God Friended Me (2018): Season 1, Episode 9 - King's Gambit - full transcript

I mean, do your followers
think that's funny?

I keep telling him
he needs to get out and play.

Ray Nicolette.

He's a private investigator?

Why don't you just tell me
what this is all about?

I have an empty room
in my place.

I'm guessing it beats
the hell out of wherever.

Social Services
is planning on sending you.

Falken's been an urban legend
for almost a decade.

Nobody know who he really is
beyond being a genius coder.

Lucy and I might have
made contact



with someone who knows Falken.

Look... it's Falken.

Cara, you got your world
with Eli

where you go out for dinners
and have romantic evenings

on rooftop gardens.

Then you have
the God Account world.

You got Miles.

Hey. I'm Nia.

Hi.

And that is the latest
drop from DJ Trek,

also known as my friend, Nia.

Hello, hello.

So before we took a music break,

you were telling me
that you're agnostic.



I am many things,

but agnostic is one
of them, yes.

Wow, that's like
the Switzerland of religion.

I didn't take you for one
who'd play it safe.

How is keeping an open mind
playing it safe?

God or no god,
in live in the question.

No need for answers.
I like the mystery.

Come on, Nia.

Everyone wants to know
the truth.

And then what?

What happens when you have
all the answers?

Take the God Account
for example.

You any closer to finding
the mystery person

behind it all?

Not yet, but it's only
a matter of time.

Yeah, but what happens
when you do?

What if you stop getting
Friend Suggestions?

Your point?

I know how much you like
helping people.

Getting the truth
may end your journey.

Maybe you can stand
a little agnosticism

when it comes to
the God Account?

Way to bring it back around.

Thank you so much
for being my guest

on the Millennial Prophet.

You can check out more tracks
from DJ Trek on Soundcloud.

Sorry.

Didn't mean to put you
on the spot.

No worries. I can take it.

I was just trying
to make the point

that even if you
get your answer one day,

doesn't mean you have to
stop helping people.

- I won't.
- Good.

So, how 'bout you keep
that promise

and come with me
to the hospital this afternoon?

I spin for the kids
at the pediatric center.

I'll be there.

Miles, Miles you need
to see this.

So, FIBONACCI61
sent a picture of me and Lucy

at Strawberry Fields with,
"Just wanted to say hello"

as the message.

I mean,
this is definitely Falken.

He's definitely behind
the God Account.

Okay, I don't know.

Look, whoever's behind
the God Account

has gone through a whole lot
of trouble to remain anonymous.

Why reach out now
by text message to you?

I don't know, Miles.

Maybe because I'm getting
too close.

Yeah.

Bro, it's clear Falken's

trying to back me off
by intimidation.

Guess what.

Nobody intimidates Rakesh Singh.

Except my mama.
She's very scary.

Hey, the God Account

just liked the fan page
of Graham Hastings!

Never heard of him.

Graham Hastings is a
legendary Harlem chess player.

Everyone thought he was gonna
be the next Bobby Fischer.

Then one day,
he just disappeared

from the public eye.

No one has seen him since.

That was ten years ago.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

So, our first Friend Suggestion
after Falken makes contact

just happens to be some recluse
who disappeared ten years ago?

Graham's not Falken, Rakesh.

I'm... I'm not saying he is,

but maybe there's a connection.
There's a rumor going around

saying that Graham's gonna be

at Washington Square Park today!

That must be why the God Account

sent us his name.

Looks like we got our next
Friend Suggestion.

Yeah, things with Eli are good.

So you keep saying.

'Cause they are.

Are you really busy with work,

or are you just bothered
because you saw Miles with Nia?

Why would that bother me?

Probably because
seeing him with her

made you question whether or not

you made the right choice
to date Eli again.

Okay, fine. I'll admit it.

It was a little weird
seeing him with someone.

And, yeah, okay.

I may have been
the tiniest bit jealous of Nia,

but I'm not questioning
my choice to be with Eli.

So why are you avoiding Miles?

I'm not.

I'm just focusing on
the assignment Natalie gave me

to prove to her that
I'm worthy of that promotion.

If you say so.

- Ali.
- Hi.

I brought you a little souvenir

from the other night.

And here I thought
my cool days were behind me.

That's lovely. Thanks, Ali.

You're welcome.

Here.

Dad, I just wanna say

I am proud of you
for having the courage

to find
your love of music again.

Well, it's easy to be courageous

with my children by my side.

Well, speaking of your children,

I couldn't help but notice
you and Miles

talking after your set.

You guys looked like
father and son again.

You know, I have to admit that

I haven't felt this close
to Miles since... gosh, um...

Since he was a kid.

I can't quite put
my finger on it,

but he seems to have changed
over the last few months.

Yeah, and it's pretty obvious
what's causing it.

Not the God Account.

Dad...

Ali it's just fodder
for his podcast,

a story device to get attention.

No, it's not.

Look... and even if it was,
what does it matter?

At the end of the day,
he's helping people.

Same as you.

So, did Cara tell you why
she can't meet us today?

She's usually leading the charge

when it comes to
the God Account.

Said she was working
on a story, but no biggie.

Hey, we got this.

Yeah.

- Whoa.
- Whoa.

Word definitely got out

that Graham may resurface today?

My dad used to tell stories

about how people
would line up around the block

just to get beat by Graham.

He even claims
he played him once.

Well, I don't need to play him.

I just need to know what
he knows about Falken.

- What?
- It's Cara.

- I thought she was working.
- Yeah, me too.

Guys. Sorry.

What are you doing here?

I was gonna ask you
the same thing.

Well, my boss
assigned me a story

about some
chess-genius-turned-recluse

named Graham Hastings.

- What?
- Graham Hastings

is our Friend Suggestion.

Yeah, y'all this is great.

We get to work on this together.

Great.

How long have you been here?

Almost an hour.

Yeah, this crowd
is getting restless.

Well, looks like
they're giving up.

What a bust.

All right, well, I'm gonna
head back to work,

keep on the Falken line.

- Okay?
- Okay.

Let me know if anything happens.

You okay?

Yeah. Yeah, it's fine.

Fine.

So, how are we gonna find
someone

who clearly does not
wanna be found?

Well, if it ain't
my two favorite do-gooders.

Ray?

Hey. Okay, still not a hugger.

Hey, Ray. It's good to see you.

You too, you too.

So what dragged you two
down here today?

We're looking for
Graham Hastings.

Now, that's a hell
of a coincidence.

How so?

Because someone hired me
to find him.

So, how are things with Isaac?

Isaac's doing great.

I got the kid enrolled
in a good school.

His teachers say
he's keeping up.

I gotta tell ya, I think
he's adapting pretty good,

considering everything
he's been through.

How 'bout you?

Are you adapting?

Still working on it.

It is nice having some company
around the house again.

You're a good man, Ray.

Don't tell people that.

And you still working for
the God Account thing?

Any closer to figuring out
who's behind it?

Not yet, but they did send
Graham Hastings our way.

So, wanna tell us who hired you?

No-ho-ho can do.

What I can tell you

is that Hastings is completely
off the grid.

I was hoping he'd be here today,

make my job a lot easier.

But as you can see, nada.

Wait a minute.

You started the rumor
on that fan page

about Graham playing chess
here today, didn't you?

Guilty as charged.

Isaac's got me using
social media more.

Thought I could lure Graham
out of hiding,

but as you can see...

- Nada.
- Well, look,

since we're all looking for
Graham, why don't we team up?

Yeah, like old times.

Let's not get crazy.

As fun as that sounds,
we all know the sequels

are never as good
as the originals.

I'm off, kids.

And may the best
private detective

with over 20 years

of law enforcement
experience win.

Any thoughts on where to start?

Actually, I do.

For God has not given us
a spirit of fear,

but of power and of love...

- Hey.
- And of sound mind.

Miles.

Dad, I want you to meet
Cara Bloom.

Of course.

Cara, I have heard
a lot about you.

And I'm sorry we didn't
get a chance

to meet the other night.
Yeah, yeah, me, too.

Please, sit down.

You were fantastic, by the way.

Thank you.
Still working off the rust.

But I understand that you and I
share a connection.

Your mother.

Yeah, yeah, that's right.

Susan was an incredible nurse.

Always there
when my wife needed her

when she was battling cancer.

A much-needed rock
for both of us.

Anyway, how's she doing?

She's great.

I'll let her know you say hello.

Please do.

So, to what do I owe the visit?

Do you remember Graham Hastings?

Absolutely.

Didn't I ever tell you that
I played against him once?

You may have mentioned it.

Well, so, it was down
at St. Nicholas Park,

and I'm setting up
the chess pieces.

And this kid sits down
in front of me

- and asks if I wanna play.
- 12 moves.

That's it took for him
to beat me... 12 moves.

We heard he disappeared.

Do you know what happened
to him?

Or where he went?

Why the sudden interest?

I'm writing a story
for "Catapult."

Miles is helping me.

Well, if I were looking
for Graham Hastings,

I would start with the person
that knew him the best.

- Who's that?
- Aleksander Leff.

Back in the day, he and Graham

were the Muhammad Ali
and Joe Frazier of chess.

I always wished I had
a chance to watch them play.

So, they were rivals?

Man.

They would meet at the finals
of every tournament.

Aleksander could never beat him.

Until, of course, he did.

After that,
Graham Hastings retreated

and was never heard from again.

That sounds like a poor sport.

Or he accomplished
everything he set out to.

The truth is that nobody knows

why Graham Hastings disappeared.

Sorry, Miles,
you'll have to excuse me.

I have to set up for
an afternoon service.

- Thanks, Dad.
- Good to see you.

Good luck with the story.
Thank you.

Why didn't you just tell him
it was about the God Account?

'Cause he doesn't wanna know.

I'm sorry, I have plans
with Nia.

Can we meet back up later?
It'll only take a couple hours.

Yeah, of course.

I'll try and track down
an address for Aleksander Leff.

Text you if I find anything.
Okay.

- Thanks, Nia!
- That was fun.

Thanks, Nia.

You're welcome, Matty.
High-five.

I got something for you.

Can I see your patch?

Now you got tons of street cred.

What was the, patch
on his arm for?

People wear them
to fight off the nausea

when they're going through
chemo.

Unfortunately for me,
they weren't invented

till after I was cancer-free.

You were impressive
with these kids.

Well, music was my lifeline
when I was sick.

It's just my way of giving back.

I'm sorry, I have to go.

- God Account?
- Yeah.

Yeah, we're trying to track down

this reclusive chess prodigy.

I'll text you?

- Cara.
- Hey.

'Sup?

So, how did it got with Nia?

It went... well.

Well?

Well, she seems really nice.

How are things with Eli?
Things still going good?

Yeah. Yeah, things are good.

This is 18. This is it.

Aleksander Leff?

That's right. Can I help you?

I'm Miles Finer.
This is Cara Bloom.

We were hoping to ask you
a few questions

about Graham Hastings.

I'm sorry.
I don't give interview.

Let 'em in, otherwise they'll
just stand out there all day.

Took you long enough.

I never understood why
he walked away from everything.

That question has haunted me
for a decade.

I heard you two had
a pretty intense rivalry.

That's one way to look at it.

The truth is,
we were best friends.

Had been since we were kids.

We played our first game
together when we were eight.

From that moment on,
our lives were tied together.

But as much as we were the same,

we came from different worlds.

What do you mean?

I grew up in privilege.

My father made sure
I had the best teachers,

that I studied day and night.

All he had was his grandfather.

Didn't have any money,
any training.

Never even read a book
about chess.

His talent was God-given.

I couldn't help but envy that.

Now that we're all
caught up here,

why don't we take this outside

and have a chat about how
we're gonna find this guy?

Hold on... I mean,
that was ten years ago.

Why hire Ray now?

Because you're sick.

Aren't you?

Pancreatic cancer.

Doctors say I only have
a few months left.

I need to speak with Graham
before it's too late.

I wanna find this Graham guy,
close my case, and get paid.

Any thoughts?

Yeah, we all work together.

If by "work together"
you mean "split my fee,"

I must politely decline.

We're not interested in
your fee.

Then by all means, proceed.

I think the God Account
wants us to find Graham

for the same reason you do.

To put him in front
of Aleksander.

Now any idea what he wants
to tell him?

He didn't offer, I didn't ask.

But usually when a client
wants me to track down

someone from their past,
it's about making amends.

So, what'd you find?

Not a hell of a lot.

I mean, he's off the grid
ten years,

and it ain't hard to disappear
in this city.

Yeah, but people knew him.
Or at least they knew his name.

In order to really disappear
he'd have to change it.

I knew I liked you.

I was on that same line
of thought.

I got a buddy down
at the Department of Records.

I was heading over there
when you two crashed the party.

What about you?
God give you any leads?

Just the fan page.

I already been there.
Full of crazies.

The God Account never does
anything random.

Whoever created this fan page

seems to know a lot
about Graham.

Maybe we can track them down.
See if they know anything.

Makes sense. Sounds good.

You guys track down that lead,

and I'll text you if I get
a new name on Graham.

You mind if I go with you?
It'd be nice to catch up.

Yeah, sure. What the hell?

Okay, I'll head back
to IdentitySeal,

see if Rakesh and I can dig up
anything on this fan page.

Okay.

You really think whoever runs
this crazy Facebook fan page

actually knows where Graham is?

It's worth a shot.

How was going to the hospital
with Nia?

Good.
She's actually pretty amazing.

Yeah?

You gonna start seeing her?

I haven't decided,
but I mean, I do like her.

Well, then there's nothing
holding you back.

You mean Cara?

Was I that obvious?

Yeah.

Look, she's with Eli
and she's happy.

And I'm happy for her. So, no.

There's nothing holding me back.

All right. Cracked the admin.

Looks like the page is run by
a guy named Larry Bartholomew.

Owner and proprietor
of Chess Forum.

I know that place.
It's a chess shop in Harlem.

I used to go with my dad
as a kid

when I was learning how to play.

Come on, let's go.

So, ten years ago,
Graham Hastings

changed his name to John Turner.

Kept it generic for a reason
I'm guessing.

Let's see here...

Ho, yep.

Almost 50 of 'em in New York.

Any ideas on how
to narrow it down?

Yeah. One at a time.

So, Isaac keeping you busy?

Ho-ho-ho.

Is he a Giants fan yet?

Still working on that.

This season hasn't made it
any easier.

Sorry, it's just my boss.

Yeah. How's the writing?

- It's really good.
- Yeah?

Yeah.

I'm actually up for this
promotion,

and I think that this story
about Graham Hastings

might be the one
that gets it for me.

Finding a reclusive
chess genius?

It sounds like a Pulitzer to me.

You know, it's nice seeing
you and Miles still together.

No. We're just friends.

Not together.

You know you say that a lot?

I'm just saying, it doesn't
take a private detective

to see the chemistry.

We both know it takes more
than just chemistry.

Didn't with my wife and me.

It's just never been
the right time for us.

And now I'm seeing someone.

I'm actually back together
with my ex, Eli.

Things with him are good.

Well, kid, I don't know much,
but I do know this

"Good" ain't great.

"Great's" what you're
shooting for.

You know, when it comes to
affairs of the heart,

"great" is what knocks
you on your ass

and lets you know that you can
stop looking.

Miles aside, if you're happy
with this Eli guy, fine.

But if you're just buying time,

waiting for "great"
to come along,

you should do you both
a favor and keep looking.

Graham changed his name
to John Turner.

- Here to play or purchase?
- Actually, neither.

We're wondering about
your Graham Hastings fan page.

What about it?

We're trying to track
Graham down.

Best of luck with that.

Look, I know it's a long shot,

but if you know anything,
it'd be really appreciated.

Did Graham ever play here?

Of course he did.

I knew he was special
from the beginning.

In fact, I gave Graham
his first chess set for free

since he couldn't afford one.

So, when's the last time
you saw him?

Same as anyone.
About ten years ago.

Wow.

Where did you get
all of this stuff?

Other collectors mostly.

They're all authentic if that's
what you're worried about.

Judge.

Let me know if there's
anything you like.

This is a dead end, bro.

Let's just go back
to IdentitySeal

and run "John Turner"
through the database.

We don't have to.

Look at the return label.
"John Turner."

That's why Larry has so many of
Graham Hastings items for sale,

because he's getting them
from Graham himself.

Got it.

Can I help you?

You're Graham Hastings.

Look, I just wanna be
left alone.

I don't know how you found me.

Wait... h-hold on.

We're here because
of Aleksander Leff.

Please. Just hear us out.

So what does Aleksander want?

Honestly, we don't know that.

We were kind of hoping
you could tell us.

I have no idea.
And to be honest, I don't care.

You can tell Aleksander I have

no interest in reliving
the past.

He's sick.

He doesn't have much time.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I really am, but it doesn't
change anything.

You won't even talk to him?

I know how hard that loss was.

Everyone does.

You think you understand
what happened that day?

No, no. I don't.

Please, explain it to me.

To most people,
chess is just a game.

But to a few of us, it means
something so much more.

My grandfather raised me.

Man never graduated high school,

but he knew the game.

And when he saw what I could do,

he knew it was my ticket
to a better life.

Chess doesn't care about
the color of your skin

or how much money you have.

All it cares about
is how good you are.

The more people told me
how good I was,

that I was unbeatable,
the more I believed them.

And then when I lost
to Aleksander,

that all changed.

But it was just one loss.

You don't get it.

Since I was a kid,
people told me

I was the next Bobby Fischer.

You hear it so long,
you start to believe it.

But after I lost, that's all
anyone wanted to talk about.

Shattered my confidence.

I thought if I played
in a few local tournaments

under assumed names,

played in a park with people
who didn't recognize me...

You could get it back.

But I kept losing.

I realized I lost more
than confidence.

I lost my love for the game.

So, yes, I walked away.

Never looked back.

Maybe talking to Aleksander
will bring you some peace.

How?

I don't blame him
for what happened.

Maybe he does.

He went to a whole lot
of trouble to try to find you.

All you have to do is listen.

You were his best friend.

Tell him to come over tonight.

We will.

Sorry, sorry.
One more super quick thing.

You wouldn't happen to know
the name Falken, would you?

Falken?

No, sorry.

You know, I'm glad you
found him and all,

but you should have called me.

- Us.
- Us... right.

We were working on this
together.

It's kind of a breach
of the private detective

code of conduct, to be honest.

I'm sorry, okay?
It all happened so fast.

As soon as we saw the name
on that return address,

we just raced over there.

The private detective
code of conduct?

You are making that up,
aren't you?

- What gave it away?
- What's up, guys?

Ali, this is Ray.
Ray, this is my sister, Ali.

- Pleasure.
- Ray's a PI.

We helped him on a case
a while back,

though I doubt he would
admit that.

Yeah, yeah. Fine, you know what?

As a thank you, why don't I
buy us a round?

Assuming that
it's happy hour prices?

I think I can ring up
a family and friends discount.

Ray Nicolette.

Yeah.

Damn.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I understand.

That was Aleksander's wife.

He's in the hospital.

Is he okay?

She says he's stable,

but he's not in any shape
to meet Graham.

At least not at his house.

Okay, well, we'll bring
Graham to him.

Good idea.

Miles - Dad.

This is Ray Nicolette.
Hi, I'm Arthur.

Pleasure.
Is this like a family bar, or?

Cara and I were just
heading out.

We found Graham Hastings.

- You're kidding.
- No.

We're heading to reunite him
with Aleksander Leff.

All right. So, tomorrow, chess.

You tell me all about it.

- I'll be there.
- All right.

Are you kidding?
I just opened three beers.

That's not gonna be a problem.

- Hey, darling.
- Hi, Dad.

Hey, beer Arthur?

Thank you. Don't mind if I do.

So, how do you and Miles
know each other?

That is one hell of a story
actually.

Well, isn't that why people
come to a bar,

to hear a good story?

My wife Abby died a year ago,

and for reasons that sound
absolutely insane

when you say it out loud...

I think she sent your son
to help me through it.

Does this have something
to do with the God Account?

Yep.

A couple months ago
they sent him my name.

Now Graham's.

Apparently a hell of a lot
of people in between.

You know, I don't know
who's behind it all.

I don't know why
they chose your son.

But I do know this

That kid's making
a hell of a difference.

I'm sorry to interrupt,

but there's someone here
to see you.

Hello, Aleksander.

Been a while.

I'm sorry it took
something like this

for me to finally reach out.

How you feeling?

Been better.

There's something
you need to know

about our last game.

I so desperately wanted
to beat you.

I'm not sure I'm following.

I was there that day, remember?

You beat me, fair and square.

No, I didn't.

A couple days before our match,

I came across your chess
journals.

You read my journals?

I knew that you recorded
every game you played,

every move of your opponent.

I came across your notes
on a game we'd recently played.

You'd made a note that
I had missed a move,

one that would have set me up
to beat you.

You recreated the game.

The only reason I won that day,

was because you showed me how.

You were my only friend.

You knew more than anyone
I had nothing but chess.

- Nothing.
- Look, I'm sorry.

I never thought losing
one game would do that to you.

You took away the one thing
I loved most.

You took it all away.

If you're looking
for absolution,

I won't give it to you.

Graham. Graham... wait.

Please. Wait.

Graham...

There's nothing more
to say here.

There is so much more to say.

You haven't even given
him a chance.

Why do I need to give him
a chance?

He's the one who stole the last
ten years of my life from me.

I get that. I do.

But maybe his apology is a way
for you to get chess back.

You said you couldn't
understand how he beat you.

And not knowing made you
question everything

you thought you knew to be true.

About you. About the game.

Now you have your answer.
You have the truth.

Why not use this to reclaim
what you lost?

It's too late.

That truth doesn't change
what happened.

But it could change
what will happen.

If you don't at least try
to forgive him,

it might be a bigger mistake
than the one he made.

I'm sorry.

I can't.

I just can't.

Damn it.

You're really gonna leave
your rook out there like that?

It's part of my plan.

You have a plan?

Is that a challenge?

No, I haven't played in a while.

I could take it easy on you.

Thanks.

Check.

- Who taught you how to play?
- My dad.

Is there anything we can do
for you before we go?

Thank you, no.

You've already done so much.

Annabelle, where have you been?

She was playing chess...

With me.

Come on, sweetheart.

Let's give Daddy
and his friends a moment.

Is she part of the reason
you were searching for me?

Partly, yes.

Her love of the game.
Her passion.

Her God-given talent.

I know what I stole,

and I know I can
never give it back to you.

But I'm hoping that maybe
she can.

What are you talking about?

She's going to need a teacher.

You're the only one I trust
to pass on the game

that we both once loved.

That I know you
could love again.

I don't know.

It's gonna be hard work
getting Annabelle

to lose all those bad habits
you taught you.

But I'll do my best.

I'm just gonna need
one thing in return.

What's that?

A rematch.

Miles, Cara.

I wanted to thank you.

If you hadn't shown up today,
who knows what the next

ten years would have
looked like.

I'm glad we could be
of some help.

Yeah, if there's anything
I can do for you, just ask.

Actually, there's one thing.

I was kinda hoping to score
an interview.

I think people wanna hear
your story.

I guess it's time to tell it.

Come by the apartment tomorrow.
We'll talk.

One last thing.

Earlier, your friend asked
if I knew Falken.

I do... or at least I did.

I didn't tell you before,
because I didn't know you.

We met at a tournament
15 years ago.

He approached me
and said he was building

a special kind of computer.

Wanted me to play chess
against it.

I was intrigued, so I did.

Beat the damn thing every time.
Though, it did get better.

After a few months,
he thanked me

and I never saw or heard
from him again.

Of course, when I met him,

he was still going by his
given name.

The "Falken" thing came later.

Wait, you know Falken's
real name?

What was it?

Henry Chase.

Hope that helps.

Thanks.

What until we tell Rakesh.

Yeah, his mind
is going to explode.

We live our lives thinking

we need to leave something
behind before we die.

But a person's legacy can mean
so many different things.

It's the shared experiences

we all go through
that binds us together,

paving the way
for new relationships.

Hey.

What are you doing here?

I just wanted to come by
and see you.

Hey, look,

I like you.
I think you like me, too.

But if there's something
that you're holding back...

While also reminding us

it's never too late
to mend the past.

And hope for the future.

If we're going to play
this game,

then let's call each other
by our first names.

Nice to meet you, Henry.

Hey there, Annabelle.

Do you see what
your father just did?

He lost his queen.

I did not.

Maybe not yet,
but in four moves you will.

And if we're lucky enough,

We get to see
the lessons of our life

passed down to those
we love most.

Is it everything you hoped for?

Better.

That's the thing about legacy.

It's never too late to change it

or make it better.

You just have to know
where to start.

- Dad, hey.
- Hey.

- Is everything all right?
- Yeah.

No, everything is fine.

I was just hoping we could talk.

I'd like to know
a little bit more

about this God Account of yours.

Come on in.