Surviving Family (2012) - full transcript

When Terry Malone shows up unannounced on her father's doorstep - with her fiancé and a plan to get married in 5 days - she learns that she's not the only one with secrets.

(solemn music)

Lucia: Make a wish Terry.

Terry: Give me a minute.

I’m picking the best one.

Lucia: Okay.

(solemn music)

(laughing)

(clapping)

Lucia: Yay!

You three are just perfect.

Hank: What did you wish for?

Jean: Hey! No! If you

tell it won’t come true.

Hank: Can we go to

the fireworks later?

Lucia: I don’t know honey, maybe.

We’ll see. Maybe later.

Jerry: The cake is beautiful.

You’re beautiful. Thank you.

Lucia: No it’s not.

See, it’s crooked.

It’s crooked.

Jean: I thought you

said you were going to

make a red, white and blue cake

for the Fourth of July.

Jerry: Jean.

Lucia: Honey, I can make

another one, really.

Really, I don’t mind.

I can make another one.

Jerry: No, this is perfect.

The cake is perfect.

Terry, you want to cut the cake?

Terry: Yeah. Where’s the knife?

Lucia: It’s in the kitchen.

Could you get it for me

honey? Please.

Terry: It’s my birthday.

Jerry: Terry.

Terry: Tell Jean to do it.

No.

Lucia: Nevermind.

I’ll get it myself.

(solemn music)

Jerry: What’s it 15 feet?

Jean: It’s good.

It’s good.

Jerry: Let him taste it.

He took it. Now

let him taste it.

Bottoms up. Come on.

(laughing)

Take it easy.

Hank: What’s taking her so long?

Jerry: I don’t know buddy.

Terry: I’ll go see.

Jean: There you go.

Jerry: Shh.

(screaming)

(solemn music)

(solemn music)

(sigh)

(dropping suitcases)

Alex: Cool.

Terry: It’s clean.

That’s good.

Do we have time for

me to take a nap?

Alex: You didn’t sleep

well last night?

Terry: Not really.

Alex: Yeah.

Mm.

Terry: Mm.

(gasp)

Alex: Is your nightmare back?

Terry: Yeah.

(sigh)

Maybe we should just

see them tomorrow.

Alex: Why?

Terry: It’s too late for

Friday night dinner.

Alex: I mean, we’re here now.

Terry: Okay.

Alex: There you go.

There you go.

And the house.

Cute.

(laughing)

Terry: Yeah.

Hello?

Anybody home?

Alex: Your family

doesn’t barbecue on the

Fourth of July?

Terry: No.

Alex: I am sorry. I forgot.

Terry: It’s all right.

I guess he went out.

Oh, my sister must

be here I guess.

That’s not Jean.

Alex: What do you mean?

Terry: Shit, we’re being robbed.

Alex: That’s not funny.

Give me your phone.

Terry: There’s no

time for phone calls.

Alex: I’ll call the cops.

Terry: No that will

take too long.

I’ll handle it.

Alex: You going to

butter her to death?

Terry: She’s looking

for the good stuff.

Alex: What good stuff?

Terry: The silver.

Drop it!

(screams)

(thud)

Helen: Terry?

You look just like your pictures.

Terry: How do you know that?

Alex: Hi, I’m Alex.

Nice to meet you.

I’m so sorry about the mess.

Helen: I’m Helen.

It is so great to meet you.

Jean: Terry.

What are you doing here?

Terry: That’s a hell

of a welcome home

from my only sister.

Jean: When did you get here?

Why didn’t you tell

me you were coming?

And who’s this?

Terry: This is my fiance Alex.

Who’s she?

Helen: I should clean this up.

Could we get some of that pasta?

It’s been a long trip.

Jean: That’s so wonderful.

Why didn’t you tell me?

Where did you guys meet?

Helen: And when are

you getting married?

Congratulations.

That’s so great.

Terry: Food first. Please.

Jean: Where are you

sleeping? Do you want

to stay with us?

Terry: We’re staying

at my apartment.

The woman who was

subletting left,

and the lease was up

so that’s why I had

to come back.

Jean: So you didn’t

come back because you

missed us?

Terry: Well, no. Yes.

Sorry.

Jean: I have no illusions Ter.

Terry: I wanted to surprise you.

I thought we’d get here

in time for dinner.

Jean: Sorry I wasn’t here.

I took Lily to her friend’s

house for a sleepover.

Alex: No. Our flight

was late, and we had

the wrong company

with the car rental.

Terry: Then I couldn’t

find my driver’s license.

By the time we got

back to my place I just

needed a nap.

Jean: I can’t believe

you’re actually here.

(solemn music)

And Happy Birthday.

Terry: So, Helen are you

the new housekeeper?

Dad mentioned he

might hire someone.

What’s wrong?

Did something happen to dad?

Jean: No. He’s fine.

He’s at his poker game.

I can call -

Terry: No, no it’s fine.

I’ll see him tomorrow.

Helen: I should go.

Jean: No. Stay.

Terry: Okay.

What’s going on?

Jean: Helen is your, our sister.

Half sister actually.

Terry: What the hell

are you talking about?

Jean: Years ago -

Helen: Your father had an

affair with my mother.

A long time ago,

of course, but -

Alex: This was delicious.

Thank you so much.

Jean: I’m glad you

liked it, but if you’re

trying to change the

subject I don’t think

it’s going to work.

Terry: I think we should go.

Alex: I’m sorry.

Thank you so much, though.

Nice meeting you.

Nice meeting you.

Helen: You too.

(solemn music)

Terry: How dare he.

That son of a bitch.

Alex: How dare he what?

Terry: How dare he bring

that girl into our home.

Alex: It really wasn’t

her fault at all.

Terry: Okay, maybe

not, but it was his.

I knew it the whole time.

Alex: How?

Terry: I did the laundry

when I was a kid.

Alex: That -

It could have been

your mother’s lipstick.

Terry: My mother

never wore lipstick.

Alex: I am on your side Terry.

You know that.

I know it was difficult

meeting Helen today.

But I really don’t

think this is her fault.

I mean isn’t it nice to find

out that you had family?

I only have Melanie.

I would love to find a

half brother or sister.

Terry: And that’s another thing.

It would be nice if you’d

introduce me to Melanie.

Are you hiding me?

Alex: No.

Terry: Do I embarrass you?

Alex: No.

Terry: Am I fat?

Alex: No.

Terry: Then what?

Alex: What we have is good.

It feels right.

My family never felt like this.

We have the rest of

our lives to let people

screw us up.

Terry: We should

have gotten married

in Los Angeles.

That’s my home now.

Where are you going?

Alex: I was going to

give this to your father

to have with dinner.

Terry: You want to open it now?

Alex: Mm-hmm. I think

it will help us sleep.

Terry: Do you need a corkscrew?

Alex: Nope. I’m a fan

of the twist off.

(sigh)

Lovely.

Terry: I love you so much.

Do you know that?

Alex: I do.

And I love you too.

A toast, to meeting your family.

Terry: How about a

toast to us instead?

Alex: Okay.

(clink)

Terry: Nice.

Yeah you’re pretty smart.

Alex: Yeah? Really?

Terry: Yeah.

Alex: Yeah?

Terry: Yeah. You’re cute.

(laughing)

Alex: That’s good.

Terry: You’re funny.

Alex: Well, since you’re

going to marry me.

Yeah.

Terry: Yeah.

Mm, mm, mm.

(thud)

What time is it?

Terry: Almost 4:30.

Jean called while you

were in the shower.

She asked if we could be

there by 5:30 for dinner.

Alex: Okay.

Terry: Dad will be

there supposedly.

Alex: Okay.

Terry: You want to help me pack?

Alex: Yeah. Yeah.

Terry: Okay.

Can you put those

books in that box?

Alex: Yeah.

Terry.

Terry: Yeah?

Alex: Is that Hank?

Terry: Fuck.

I wondered where he’d

been stashing them.

Alex: How long was he here?

Terry: The longest ten days.

What are you doing here?

Hank: That’s not a very

nice way of welcoming

your only brother.

Terry: When did you get out?

Hank: This morning.

Ten days early

for good behavior.

(sigh)

I thought maybe I could

stay with you, just until

I get back on my feet.

Terry: Why don’t

you stay with dad?

Hank: I’m supposed to

stay away from alcohol.

Terry: He’d quit for you.

He’d do anything for you.

Hank: No.

Not that.

Unless you ask him.

Terry: Why me?

Hank: You’ve always

been his favorite.

Terry: You’re shitting me.

Hank: If I had a nickel

for every time I heard,

"Why can’t you be

more like Terry?"

"Why can’t you get good

grades like Terry?"

I’m clean Ter.

I’ve been going to meetings

for the past six months.

Terry: Did you have a choice?

Hank: I’m going to

keep going this time.

I just need a job

and a place to stay.

Please?

I made coffee.

Terry: Thanks.

Don’t smoke in here.

Hank: You smoke.

Terry: I’m trying to quit. Again.

Here’s my spare key.

Just for a few days

until you get settled

and this is a friend

of mine who owns a

restaurant downtown.

I called him and

they need a busboy.

Hank: Busboy?

Shit Terry.

Terry: Fine. Find

something yourself.

Hank: No, it’s fine.

My parole officer

is downtown anyway.

Terry: Take the number three bus.

It’s right at the

end of the block.

Hank: Hey Terry. Can

I borrow some money?

Just until I’m -

Terry: No drinking. No drugs.

Smoke outside.

Hank: Absolutely.

No problem.

Terry: It was great

for about a week.

I thought he’d really changed.

Alex: But he -

Terry: He started staying

out later and later.

He said he was going

to AA meetings.

Then he’d watch movies

until 3:00 or 4:00

in the morning.

Alex:(laughs) Shit.

Terry: One morning I got

a call as I was getting

ready for work.

It was Jim O’Donnell, my

friend who’d hired Hank.

Jim: I didn’t want to

call the cops but I’ve

got to get him out of here.

Terry: I thought

he was doing okay.

Jim: He was doing great.

So great I advanced him

$500 so he could buy a car

and come in so he

could close up for me.

Hank: Heya Ter.

What you doing?

Jim: Should I call your dad?

Terry: No.

I’m calling the cops.

I stayed until the cops

came and took him away.

Then I went to work and quit.

The next day I

gave Jim the $500,

changed my locks and left.

I needed a fresh start

away from my family.

I didn’t care where I

was going as long as

it was someplace else.

Alex: Well, I’m happy

you ended up in LA.

Terry: Despite all this?

Alex: Hey, even more.

(sigh)

They have gnomes too?

Terry: Yes.

Alex: Wow.

(crickets)

Alex: This is nice.

Jean: Lily, Aunt Terry’s here.

Are you two really

getting married?

Alex: Yeah.

(laughing)

Terry: Oh my God.

How much did you grow?

Lily: An inch and a

half. I’m almost 5’4.

Terry: Do I get a hug

from my favorite niece?

Lily: I’m your only niece.

Terry: Details.

Alex: Hi Lily, Alex. I

heard so much about you.

Lily: He’s cute.

(laughing)

Alex: Well thank you.

Jerry: Woops.

Terry: Hi dad.

Jean: Hi dad.

Terry: Did you stop

at the bar first?

Jean: Terry.

Terry: What?

Terry: I thought you’d said

he’d stopped drinking.

Terry: Dad -

Alex: Mr. Malone

I’m Alex D’Amico.

Pleasure to meet you.

Jerry: You Italian?

Alex: Yes, sir. Is

that a problem?

Jerry: On my mother’s

side, my grandmother

was Venetian I think.

Come here.

Alex: Actually, my father’s

family is from Naples.

My mother’s is from

Milanese (stumbling

over the word).

Terry: From Milan.

Alex: Milan.

Terry: Yeah.

Lily: Are you really

moving to California

Aunt Terry?

And getting married?

Terry: Yes and yes.

Alex: I know it’s a bit

of a rush but we were

hoping for your blessing.

Jerry: Oh.

Jean: No engagement ring?

Terry: With a three week

engagement I figured

we could go right

to the wedding ring.

(laughing)

Jean: Three weeks?

When exactly are you

planning to get married?

Alex & Terry:(together)

Saturday.

Jean: Next Saturday? A

week from today Saturday?

That’s so fast.

Terry: Well, we have

to be back in LA

for Alex’s exhibit on the 23rd.

Alex: Yeah, but I thought

it was important that

we have the wedding here

because of the family.

Jerry: Now, Terry never

asked my permission

for anything before.

So I’m not sure why

she would start now.

Alex: Not your permission,

sir, just your blessing.

Jerry: Oh. Well done.

Got that.

(solemn music)

Jean: How about your

family? Can they come?

I know last minute

tickets are expensive.

Alex: Oh, my sister

Melanie is my only family

and she’s been studying

in London for a year.

Terry: I haven’t

even met her yet.

Alex: But when she gets

back to the states we’ll

have a separate

celebration with her.

Jerry: So, how long you

two known each other?

Alex & Terry:(together)

Six months.

Terry: No, I’m not pregnant.

(laughing)

Not that I’d mind, but if

I’m going to make a home

with Alex 3000 miles away

I want to be married.

And I know marriages

end and even when they

don’t end -

Alex: Stop.

Terry:- they can be

miserable, but I want the

foundation.

Jerry: It’s all about

the foundation.

Jean: Where you planning

to have this shindig?

Terry: Here?

(Jerry laughing)

Jean: Here?

Terry: Is that okay with you?

Jean: How many people?

Terry:15 or 20.

Lily:(whispering) Yeah.

Jean: Okay.

Alex: Okay? Is that -

Jean: Okay, but just

to let you know we’re

renovating our bedroom.

Alex: Okay.

Jerry: Good times.

Lily: Can I be a bridesmaid?

Terry: You’re the

only bridesmaid.

Okay?

Jean: That’s fine with me.

Steve: Sorry I’m late.

Hey hon.

Lily: Hey.

Oh, I think California

agrees with Terry.

(laughing)

Terry: It’s all Alex.

Steve: Oh yeah? Well good work.

Alex: Thank you.

Steve: Nice to meet you.

Alex: You too.

Can I give you a hand?

Jean: You don’t need to.

Alex: Oh, I know.

Jean: You can slice these.

Alex: Okay.

Jean: Why do you want

to marry my sister?

And don’t tell me it’s

because you love her.

Alex: I was wondering

how long that was

going to take, and I

do love your sister.

Jean: I pretty much

raised Terry after

our mother died.

Alex: Oh yeah. I know.

When I met Terry she

had broken the heel

on her shoe, she

was soaking wet and

completely lost.

I took her inside to my studio.

I gave her a cup of tea,

gave her some sweats while

her clothes dried.

And when I came back she

was just standing there

in front of my desk

and she had organized

all my invoices by due

dates and she told me

I needed a business manager.

I hired her on the spot.

Jean: You wanted to rescue her.

Alex: No. No. No.

She saved my ass.

I mean I’m a good

photographer, but I don’t

knowt he difference

between a balance sheet

and a balance beam and

she sure as hell does.

I love Terry and we’re

more together than

the sum of our parts if

that makes any sense.

Jean: You do know

she doesn’t cook.

Alex: Yeah, but I do.

Terry, didn’t you want to

ask your dad something?

Terry: Dad, would

you give me away

at my wedding?

Jerry: Yeah. I’d like that.

Jean: Do you have

a wedding dress?

Terry: I have a gray pantsuit.

Jean: No.

Terry: But -

Jean: No way. My baby

sister’s not getting

married in a pantsuit.

Alex: Thank you,

yes. She’s right.

(laughing)

Terry: Fine, whatever,

but I don’t have a

wedding gown in my suitcase.

Jean: I’ll take you shopping.

Steve: Oh boy.

Terry: No veil. Okay? I

will not wear a veil.

And don’t you have to work?

Jean: I sell real

estate. Remember?

Or these days I don’t

sell real estate.

No one cares if I

take some time off.

And you don’t have to

wear a veil if you don’t

want to.

You’re really going

back to California

right away?

Terry: We have to.

One of the big art galleries

in LA is giving Alex

his first solo show.

Jerry: Nice.

Terry: And I’m his

business manager so I have

to be there too.

Jean: Huh. Sounds like you’ve

got it all figured out.

Good for you.

Do you live in a beautiful

ocean front mansion

that I can visit?

Alex: Actually no.

It’s a tiny little house.

It’s really cute though.

You guys are more than

welcome to visit any time.

(knocking)

Lily: I’ll get it.

Jean: That’s Helen.

I asked her to join us.

Terry: Shit. Jean.

Jean: Stop. I’m sick

to death of tiptoeing

around the things that

noone ever talks about

in this family.

No more secrets. I’m done.

Is everything okay?

Helen: I was just

asking Lily how her

appointment went yesterday.

Lily: And I was about to

tell her it went fine.

Terry: Appointment?

What kind of appointment?

Jean: Lily has had

some medical issues,

but she’s fine now.

Terry: I thought you

were done with secrets.

What do you call that?

Jean: Shit Terry you

walk in here after

two years without a word.

Terry: I sent postcards.

Jean: Three postcards

in two years.

That’s all.

Lily: I’m bipolar Aunt

Terry, but I’m doing

okay now.

I have medication and

I saw my therapist

yesterday.

That’s what Aunt Helen

was asking about.

Terry: Oh.

Thank you for telling me.

Jean: Have you heard from Hank?

Terry: It’s okay. He

knows the whole story.

Alex: Yeah. I don’t really.

Terry: I haven’t heard

from him since dad

threw him out of the house.

Jean: Huh.

Alex: Yep.

Jean: Sometimes I wonder -

Terry: If that was the

right thing to do?

Jean: Yeah.

Or if he couldn’t have

done it five years earlier.

(sigh)

Alex: I think he’s kind of cute.

Terry: When I was little

I thought their eyes

were watching me.

(laughing)

Alex: Why’d you lie?

Terry: About Hank?

Alex: Yeah.

Terry: I don’t know

maybe because I felt

guilty about doing

something behind dad’s back.

Alex: Well you’ve been

living behind his back

for two years now.

Terry: Embarrassment?

Because Hank used me too.

Because I’ve resented

him my whole life

for being dad’s favorite

and now I don’t know if

he’s alive.

I don’t know. Okay?

I don’t know.

Alex: Okay.

Okay.

(groan)

Terry: Mm.

Sorry, I have morning breath.

Alex: I know.

(laugh)

Alex: We get our

driver’s license today.

Terry: No marriage license.

Alex: I know. I’m just kidding.

Are you going to love

me when I’m old and fat?

Terry: Even more.

Alex: Good.

Terry: She calls her Aunt Helen.

Alex: Why wouldn’t she?

Terry: I don’t know. It

just doesn’t feel right.

Alex: Look, I love

you so much. I do.

I know everything’s

been really crazy with

your family lately, but

you can’t just disappear

and come back and

expect everything to be

the same.

Terry: Why not?

I’m the same.

(laughing)

Alex: No you’re not.

Not at all.

(kissing)

(peaceful music)

(shouting)

Clerk one: Terry Malone!

Oh I haven’t seen you -

Clerk two: Since you

and my Julie graduated

from high school together.

Clerk one: I still

remember when your poor

dear mother died.

God rest her soul.

Clerk two: Such a shock.

Terry: I know, yeah. Thanks.

It’s been a while.

I’ve been away.

This is my fiance Alex.

We’re getting married.

Alex: On Saturday.

Clerk one: Well

isn’t that lovely?

Alex: Thank you. Yeah.

Clerk two: You’re not

from around here are you?

Alex: Nope.

Terry: Do you have a

problem with that?

Not everyone is from -

Alex: No but I do,

I do have my birth

certificate.

Clerk one: Thank you.

Terry: Here’s mine.

Clerk one: Oh, it’s

not notarized.

Alex: What?

Clerk two: Ooh. It’s a

photocopy, not an official

copy.

Terry: But -

Clerk one: Rules are rules dear.

Clerk two: Take this,

read this and when you

have everything

together come on back.

Terry: But -

Alex: No that’s fine.

You don’t argue

with bureaucrats.

Terry: But -

Alex: No, I’ll call

Los Angeles and I’ll

get this figured out.

Come on.

(sigh)

Jean: Hey. Sorry I’m late.

Lily’s having one of her

bad days, and I didn’t

want to leave her at

home and she didnt want

to come so I had

to figure it out.

Terry: It’s okay.

Alex: Don’t worry.

Terry: We’ve got bigger problems.

Jean: I have an idea.

Terry: What?

Jean: Just come with me.

Come on!

(running footsteps)

Terry: Okay.

Alex: Okay.

(loud footsteps)

Dom: So, why can’t

we see the plans?

Petey: Well we can,

but they’re in the

office manager’s -

(knocking)

Dom: Jeannie!

Sweetheart.

How are you?

Jean: I’m good Dom.

How does Belinda

like the new house?

Dom: Oh, she loves it.

We can’t thank you enough.

Jean: Good.

Petey, when are you

going to get married

so I can find a

nice house for you?

(clearing throat)

Petey: Uh, Mr. Mayor

make sure you sign these

papers before your

meeting with -

Dom: Yeah, later Pete.

I got a lovely lady

here in my office.

In fact, I have two

lovely ladies and that’s a

special occasion.

Jean: Mr. Mayor this is

my sister Terry and her

fiance Alex D’Amico.

Dom: Nice to meet you.

Terry: Nice to meet you.

Alex: Pleasure.

Dom: Okay.

Jean: They’re having a

bit of trouble getting

their marriage license.

Dom: Hm, I’ll take care of it.

Petey: Mr. Mayor don’t for get.

Dom: I won’t forget.

Thank you guys. Thanks.

Petey: Mr. Mayor.

Dom: Tell them I’ll be

there in five minutes.

Petey: Okay.

Jean, tell that husband

of yours I’ll see him

at the next planning

board meeting.

Dom: So they’re waiting

for you downstairs

and you won’t have

any more problems.

Terry: Thank you so much.

Alex: Thank you so much.

Dom: Okay.

Always a pleasure.

Jean: Thank you.

Dom: Good luck.

Terry: All right,

how’d you do that?

Jean: I got him a great,

and I do mean great

rate on his mortgage plus

they need Steve’s vote

on the planning board.

Terry: So you’re a

wheeler dealer now?

Jean: Mm-hmm.

Terry: Ah.

Jean: I’ll wait

for you guys here.

Alex: Okay.

(sigh)

Clerk one: Congratulations.

Alex: Thank you.

Terry: Thank you.

(giggling)

Alex: Thank you so much.

Terry: You guys want any gum?

Jean: No.

Alex: No, thank you.

Terry: No?

Jean: Do you ever stop

chewing that stuff?

Terry: Well, Alex helped

me quit smoking so

now I’m addicted to gum.

Would you rather I go

back to cigarettes?

Alex: I think I’m

going to go take some

photographs.

I don’t need to go

dress shopping with you

guys do I really?

Terry: No.

Alex: No.

Jean: Besides it’s bad luck.

Alex: Good, good, good.

Jean: Won’t you get lost?

Alex: Sure.

But that’s half the fun.

See you later?

Terry: Yeah.

Alex: Bye.

Bye.

Terry: Bye.

Jean: Okay, we have

to meet Lily at

La Belle Boutique, but

I think we’ve got time

to go to the post office,

oh and the dry cleaners.

Terry: Oh. Good.

(street sounds)

(peaceful cello music)

Sales clerk: You don’t

like any of these?

Terry: No. They’re not -

They’re too -

Jean: Thanks, they’re just

not what she’s looking for.

Sales clerk: Let me

see if I might be able

to find some more dresses

that you might like.

Lily: Do you like this

dress, Aunt Terry?

Terry: You look beautiful Lily.

Lily: Thanks.

I feel beautiful in it.

Terry: Can you find

something for me?

This is starting

to feel hopeless.

Lily: Yeah.

(laughing)

(sigh)

Terry: It’s awful.

I actually look

like a snowflake.

Jean: It’s not that bad.

(laughing)

Terry: Yeah, it is.

(laughing)

Jean: Do it again.

(laughing)

(sigh)

Terry: Lily you’re a genius.

Lily: Glad you like it.

(peaceful cello music)

Terry: Let’s get the

hell out of here.

(laughing)

Jean: I don’t suppose you

and Alex have considered

living in New Jersey?

It would be so nice

to have you back here.

Terry: LA is our home Jean.

Jean: Wishful thinking I guess.

Terry: Small town

life is not for me.

Everybody knows too much.

"Oh, there goes Terry

Malone. Poor girl.

Did you know her crazy

mother killed herself?"

Jean: People here care

about each other.

Terry: Bullshit. They

just don’t have anything

else in their life

to talk about.

And the gnomes.

These goddamn garden

gnomes are everywhere,

and I hate them.

Jean: The gnomes?

You hate the gnomes?

Terry: Yeah. It’s like

some bizarre secret

society.

All the women get

married, buy a house and

get a gnome or four.

Their eyes follow me.

Jean: Is that why you

left? (Whispering)

(bird)

I’ve never understood.

Terry: I was tired of

working so hard at being a

good girl that I had no

idea of what I actually

wanted.

Jean: What did your

therapist say?

Terry: She said you

can’t run away from your

problems, but if you

really hate it here leave.

Terry: Once I left here

the nightmares stopped.

(sigh)

(bird)

Jean: You had a good

job at the high school.

I was talking to Principal

Meyers at the last

PTA meeting and he said -

Terry: Okay. This is exactly

what I’m talking about.

I hate having people

know my business.

Besides I hated teaching.

Jean: You never told me.

Terry: Yes I did. You

just didn’t listen.

(sigh)

Jean: I’m sorry.

(bird)

I never meant for

you to be unhappy.

Terry: I know.

Are you okay?

(laughing)

(sigh)

Is Lily okay?

Jean:(sigh) Lily’s okay.

She has a good therapist,

and the medication

today is so much better

than the crap they

gave Mom.

I just don’t want her

to have to go through

anything like what Mom did.

Terry: Mom killed herself

because Dad was drunk

and screwed anything in

town who would have him.

Jean: Bullshit.

Okay, you’re just mad,

but that’s not why -

Terry: Damn right I’m mad.

I am mad that he’s a

drunken SOB who ruins

everything he touches.

Like that goddamn

franchise of his.

Years to open it and months

for it to go bankrupt.

Hank, with the drinking.

He is the reason Mom

killed herself, okay?

He may as well

have hung the rope.

Jean: Come on!

Terry: What?

Jean:(sigh) We’ve got

to go see Aunt Mary.

Terry: Why do we need

to go see Aunt Mary?

Jean: You have to stop

acting like Mom was

a saint and Dad is the devil.

You’re going to learn it’s

never black and white.

And on that subject

even though I know it’s

none of my business -

Terry: What?

Jean: Are you sure

you know what you’re

doing?

I mean Alex seems like

a nice guy, but how much

do you really know about him?

Terry: And you’d hate to

see me make a mistake.

Right?

Jean: Right. You’re kind

of rushing into this.

Terry: And you’re the

expert on that. Right?

How long did your

first marriage last?

Six weeks?

Jean: Wow.

Fuck you.

Terry: Fuck you too.

Jean: You know Joey

might have been

an asshole -

Terry: Joey was an asshole,

no maybe about it.

Jean: Okay, fine. He

was an asshole but he’s

the reason I have Lily,

and she’s the best thing

that’s ever happened to me.

Terry: I know. I love Lily too.

Jean: And Steve is the

second best thing.

He’s always treated her

like his own daughter.

Terry: Okay. Okay I’m sorry.

(sigh)

Hon, I haven’t seen Aunt

Mary in a long time.

I’m sorry.

(solemn music)

Tommy: Oh, you’re

not the pizza guy.

Terry: No. I don’t think so.

We’re, uh, here to

see our Aunt Mary.

Tommy: Sure, come on in.

Terry: Okay.

Tommy: Mary, you have visitors.

Mary: Oh girls!

I wasn’t expecting you.

Tommy honey can we

finish this up tomorrow?

Tommy: Sure. Call me.

Jean: Sorry. I should

have called first.

We can come back another time.

Mary: Oh, absolutely not.

I can finish drawing

him tomorrow.

Isn’t he beautiful?

Jean: You’re incorrigible.

(whispering)

Mary: I know.

(laughing)

Congratulations on

your engagement.

I can’t wait to

meet your fiance.

Terry: How did you know?

Mary: My friend Julie

issued the marriage license

yesterday.

Terry: The wedding is

Saturday at Jean’s.

Mary: Yeah, Julie told me.

Terry: Can you come?

It’s only going to

be immediate family.

Mary: Oh, I wish I

could, but I’m the

entertainment chairwoman

at the senior center,

and I planned our

trip to Atlantic City

on Saturday.

I really do need to be there.

Terry: Well I’m sorry

you’ll miss it.

Mary: Me too.

(doorbell)

Now that’s the pizza guy!

How’s Lily?

Jean: Pretty good. Thanks.

That’s sort of why we’re here.

Mary: Please. Help yourself.

Jean: No, thanks.

Terry: We had lunch earlier.

Jean: I think Terry

needs to understand.

Mary: About your mother?

Jean: Yeah.

She still blames

Dad for Mom’s death.

Terry: Her suicide, Jean.

Okay, don’t sugar coat it.

Mom didn’t just die.

She killed herself.

On my birthday.

That’s what I blame him for.

Mary: Maybe I should have

talked to you before.

A long time ago.

It was hard for me too.

I always felt like I

should have been able

to save her.

It took me years of

therapy to realize you

can’t always save people.

Terry: You were in therapy?

Mary: Oh yes.

Your mother’s depression

started when she

was young.

We didn’t call it that though.

We called it Lucia’s moods.

Mary: Dinner’s ready

and Mom wants us to set

the table.

Lucia: Go away. I’m not hungry.

Mary: Did you talk to

Sister Mary Alice?

Lucia: Yeah.

Mary: And?

Lucia: And you’re

right. She’s nice,

but she can’t help me.

Kids tease me. They

all make fun of me.

Mary: Just ignore them.

Lucia: Yeah, I try but -

Tony: Lucia, go help your mother!

Mary: The more Lucia

withdrew the angrier

father got.

Sometimes she’d

disappear for hours.

One time she was

gone for two days.

Terry: Where did she go?

Mary: We never found out.

Father wasn’t evil.

He thought Lucia was just lazy.

I knew it was more than that.

After a while I

mostly ignored her.

Jean: No one ever took

children to psychiatrists

in those days.

Terry: Didn’t the

teachers do anything?

Mary: Well, some of

them tried, but Dad was

traditional.

Tony: Is Lucia in trouble?

Mrs. Giaccone: She’s

a good girl, sister.

Sister: Lucia isn’t in trouble.

I’m just a little concerned.

She seems depressed,

almost like she’s

not even here.

I’d like to refer

her for testing.

Tony: What’s the

matter? Is she sick?

Sister: Not physically.

Tony: Then what are

you going to test?

Sister: Lucia might

have some emotional

or psychological problems.

Tony: If she’s not

sick she’s lazy.

Come on let’s go.

Mrs. Giaccone: I’ll talk

with her, Sister. Thank you.

Mary: I thought it would

get better when she

started college.

She was always artistic,

and I figured she’d

meet more people like

her and be happy.

It was just more of the same.

She had no friends.

She’d disappear.

She missed more

and more classes,

and then she met your father.

He swept her off her feet.

It’s the only time I

ever saw her truly happy.

You knew she was pregnant

when they got married?

Terry: No. I guess I

should have done the math.

Maybe I sort of knew.

Mary: Well, they didn’t

marry because they had to.

They were so in love.

Terry: I’ve never seen

this picture before.

Jean: There was a copy of

it in the living room,

but Mom broke it

during one of her fits.

Dad carries the folded

up picture in his wallet.

Mary: Your mom had

postpartum depression

before anyone called it that.

(crying baby)

Mary: Lucia. Lucia are you there?

(crying baby)

Lucia!

That’s the first time

your mother was -

Jean: Institutionalized.

Terry: I knew she’d

been there but -

I didn’t know the first

time was before I was born.

Mary: Yes. I brought Jean here.

Your father was

working and he couldn’t

take care of her.

He agreed it was for the best.

Terry: How long was she there?

Jean: Three months?

Lucia: Where’s Jerry? I

wan’t to see my husband.

Get the hell away from

me. You tried to kill me,

all of you.

Nurse: Just calm down Lucia.

You’ll feel a pinch. That’s all.

Doctor: Is everything ready?

Nurse: Yes doctor.

(ominous music)

Mary: She seemed to

get better briefly,

but after that it

was a constant cycle.

She got worse after

you were born, Terry.

And after Hank she really

started to deteriorate.

Terry: So what are you saying?

Mary: Oh, honey you

have to understand

your mother’s chemistry

was just never right,

and pregnancy made it worse.

Jean: Around that time

was when she was actually

diagnosed as being bipolar.

That’s why I’ve been talking

to Aunt Mary so much.

I want to help Lily

in every way I can.

Mary: You remember the

fights your mom and dad

used to have?

Terry: A little bit.

Lucia: Leave me

alone. I want to be

by myself.

Jerry: I, um -

Lucia:(screaming) I

said leave me alone!

I want to be by myself!

I hate you! I hate

this fucking house!

Jerry: Lucia! Stop it!

Lucia: I hate this

house! I hate you!

(unintelligible screaming)

Shut up. Stop

talking. Shut up and

stop talking.

Jerry: I am.

Lucia: Shut up and stop talking!

You used to understand me.

You don’t understand me anymore.

Mary: I tried. Your father tried.

You kids spent a lot of

time with me you know?

Whenever your mother

was in the hospital.

I think that’s part of why

your father pampered Hank.

By the time he came along

your mother just didn’t

have much to give.

Terry: I’ve always

been jealous of Hank,

but I thought it was

because he was the only son.

Jean: That might be a

little right, but I think

Aunt Mary’s right.

Terry: I always

loved coming here.

Mary: I never was much of a cook.

(laughing)

But it never seemed

to bother you kids.

Jean: It was like going

on vacation for us.

Mary: Terry, you

have to understand

your mother stopped being

a wife to your father

long before she died.

I don’t mean just sexually

but as a companion,

someone he could

share his life with.

He never would have

left her, but there came

a time when he needed

to have someone else

in his life.

Jean: Mary, I’ve wanted

to ask you did you

know about Helen before I did?

Mary: Yes, I knew.

Your father wanted

someone to know in case

anything happened to him.

He sent checks, regularly

and he wanted to

make sure that they continued.

Terry: And the drinking?

When did that start?

Mary: I don’t know exactly.

He always drank more

than was good for him,

and the worse your mother

got the more he drank.

But this is what you

need to know, Terry.

Your father did not cause

your mother’s mental

illness or her death.

(solemn music)

Terry: Why did she do it?

Mary: I guess it

just got too hard,

and one day she

couldn’t do it anymore.

She loved y’all

very much though.

I do know that.

Terry: You don’t think

I’m like her, do you?

Because of the way I left.

Jean: No. I don’t.

Mary: Oh, I don’t. We’ve

all got problems honey,

but when things got

impossible here you went

somewhere else and

built a new life.

That is healthier than

anything your mother ever did.

And I say that with

all love for my sister.

Jean: Whew.

(laughing)

Terry: Thank you.

Mary: Congratulations

again on your wedding.

Sorry I’ll miss it.

Who’d you get to officiate?

Terry: Oh shit. I knew I

was forgetting something.

Jean: We’ll... figure it out.

(laughing)

Mary: Some role model you are.

(laughing)

Terry: Will Dad be

home at this hour?

Jean: Nope. I’d try Lucky

Seven or Donelly’s.

Those are his two

favorite bars these days.

Terry: I’m just glad

he’s working again.

Jean: I know.

(door creaking)

(people talking)

Terry: Hi Christy.

Christy: Terry Malone.

Damn, it’s good to see you.

I heard you were back.

Terry: How’s it going?

Christy: Pretty good.

Old man McGuire retired

to Florida last summer,

and I got the place

right after I became a

citizen.

It’s been quite a year.

Terry: Good for you.

Christy: We’re trying

to modernize, you know.

Expand a bit. We

serve lunch now.

Terry: You’re a wild woman.

(laughing)

Christy: Some of the

guys threaten to leave

and never come back.

That lasted about a week.

Terry: Was my dad one of them?

Christy: He was the ringleader.

Now he’s my best customer.

On me.

Terry: Thanks.

I needed this.

(laughing)

Has he been in today, my dad?

Christy: No, not today.

Try Donnely’s I know he

hangs out there a lot

when he’s not here.

Terry: Thanks. I will.

What about Hank?

Has he been in at all lately?

Christy: No. Haven’t seen

him in a couple of years.

Terry: Thanks for the beer.

Christy: Pleasure.

Bobby: Hey cutie.

Where you going?

Terry: Bobby?

I didn’t see you.

When did you get back?

Bobby: A few months ago.

Sit.

Terry: Sorry, I have to go.

Bobby: Come on, please.

Sit.

Terry: I’m sorry.

I didn’t mean to -

Bobby: It’s nothing. I

mean at least I made

it home right?

Terry: I heard you were in lraq.

Bobby: Yeah.

(sigh)

Anyway, um, how

long has it been?

Terry: Five years?

Six.

Bobby: Yeah, since the

night of the senior prom.

Terry: Yeah.

Bobby: When you dumped me.

Terry: Only because

Johnny told me you were

going to dump me.

I beat you to the punch.

Bobby: Yeah, yeah.

Terry: Christy, I’ll

have another beer and

give Bobby whatever

he’s drinking, on me.

Bobby: Wow.

(solemn music)

(crying)

Alex: That was the

first good sleep I’ve

had in days.

Of course now I probably

won’t sleep tonight.

Terry: Alex I’m sorry.

Alex: You’re a little late

but it’s no big deal.

Terry: I’m very late,

but that’s not it.

I can’t marry you.

Alex:(laughing) What? You

just suddenly remember

you had a husband?

Because I’ll wait for

you to divorce him.

Terry: No, I don’t

have a husband.

Alex: Do you not want

to move to California?

Because I thought

you liked it there.

I mean we can work

something out.

We can split our

time between the east

and west coast.

Terry: No, that’s not it.

It’s me. It’s my family.

Okay, we’re nothing

but trouble, all of us.

And I’ll ruin your life

the way my mother ruined

my father’s life.

And I love you and that’s

why I can’t marry you.

Alex: What happened?

Terry: What happened?

If you don’t -

Bobby: Uh, IED, improved

explosive device.

It went off

underneath our humvee.

I made it back.

Tim and Javier didn’t.

Terry: I’m sorry.

Bobby: Terry, I’m really

glad I ran into you

because I’ve been

wanting to tell you that

I understand now.

Terry: Understand what?

Bobby: Remember when

we were going out

in high school?

Terry: I remember.

Bobby: Yeah and you were

having those dreams?

I mean that nightmare.

Terry: I still get it

when I come back here.

Bobby: And when you got -

Terry: When I got pregnant?

Bobby: Yeah. When

you got pregnant and

you said you were too

screwed up to have a kid -

Terry: Uh, I don’t know that

I put it quite like that,

but yeah I was in

pretty bad shape.

It was hard after my mom died.

You know? I could barely

take care of myself.

Bobby: I didn’t

get it. I’m sorry.

Because I do now.

You said, um, that you

kept dreaming about

when you found your mom.

Hanging.

Now, now I dream about

the explosion over

and over and over again

except this time it’s

like a split second sooner

and I think to myself

that maybe this

time they’ll live.

You know? Maybe I can save

them and it’s not about

my face you know

because I’m here.

I’m here and they’re not.

And I keep dreaming

it and dreaming it

and it won’t go away.

Terry: When I moved away

the nightmares stopped.

Bobby: Yeah well, I’ve left

Iraq and it still comes.

At least now I know

I’m not the only one.

Terry: Yeah, I know.

Now you see how screwed up I am.

Okay, if I had married

Bobby and had the baby

the way he wanted he

never would have gone

to Iraq.

Alex: I’m sorry sweetheart,

but you give yourself

way too much credit.

Terry: Don’t you understand?

Alex: Yeah, perfectly.

I mean if you did marry

him maybe some horrible

thing could have

happened. And maybe

he was meant to go

to Iraq. I don’t know.

But it’s not your fault

or your responsibility.

Terry: What if I’m

crazy like my mother?

What if these nightmares

are how it started for her?

Alex: And you really

think I’m that sane too?

Terry: You sure seem that way.

Alex: You see this?

Terry: Yeah, that’s from

when you got spiked

sliding into second base.

Alex: No. I lied.

The scar is from

when my grandfather beat me.

After my parents died

in a car accident we

moved in with him.

He was our only

surviving family.

My grandmother had

died the year before.

I mean he loved us,

but you know it’s hard

taking care of two kids

just running around

all the time and the

only way he knew how

to discipline us is to beat us.

Terry: Alex.

Alex: No it’s totally fine hon.

He did what he could.

If I hadn’t gone there

I don’t know where

I would have ended up.

So, don’t think you’re

the only one with demons

because we both have

plenty and they’re

probably going to raise

their ugly faces up

and I’d be lucky to

face them with you.

So, Terry Malone will

you marry me on Saturday?

Terry: I will.

Alex: You sure?

(laughing)

Terry: Yeah.

Customer: Um, let me

get three, no, no, no,

make it four -

Woman in white: Four?

Customer: Of those baguettes.

Woman in white: All right.

Customer: Fresh today?

Woman in white: Yep.

Marco baked them fresh

this morning.

Customer: Okay.

Jerry: Excuse me. Marco around?

Terry: Dad.

Woman in white: Marco!

Marco: What?

Woman in white: Somebody’s

here for you.

Marco: Hey! Jerry!

Jerry: Hey!

Marco: How the hell are you?

Jerry: Oh, I’m good. How are you?

Marco: Ah, I can’t complain.

Jerry: Who’d listen right?

Listen, this is

my daughter Terry.

Marco: Hey.

Terry: Hi.

Jerry: And she’s getting married.

Marco:(speaking Italian)

May you live 100 years.

Terry: Thank you.

Marco: I’m going to

make you the most

beautiful wedding

cake you ever seen.

Terry: Thank you.

Marco: Give me the wedding book.

Come.

So, you got a coupon?

Yeah, every Valentine’s

Day I send out coupons.

Buy a three tier cake, get

the fourth one for free.

So, you have a coupon?

Customer: Hey, I’ve got a coupon.

Jerry: Hi, thank you, thank you.

Yeah it’s a coupon

for seedless rye.

Customer: Yeah, yeah

that’s what I wanted,

seedless rye.

Marco: She’s going to give

you your seedless rye

over there.

Marco: Okay. No coupon.

I’m still going to make

you the most beautiful

wedding cake you ever seen.

Terry: All right.

Marco: My friend Jerry here. Huh?

He takes care of my

car 20 years now.

Now, I make his

daughter the most

spectacular cake. Magnifico.

(laughing)

Okay, so when’s the happy day?

Terry: Saturday.

Marco: Saturday. Saturday.

You insult me?

You come to me at

the last minute?

What happened?

What, you went to Jean

the Frenchman first?

Jerry: No. Come on now.

Marco: He made you a

lousy cake and now you

want Marco to bail your ass out?

Jerry: Never.

Marco: Huh? I am an

artist. I’m not a butcher

or a shoemaker.

Jerry: You’re the first

person I came to.

You’re the only

person I’d come to.

This is a last

minute kind of thing.

A little late notice.

Marco: I’m an artist. You know?

Terry: I know. Marco I

know. Just a simple sheet

cake. That’s all.

Marco: Sheet cake?

A sheet cake is a shit cake.

You might as well get

a tray of cookies.

A sheet cake is

not a wedding cake.

Terry: I bet you’ll

make it beautiful.

Just vanilla. Okay?

Marco: Okay. If

that’s what you want,

that’s what you get.

Jerry: Thank you Marco.

Marco: Saturday?

Jerry: Yeah.

Marco: How many people?

Terry:15 or 20.

(Jerry and Steve talking)

(laughing)

Jean:(clears throat)

Is everything set

for tomorrow Terry?

Terry: Yeah. Dad and I

took care of the cake.

So, I think we’re all set.

Except we still don’t have some -

Alex: Yeah, someone to

officiate the wedding.

Jerry: Oh.

Terry: This may just

turn into a reception

without a wedding.

Jerry: Receptions.

That’s the icing

on the sheet cake.

(doorbell)

Steve: I wonder

who that could be?

Jean: I think that’s

the minister now.

Jerry: I thought we

didn’t have a minister.

Terry: I thought we didn’t

have a minister either.

Steve: That’s all changed.

Jean: May I present

to you the reverend

Helen Azzolini.

Helen: Ta-da!

(laughing)

Terry: You’ve got to be kidding.

Jean: Thank Steve, it

was his suggestion.

Steve: It’s what I do.

Helen: I was ordained a

Unitarian minister last month.

Alex: Oh.

Terry: I never asked what

you did for a living.

(peaceful cello music)

Lily: You look

beautiful Aunt Terry.

Terry: You do too Lily.

Lily: Where’s your bouquet?

Terry: I don’t have one.

Jean: Yes, you do.

Terry: They’re beautiful Jean.

Thank you.

You’ve been absolutely

wonderful this week,

both of you.

Thank you so much.

Jean: You’re welcome.

Alex seems like a great guy.

I hope you’ll be

very happy together.

Jean: Honey, Dad isn’t here.

Terry: What do you

mean he’s not here?

Steve: He said he’d

be here by 11:00.

It’s 12:15. I’ve been to

all his favorite places.

Nobody has seen him.

Jean: You know Dad.

He always says he’s

going to change. It’s

different this time,

but he never changes.

He’s probably

passed out drunk in

some new dive we

haven’t found yet.

Steve: Sorry Terry. I

really thought I could

find him for you.

Terry: Fuck him.

(laughing)

Jean: Yeah.

Steve: Okay.

Well.

Terry: Steve, would you

give me away please?

Steve: Yeah. Yeah I

would be honored.

Come here.

Get some last looks on you.

(laughing)

(crickets)

(bell)

(bell stops)

(bird)

Helen: Do you Theresa

take Alex to be your

husband for richer, for

poorer, in sickness and

in health for as long

as you both shall live?

Terry: I do.

Helen: And do you

Alex take Theresa -

Terry: He does.

(laughing)

Helen: You’re family

Terry, but I still need

to hear it from him.

Alex: I do. I definitely do!

(laughing)

Helen: Then by the power

vested in my by the

State of New Jersey

I now pronounce you

man and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

(applause)

(laughing)

Alex: No, no, no, no.

(laughing)

(cheering and applause)

Terry: All right.

Alex: Look at that. Nice.

That looks good.

Terry: Mm.

Come on.

Sweetie can you

help me with that?

Alex: Yep. There it is.

(laughing)

Got a little bit of that -

(laughing)

That’s yours.

Terry: For service

above and beyond

brother-in-law standard.

Thank you.

Steve: Glad I could be of help.

It’s a lot more

exciting than the weekly

golf game.

(laughing)

Terry: Thanks and apologies

for my bitchiness.

Helen: Oh get out of here.

My first wedding.

(laughing)

Thanks for making it so special.

(people talking)

Hank: Terry!

Terry!

Hey Terry! What happened

to my invitation?

I guess it got lost in the mail.

Alex: You must be Hank.

I’m Alex. I’m your

new brother-in-law.

Hank: I want to kiss the bride.

Alex: I - don’t think you -

Terry: It’s okay Alex. lt’s okay.

Hi Hank.

It’s good to see you.

Hank: You didn’t invite

Dad either, huh?

Or is he hiding?

Dad, are you in

there? Come on out!

Steve: Let’s go Hank.

(birds)

It’s okay.

Alex: Now what?

Steve: I thought

you had the plan.

(laughing)

Come on. I’ll call

a buddy of mine.

Have him drive him back

to the shelter where

he’s been living.

Alex: You knew where he was?

Steve: Yeah. I keep

an eye on him.

Jean knows, but she

doesn’t want to know.

You know what I mean?

Alex: I got it. Yeah.

Steve: Welcome to the family.

(solemn music)

Terry: Jean. With the

wedding and everything

you’ve done for me

for us this week

you didn’t need to get a gift too.

Jean: It’s not a real gift.

Steve: It’s more of

an out with the old,

in with the new symbolic

kind of thing gift.

Alex: Open it!

Jean: Lift the box.

Steve: Yeah.

Terry: What is this?

Jean:(whispering) Kill it.

Terry: Really?

Jean: Break it. Shatter it!

It’s the end of things

that made you unhappy

and the beginning of

your life together.

Steve: Do it.

Terry: I love it.

(shattering ceramic)

(baby crying)

(solemn music)