Billions (2016–…): Season 1, Episode 11 - Magical Thinking - full transcript

Previously on "Billions"...

- Cancer?
- Yeah.

- Shit.
- Pancreatic.

Walter and the kids
gonna have enough?

Nobody's gonna starve,
but I could've done better.

Forty million.

What if we could get you there?

It won't be simple.
It'll require deception.

[Bobby] And your final
weeks and months,

they won't be your own.

Bobby Axelrod used Donnie
to feed us information



that he would never live
to testify to.

That he would never live
to testify to.

♪ Tense music ♪

Donnie's gone.

How long you figure it's been
since we've had a session?

[Lara]
I made some decisions.

You shuttered it.

[Lara]
Selling the farm, too.

[Chuck Sr.]
You know, if you had

listened to me
in the first place

and hadn't blown up
the deal with Axelrod,

we would not be
in this spot, would we?

The game has changed, and you
haven't changed with it.

Your advice
is no longer welcome.



It was hard on Donnie,

It was hard on Donnie,

not being able to tell you.

Did other people know?

Hey. What are you doing here?

[Ari] He is a candidate for
a drug trial in Pittsburgh

that's been yielding some
pretty interesting results.

Kind of rough for a guy who's
been through a lot already.

[Ari] It can be.

[Bobby] Maybe we shouldn't
bring it up.

♪ Theme music ♪

[telephones ringing,
indistinct conversations]

What the fuck?

- Mafee wants to see you.
- [Bobby] I just waved him in.

He wanted me
to ask you permission.

Permission for what?

He comes in here
all the fucking time.

Door's always open.
You know that. I love Mafee.

He wants to talk about BioLance.

Oh. Well, in that case,
fire him.

Yeah. He said that you said he's
not allowed to bring it up.

Yeah. He said that you said he's
not allowed to bring it up.

No, he can,
if he wants to get fired.

Right, but if he doesn't
bring it up,

he thinks you're gonna lose
400 million.

And since he's executing
the trade...

He thinks I'll fire him then.

Sticky. I can see
how that's sticky.

Can he come in?

Of course. I love Mafee.

[handle clicks,
indistinct conversations]

It's okay?

We'll see.

Axe, special announcement call

from BioLance
is in nine minutes.

From BioLance
is in nine minutes.

I've been losing sleep over it,
and I sleep like a bear.

Brown or polar?

Which hibernate?

They all... hibernate.

They're bears.

Then both, but not lately.

[Bobby] Uh-huh.

I can pare our position
before the call.

We can still make 10%.

If we hold and I'm right,
what do we make then?

We double our money.

If we were a benchmark fund,
ten would be great.

But we are no benchmark fund.

I'm just afraid
we're gonna lose.

All my research is telling me
that approval is a coin flip.

All my research is telling me
that approval is a coin flip.

Right. Do Ben Kim
and all the other analysts

agree with you?

To a man.

First, I told you yesterday
and the day before

that I understood the risks.

I've done the channel checks.
I've done the homework.

BioLance's inhibitor
is gonna be lights out.

Six other companies have
inhibitors in the works.

Only one's gonna win approval
and market share.

That's why I think
we should wait, get in later.

Oh. Second, you're fired.

Oh. Second, you're fired.

I'm fired?

That's what he said.

We're already in BioLance.
That's where the win is.

I-I just don't see
what the difference maker is.

I'm the difference maker.

I tried.

You tried.

And now I'm fired.

Goodbye, Mafee.

[woman on speakerphone]
The next voice you hear

will be the BioLance CEO,
Brooks Wellever.

Will be the BioLance CEO,
Brooks Wellever.

[telephone beeps]
- [Brooks] So you all know

how important the development
of our SGLT 2 inhibitor

for treatment of Type 2
diabetes is to this company,

how deep our investment
has been.

And I wish I had better news.

We were just notified by the FDA

that we were denied approval.

[employees sigh, groan]

[Brooks] We estimate a time
horizon of five more years

to complete fixes.

But at our current burn rate
of cash,

we only have three years
of operating ex...

[telephone beeps]

[telephone beeps]

♪ Tense, pulsating music ♪

[music volume increases]

♪♪♪

[employees murmuring]

What's the damage?

What's the damage?

Stock is halted
until the morning,

but there are no bids in sight.

- It's gonna be ugly.
- [Wags] Shit.

430 million dollar loss.

Could turn into twice that.

♪♪♪

[telephone ringing in distance]

[indistinct conversations]

[door closes]

[door closes]

[footsteps thudding]

[object rattles and thuds]
- What are you doing?

[chair clatters]
- You fired me.

You know never to listen to me
about shit like that

between 9:30 and 4:00.

How could I fire you?

- I love you, Mafee.
[pats shoulder]

[indistinct conversations
continue]

[footsteps thudding]

♪ Pensive music playing ♪

[objects rustle]

[indistinct conversations]

- [Wendy] Hey.
- [Maria] Wendy.

[exhales] Oh, I am so glad
you're thinking about us.

Hey, Roma wants to give you
the tour herself.

How are you?

Work is a happy place now.

[Maria] Come on.
I'll introduce you.

[Wendy] Great space.

I have an eye for it.
Even better one for talent.

I knew that as soon
as you snagged Maria.

I knew that as soon
as you snagged Maria.

She's a perfect fit.

We value fit, culture,
more than most.

That's why 60% or so
of our PMs are women.

Makes it easier to practice
socially responsible investing.

Is that the mission?

The mission is profit.

But me and a few
of the senior partners,

we came up at a time

when Wall Street was
all cock and balls

- and no brains.
- [chuckles]

We try to practice with
a little less ego around here

in a more collaborative,
inclusive environment.

In a more collaborative,
inclusive environment.

But it's a delicate balance.

You don't want a bunch
of guys running around

with sawed-off shotguns,

but you don't want
scented candles

and an aversion to risk either.

- That's for fucking sure.
- [chuckles]

We need someone to curate
that balance,

someone who's been
through the wars,

who's seen the other side.

You want me to make
your people assassins.

We want them to be able

to access that mentality
when needed,

with great accuracy.

Yeah. Assassins.
It's kind of my specialty.

I know.

No other performance coach
in the industry

No other performance coach
in the industry

would be a better fit.

And you're already an investor.

[indistinct conversations]

We need you,

and you wanna be here.

[indistinct conversations
continue]

I'm curious. Why do you think
you know what I want?

I mean, it's a hard thing
to know even about oneself.

I'm a stock picker
and an instinct trader.

Am I wrong?

[cellphone vibrates]

Look.

We believe there's a better way.

Life doesn't have to be
a zero-sum game.

Life doesn't have to be
a zero-sum game.

Go. Think.

Let me know.

[indistinct conversations]

[birds chirping]

[Adam]
Brownstone off the Promenade.

[door closes]

Sometimes I forget which caste
you belong to, Chuck.

Ah.

This is a hell of a reminder.

And where'd your dad
practice internal medicine?

The rough side
of Highland Park? Huh?

The rough side
of Highland Park? Huh?

I have to admit you surprise me,
even for a man in your position.

There's not many
who could cast a spell

and make a federal judge
disappear.

There are no other men
in my position. [chuckles]

- [Adam chuckles]
- [chuckles]

For I also know

the name being nominated
in committee to replace Wilcox.

Ah.

And let me be the first
to congratulate you.

Thank you.

It's as it should be. You happy?
You should be happy.

It's as it should be. You happy?
You should be happy.

I'd be laughing like
Hank Kingsley

if I were in your Florsheims.

- "Hey, now!"
- [ Laughs ]

Hey, these are Ferragamos.
[chuckles]

I like to laugh, too.

But lately...

- Yes, lately.
- And I worry.

With you out of the AG's office,

she'll be even less likely
to look kindly

on the work I need to do,

especially when
it diverges from...

Whatever whim she
and the White House might have.

Mm.

I was wondering when
the actual tat would come.

Or is this the tit?

When it comes to picking
your replacement,

When it comes to picking
your replacement,

I need someone
who'll look out for me in DC.

So you wanna pick?

I know a few likely candidates.

I'll need you to foam the runway
for that replacement

on your way out.

Is this really
still about Axelrod?

What, he's that much of
a burr under your saddle?

It's about justice.

Of course.

If, as you say, my name's
already been put forth,

I'm not sure what leverage
you still have.

I'm not sure what leverage
you still have.

I wanted to tell you this
in person

to see exactly how badly
you want it.

It would be brutal
to have it get this close

only to stall in
Judicial Committee.

The Senate is so polarized
these days.

Judgeships get held hostage
for... [inhales deeply]

Months, years.

Are you saying you can guarantee
I sail through committee?

"Guarantee" is a word

that amateurs use in politics.

But I can make it
so that Senator Vandeveer

But I can make it
so that Senator Vandeveer

takes you by the hand
and drags you to the bench.

And what I have to do
to get that done

will not be pleasant.

It'll be quite odious,
so I need your assurance.

I'll do it.

But about Axelrod and finding
a way to leg back in...

- [sighs]
- Let... let me be

General Bradley to your Patton

and advise you
to practice restraint.

Ah. Oh, it was good advice
when Omar Bradley gave it.

Ah. Oh, it was good advice
when Omar Bradley gave it.

Safe.

And one of them died

a well-respected
and admired general,

and the other one died a legend.

You name my pick
for replacement.

I'll lock in your appointment.

And then I'll worry about
the rest from there.

I won't lie.
Having a Michelin chef in house,

it would be an excellent
recruiting tool.

What do you think?

Oh. It's a great kitchen.

Love the La Cornue.

But I would really miss,
you know, real people...

But I would really miss,
you know, real people...

"gastros" who light up when they
eat something really special.

You go private serving guys
that might just have

- whatever for lunch...
- [man] Mm.

You could lead the effort
to expand our horizons.

Don't let her off the hook, Lar.

I won't. We'll talk soon.

Yeah, thanks.

[footsteps depart]

You know, when people
ask you what you think,

you don't really
have to tell them.

I could've said a lot more.

[indistinct conversations]

[Wags] Give him
some fucking space!

[Bobby exhales sharply]

[Bobby exhales sharply]

Give me a sec.

Hey.

[kiss]

Something wrong?

[smacks lips] Bad day.
Something happened.

Something serious?

I can't make it
to Lilly's tonight.

Really?

What happened?

[elevator bell dings,
footsteps approach]

I blew a read. Badly.

And I know the reason
wasn't in the numbers.

It was in here.
I'm gonna fix it.

It was in here.
I'm gonna fix it.

Wendy?

I don't like it.

This isn't three years ago,
you know.

She's at odds with you,
with herself, over this battle.

You can't trust her.

Well, she's the only one who can
give me what I need right now.

[sighs]

I know.

♪ Pensive music ♪

She's gonna ask you
about Donnie.

♪♪♪

[man] You new here?

[man] You new here?

Maybe.

Nice.

Now all we need is a pole.
[chuckles]

[Lu] I can't cook for
a bunch of animals

who will eat anything,
shit on anything, fuck anything.

Don't be ignorant.
That's just a stereotype.

[engine revving]

[tires squeal]

- Okay, you hate the place. Fine.
[vehicle departs rapidly]

I was just trying to help
with your situation.

Well, I wouldn't have
a situation

if it weren't for this place.

Well, you probably wouldn't have
your own kitchen

for another ten years either.

For another ten years either.

Look, I'm sorry.

But what happened
to my badass big sister

who says what she wants
and doesn't waste two shits

on what the world thinks of her?

I'm right here in front of you.

When's the last time
you even hung out

in the old neighborhood?

What are we supposed to do,

Go back to fucking McCrory's
and shoot pool with the guys?

And the night takes shape.

[indistinct conversations,
telephone rings in distance]

So?

- [Bryan] We break it down.
[boxes thud]

Put it in boxes.

Put it in boxes.

Well, this is
where we get off, Dale.

This tight little team
can handle it.

FBI doesn't do clerical?

Not on this one.
It's, uh, too sad.

Yeah, since it's over,
I'm supposed to start on

this synthetic marijuana thing
up in Orangeburg.

Oh, it's not over.

When it starts going back
into boxes, it's over.

[indistinct conversations]

[Ben] The FDA adverse reporting
database flagged 20 cases

of acidosis associated
with similar SLGT2s.

It was in the file.

[Mafee] Yeah, we didn't fuck up.
He did.

[Mafee] Yeah, we didn't fuck up.
He did.

[footsteps thudding]

[knock on door]

[door handle clicks,
indistinct conversations]

- Hey.
- Hey.

Hey, thanks for coming back.

Hope you didn't get
all the way home.

Where were you?

I'm here now.

[door handle clicks]

Hey, everybody,
you can go home. Thanks.

Hey, everybody,
you can go home. Thanks.

[door closes]

I made a mistake today
that I shouldn't have.

It could cost me
a billion dollars

after we've sifted
through the wreckage.

That's quite a mistake.

I need an adjustment.

You're finally ready
for a real session.

Yeah.

If I talk it through with you,

sharpen my focus,

I'll be able to start
digging out tomorrow.

- Tomorrow?
- Yeah, I already know

- Tomorrow?
- Yeah, I already know

the reason I made the mistake
was mental error.

Now I just need to find out
why I wanted to make it.

This might take a while.

[Chuck sighing]

[dog food rattling]
- [clears throat]

[front door opens]

[door creaks]

- [Chuck exhales sharply]
- Hey.

[bowl clatters]
- Carrie?

[door creaking]
- Uh...

[door closes]
- I was waiting for Wendy.

[door closes]
- I was waiting for Wendy.

Yeah, she called, said you were
both gonna be out.

Yes, I have things to do.

I thought she was in
with the kids tonight.

[sighs] Must've gotten
our signals crossed.

Her thing sounded
kind of last-minute.

[whispers] Okay.

[exhales sharply]

Must've had this on silent.

Uh...

the kids are already
in their rooms.

Eva's asleep.
Kevin might want another story.

Uh... would you mind
cleaning up the dog food?

Uh... would you mind
cleaning up the dog food?

Thank you.

[doorknob clicks]
- See you later.

[door handle clicks,
switch clicks]

[bag thuds]

[inhales and exhales deeply]

Tell me about today.

If you're successful enough,

people think
you can do anything,

people think
you can do anything,

and then you start
to believe it, too.

You mean you do.

I'm not Superman. That's what
I'm trying to get across.

But today?

I might've forgotten.

It's hard not to engage
in a little magical thinking

when everyone else
is looking at you

like you're some combination

of Warren Buffet and God above.

I don't buy that.

Magical thinking is...
if I clean the house,

Magical thinking is...
if I clean the house,

then school gets
canceled tomorrow.

And this?

I'm not wishing or guessing,
and I'm not usually wrong.

And when you are, you take
your medicine and move on.

It's what makes you great.

But today, your own words,

you missed something.

Somehow the idea
that all the guys...

I asked Mafee,

and the moment he said
that everyone else agreed

that it was the wrong move,

that it was the wrong move,

I had to stick it out,

had to prove that I was
the difference maker.

To who?

Mafee? Danzig?

Of course not.

I agree. They all
idolize you already.

It wasn't about proving
anything to any of them.

Look, you want me to fix

the part of you
that makes money.

But it is attached
to the rest, so...

Like I said, this is gonna
take a little while.

[Bryan] Why do I hate
these guys so much?

[object thuds]
- Well, they're criminals.

And they're
a lot richer than you.

[sighs]

♪ Pensive music ♪

Are we really doing
what we're doing...

[papers rustle]
- for the reasons we say?

Well, you mean, does making
these arrests, dealing fines,

actually do anything
to keep markets fair?

[papers rustling]

[papers rustling]

[inhales deeply ]
When you put it like that...

[sighs heavily]

This kid I went to school with,

Jim Gagne...

Most brilliant guy
I've ever met.

Gagne was a double major

in chemical engineering
and pre-med.

I felt like
he was gonna cure cancer.

Well, cancer's still going
last I checked.

He's no scientist.

He works the medical sector
for Spartan-Ives,

made 20 million last year.

Society's fucked
when that happens.

Society's fucked
when that happens.

Incentives all out of whack.

So someone has to do something.

And we use laws
and fines and jail.

We try.

♪♪♪

[ice rattles]
- [sips]

- [Bryan inhales deeply]
[envelope rustles]

Got this made 'cause I was
so fucking proud of Chuck

for pushing back.

♪♪♪

[glass clinks]

It's Axe's settlement check,
but I forgot to give it to him

It's Axe's settlement check,
but I forgot to give it to him

by the time it came back
from the framer,

with the, uh, Donnie of it all.

I'm gonna leave it on his desk.

[chuckles]

[envelope thuds]

♪♪♪

[bottle clinks]

[papers rustle]

I know where Chuck
keeps his stash.

[footsteps depart]

Come on.

[Kate] Sounds dangerous.

Let's talk about you for a sec.

That's not how this works.

That's not how this works.

We've never done anything
the way it works,

and we're not exactly
starting tonight.

How are you handling everything?

I wanna know before we go on.

Grant me this indulgence.

[clicks teeth]

The Donnie thing threw me,
to be honest.

There's an empty space
in the world without him.

The fact that...

The fact that...

I missed it.

This man, this...

patient of mine, dying.

And he wouldn't let me in,

despite whatever
was going on with him.

And you.

People withhold crucial
information all the time.

We learn to manage
our expectations

about those close to us,
don't we?

So they don't turn
into mistrust or...

paranoia.

Paranoia.

When I was young,
I figured if I was

truly there for my patients,

I could get them to be
truly open with me.

I quickly learned that's not
the case, but you still hope.

- Really?
[fist thuds]

That's what you were thinking
about when you were young?

Fuck. You chose
the right line of work.

[chuckles]

I was just thinking about
getting rich and getting even.

Have you?

Yeah. Mostly.

Does it make everything
all better?

Why doesn't it?

Because the world isn't simple.

Because the world isn't simple.

Like with Donnie.

You keep going back there.

I don't think we can ignore
that you missed today,

for the first time in forever,
right after he died.

Okay, go ahead, doctor.
You connect those dots.

- Well, you used the words.
[clink]

Getting even.

- When I was a kid.
- And today?

Bombing the trade,

were you somehow evening
the score for Donnie?

What does that even mean?
Donnie was a friend.

What does that even mean?
Donnie was a friend.

Everyone here matters to me,

and I go out of my way
for all of 'em.

That's why I got him
the best medical care.

The same as when Mick Danzig
gets tackled on his lawn

with a machine gun
in his fucking hands,

I'm the one who
pays off the cops

to make the problem go away.

That's what I do here.

I take care of my people,

and they know that.

And they know that.

And so should you by now.

[inhales deeply]

So are you ready to tell me

who you were trying
to prove something to?

Yeah.

Should we say it in unison?

And were you trying to prove

you were a difference maker
for good or bad?

Were you trying to reward
or punish yourself?

[whispers] Come on.

Where you going?

- [Wendy] We're not done!
- Come on!

[sighs]

[Lu] God, that was awful.
[laughs]

You don't even go there anymore.

You're a Michelin chef.

You live in Bushwick
with the hipsters.

The only reason
we ever went there

is 'cause they didn't check IDs.

[laughs] God!
What were you thinking?

I just... I thought we could
do something like we used to,

before everything was all work
and you were all...

Then let's do something.
Better.

Where else did we used to go?

Nowhere I wanna go now.

Nowhere I wanna go now.

- [Lu] After you got your car...
- Oh, that fucking Fiero.

Man, we'd just drive around,
joyriding.

Then let's go joyriding.

Come on. Come on! Come on.

[laughter]

[vehicles passing]

I thought I might not
see you here for a while.

[clicks teeth]
Well, I may have been...

overly harsh with you before.

"Overly harsh"?

I don't know. I'm...

I don't know. I'm...

I'm getting up there in years.

I don't really, uh,

understand these things anymore.

I don't even know
why you're here.

There is a favor I need.

Ah...

Now we get to it.

What can I help you with?

I need a Senator

on the judiciary committee

on the judiciary committee

to push through a nomination.

Your Senator.

And I'm supposed to just...

materialize Marcia Vandeveer?

A United States Senator?

And get her to do what you want?

I know that you and Marcia...

I must still know how
the game works

to be able to do
something like that.

[siren wailing in distance]
- I must've spent a lifetime

building relationships,

building relationships,

collecting chits.

Whatever law and order issue
that she's running on,

my office will make it
a priority.

Accommodations
will not be necessary,

not necessary at all.

She owes me a favor.

She'll be happy to sit with you.
I'll just give her a call.

Well...

as long as it's not
too much trouble.

Anything you'd like
to say to me?

Thank you, Dad.

Thank you, Dad.

And?

I'm sorry. [sighs]

[inhales deeply]
There's the boy.

[sniffs]

[Van Halen's "And the Cradle
Will Rock" playing]

[object clatters]
- [Bobby] No.

[object thuds]
- [Wendy laughs]

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

- ♪ Get up ♪
- [Bobby] Whoa!

- ♪ Get up ♪
- [Bobby] Whoa!

♪ Ow! ♪

[object thuds loudly]
- Oh! Unbelievable!

I'd have given 30 to one odds
you'd miss with the phone.

Then you're definitely
not seeing the market.

I can do a phone.

It's gotta be bigger
than a phone now.

♪ Well, they say
it's kinda frightnin' ♪

♪ How this younger generation
swings ♪

♪ You know, it's more than
just some new sensation ♪

♪ Well, the kid
is into losin' sleep ♪

♪ And he don't come home
for half the week ♪

[loud crash]

♪ You know it's more than
just an aggravation ♪

- ♪ And the cradle ♪
- [laughing]

- ♪ And the cradle ♪
- [laughing]

Do you remember
our first building?

Ooh! Globe would've gone
through the floor.

Okay, double or nothing.
I wanna do a computer.

Oh, my God. You're like
Kobe firing up shots

when he's two for 18.

No doubt in your mind
the next one's going in.

Kobe? Steph Curry.
Jordan, maybe.

Don't give me Kobe.

Shooter's gotta shoot.

Unwavering belief
in our own capabilities.

It's essential to a point.

Keeps us functioning
at a high level.

Until it isn't, right?

Maybe your self-image
is creating...

Maybe your self-image
is creating...

a blind spot.

We're not on a break, are we?

No.

Why couldn't I
have seen it before?

Well, let's assume
your blind spot

usually works for you.

It's fairly essentially
if you don't feel

indestructible like Superman.

How are you gonna risk
billions every morning?

But it's not working
for you now.

So you need to figure out

what part of your self-image
is false.

And then you either need
to live up to it or lose it.

Interesting word... "false."
Like, uh...

Interesting word... "false."
Like, uh...

when someone knows that they
have to tell a lover goodbye.

But they can't quite do it,

so instead, they sleep
with them one last time.

Then they have their own
unspoken goodbye,

not letting on that
everything's changed until...

after the night is over.

[exhales]

I'm not sure that's what
we're discussing here.

No, maybe not.

But it came to mind,
so I said it.

Isn't that what
I'm supposed to do?

In a sense.

[footsteps thud]

[footsteps thud]

Something I said?

Let's go outside.

[footsteps depart]

[lock clicking]

- Mm.
[glasses clink]

[kiss]

♪ Tense music ♪

[breathing heavily]

[objects thud]

♪♪♪

[jacket rustles]

[laughing]

[both laughing]

[both laughing]

- Sorry, that was...
- So cliché. [laughing]

Oh, the worst! [laughs]

Oh. You think Chuck's
ever had sex here?

- Oh, time to leave right now.
- Ohh. Oh, God. [laughs]

- [Bryan laughing]
- Oh! [laughs]

- Oh.
- Oh.

I still wanna do
something dangerous.

[horn honks]
- Hey, Nancy. Chuck Rhoades.

Looking for Wendy.

Wondering if you knew
what she was up to.

Maybe her phone died.

Maybe her phone died.

Uh, anyway, when you get this,
let me know if you know. Thanks.

[horn honks]

[exhales deeply]

[laughter]

[ambient music playing
over loudspeakers]

♪♪♪

[Ira] We'll have, uh,
another Bulleit.

All right, same thing.

Splash of soda and, uh,
little, uh, little lemon zest.

Oh! Will you bring us two?

[woman] For sure.

I was beginning to think
you were a no-show.

I'm beginning to wish
I no-showed.

I'm beginning to wish
I no-showed.

I don't see the appeal.

♪♪♪

[cellphone touchscreen clicking]

See it now?

Oh, Christ. Ira.

Don't make indict you
for child porn.

She's of age.
She just sent that to me.

God bless
these 23-year-olds.

They grew up with porn.

- [scoffs]
- And daddy issues.

Maybe granddaddy issues
in your case.

- Ow.
- [chuckles]

What do you talk to
a 23-year-old about?

Taylor Swift?

Did you meet her on Tinder?

Actually, I did.
[laughing]

Actually, I did.
[laughing]

How do you do it?
I mean, get 'em to...

swipe left or right or whatever
on a mug like yours.

You put the Porsche
in the Tinder photo.

[scoffs]

You can't be subtle on Tinder.

- Mm. Thank you.
- Wow.

Mm-hmm.

- How'd it go?
- [clears throat]

Not as bad as you thought,
I'm sure.

- Mm.
[ice rattling]

Worse, I think.

I believe that he used
"I told you so"

in all its myriad constructions.

[sets down glass]
- I understand how it must

make you feel to have to ask
for a favor like that.

But everyone has a roof.
Accept it.

But everyone has a roof.
Accept it.

[smacks lips] A roof?

Those two years I was in Russia,

it was right after
the wall came down.

There was money and crazy women.

The Wild West of capitalism.

Anyway, in Russia, you had
to pay someone to protect you,

either the cops or the mob,
and then they were your "roof."

- Mm.
- That's what they called it.

You're down right now.
It's not a moment for pride.

It's a moment for, uh...

consolidation.

Positioning, a little security.
Senior's your roof.

Positioning, a little security.
Senior's your roof.

- Everyone needs a roof.
- I may need one.

It doesn't mean
I have to fucking like it.

Yeah, but if you don't
have a roof,

you can't be surprised when
it starts raining on you.

Well, it's like the man sang,

"it may be the devil
or it may be the Lord,

but you're gonna have to
serve somebody," right?

[footsteps approach]
- [woman] Hey.

Hi.

[whispering indistinctly]

[whispers]
Think about that.

- All right.
- [woman] Mm-hmm.

Tyler, go to the bar.
I'll... I'll find you later.

[Tyler] Okay.

How are you able to keep
it so light, brother?

How are you able to keep
it so light, brother?

In law school, you were just as
weighted down as the rest of us.

Light. Heavy.

- Who even thinks in those terms?
- Mm-hmm.

Weekends and on Wednesdays,

I'm with my kids
and I'm one way.

And when I'm not, I'm here,
or somewhere like it.

Otherwise, what?
Watch harness racing on TV?

No, you should know that
that's rigged.

They can shift the results

just by dinging one wheel
of the sulky.

I don't actually bet
the fucking trotters.

- Where are you, fella?
- [scoffs]

'Cause you're not here.

It's one thing
if I check my phone.

Could be some girl telling me
she just turned 21.

Could be some girl telling me
she just turned 21.

What the fuck are you doing?

♪♪♪

Wendy.

I don't... [sighs]

[hip-hop music playing
over loudspeakers]

I'm not sure
where she is tonight.

Ah.

- Fuck.
- Yeah.

And, uh, it doesn't feel like

a "we're just out of pocket
for a minute."

There's some kind of
continental drift going on.

Worse.

Tectonic collisions.

Tectonic collisions.

♪♪♪

You know, no offense, man,
but...

all of this is not for me.

So it scares the shit out of me

that it could be
where I'm heading.

♪♪♪

[exhales sharply]
It's not really for anyone,

tell you the truth.

No one chooses it.

Even if they think they do
when they walk out the door.

It's... not what they
think it'll be,

it's... not what they
think it'll be,

especially after
the first few months.

♪♪♪

Everything I said to you about
the young girls is true.

They're wild and free and...

they'll lick
your dirty places and smile.

But the one thing
they are not is...

my Elizabeth.

Or Wendy.

♪♪♪

I know.

I remember nights with Liz,
and she'd be asleep,

and I'd have all these things
that I'd wanna tell her.

And I'd have all these things
that I'd wanna tell her.

Then I wouldn't wake her up.
I'd just sit with it.

And...

by morning,
they'd be gone. [sighs]

Plowed under with the routine.

If I could get
one of those nights back...

I'm not saying I'd give up
all these nights, but, uh...

[footsteps approach]

Yeah, I probably have a few
things like that I should say.

Then why the fuck are you
still sitting here with me?

[exhales sharply]

'Cause one thing's for sure,
you got absolutely no game.

'Cause one thing's for sure,
you got absolutely no game.

[chuckles]

I never cried over Donnie,
you know.

You wanted to?

I think I should have, maybe.

Last time you did?

- Oh, I don't know.
- Sure you do.

Let's turn here.

I like to wander
from time to time.

It's our little expeditions
that keep me around.

It's our little expeditions
that keep me around.

Digging in the dirt,
getting under the process.

But I was supposed
to be home hours ago.

Last time you cried.

Fuck. Okay.

You know what really nails me?

These YouTube videos,
soldiers coming home,

surprising their kids at school.

Even better...
Baseball game.

So the guy subs for the catcher.

So the guy subs for the catcher.

Kid goes to the mound,
he gets ready to pitch.

He throws one.
He hasn't noticed.

And the catcher
goes to the mound,

takes off his mask,
kid sees him,

and the dad just
wraps him in a hug.

I have no idea why, but if
I stumble across one of those,

I am gone.

Does it feel good after?

Yeah, it does.

Jesus. Nobody knows that,
not even Lara.

Jesus. Nobody knows that,
not even Lara.

It's okay for that
to be private.

Do you know what's going on?

You're not gonna tell me

it's because my dad
never came home?

Well, I think that
might be in there,

but I think we resolved
a bunch of that.

No, I think about
the mask itself.

I think about what it means
that the dad pulls off the mask,

and he's not only seen
but loved for who he is

underneath
that hard metal exterior.

Well, that guy's a hero.
He deserves the love.

Well, that guy's a hero.
He deserves the love.

And you?

What happens
when you take it off?

Will you still be loved?

By the guys here,
your kids, Lara?

What if you're not perfect?

What if you miss one
every few years?

Yeah.

What then?

♪ Pensive music ♪

♪ pensive music ♪

Let's stay with Donnie
a minute more.

♪♪♪

[The Hold Steady]
♪ Subpoenaed in Texas ♪

♪ Sequestered in Memphis ♪

It's not the same without
the Fiero.

Yeah. Can't feel the road
in this.

And you can't hear
the fucking engine.

Are we going somewhere?

Nah.

We're just gonna joyride.

♪♪♪

♪ I think she drove
a new Mustang ♪

♪ I think she drove
a new Mustang ♪

♪ I guess it might be
a rental ♪

- No.
[helicopter blades whirring]

♪ I remember
she had satellite radio ♪

♪ I guess she seemed
a bit nervous ♪

♪ Do you think
I'm that stupid? ♪

- Are you ready?
- Yeah.

Oh, my God.

Fuck, yeah.

[helicopter blades whirring]

[beer sloshes]

You know, I think
you're right about me, Lu.

I'm not your ballsy big sister
who doesn't give two shits.

I'm not your ballsy big sister
who doesn't give two shits.

The old me would've told Bobby
to go fuck himself

for blowing me off to talk
to Wendy Rhoades all night.

So why didn't you?

Because I'm different
than who I was.

Improved, supposedly.

You didn't need
that kind of improving.

I do need something, though.

What?

What do you want?

[helicopter blades
continue whirring]

[helicopter blades
continue whirring]

I tell you,

this beats hitting the mall
and shoplifting earrings.

- Mm.
- [chuckles]

God, we'd always end up
at that stupid mall.

Remember when Mom
bought us scratch-offs,

and we agreed
if either of us won,

we'd go on a shopping spree?

Yeah.

You kind of won.

We've now gone as far
as we possible can

We've now gone as far
as we possible can

without getting to it.

[crickets chirping]

Donnie.

Fine. Donnie.

But first, tell me what
you've put together.

I know you used him as a shield.

I don't know how exactly.

And I know you left his family
well off afterwards.

That's all true.

So you should feel great.

So you should feel great.

You saved your kingdom

and rewarded richly the knight
who fell on his sword

so you could do it.

A king who does not mourn
that knight

and that goes on building
his own castle.

Oh, so that's why
you missed on the trade.

You loved him,

so subconsciously,
you're punishing yourself.

I stole from him.

♪ Pensive music ♪

His time,

His time,

Without his permission.

Doctor presented me
with a chance to get Donnie

some experimental treatment,
not a cure.

♪♪♪

But it could've extended
his life a... few months...

♪♪♪

and maybe long enough for him
to have seen Christmas.

But also maybe long enough
for him to testify against me.

And...

And...

I stopped that from happening

because it didn't suit
my purposes.

And I'm punishing myself

because I cannot believe
I have the capacity

to do that to someone
I care about.

♪♪♪

That's your fear?

That even when you care
about someone,

you can use them
for your own ends.

If that is true, I don't like
what it says about me.

It may be true,

but that's not what this is.

You're punishing yourself
because you're understanding

You're punishing yourself
because you're understanding

that you didn't care
about Donnie.

Not really.

That's what scares you.

♪♪♪

Yes.

♪♪♪

When I heard about
Donnie's death, I...

♪♪♪

I felt relief.

And all the rest...
The sorrow, the sadness...

It was...
it was buried way down.

It was...
it was buried way down.

Like it didn't exist at all.

That's right.

♪♪♪

So the question you've been
afraid to ask out loud,

but have been whispering
to yourself ever since,

do you wanna ask it?

- Do I have to?
- I think you do.

I can't say it for you.

♪♪♪

Well, people who have
the capacity to feel nothing...

Well, people who have
the capacity to feel nothing...

♪♪♪

they call them sociopaths.

♪♪♪

Is that what I am?

♪♪♪

What do you think?

♪♪♪

I don't know.

♪♪♪

This is how you manifest guilt.

If you didn't have it,

you wouldn't have
lost the money,

you wouldn't be
punishing yourself.

But it is a... crucial time.

But it is a... crucial time.

Your switch plate is removed,
your wiring is exposed.

Your blue ones go where your red
ones should, that's for sure.

A normal person wouldn't
engage in the behavior.

A sociopath
wouldn't give a shit.

You're somewhere in between.

You are practiced
at turning off your feelings.

Do it enough, it's a pattern.
Keep going, they die.

So it's either fix it...

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

or close yourself back up
and see what happens.

♪♪♪

[helicopter blades whirring]

[gate clattering]

[switch clicks]

Thank you, Anil.

Really, thank you.
I know this is weird.

- [Lara chuckles]
- Anytime.

Just keep it open
till we're done.

- Okay.
- Holy shit, Lar!

Yeah, holy shit.
[laughs]

[Ryan Adams]
♪ The light is harsh ♪

♪ As it's breaking through
the blinds ♪

[sparkler hisses]
- [Kate gasps]

♪ Cross my face
in black lines ♪

♪ I'm so disconnected
at the foot of the bed ♪

[fireworks popping, whistling]
- ♪ Don't know what to say,

♪ Don't know what I said ♪

♪ Don't know what I said ♪

- Bright.
- So cool.

♪ Maybe every promise
anybody makes ♪

- [laughing]
- ♪ Is destined for the rocks ♪

♪ The longer it takes ♪

♪ Daylight is so close,
I can almost taste it ♪

♪ It's all I got,
it's not right ♪

- ♪ Everything is broken... ♪
[sirens wailing in distance]

♪ In my mind ♪

- Key part breaking the law?
- What?

- Never mind. Come on.
- Ooh!

[siren wailing grows louder]
- ♪ Don't wanna lose control,

♪ Baby, I just might ♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

[Wendy] What we did tonight
was pretty heavy.

There might be aftershocks.

Yeah, I know.

You did to me
what I do to companies.

Took me apart,
put me together again.

You seem tired.

Or are you just disgusted
at what you heard?

Take this away with you.

You are a difference maker,

You are a difference maker,

but you're not a god.

♪ Pensive music ♪

Pancreatic takes everyone.

It's like the market.
It does what it wants.

And no magical thinking
was ever gonna change that.

♪♪♪

So no, I'm not
disgusted with you.

For whatever reason,
when it comes to you, that's...

that's just not on the table.

♪♪♪

You know, some of your wires

aren't where
they should be, either.

Aren't where
they should be, either.

[chuckles]

[inhales deeply]

I can't argue.

[inhales sharply]

Is that why you've been
looking at other shops?

♪♪♪

That's what you've been
drilling for all night.

Where were you thinking about?

Was it Insight?
Point One Four?

♪♪♪

No, Zenobia.

[clicks teeth]

[clicks teeth]

♪♪♪

Yeah, Zenobia.

You think you'll be
different there?

Fixed?

♪♪♪

Working in a simpler, safer way

will allow you to step
back from the edge?

♪♪♪

That's for a different session.

[inhales sharply]

♪♪♪

Wait. Pull over here.

Kill the lights.

[gears shift, engine turns off]

[door handle clicks]

[crickets chirping]

[indistinct conversation,
laughter in distance]

♪ Tense music ♪

♪♪♪

[music intensifies]

[door handle clicks]

[Chuck] Take me
back to the city.

[The Black Heart Procession's
"Suicide" playing]

[door buzzes]

[door closes]

♪♪♪

[door handle clicks]

[door handle clicks]

[man grunts loudly]

♪♪♪

[door closes]

♪♪♪

♪ As my bones creak ♪

♪ And my veins scream ♪

♪ While my spirit breaks ♪

♪ I hear you calling me ♪

♪ I hear you calling me ♪

♪ As my heart aches ♪

♪ And my hands shake ♪

[knocks on door]
- ♪ While my mind fades ♪

- [Troy] Enter.
- ♪ From these dark days ♪

[door handle clicks]

♪ In the valley
where I come from ♪

- ♪ They'll cut your wrists ♪
[door closes]

♪ And hang you by the neck ♪

Mr. Martinez.

♪ I like your suicide ♪

It's been a long time.

- Yes, it has.
- ♪ I like your suicide ♪

- Yes, it has.
- ♪ I like your suicide ♪

[heels clacking]

I can only assume

you've been a wretched...

- [inhales sharply]
[jacket drops]

[whispers]
speck of shit.

♪♪♪

[clothing rustles]

- ♪ As my heart aches ♪
[clack]

♪ And my hands shake ♪

[exhales sharply]

♪ While my mind fades ♪

[whispers] Red.

- ♪ From these dark days ♪
- [grunts]

[thud]
- Red!

[thud]
- Red!

- I'm sorry.
- [breathing heavily]

Did I not pick up
the body language?

- It's been a while.
- No. Fuck!

[metal clacking]
- No.

It's me. I can't.

[metal clicking]

I, uh...

I didn't get permission.

You didn't get permission
from Mrs. Martinez?

[exhales sharply]

Oh, my God.
What are you doing here?

[heels clacking, metal clanks]

- I don't know.
- Go get permission.

- I don't know.
- Go get permission.

Yeah, it's not so simple.

Does Wendy not role-play
anymore?

The workshop went so well.
She was a fucking all-star.

It's like she's...

[sighs]

She's intractable.

And she's so...
[inhales sharply]

So distant.

Chuck...

You guys should go see someone.

You can both come here
if you want.

You can both come here
if you want.

- [sighs]
[muffled voices, banging]

- [man] Who the fuck are you?
[loud thud]

[man] What the fuck
you doing, man?

- [Troy] What the fuck?
- [man grunts, groans]

[bouncer]
Asshole was taking pictures.

Give me that.
Give it to me!

[camera clacks]

♪ Tense music ♪

You've been following me
all night?

♪♪♪

Oh, my God.
I can't be here.

I gotta go.

[music volume increases]

[music volume increases]

[music intensifies]

[front door closes]

[footsteps approach]

[knife thuds]

Must've been some party.

We didn't go.
We made our own.

- [laughs]
- [sighs]

How are you?

I feel young again.
Wanna go to prom?

I know better than to go
with the bad boy.

[singsongy] Do you?

[singsongy] Maybe.

I cry sometimes.

At sentimental things.

At sentimental things.

♪ Pensive music ♪

Commercials.

And I don't tell you.

♪ Sentimental music playing ♪

Okay.

♪♪♪

[inhales deeply, exhales slowly]

I'm glad that tonight helped,

but don't ever fucking
do that to me again.

♪♪♪

I don't think I will.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

[kiss]

[typing on laptop]

[key clicks]

[glass clatters]

[taps key]

[typing]

[continues typing]

[laptop lid clicks]

[laptop lid clicks]

[exhales deeply]

[door handle clicks]

[door creaks]

[door creaks]

[door rattles shut]

♪ Pensive music ♪

[keys jangle]

[keys jangle]

[exhales]

[exhales]

[shower running]

♪♪♪

[exhales]

[taps key]

♪♪♪

[typing]

[music volume increases]

[resumes typing]

[keys clicking]

[typing]

♪♪♪

[e-mail whooshes]

[Bob Dylan's
"Gotta Serve Somebody" playing]

[Bob Dylan's
"Gotta Serve Somebody" playing]

[keys click]

[faucet squeaks,
shower stops running]

[key clicks]

♪♪♪

♪ You may be an ambassador
to England or France ♪

♪ You may like to gamble ♪

♪ You might like to dance ♪

[bathroom door opens]
- ♪ You may be ♪

♪ The heavyweight champion
of the world ♪

♪ You might be a socialite
with a long string of pearls ♪

♪ You might be a socialite
with a long string of pearls ♪

♪ But you're gonna have to
serve somebody ♪

♪ Yes, indeed ♪

♪ You're gonna have to
serve somebody ♪

♪♪♪

♪ Well, it may be the devil
or it may be the Lord ♪

♪ But you're gonna have to
serve somebody ♪

♪ You may be
a rock 'n' roll addict ♪

♪ Prancing' on the stage ♪

♪ You might have drugs
at your command ♪

[woman] Mm.