[Beth] Hey! Hey!
Fuck!
[music playing in the distance]
[cell phone ringing]
[sighs]
-Beth Anderson.
-Hi Beth, it's Taylor from Piper Brook.
Yes, of course. You just caught me
getting out of spin. How are you?
[knocking on window]
I'm great, thank you. Gwen wanted me
to thank you for coming in.
-Yes, of course.
-You need to leave now.
-No problem at all.
-This is a nice neighborhood.
Unfortunately, we're not
going to be able to invite you
to the next round of interviews.
Oh, okay. May I ask why?
-We're sick of people like you here.
-I'm sorry, I can't disclose that.
-Do whatever it is you do--
-But we'll absolutely
keep your resume on file.
Gwen loved you.
Excuse me for one moment.
I am on the phone.
Give me two seconds. Two seconds.
-Thank you so much.
-Have a great day.
I'm calling the police.
No drugs that I saw,
-but she's obviously homeless.
-Excuse me.
I don't know if she's
a prostitute or what.
-How dare you?
-Hey!
You crazy bitch!
You need help, lady.
[car horn honks]
I'm going!
[car horn honks]
[melancholy music playing]
[doorbell rings]
-Uh, hi.
-Hi.
I thought you weren't back until Thursday.
I got an earlier flight.
Well, um, come in, B's playing upstairs.
Um...
-I'll go get her.
-No, not yet. I just need a second.
-Do you want a water?
-No, I'm fine.
Okay.
-How was she?
-She was great.
Are you okay?
It was...
really good catching up with you.
Sorry.
I'm sorry. It was a long, long flight.
-Everything's fine.
-Your business is your business,
but you have a daughter who needs you.
-I know that.
-Things are different now.
-Yes.
-It's not all about you anymore.
Okay, well, thank you
for the reminder that I'm a fuck-up.
Oh, come on, Beth, don't do that.
No, I'll just make sure not to
ask you to watch her anymore.
Great, because that's actually
what I want.
-Great.
-By the way,
Stacy thinks you're on drugs.
So there's that.
[door opens]
-[Beth] Thanks again.
-Mm-hm. You have everything?
Yeah, we're all set.
-Bye, B.
-Bye.
-We'll talk soon.
-Mm-hm.
-Bye.
-Bye.
-Mommy, where are we going?
-Strap in.
Ouch.
[cell phone ringing]
-Hi.
-Hi?
I have an owie.
-Is she okay?
-Yeah, she just cut herself.
-What?
-Yeah. Um...
-Come in.
-No, sorry.
-Sorry, I know you have a lot going on.
-Um...
-I don't, really.
-How did the embryo thing go?
It went well. We're sort of
playing the waiting game now.
-Is Stacy here?
-No, she's at work.
What the hell is going on?
Could I get a Band-Aid for her finger?
[sighs]
Uh...
I guess I'll go get it.
[sighs]
[Stacy over the phone] I forgot one day.
I don't think it's a big deal.
It's important. D3 and zinc,
and I think we should
consider a CoQ10 supplement.
Honey, I love you,
but you're stressing me the fuck out.
And I didn't wanna say anything,
but you were drinking coffee this morning.
A little caffeine is fine. Look,
I'm in deposition, I'll see you tonight.
Okay, I love--
"Cleric Alwyn burst through the tree line.
'We cannot slow, my lady,
the orcs are upon us.' "
[chuckling]
What the fuck is an orc?
Well, if you'd read the first book
you'd know.
Come on, you know I hate
this nerdy mumbo-jumbo.
People buy this nerdy mumbo-jumbo.
-This is a good picture of you.
-You think?
-They wanted me to wear makeup.
-No, it's good. You look smart.
How come you never wrote
your Billie Holiday book?
Here.
[humming]
She seems really happy here.
She likes being outside.
Sometimes when I look out the window,
she's hugging the lemon tree.
It's a little weird.
So I have a really big favor to ask you.
Can we stay here for a little while?
-Really?
-What?
-You're really asking me this?
-I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important.
-What's wrong with your place?
-They're fumigating.
I'm gonna say that's a lie.
Fine. I'm moving. We're moving.
-I put all our shit in storage.
-Why?
I don't wanna talk about it, okay?
It's been, like, a lot.
[sighs]
So can we stay here or not?
Your timing is so awful.
I know. I'm sorry.
I'll talk to Stacy.
[Stacy downstairs] I just wasn't expecting
to see Beth in our living room
as soon as I get home from work.
I've had a long day...
-How long is she staying?
-[brother] You know, for a night or two.
-Let's hope it's just a night or two.
-I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.
May I be excused?
You don't wanna finish your lima beans?
-They're icky.
-Just one more big bite.
They are icky, huh?
Why don't you go watch TV?
-And then in an hour, we'll do bath time.
-Okay.
-So how long will you be staying?
-Just like a week. Maybe two weeks.
I just signed this new lease and there was
this weird non-overlap thingy.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
And Birdy loves you guys.
Well, we love her.
-Oh, and I'm not on drugs.
-I'm sorry, what?
He said you thought I might be on drugs.
I'm not on drugs.
And to be clear,
I haven't done drugs since college.
I'll go grab dessert.
Guess what this week is?
Mm...
-Is it Christmas?
-No.
-Is it Halloween?
-No.
-I forget.
-It's my birthday.
Oh, of course,
only the greatest day of all time.
And I was gonna wait to give this to you,
but I thought you might
like it before the recital.
[Birdy gasps]
-Do you like it?
-Mommy, I love, love, love it.
All right, let's try it on.
[sighs]
[kisses]
Wait, wait, what do you mean
they're pushing it back?
No, the print run
was scheduled for this week.
Benny, nobody wants another biography
of Billie Holiday right now.
-Especially one written by a white guy.
-Are you kidding me?
It was proofed, it was done.
They can't do this.
We're just hitting the pause on Billie.
It's smart.
Let's maximize
the profits on Oracle first,
then you can go all David McCullough
on me. All right?
We are gonna make you bigger
than George R. R. Martin, my man.
-Oh, Jesus.
-No, you are Jesus to these people.
Book two is selling eight times
as fast as book one.
Eight times. Did you read
the new contract yet?
I don't know if I can do
another three Oracle books.
Hey, you've got the whole
story already outlined.
Just, you know, stretch it out. Also,
we've had calls about the film rights,
but I feel like we can
hold out a little while, drive it up.
I gotta go. I'll call you later.
I'm gonna drop her off.
Do you need any errands done?
No, I have that signing,
so I'll be out anyway.
Like, people actually wait in line
for you to sign their nerd books?
-Oh, my God, are you like their king?
-Shut up.
Can I come?
-You wanna come to my book signing?
-Sure.
Okay, yeah,
I'll give you the address and, um--
-But no big deal if you can't make it.
-No, I'm definitely coming.
Text me the address.
-Bye.
-Bye, Mommy.
Ms. Anderson. I thought that was you.
-Hi, Esther, how are you?
-I'm great. I'm great.
I noticed that your brother has been
picking up and dropping Birdy off lately.
-Is everything okay?
-Everything's fine.
Sorry, I'm running late to this incredibly
important presentation I'm giving.
-So could we just talk later?
-Actually, I've tried to call
a couple of times this past week.
It seems we still haven't received
Birdy's tuition for the fall semester.
That's so weird. I--
I'm positive my bank
issued the payment weeks ago.
I triple checked with the bursar and
we just-- We still haven't received it.
-Maybe the bursar is wrong.
-Oh. She's not wrong.
Okay. I'm gonna call the bank and
I will get that straightened out today.
Great. That's great.
Oh, and, you know, we love Birdy.
We just wanted to make sure that--
-Okay, all right.
-Of course.
I will let you go,
and have a great presentation.
-Thank you.
-Okay.
[Ben] Well, I mean, let's be real.
Tropes are gonna trope, right?
[all laughing]
-Yeah. Thank you. So...
-[gentle applause]
So to answer your question,
I suppose, yes.
In that case, chapter 16
is perhaps a Rorschach test for...
-Medieval intersectional feminism.
-Yes, for that.
Awesome.
We're gonna wrap things up.
Yes, you in the back.
I had a question.
I was wondering how the orcs
were written so realistically.
'Cause I have read a lot about orcs,
but this was by far the best
orc portrayal that I have seen
in quite some time.
Good question.
Well, actually, my sister is an orc,
so that's why.
Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.
[applause]
Thank you.
Did you really come to my signing
to troll me?
I couldn't help it. Sign my book.
-I could just give you a copy.
-No, I wanna support you.
"To Beth, you suck. Love, Ben."
Lovely.
-Mr. Anderson, I am a massive fan.
-Thank you.
When is book three coming out?
Um, book two just came out.
Oh, no. I know, but, like,
are you almost done?
I can show you another series
you might like.
Thank you.
God, these people make
me wanna drink cough syrup.
So Birdy wants a birthday party.
I'm thinking Disneyland.
Do you wanna come?
You know my strong aversion
to amusement parks.
Also on a scale of one to 10,
how much does Stacy hate me right now?
She doesn't hate you.
There's a strong undercurrent
of malevolence.
She's just full of hormones and exhausted.
Ooh.
-How much is that?
-One forty.
I'm not gonna buy it.
I'm just gonna try it on.
-So how come you're not at work today?
-I took a sickie. I thought we could hang.
-When's the last time we did that?
-I don't know. The day Birdy was born?
[cell phone ringing]
-Who was that?
-Telemarketer. Let's go for a drive.
I can't believe
you still have a tape deck.
♪ But can't get started with you ♪
♪ Around the golf course
I'm under par ♪
♪ And Metro-Goldwyn
Wants me to star ♪
♪ I got a house and a show place ♪
♪ But can't get no place with you ♪
♪ You're so supreme ♪
♪ Lyrics I write of you ♪
♪ Scheme just for a sight of you ♪
♪ Dream, both day and night of you ♪
♪ And what good does it do? ♪
-[music stops]
-Oh, my God. Pull over.
Oh, man.
Do you remember my birthday parties here?
Let's go in.
No, I've gotta get going.
I have pages to finish.
Come on. Let's just see if it still
looks the same on the inside.
What?
You're really holding my wrist like that?
["C'mon N' Ride It" playing]
I don't remember you being this awful.
I don't exactly feel like
breaking my neck.
Come on, I got you.
-What? Beth.
-Come on.
No. Beth. Like, no. No. Come on.
-Oh, come on.
-Crack the whip.
-What?
-Crack the whip. Crack the whip!
-Really?
-Yes.
[grunts]
♪ Come on, ride the train, hey, ride it ♪
♪ Come on, ride the train, hey, ride it ♪
♪ Come on, ride the train, hey, ride it ♪
♪ Come on, ride the train, hey, ride it ♪
♪ Come on, ride the train, hey, ride it ♪
♪ Come on, ride the train, hey, ride it ♪
Sorry. You hate this, huh?
Now that you've gotten your nostalgia fix,
can we go?
Sorry for trying to have fun with you.
Well, this place isn't exactly
happy memories for me.
Okay, fine.
No, for you this is,
"Oh, birthday parties, whee!"
But for me, this is,
"How do I make
my baby sister's childhood nice
despite the fact
that both of our parents are dead?"
Really? You wanna do the
whole Ben-the-Martyr routine?
-Let's just go if you're gonna be an ass.
-I'm not being an ass.
Look, why don't you just take an Uber
to your car? I'll see you back at home.
Oh, an Uber! Okay, I'll take an Uber.
[man] Watch out, watch out, watch out! Oh!
Oh, shit.
Ah!
Are you okay?
I am so, so sorry, dude.
I did not see you. Are you all right?
-Here you go, man.
-Thanks.
You're not feeling dizzy or anything?
Okay, good, I'm really sorry, dude.
It's fine.
I wouldn't do that.
It's not clean.
-Do you guys sell beer?
-Yeah. Yeah, I'll get you one.
So are you and your boyfriend
having problems, or...?
What?
Oh, God. Ew.
No. Ew.
He's my brother.
Ah. Okay. Okay, gotcha.
-Ew.
-I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
[chuckles]
-I'm not close to my siblings either.
-No, we're close.
We're really close.
He basically raised me.
Wow, oh, no. I'm sorry.
I'm totally prying,
-I'm so--
-No, no, no, it's fine.
I got laid off.
And things haven't been going great.
Oh, shit.
Yeah.
Well, the mall's expanding.
I think they're adding a Nordstrom Rack
and some outlet stores.
There's a job fair all week.
I-- I don't-- I don't think
I'm a good fit for retail.
Oh, well, you never know.
[car approaching]
-Thank you.
-So can I get your number?
Take you out for drinks,
not in a parking lot?
-I have a 5-year-old daughter.
-That's cool.
[classical music playing]
[sighs]
-[classical music continues]
-[car arriving]
What the--?
Okay.
Don't freak out.
What the bejesus happened to your face?
I got hit.
-At a book signing?
-No. Um...
Long story.
Beth and I went roller skating.
-What?
-I don't know.
-[cell phone ringing]
-Oh, God. What?
Oh, my God, go away,
I'm off the clock. Jesus.
Oh, honey.
[tuts then sighs]
-What's this crap?
-Um, it's for Beth.
-All of it?
-All of-- Mm-hm.
[scoffs]
She's getting mail here.
Right. You know what this means.
What?
She knew we'd let her stay
before she even asked.
[scoffs] Don't get me wrong.
I love your sister, I do.
I love her, but she is
a blood-sucking vampire.
-That's--
-No, I can't do this anymore.
I won't do this forever.
Once we have a baby,
no more free childcare.
-Boundaries.
-Yes, boundaries.
I need you to say no to her,
occasionally. Occasionally.
I do. I can.
I will.
Oh.
-Can I get you something for your eye?
-No, I mean, uh,
there's nothing you can do
that will make it heal any faster.
Besides, this is your time to relax.
Do you want a bath?
[cell phone ringing]
-Hello?
-[Esther] Hi, Mr. Anderson?
Yes, this is he.
Hi, this is Esther Mulligan
from Birdy's school.
I'm sorry to bother you,
but no one has come to pick Birdy up.
-What?
-Yeah, she's just sitting here waiting.
I, um...
I'm sorry, I'll, uh-- I'll be right there.
-Hi, I don't know what happened.
-Oh, it's no problem.
It was some form of miscommunication.
Really, it happens
more often than you think.
-Great. You ready to go, Birdy?
-Actually, while I have you,
and I don't mean to be indelicate,
but is everything okay with your sister?
What do you mean?
It's just that we still haven't
received Birdy's tuition,
and it's almost three weeks overdue.
And we don't obviously want Birdy
to lose her place, but...
No, no, no, of course not.
-I'll talk to my sister.
-Great, great.
Hey. I got dinner.
I wasn't sure what you'd like, so,
I got extra orange chicken, and... ta-da!
-I can't have that.
-I've had it before. It's really good.
Oh, no, no. I mean, I can't drink.
-I can't have alcohol.
-Oh, shit, duh. I--
I just-- I saw it and I thought
it would be nice. I wasn't thinking.
-Do you know where your brother is?
-No.
He got a call from the school.
You never picked up Birdy.
What? I thought
you were picking her up.
Why would you think that?
We didn't talk about, like, a schedule.
I just--
I thought you were picking her up
'cause that's what you've been doing.
Here's a good default.
Just assume your child is your
responsibility until you hear otherwise.
[indistinct voices on TV]
[sighs]
[sighs]
I'm really sorry about today.
It's fine.
Are you supposed to drink?
Doesn't it, like, kill sperm or something?
No, I can drink.
You guys have been through hell, huh?
Hasn't been good.
-Has it made it worse having Birdy here?
-No, of course not.
Maybe a little.
It's all gonna work out.
You guys are gonna be great parents.
Thanks.
[cell phone buzzing]
[Beth sighs]
Who's "Do Not Answer"?
[buzzing continues]
-Guess.
-Are you serious?
Yep.
-Why is he calling you all the time?
-I haven't talked to him.
He's left a couple voicemails...
saying that he's been
thinking about us and he...
wants to be part of Birdy's life.
I can't tell if it's horseshit.
This is the guy who left you
approximately 20 minutes
after you told him you were pregnant.
Pretty sure it's horseshit.
I don't know.
Well...
you're gonna do what you're gonna do.
-Good night.
-Night.
[mouse clicking]
[sighs]
Shit, shit, shit.
Shit.
[ambient music playing]
[ambient music continues]
[sighs]
[knocking]
[Ben] Beth, you're gonna be late for work.
-It's just insanely frustrating.
-I know.
I mean, it's like,
after everything we've been through...
She acts like she doesn't
even care about Birdy.
-It drives me crazy.
-[Ben] I know.
[Stacy] Promise me we won't
ever be like that.
[Ben] Like what?
I just don't wanna be a bad mom.
-She'll be gone in a few days.
-She can stay until Saturday.
And that's it.
I want us to have a good weekend. Just us.
-Okay?
-Okay.
-I'll tell her, I promise.
-Thank you.
Okay, I'm gonna go.
Find some time to write today, okay?
Where's Birdy?
Oh, she's just getting her backpack.
-Your eye is looking better.
-Don't lie.
[chuckles]
-So, what's on the agenda today?
-Oh, you know,
nerdy mumbo-jumbo.
So I can actually pick up Birdy
from school today.
-I can leave work early.
-Okay.
Oh, and I'm actually picking up keys
to our new place.
The landlord says we can move in
on the 31st.
-Great.
-Yeah, it'll be nice. A fresh start.
-You need me to pick up groceries?
-No, no, we've got it.
No problem at all.
I'll take care of it. I better go.
Thank you.
-Have a great day.
-[Birdy] Love you, Mommy.
[cell phone ringing]
[man] Thanks for meeting me.
[clears throat] You look really great.
Really pretty.
[clears throat] I...
I'm doing this program.
Therapy and making amends...
apologizing.
And I don't wanna
interfere with your life, but...
I want you to know
that I'm sorry for everything.
And...
[clears throat] Uh...
I've been thinking about how
I've really messed things up and...
I wanna make it up to you,
if you'll let me.
I wanna be in Birdy's life,
and I'd like to be in your life too.
I mean, I'm making a lot more money now,
and I don't know, I just--
-I wanna help out.
-I'm gonna go. This feels weird.
Why?
-Are you really in therapy?
-I really am.
I know, sometimes I don't even believe it.
I just wanna see Birdy.
I mean, can I--? Can I just come by?
I'm actually moving right now,
so we're staying with Ben for a while.
Okay.
-Well, maybe I could stop by some night.
-I don't know.
I don't think so.
-Thank you for coffee.
-Beth. Beth.
[cell phone ringing]
-Hello?
-[man] Hey, Beth.
It's Marcus from the Rollerway.
Oh, hi.
Hi, I was just calling wondering
how your brother's face was.
-Uh, it's better, thanks.
-Good. Good.
Listen, I don't know if you're free
tomorrow, but I got these tickets and--
Oh, uh, Marcus, you seem like
a really great guy, but I...
-I have a lot on my plate right now, so...
-I get it, no problem at all.
But, hey, if you change your mind,
you got my cell now, so...
-Thanks.
-Okay, bye.
Oh!
-Oh, I'm sorry.
-It's all right.
Let me help you.
I just wasn't paying attention.
-Here you go.
-Thanks.
-Have a nice day.
-You too.
I'll get these as well.
Sorry, it's not working.
Oh, um, let me just try another one.
-What are you doing?
-Can't park in the red zone.
What?
I'm really sorry.
Could you please not tow my car?
It's not up to me.
I'm having, like, a really shitty day.
So could you cut me some slack here?
I'm sorry, ma'am,
but it's already been called in.
Tell them when you got here
the car was already gone.
Here's where you'll pick it up.
[indistinct muttering]
[woman] It's just these men.
These men, they just...
...to be my special day.
I mean, it was my day. It was just my--
And then she came in
and he just started staring at her.
Like, so, so, so disgusting.
These men, they just wanna
buy jewels for their mistresses.
That's all they do. That's all they do!
Do you want one?
Huh!
Stay away from me with your junk.
I don't need that shit.
I don't need your bullshit fucking food.
I don't need it.
I've booked a couple co-stars,
but I'm just trying to get up
to that guest-star-slash
series-regular level. You know?
So how long you lived in LA?
-All my life.
-Oh, cool.
That's so funny, because normally,
everyone is from somewhere else.
You don't really meet too many LA natives.
What do you do?
I'm an account executive.
I work for Tesla.
Oh! Tesla? That's awesome.
Yeah, it is.
Can you just pull over
and let me off over here?
Oh, okay.
["Keep Us Whole" playing over speakers]
[cell phone ringing]
♪ You played your part ♪
♪ Dogs rained down ♪
-Hi.
-Hey.
Wow, you picked up.
What are you doing tonight?
Um. I don't know.
I have this stupid networking thing
to go to downtown tonight.
Did you wanna meet up for a drink after?
I really don't like the way things ended
at the coffee shop.
I-- I don't think I should.
Birdy has a dance recital in the morning.
I really wanna take you out.
Please. I've missed you,
I wanna hear how you've been
and what Birdy's up to.
Please give me a chance
not to be an asshole.
Okay.
Awesome. I'll text you the address.
Do you wanna say about 10?
-I will see you then.
-Okay. I'll see you then.
♪ Keep us whole ♪
[classical music playing]
[sighs]
Hey.
[Stacy breathing deeply]
Is everything okay?
I know this was stupid,
but I took a pregnancy test.
[Ben] Oh...
I don't know why it's negative.
Wouldn't it be positive?
At least a false positive?
Is there not enough hCG?
I mean, what if they screwed up?
No, honey, yeah, I think it's the beta-hCG
that they'd test for, with a blood test.
I know this-- [sniffles]
-This was dumb.
-No.
Honey, I just think, um...
there's no way
to know anything for sure right now.
I know, I just think my mind is so full
of everything that can go wrong
and I'm-- I just-- I wanna control this,
and I know I can't, and...
It's impossible.
I'm just so pissed off
that my body won't do what I tell it to.
[sniffles]
Will you say something helpful?
Um...
Have you had enough water today?
Uh...
-No.
-Okay,
so I think you should
just go back to the office
and drink a liter, right? I mean,
you're supposed to drink
two liters a day, correct?
So as long as we follow the protocol,
we'll be fine.
Okay. Right.
Protocols.
[toilet flushes]
Okay.
Um, I'm sorry.
I love you and I'll see you at home.
I love you.
Hello, Dr. Bagdasarian, please.
Okay, well, when he returns from lunch,
would you have him call
Ben Anderson, please? Thank you.
[sighs]
[melancholy music playing]
-[voicemail beeps]
-[Ben] Hey, it's me.
I was in your 'hood, so I wanted to see
if maybe you wanted
to have a late lunch.
Hi, is Beth Anderson in?
Oh, well, that's sort of
inter-office business.
Is she here or not?
I'm her brother.
Okay. So Beth doesn't
actually work here anymore.
-I'm sorry, what?
-She was let go a few weeks ago.
-Totes not her fault, though.
-Why?
Such a bummer. Downsizing.
-Thank you.
-Tell her we all miss her.
Will do.
-Hi.
-Hi.
-Why are you opening my stuff?
-Why are you ordering all this junk?
Do you know it's a federal crime
to open somebody else's mail?
-Have you been drinking?
-Maybe.
-Stacy doesn't need all your drama.
-I'm not causing drama.
You are. You're like...
a stress bucket. It just like...
radiates off you.
No wonder you guys can't get pregnant.
I need a water.
-Did you pick up your keys?
-What keys?
-For your new place.
-Oh, uh, yeah.
Wow. You really are unbelievable.
I know disapproving of me
is, like, your favorite,
but if you could not for, like,
right now, that would be swell.
What about the groceries?
-Oh, fuck.
-Oh, come on.
I left them in the Uber.
Why were you taking an Uber?
Because my car got fucking towed, okay?
-What?
-I'll pick it up later.
I just need a second to breathe.
I need to lie down. Just let it soak.
There's no soaking.
I know you got let go.
I went by your office today.
Thought maybe we could have lunch.
And they told me you no longer work there.
When were you planning on telling me?
Just promise me
you won't keep lying to me.
I'll get her.
-Hi, sweetheart.
-Hi, Mommy.
When was the last time
you saw the house?
God, I don't know. A few years, maybe.
You wanna swing by just to look at it?
You wanna see the house
that Mommy and uncle Ben grew up in?
Okay.
[knocking on door]
Hey.
[whispering] Ah...
Oh. Um...
Are you going to bed?
I thought I'd read for a bit
and then I'll turn in.
-Okay, good night.
-Night.
["Black Velvet" playing over speakers]
Hi.
Hey.
You look gorgeous. Please.
Can I get another G&T
and a cranberry-vodka for the lady?
Thank you.
No, absolutely not. No.
Thanks.
-Thank you.
-Yeah, thank you.
[Beth] Cheers.
[funky music playing over speakers]
She's gotten really into dance.
And her school
has this jazz and ballet program.
And her teacher, Mrs. Mosher,
says she is actually reading
at a third-grade level,
which is kind of frightening,
but also amazing.
-What's wrong?
-No, it's nothing. It's just, uh...
It's hitting me
how much I've missed out on.
-I'm gonna give you some money.
-No.
No, no, listen, before you say no,
just please consider it.
I don't want anything in return.
Honestly, I haven't supported you,
and that's gonna change.
I owe you.
Do you remember this? Nope, come on.
Let's go.
["The Future is Now"
playing over speakers]
♪ The future is now ♪
-Hey, how's it going?
-Say again?
Sorry, dude. What the fuck?
[laughing]
♪ The future is now ♪
♪ I waited for you in the passenger seat ♪
♪ There's only so far
I can ride in your dreams ♪
["Five foot Two, Eyes of Blue" playing]
Ah!
-Cheers.
-Cheers.
[music continues]
[chuckles]
Yummy.
♪ But oh, what those five foot could do ♪
♪ Has anybody seen my gal? ♪
We're not gonna have sex.
♪ Turned up nose, turned down hose ♪
♪ Flapper, yes, sir, one of those ♪
♪ Has anybody seen my gal? ♪
♪ Now if you run into a five foot two
Covered with fur ♪
♪ Diamond rings and all those things ♪
♪ Betcha' life it isn't her ♪
♪ But could she love, could she woo
Could she... ♪
[groans]
Shit!
Where is she?
Oh, shit, shit, shit.
[piano playing]
[woman] You did so good.
Thank you.
Hi. Fuck, I'm sorry, I just--
Is she okay? Does she hate me?
I feel awful.
I don't even know what to say.
Where were you?
Do you know how stressful it was to wake
up this morning and you weren't there?
I had to tell Birdy
that you had an important meeting.
I'm sorry, I just--
I went out with friends
and I had too much to drink,
and I didn't wanna drive home.
Wait, I thought you said
your car was impounded.
Never mind. Here. Get your car.
We have a doctor's appointment.
We'll see you back at the house.
-Hi, Beth.
-Hi, Esther.
I'm sorry I haven't been in contact with
the bursar yet, but I have this check,
and I'm just-- I'm gonna get it cashed
and then I'm gonna pay Birdy's tuition.
-It's okay, it's already been paid.
-What?
Your brother, he paid for it.
Oh...
I just wanted to say that you should be
really proud of Birdy.
You really should.
She was such a prima ballerina today.
She has such natural grace and poise.
All right? You should be proud.
[sighs]
Hi! Hi, sweet girl.
-Mommy?
-Hi. Hello.
I'm sorry, I missed your recital.
Were you the best one?
-Yes.
-Awesome.
Hey, so why don't you guys
go to your appointment,
-and she and I will just hang out?
-Oh, I don't think that's best.
Yeah, we can take her now
and you can go sort out your car
and head back to the house
and change, or whatever.
No, why don't you go
to your appointment and...
I'm here now, and I'm fine, we're fine.
So we'll just take an Uber.
-Okay, we'll see you at the house then.
-Okay. Come on.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson,
the doctor will see you now.
Thank you.
[inaudible conversation]
[breathing softly]
[inaudible conversation]
So if the average is six to nine cycles,
then it really is just a numbers game.
Sorry, I can't deal with follicle counts
and presumed egg quality.
And to be frank,
I don't like Dr. Bagdasarian.
-Really?
-Yeah. I don't like his face.
And honestly, what's the cost
of these fucking shots?
Am I going to get ovarian cancer
in 20 years
because of all the chemicals?
Do we even really know
what the long-term effects are?
It hasn't been around long enough.
There's...
I don't wanna do this.
Well, we don't need to do it right away.
We're supposed to wait
-another six to eight weeks.
-I mean, I don't wanna do another cycle.
Honey, there's a 70 percent success rate
within three cycles.
-So all we need to do is one more.
-I think I'm at the point where I just...
can't.
Oh...
Yeah.
-Was I--? Did I--?
-No. Oh, God, no.
I just think I...
-don't want it bad enough.
-You don't want--
To go through this.
To put us through this again.
We're gonna be okay no matter what, right?
Yeah.
I'm gonna stay at my sister's tonight.
I just, um...
I just need some space. Is that okay?
Yeah, yeah, of course that's okay.
Just take whatever time you need.
[mellow music playing]
Why don't you go inside?
I'll be right there.
Okay.
Hi, honey. Where have you been?
I don't know. I'm tired.
Okay, well, why don't you
put your jammies on?
Okay.
Hey.
-What are you doing here?
-Can we talk?
-Where'd you go this morning?
-Honestly...
I freaked out.
[chuckles] I just...
Like, I saw you sleeping,
and you looked so beautiful.
And it reminded me,
I don't wanna be like my dad.
You know, never seeing his kids,
and, uh...
I'm just...
scared.
I just don't think
I'm going to be good enough.
[sighs]
Oh, man. Oh, man. Oh, man.
You can't. You cannot do this to me again.
I'm not doing anything.
Look, I gave you five grand.
Can I just, like, get a little time to...?
-What a fucking mistake.
-[scoffs]
You are so... selfish.
You know, why does everything
have to be on your timetable?
Like, why can't we just see what happens?
Like, let me see her
and we'll just do what feels natural.
-Oh, my God.
-What?
What do you need? Like, what?
Five hundred a week, 1000?
-Listen, I'll pay you. Come on, hey.
-Let me go.
-She's my daughter too.
-Let go of me.
Okay, fine.
But you can't keep her from me.
Fine. We don't even need your money.
Here, just take your check back.
-Oh. You bitch!
-[Ben] Hey!
It was an accident.
Get the fuck out of here
or I'm gonna call the police.
We were having an argument.
I'm really sorry.
-Get the fuck out!
-Beth, I'm sorry.
Fuck!
[tires screech]
Are you okay?
Here.
Has he ever...
-before?
-He always had a bit of a temper.
Why didn't you tell me?
Why don't I know these things?
How can I help you
when I don't know these things?
Maybe I don't want your help.
Everything is not always
on your shoulders.
I know.
Where's Birdy?
Um...
Reading in her room.
Where's Stacy?
She's at her sister's.
I take it the appointment did not go well.
I'm so sorry, Benners.
I don't know
if I can put her through this again.
You should burn that.
You can't will a baby into the world.
You guys will either get pregnant
or you won't.
And it'll be okay either way.
Mm-hm.
[sighs]
You'll get another job.
-You'll find something.
-I know that.
It just kind of makes me feel...
extra bad. It's like...
not only am I not
where I wanna be in my life, but...
it's kind of all my fault
for not figuring it out.
It's not your fault.
Do you remember that Irish poem
that Mom used to have
on the fridge on a magnet
about, like, the road rising to meet you
or whatever?
I've been thinking lately that...
I don't think I have ever
had that feeling.
Not even like a little bit.
So... I don't know. [sniffles]
Maybe, like, for some people,
the road just, like, doesn't rise
to meet you, or whatever.
That's really dark.
Mm. This is starting to sting.
What an asshole.
Hey, look.
We match.
♪ Yes sir, that's my baby ♪
♪ No, sir, I don't mean maybe ♪
♪ Yes sir, that's my baby now ♪
♪ Yes, ma'am, we've decided ♪
♪ No ma'am, we won't hide it ♪
♪ Yes, ma'am, you're invited now ♪
♪ By the way, by the way ♪
♪ When we reach the preacher ♪
♪ I'll say, yes sir, that's my baby ♪
♪ No, sir, I don't mean maybe ♪
♪ Yes sir, that's my baby now ♪
It's so unfair you got
all Mom and Dad's records.
-[scoffs] You wouldn't want them.
-Not true.
[scoffs] Please.
Dance with me.
Okay.
Okay, so don't be mad, but I saw
your Billie Holiday manuscript.
What were you doing on my computer?
I only read the first chapter,
but it's so good.
It's so good.
It's so much better
than Orcs in The Ice.
-"Oracle in The Ice."
-Whatever. It's ridic.
Why don't you publish the Billie one?
'Cause no one wants another biography
of her by some white guy.
And they're gonna pay me a shit ton
to write three more Oracle books.
-Oh, three?
-Mm-hm.
Christ.
Oh, fuck that.
They want three more of those,
they can publish your Billie one.
It's about timing and branding,
and you wouldn't understand.
Have you seen your Facebook fan page?
You have like a million likes.
Like, real likes, not, like, Chinese bots.
-Mm.
-That's serious leverage.
[cell phone ringing]
[Ben] Are you serious?
Hey, Joshua. Yeah, it's Ben.
No, you cannot talk to my sister
'cause you're a fucking criminal.
And if you try to contact us again,
I'm calling the police.
I need some water.
Thank for the money for my car
and for Birdy's tuition.
I'm gonna pay you back.
Don't worry about it.
Do you know I have this notebook
where I write down
everything that I owe you?
You don't owe me anything.
[car approaching]
[engine stops]
[door opens]
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I tried to scuttle off
to my sister's like...
-some cowardly little crab.
-Well, I'm sorry if I...
put too much pressure on you.
I just want everyone to be happy.
So if you don't want a baby,
we don't have to have a baby.
Your-- Your breath reeks of red wine.
Oh...
-Sorry.
-It's just really pungent. But...
honey, I want a baby.
-Really?
-Yes. That hasn't changed.
I just don't want a pregnancy.
But that doesn't mean
I don't wanna be a mother.
Maybe we look at surrogacy...
or even adoption.
I don't know.
For once in my life, I don't...
I don't have any immediate plans
for my future
and it feels really fucking great.
[Stacy] Mm. Mm...
You really need to brush your teeth.
-Okay.
-Okay.
"'Archers at the ready.' The Green Lord
stood at the base of the sunlit tor
surveying the tauran bivouac above the--"
What's a tauran?
I think it's like a goat-man?
I don't know.
-"Above, the wyverns circled--"
-What's a wyvern?
Mommy, how come we don't live in a house?
-What do you mean?
-Jessie said her mom said we're poor.
-What?
-And we don't live in a house.
Well, Jessie's mom's a bitch.
Don't ever say that word.
And we're in a house now.
Uncle Ben's house.
Gremlin, you know
I will always take care of you.
I'm sad you missed my ballet recital.
-Happy birthday, Birdy.
-Happy birthday, Birdy.
-Happy birthday, Birdy!
-Happy birthday, Birdy!
-[Beth] You wanna blow it out?
-[Stacy] Blow them out, make a wish.
-Oh! That was so good.
-That was excellent.
Happy birthday.
I'll see you guys there.
[gentle music playing]
[woman] Beth Anderson?
So you haven't done retail before?
No, but I think I'd be a great fit.
AA in business admin, cool.
But, like, with your work experience,
you seem kind of overqualified.
That's nice of you to say, but...
I'm actually looking to make
a big shift in my career,
and I love people. Interacting with them,
talking to them, selling them...
things.
I'm just not sure where we'd put you.
I could def see myself doing home goods.
-Accessories, women's clothing.
-I don't know.
Makeup. I would be great at makeup.
Do you know anything about makeup?
Actually, I have a black eye right now.
-What?
-Yeah. You can't tell because
I have concealer, and the foundation,
and then eyelid primer.
The concealer, it's actually green tinted,
so it helps cancel out the purple.
Oh... That's awesome.
Do you mind if I ask?
How'd you get a black eye?
I have a really shitty ex.
Girl, say no more.
[cell phone ringing]
-Hello?
-[woman] Hey, is this Beth?
-This is she.
-What's up? It's Dakota.
-From the mall.
-Oh, yeah, yeah.
So we're gonna offer sales associate.
It's full-time with benefits, pretty lit.
-Oh, wow, okay.
-I mean, I know it's a pay cut,
-but we do offer commission.
-No, that's sounds awesome.
I accept, absolutely.
Look, I know this might
be a little forward,
but is there any way I could get
an advance on my first paycheck?
I totes get it, holidays coming up,
but unfortunately, until you fill out
all the payroll, blah, blah,
we can't issue you a check.
Oh, sure. And...
And how long until I could
get my first paycheck?
Like, we're still stocking,
but if you wanna come in on Monday
and help with that, your first check
would come two weeks after this Friday.
Two weeks.
Okay. Thanks.
Um... I'm really excited.
Cool. I'll email some stuff
for you to fill out
-and then we'll see you Monday?
-Sure, I will see you then.
You're gonna kill it.
Hashtag "boss-ass bitches."
Thanks.
[pop music playing over speakers]
Hi. Your daughter's a natural.
She's never even skated before.
I guess she's just one of those
creepy kids who's good at everything.
-What's her name again?
-Birdy.
Birdy.
That's real pretty.
Never heard that before.
Her real name is Barbara.
It was my mom's.
Well, she's precious. You're lucky.
Thank you.
So I actually got a job
at the outlet mall.
-So we'll be by here more often.
-Congratulations.
-Thank you.
-I'll see you around then.
[sighs]
[Stacy chuckles]
Thank you for helping with all this.
My pleasure.
I haven't had a chance
to tell you how grateful I am.
I know you guys have been going
through a lot. How are you doing?
I'm okay.
We're still looking at options.
God. God bless him, but Ben,
he's already started a binder
on adoption procedures.
-Classic.
-Yeah.
Ben said you got a new place.
Yes, I'm getting the keys tomorrow.
Is this a real place or a fake place?
I need to ask you a favor.
And I really don't want to, but...
I need your help.
I...
I need-- I need a little time
to get a new place set up
and get our stuff out of storage, and...
And I wanna get it all set up
before Birdy moves in.
I don't want her seeing
an empty apartment.
And I'm not gonna ask Ben
for money anymore.
I'm not.
But could she stay with you guys just...
a little while longer?
Yeah, she can stay with us
for as long as you need her to.
And you can too.
No, I um...
I need to get a new place
and get the furniture,
and set up the utilities, all that.
-How long will you need?
-Two weeks.
Three weeks.
Maybe four.
Max.
[scoffs]
You know, when I first met you,
I didn't like you.
I thought you were a drain on Ben,
and I thought you never understood
or even appreciated
everything he gave up to raise you.
And I resented you for...
how you took Birdy for granted. I did.
And even though we weren't
always, or indeed, ever,
on the same page...
I'm your family too.
I know we shouldn't...
have secrets between family, but...
But I can also respect that sometimes,
there has to be.
So we can keep a few from Ben,
but between you and I...
let's not have any more bullshit.
[sniffles] No more bullshit.
[Stacy] You're doing it. Look at you go.
I am going to be so late.
Ben, did you see my keys?
Oh, my goodness.
French roast.
-Bless you.
-Is Beth up yet?
Oh, I think she's moving into her place.
Oh, well, does she need help
getting her stuff out of storage?
I'll drop Birdy off at school.
You have a good day.
[doorbell rings]
[voicemail beeps]
[Ben] Hey, Sam, I read over the contract
and I'm just not comfortable signing it.
I want you to send my Billie book to the
printers, and I want it in stores ASAP.
And if you can't do that, then I'm gonna
have to find another publisher
for the rest of the Oracle series.
So let's talk.
Beth?
-Oh, hey.
-Oh, my goodness.
I was worried about you.
You fell off the planet.
Yeah, I was, like,
going through a bunch of stuff,
and sorry I just, like,
stopped returning all of your calls.
-Wait, do you work here?
-Yeah, I'm a sales associate.
Mm-hm. Oh.
-Hey.
-[Marcus] Hey, bae.
-Ready for lunch?
-Yes.
Mwah.
-This is my boyfriend, Marcus.
-What's up?
But how are you? Are you still doing,
like, your MLM aromatherapy thing?
Oh, you know what? We're gonna be late.
We should go. It was great seeing you.
Have a great day.
[upbeat guitar picking playing]
[upbeat music continues]
-Here you go. Thank you.
-Thank you.
Um, I really like the book, but, like,
I was just wondering,
like, if there were more dragons in it.
You didn't have to buy a copy, you know.
I have plenty at home.
I wanna support you.
-What if she hates our new place?
-She won't hate it.
-I tried to cute it up.
-It looks great.
She's been with you guys for weeks.
[sighs] I'm like some weird
visiting auntie.
What if she says,
"I wanna go back to Ben's?"
She probably thinks Stacy's her mommy now.
Well, we have been trying
very hard to brainwash her.
[sighs]
[Ben] What's wrong?
I'm nervous.
Why am I nervous to take her home?
She's my child.
Go on.
-Do you think that she's ashamed of me?
-No.
I think she loves you.
[poignant music playing]
["Old Old Fashioned" playing]
♪ I'll turn off the TV ♪
♪ It's killing us we never speak ♪
♪ There's a radio in the corner ♪
♪ It's dying to make us see ♪
♪ So give me soft, soft static ♪
♪ With a human voice underneath ♪
♪ And we can both get old fashioned ♪
♪ Put the brakes on these
Fast, fast wheels ♪
♪ Oh, let's get old fashioned ♪
♪ Back to how things used to be ♪
♪ If I get old, old fashioned ♪
♪ Would you get old
Old fashioned with me? ♪
♪ Put the wall clock in the top drawer ♪
♪ Turn off the lights so we can see ♪
♪ We will waltz across the carpet ♪
♪ One, two, three, two, two, three ♪
♪ So give me the soft, soft static ♪
♪ Of the open fire
And the shuffle of our feet ♪
♪ We can both get old fashioned ♪
♪ Do it like they did in '43 ♪
♪ Oh, let's get old fashioned ♪
♪ Back to how things used to be ♪
♪ If I get old, old fashioned ♪
♪ Would you get old
Old fashioned with me? ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh! ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh! ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh! ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh! ♪
♪ So give me soft, soft static ♪
♪ We won't need no electricity ♪
♪ If we both get old fashioned ♪
♪ We won't have to rely on our memories ♪
♪ Oh, let's get old fashioned ♪
♪ Back to how things used to be ♪
♪ If I get old, old fashioned ♪
♪ Would you get old
Old fashioned with me? ♪
♪ Oh, let's get old fashioned ♪
♪ Back to how things used to be ♪
♪ If I get old, old fashioned ♪
♪ Would you get old
Old fashioned with me? ♪