How We Roll (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Pilot - full transcript
Here's a crazy story.
The craziest part is, it's true.
I got laid off from the
assembly line on December 23rd.
I know. Merry Christmas.
I had a family, an
upside-down mortgage,
and an '85 Silverado with a
coat hanger for an antenna.
But I also had a dream.
See, when life kicks
you in the ass,
you got to hang in there,
because sometimes the
worst day of your life
ends up being the best thing
that could've happened.
Morning. Hey.
What's wrong?
This cereal tastes weird.
These aren't Lucky Charms,
they're called Magic Squares.
Well, they were
magically cheaper
and that was lucky for us.
There's no leprechaun,
just a creepy wizard.
We're cutting back
for a while, hon.
It turned my milk black.
Sounds like that wizard has a
couple tricks up his sleeve.
Come on, grab your backpack.
Don't forget your tap shoes,
the recital's tonight.
Already wearing 'em.
I'll go practice
in the garage until
it's time to go.
I'm closing at
the salon tonight.
Can you pick up
laundry detergent?
I have a coupon.
Coupons.
It's like handing the
cashier a note that says,
"Hello. I've failed my family.
Could I borrow 50 cents
for this jug of soap?"
You didn't fail anybody,
okay? You got laid off.
And you've applied everywhere.
You're gonna get something.
Come on, you okay?
Yeah.
Yes. You got in late last night.
Sorry, I was at
the bowling alley.
You've gone every
night this week.
Yeah, I've been talking with
some of other guys
who got laid off.
It's a support group.
Like AA, except
everybody's drinking
and feels totally fine about it.
Okay, Tom, just tell
me what's going on.
Okay.
There's no support group.
Hmm. I had a hunch.
Archie's been letting
me bowl for free.
He's coaching me.
I rolled a 268 last night.
And that was with an open frame.
Great.
Yeah, a 268 would put
me on the money list
at any PBA tournament.
Okay.
Just saying. If I had
rolled that last night
at the Del Taco Open,
I would've made more
money in one day
than two months at the factory.
And we'd be knee-deep
in Del Taco.
What are you saying?
I'm saying I could make good
money in pro tournaments.
I'm saying I'm tired of busting
my ass and us barely getting by.
And Sam's right,
Magic Squares suck.
My family deserves Lucky Charms
and full-price
laundry detergent.
Okay.
I've heard you say you want
to be a professional bowler,
but I thought you
always meant it like
when you say you
wish dogs could talk.
I'm 35, I didn't go to college,
and the one job
I'm qualified to do
just laid me off.
I'm better at bowling
than anything I've ever done.
Maybe now's the time
to take my shot.
Uh...
Say something.
Come on, pretend
you're a talking dog.
Knock, knock.
Just bringing over a
layoff care package.
Tuna casserole and a six-pack.
There's also a gift card
in there for Bass Pro Shop.
They're having a big sale
this weekend on bear spray.
We don't need bear spray, Helen.
Well, you'd be whistling
a different tune
when some pot-smoking
drifter is breaking in.
What? It won't kill him.
It'll just take him down.
Then you can decide what
to do with him later.
Hey, have I come at a bad time?
Ooh. How can I help?
We were just talking about
my job situation.Uh-huh.
Maybe I don't want to work
in a factory anymore, Ma.
What?
Four generations of Smallwoods
have worked that line.
The factory has been
very good to us.
Yeah, until the security
guard walked me to my car,
cut up my ID and frisked me.
I got to run Sam to school.
Thanks for the casserole.
Yeah.
While I was making
it, I realized
my furnace filters
need changing.
Message received.
I'll swing by later.
We'll talk more tonight.
Okay? I love you.
I love you more!
Gonna get that starter fixed.
I'm also gonna fix
that glove box.
Hey, play your cards right,
this'll be yours someday.
What are you doing?
Hiding my tap shoes
in my backpack.
Hiding? Why?
Because I carried them
into school yesterday
and there's already two
guys calling me "Ma'am"
instead of "Sam."
No, hold on, no,
no, don't do that.
Don't be ashamed of
what you want to do.
You get one life.
Do what you love.
Did you love working
at the factory?
You know how, when
Mom makes meatloaf,
we both say we love it?
It was like that.
Check it out.
I bought this for you.
I used my allowance.
A lottery scratcher?
How'd you even get this?
You got to be 18 to
buy one of these.
Not if you go to the
guy at the Mini Mart.
The kid in front of me bought
a grape-flavored cigar.
Sam, we don't solve our
problems with gambling.
But all you need
is three horseshoes
and you win $50,000.
I'm sorry, buddy.
I'm returning this
and getting you your money back.
And stay away from that
guy at the Mini Mart.
Grape does not
mean a safer cigar.
Hang on, Dad. I forgot my lunch.
Horseshoe...
Come on...
Horseshoe...
Horse.
That's just mean.
For the last time,
keep your elbow in
on your release,
or I'll sew it to your damn body
and you'll have to take a yoga
class just to wipe your ass.
I'm sorry, Arch. My game's off.
I just told Jen this morning
I wanted to be a pro bowler.
Yes! Finally! I've
been waiting for this
for 20 years. How'd it go?
She stared at me,
didn't say anything.
As if I had just told her I
wanted to be a pro bowler.
Listen, I've been married
a few times over the years.
Yeah, I know. I've
worked my way up
from ring bearer to best man.
If you get married again,
I'm gonna be the bride.
Not if I get there first.
My point is
communication is the
heartbeat of a marriage.
You got to make Jen understand
bowling can give her a
life she's never had.
Yeah. I think that's
what she's afraid of.
Oh, hold on, I've been saving
something for this moment.
This is gonna happen, Smalls.
A-And you're gonna
need a manager.
All right? But we've been
friends for a long time,
so I won't take 20%.
Let's meet in the middle at 18.
Lew,
how is 18 meeting in the middle?
See, this is why you need me.
Someone who
understands business.
That's me. I got you, man.
Here you go, champ.
Huh?
A pro jersey?
"Archie's Lanes. Home
of the Curly Fry."
Thanks, Arch. Go
ahead, try it on.
I hope that thing has pockets.
You can have somewhere
to put all the money
you're not gonna win.
Carl, why would I need pockets
if I'm not gonna win any money?
Obviously.
There's no
other...
Don't listen to that fool.
You're gonna wear that
thing on ESPN someday.
Yeah. Oh.
Uh, always make sure the
Archie's logo faces the camera.
Guys, I appreciate it,
but I wouldn't
get your hopes up.
I really don't think
it's gonna happen.
Well, I know it's gonna happen.
I've always known.
So lose the negativity, man.
You sound like your mother.
I'm not trying to be negative,
I'm trying to be realistic.
You want to be realistic? Fine.
You have the same average
as pros on the tour.
A natural gift for breaking
to the pocket on every shot.
You were born to bowl.
When you came out of the womb,
I bet ten doctors fell down.
Realistic? Please.
I ever tell you the story
about when I wanted
to open my own alley?
Yeah. Yeah, you told
everybody that damn story.
1979.
Everybody kept telling
me that a Black man
would never be able to
get a business loan.
And guess what.
They were right.
Sons of bitches.
But then my uncle got
hit by a garbage truck.
He sued the crap out of
the city and here I am.
This is your garbage truck, Tom.
You just have to
have the courage
to step in front of it.
I don't know why you
always want me to do this.
I've seen you change the
transmission in a Buick
and gut a deer all by yourself.
Well, excuse me for
wanting to spend
a little quality
time with my son.
Hey, come down off that ladder.
I've got some big news and
I don't want you to fall.
I pulled a string at
the Dayco plant today
and I got you an interview
for the assembly line.
What? I-I applied there.
The guy said they
weren't hiring.
You didn't walk in on
him and the sales lady
doing the no pants
dance a few years back.
You'll get the job.
Oh.
Well, I was all set to
say "you're welcome."
I don't know what
the hell to say now.
I appreciate it, Ma. I...
I've just been thinking that
maybe now's the time to
take my shot at the PBA.
Oh, Tommy, you need a
guaranteed paycheck.
You really want to put Jenny
and Sam at risk so you can bowl?
No.
Oh.
Don't get all sideways.
I'm not. You're right.
If I have a real job
offer, I have to take it.
Now, thanks to you, I got one.
Just trying to be
realistic. Yeah,
we're both always
trying to be realistic.
Maybe that's our problem.
What are you talking about?
I'm talking about
taking a chance
every once in a while,
Ma, for a better life.
I mean, have you been on
one date since Dad died?
I-It's been 20 years.
Well, I'm an old woman.
It's a little late to be
dusting off home plate.
You're not old.
You have a lot to offer.
What about that neighbor
who's always bringing
you tomatoes?
He's got sideburns
and drives a Fiat.
If I want to spend
time with a hooligan,
I'll visit someone on death row.
See?
Another excuse.
Another excuse to
not do something.
This is why you're
who you are.
And who am I, exactly?
Someone who told me to
always play it safe.
"Stay in the middle of
the herd," you'd say.
"The cows at the front, they're
the first to get slaughtered."
I'm just trying to protect you.
Yeah, I know.
I still am. I know.
The way you need to
protect your family.
I know!
Which reminds me, there's
a can of bear spray
hidden in your house.
If someone tries to
break in, call me
and I'll tell you where it is!
Unbelievable. Sweetie,
you were amazing.
I don't know much about dance,
but I know you won.
It was a recital,
not a competition.
Sam, you kicked everybody's
ass and I'm proud of you.
All right, my little superstar,
get ready for bed,
it's a school night.
Hey, Dad,
you know how we were talking
in the truck this morning?
I think this is
what I want to do.
What'd you talk
about in the truck?
Life, dreams, tap dance.
Guy stuff.
Tom, I know you're not thrilled
about taking that
job at the plant.
Actually, I think I figured
something out tonight.
When we got to the
recital, I was pissed.
I know. But I think that lady
had the parking space first.
Not that, and no, she didn't.
The turn signal is a contract.
I was pissed about not bowling.
I always thought that's what
I was supposed to do in life.
Sitting in that theater,
thinking, "This
is my last chance,
and as soon as I take
that new job, it's gone."
Then my kid takes the stage.
Got my arm around my wife.
And I realize,
I'm not a pro bowler.
I'm a dad and a husband.
That's what I am.
I don't have to
be anything else.
Tell me I'm wrong.
I wish I could, but I can't.
And that's okay.
You know,
everybody thinks the hardest
thing to do in bowling
is to pick up the 7-10 split.
But it's not.
It's actually the
4-6-7-9-10 split.
It's called the Greek Church.
A handful of guys
can pick that up
on their best day.
I did it one night.
Then I go to this bar.
See this... beautiful girl.
Way out of my league.
Any other night,
I wouldn't've had the
guts, but that night,
I had this "Greek
Church" confidence.
So I asked her to dance.
Month later, she's pregnant.
Week after that,
married at the courthouse.
Later that night, honeymoon
suite at the Super 8.
You knew how to treat a girl.
I had a coupon.
See, the way I see it,
bowling isn't what I'm
supposed to do with my life,
it's what led me to my life.
Hmm.
Where you going?
Bedroom.
There's some things we
didn't do at the Super 8.
We're doing 'em tonight.
But the only thing
we didn't do at...
260.
Well, I see you finally decided
to start keeping your elbow in,
now that you're not going
pro and it doesn't matter.
Hey, you got to do right
by your family, Smalls.
I understand.
Thanks, Lew.
It's a damn waste of talent.
It's like telling Nicki
Minaj to wear an overcoat.
Look at this.
Suede Wade is in the tenth frame
and he's 20 pins behind
what you just bowled
in a practice game.
Suede Wade.
God, I hate that dude.
But that's a clean-ass hat.
One of the top ten ranked
bowlers in the country,
about to win a major
with a lower score
than what my boy just put up.
Good for him.
He's probably single,
no family, miserable.
He's got five kids.
He married a panty model.
Yeah, I heard he
drives a Maserati.
How's your truck
running, Smallwood?
Come on, Carl!
Look, I know who I am.
I like who I am,
and I'm happy.
It's his last ball.
Don't you want to see
if you beat his score?
Nope. Don't care.
We can see your ass in
the reflection, Thomas.
Wow, look at Sammy tapping
his little heart out.
He is so good.
I know, he's got a
real passion for it.
You know what I have
a real passion for?
That tall, sexy
daddy in the back.
Oh, my God. What?
You're sleeping with
a dad, why can't I?
No, Helen just walked in.
Would you mind stabbing me in
the heart with your scissors?
Hi! Hey.
Good to see you.
Hey, hey.
I was about to take lunch...
Oh.
But I guess I have
time for one more.
This is quite a surprise.
You told me I should
drop by. I did?
The night Tommy brought
you home to meet me?
That was 12 years ago.
Well, here I am.
Okay.Oh...
So
What are you thinking?
Well, I've had the same
hairstyle for 30 years.
I'm not a fan of
change. I understand.
You stick with
what works in life.
There's an argument
to be made for that.
You ask the people on the
Hindenburghow they feel
about taking
unnecessary chances.
Got it.
So, um
what do we want to do?
I already did what I had to do,
and Tommy barely spoke
to me at the recital.
If you're talking about
getting him the job, he's fine.
He knows you only did
it because you care.
That's right, I do care.
And I know that you do, too.
He needs to do the right
thing for his family.
Tom always does the right
thing for his family.
I just needed to speak my piece.
Yeah. I get it.
You're a mom.
It's your job to keep
him safe. That's right.
And it's my job
to keep him happy.
Oh, what-what about your hair?
Oh, I had a guy let
me cut in front of him
in line at the
grocery store today.
Gonna stick with what works.
Hey, how was your, uh... Sit.
I have two questions.
Question one.
Why is there a can of bear spray
duct-taped to the
back of our toilet?
I'll take care of it.
Great. Question two.
Why are you taking a
job you don't want?
What do you mean, "don't want"?
I get to drive 1,046 bolts
into brake drums every day.
And they let me wear a hairnet.
You're doing it because
it's the right thing
to do for our family.
Yes, we talked about this.
We did.
And I thought a lot about it.
You should do the right
thing for our family.
So here's the plan.
You have a 210 bowling
average in your last 36 games
of league play.
This qualifies you
for PBA membership.
You'll start doing
regional tournaments.
The first one is in three
months at Cuyahoga Falls.
Horrible town. Enjoy.
Now,
uh, if you don't place
in the top third,
we get nothing and we lose our
entry fee, which is bad. But
if you can win
just one regional,
it covers all of
your bowling expenses
till the end of the year.
Jen... Don't interrupt, babe.
The ultimate goal is, of
course, to win a major.
You'll earn exemption
so you can enter
any PBA event you want
and ideally bowl in
the PBA Championship.
No, honey, stop.
I'm fine. I don't
need to do this.
Actually, you do.
You're not the only one in
this family with a dream.
Your son wants to
dance on Broadway.
You need to show
him what's possible.
I want to open my own salon.
I'm gonna need you to
finish in the top ten
at a major to make that happen.
I mapped out driving routes,
budgeted motel costs,
gas money.
With me picking up extra shifts,
we can go for six months.
And after that, we reassess.
Sweetie, I... I can't do it.
I thought you'd say that.
So I stopped off at
the bowling alley
after work to talk to Archie.
He helped me pick this out.
If you're gonna be a pro bowler,
you can't keep using that
crappy, chipped-up ball
you've had for the
last ten years.
Oh. We'll be selling the
snow blower to pay for it.
You'll be shoveling this winter,
but Archie said you
could lose a few pounds.
Guy gives you curly fries
for 30 years, calls you fat.
Try the holes, babe.
Already drilled. No returns.
What if it doesn't work out?
But what if it does?
Look
you and your mom
had a tough life.
You lost some important things.
But you married me.
And I say
why can't we be the
family who wins?
Do you know how
many wives there are
who'd say, "Forget
the paying job,
just bowl and see what happens"?
One.
There is one and
you married her.
You won the lottery. I suggest
you cash in your ticket.
What's wrong?
I have to shovel this winter.
Why?
'Cause I got my third horseshoe.
Gross.
Captioning sponsored by CBS.
The craziest part is, it's true.
I got laid off from the
assembly line on December 23rd.
I know. Merry Christmas.
I had a family, an
upside-down mortgage,
and an '85 Silverado with a
coat hanger for an antenna.
But I also had a dream.
See, when life kicks
you in the ass,
you got to hang in there,
because sometimes the
worst day of your life
ends up being the best thing
that could've happened.
Morning. Hey.
What's wrong?
This cereal tastes weird.
These aren't Lucky Charms,
they're called Magic Squares.
Well, they were
magically cheaper
and that was lucky for us.
There's no leprechaun,
just a creepy wizard.
We're cutting back
for a while, hon.
It turned my milk black.
Sounds like that wizard has a
couple tricks up his sleeve.
Come on, grab your backpack.
Don't forget your tap shoes,
the recital's tonight.
Already wearing 'em.
I'll go practice
in the garage until
it's time to go.
I'm closing at
the salon tonight.
Can you pick up
laundry detergent?
I have a coupon.
Coupons.
It's like handing the
cashier a note that says,
"Hello. I've failed my family.
Could I borrow 50 cents
for this jug of soap?"
You didn't fail anybody,
okay? You got laid off.
And you've applied everywhere.
You're gonna get something.
Come on, you okay?
Yeah.
Yes. You got in late last night.
Sorry, I was at
the bowling alley.
You've gone every
night this week.
Yeah, I've been talking with
some of other guys
who got laid off.
It's a support group.
Like AA, except
everybody's drinking
and feels totally fine about it.
Okay, Tom, just tell
me what's going on.
Okay.
There's no support group.
Hmm. I had a hunch.
Archie's been letting
me bowl for free.
He's coaching me.
I rolled a 268 last night.
And that was with an open frame.
Great.
Yeah, a 268 would put
me on the money list
at any PBA tournament.
Okay.
Just saying. If I had
rolled that last night
at the Del Taco Open,
I would've made more
money in one day
than two months at the factory.
And we'd be knee-deep
in Del Taco.
What are you saying?
I'm saying I could make good
money in pro tournaments.
I'm saying I'm tired of busting
my ass and us barely getting by.
And Sam's right,
Magic Squares suck.
My family deserves Lucky Charms
and full-price
laundry detergent.
Okay.
I've heard you say you want
to be a professional bowler,
but I thought you
always meant it like
when you say you
wish dogs could talk.
I'm 35, I didn't go to college,
and the one job
I'm qualified to do
just laid me off.
I'm better at bowling
than anything I've ever done.
Maybe now's the time
to take my shot.
Uh...
Say something.
Come on, pretend
you're a talking dog.
Knock, knock.
Just bringing over a
layoff care package.
Tuna casserole and a six-pack.
There's also a gift card
in there for Bass Pro Shop.
They're having a big sale
this weekend on bear spray.
We don't need bear spray, Helen.
Well, you'd be whistling
a different tune
when some pot-smoking
drifter is breaking in.
What? It won't kill him.
It'll just take him down.
Then you can decide what
to do with him later.
Hey, have I come at a bad time?
Ooh. How can I help?
We were just talking about
my job situation.Uh-huh.
Maybe I don't want to work
in a factory anymore, Ma.
What?
Four generations of Smallwoods
have worked that line.
The factory has been
very good to us.
Yeah, until the security
guard walked me to my car,
cut up my ID and frisked me.
I got to run Sam to school.
Thanks for the casserole.
Yeah.
While I was making
it, I realized
my furnace filters
need changing.
Message received.
I'll swing by later.
We'll talk more tonight.
Okay? I love you.
I love you more!
Gonna get that starter fixed.
I'm also gonna fix
that glove box.
Hey, play your cards right,
this'll be yours someday.
What are you doing?
Hiding my tap shoes
in my backpack.
Hiding? Why?
Because I carried them
into school yesterday
and there's already two
guys calling me "Ma'am"
instead of "Sam."
No, hold on, no,
no, don't do that.
Don't be ashamed of
what you want to do.
You get one life.
Do what you love.
Did you love working
at the factory?
You know how, when
Mom makes meatloaf,
we both say we love it?
It was like that.
Check it out.
I bought this for you.
I used my allowance.
A lottery scratcher?
How'd you even get this?
You got to be 18 to
buy one of these.
Not if you go to the
guy at the Mini Mart.
The kid in front of me bought
a grape-flavored cigar.
Sam, we don't solve our
problems with gambling.
But all you need
is three horseshoes
and you win $50,000.
I'm sorry, buddy.
I'm returning this
and getting you your money back.
And stay away from that
guy at the Mini Mart.
Grape does not
mean a safer cigar.
Hang on, Dad. I forgot my lunch.
Horseshoe...
Come on...
Horseshoe...
Horse.
That's just mean.
For the last time,
keep your elbow in
on your release,
or I'll sew it to your damn body
and you'll have to take a yoga
class just to wipe your ass.
I'm sorry, Arch. My game's off.
I just told Jen this morning
I wanted to be a pro bowler.
Yes! Finally! I've
been waiting for this
for 20 years. How'd it go?
She stared at me,
didn't say anything.
As if I had just told her I
wanted to be a pro bowler.
Listen, I've been married
a few times over the years.
Yeah, I know. I've
worked my way up
from ring bearer to best man.
If you get married again,
I'm gonna be the bride.
Not if I get there first.
My point is
communication is the
heartbeat of a marriage.
You got to make Jen understand
bowling can give her a
life she's never had.
Yeah. I think that's
what she's afraid of.
Oh, hold on, I've been saving
something for this moment.
This is gonna happen, Smalls.
A-And you're gonna
need a manager.
All right? But we've been
friends for a long time,
so I won't take 20%.
Let's meet in the middle at 18.
Lew,
how is 18 meeting in the middle?
See, this is why you need me.
Someone who
understands business.
That's me. I got you, man.
Here you go, champ.
Huh?
A pro jersey?
"Archie's Lanes. Home
of the Curly Fry."
Thanks, Arch. Go
ahead, try it on.
I hope that thing has pockets.
You can have somewhere
to put all the money
you're not gonna win.
Carl, why would I need pockets
if I'm not gonna win any money?
Obviously.
There's no
other...
Don't listen to that fool.
You're gonna wear that
thing on ESPN someday.
Yeah. Oh.
Uh, always make sure the
Archie's logo faces the camera.
Guys, I appreciate it,
but I wouldn't
get your hopes up.
I really don't think
it's gonna happen.
Well, I know it's gonna happen.
I've always known.
So lose the negativity, man.
You sound like your mother.
I'm not trying to be negative,
I'm trying to be realistic.
You want to be realistic? Fine.
You have the same average
as pros on the tour.
A natural gift for breaking
to the pocket on every shot.
You were born to bowl.
When you came out of the womb,
I bet ten doctors fell down.
Realistic? Please.
I ever tell you the story
about when I wanted
to open my own alley?
Yeah. Yeah, you told
everybody that damn story.
1979.
Everybody kept telling
me that a Black man
would never be able to
get a business loan.
And guess what.
They were right.
Sons of bitches.
But then my uncle got
hit by a garbage truck.
He sued the crap out of
the city and here I am.
This is your garbage truck, Tom.
You just have to
have the courage
to step in front of it.
I don't know why you
always want me to do this.
I've seen you change the
transmission in a Buick
and gut a deer all by yourself.
Well, excuse me for
wanting to spend
a little quality
time with my son.
Hey, come down off that ladder.
I've got some big news and
I don't want you to fall.
I pulled a string at
the Dayco plant today
and I got you an interview
for the assembly line.
What? I-I applied there.
The guy said they
weren't hiring.
You didn't walk in on
him and the sales lady
doing the no pants
dance a few years back.
You'll get the job.
Oh.
Well, I was all set to
say "you're welcome."
I don't know what
the hell to say now.
I appreciate it, Ma. I...
I've just been thinking that
maybe now's the time to
take my shot at the PBA.
Oh, Tommy, you need a
guaranteed paycheck.
You really want to put Jenny
and Sam at risk so you can bowl?
No.
Oh.
Don't get all sideways.
I'm not. You're right.
If I have a real job
offer, I have to take it.
Now, thanks to you, I got one.
Just trying to be
realistic. Yeah,
we're both always
trying to be realistic.
Maybe that's our problem.
What are you talking about?
I'm talking about
taking a chance
every once in a while,
Ma, for a better life.
I mean, have you been on
one date since Dad died?
I-It's been 20 years.
Well, I'm an old woman.
It's a little late to be
dusting off home plate.
You're not old.
You have a lot to offer.
What about that neighbor
who's always bringing
you tomatoes?
He's got sideburns
and drives a Fiat.
If I want to spend
time with a hooligan,
I'll visit someone on death row.
See?
Another excuse.
Another excuse to
not do something.
This is why you're
who you are.
And who am I, exactly?
Someone who told me to
always play it safe.
"Stay in the middle of
the herd," you'd say.
"The cows at the front, they're
the first to get slaughtered."
I'm just trying to protect you.
Yeah, I know.
I still am. I know.
The way you need to
protect your family.
I know!
Which reminds me, there's
a can of bear spray
hidden in your house.
If someone tries to
break in, call me
and I'll tell you where it is!
Unbelievable. Sweetie,
you were amazing.
I don't know much about dance,
but I know you won.
It was a recital,
not a competition.
Sam, you kicked everybody's
ass and I'm proud of you.
All right, my little superstar,
get ready for bed,
it's a school night.
Hey, Dad,
you know how we were talking
in the truck this morning?
I think this is
what I want to do.
What'd you talk
about in the truck?
Life, dreams, tap dance.
Guy stuff.
Tom, I know you're not thrilled
about taking that
job at the plant.
Actually, I think I figured
something out tonight.
When we got to the
recital, I was pissed.
I know. But I think that lady
had the parking space first.
Not that, and no, she didn't.
The turn signal is a contract.
I was pissed about not bowling.
I always thought that's what
I was supposed to do in life.
Sitting in that theater,
thinking, "This
is my last chance,
and as soon as I take
that new job, it's gone."
Then my kid takes the stage.
Got my arm around my wife.
And I realize,
I'm not a pro bowler.
I'm a dad and a husband.
That's what I am.
I don't have to
be anything else.
Tell me I'm wrong.
I wish I could, but I can't.
And that's okay.
You know,
everybody thinks the hardest
thing to do in bowling
is to pick up the 7-10 split.
But it's not.
It's actually the
4-6-7-9-10 split.
It's called the Greek Church.
A handful of guys
can pick that up
on their best day.
I did it one night.
Then I go to this bar.
See this... beautiful girl.
Way out of my league.
Any other night,
I wouldn't've had the
guts, but that night,
I had this "Greek
Church" confidence.
So I asked her to dance.
Month later, she's pregnant.
Week after that,
married at the courthouse.
Later that night, honeymoon
suite at the Super 8.
You knew how to treat a girl.
I had a coupon.
See, the way I see it,
bowling isn't what I'm
supposed to do with my life,
it's what led me to my life.
Hmm.
Where you going?
Bedroom.
There's some things we
didn't do at the Super 8.
We're doing 'em tonight.
But the only thing
we didn't do at...
260.
Well, I see you finally decided
to start keeping your elbow in,
now that you're not going
pro and it doesn't matter.
Hey, you got to do right
by your family, Smalls.
I understand.
Thanks, Lew.
It's a damn waste of talent.
It's like telling Nicki
Minaj to wear an overcoat.
Look at this.
Suede Wade is in the tenth frame
and he's 20 pins behind
what you just bowled
in a practice game.
Suede Wade.
God, I hate that dude.
But that's a clean-ass hat.
One of the top ten ranked
bowlers in the country,
about to win a major
with a lower score
than what my boy just put up.
Good for him.
He's probably single,
no family, miserable.
He's got five kids.
He married a panty model.
Yeah, I heard he
drives a Maserati.
How's your truck
running, Smallwood?
Come on, Carl!
Look, I know who I am.
I like who I am,
and I'm happy.
It's his last ball.
Don't you want to see
if you beat his score?
Nope. Don't care.
We can see your ass in
the reflection, Thomas.
Wow, look at Sammy tapping
his little heart out.
He is so good.
I know, he's got a
real passion for it.
You know what I have
a real passion for?
That tall, sexy
daddy in the back.
Oh, my God. What?
You're sleeping with
a dad, why can't I?
No, Helen just walked in.
Would you mind stabbing me in
the heart with your scissors?
Hi! Hey.
Good to see you.
Hey, hey.
I was about to take lunch...
Oh.
But I guess I have
time for one more.
This is quite a surprise.
You told me I should
drop by. I did?
The night Tommy brought
you home to meet me?
That was 12 years ago.
Well, here I am.
Okay.Oh...
So
What are you thinking?
Well, I've had the same
hairstyle for 30 years.
I'm not a fan of
change. I understand.
You stick with
what works in life.
There's an argument
to be made for that.
You ask the people on the
Hindenburghow they feel
about taking
unnecessary chances.
Got it.
So, um
what do we want to do?
I already did what I had to do,
and Tommy barely spoke
to me at the recital.
If you're talking about
getting him the job, he's fine.
He knows you only did
it because you care.
That's right, I do care.
And I know that you do, too.
He needs to do the right
thing for his family.
Tom always does the right
thing for his family.
I just needed to speak my piece.
Yeah. I get it.
You're a mom.
It's your job to keep
him safe. That's right.
And it's my job
to keep him happy.
Oh, what-what about your hair?
Oh, I had a guy let
me cut in front of him
in line at the
grocery store today.
Gonna stick with what works.
Hey, how was your, uh... Sit.
I have two questions.
Question one.
Why is there a can of bear spray
duct-taped to the
back of our toilet?
I'll take care of it.
Great. Question two.
Why are you taking a
job you don't want?
What do you mean, "don't want"?
I get to drive 1,046 bolts
into brake drums every day.
And they let me wear a hairnet.
You're doing it because
it's the right thing
to do for our family.
Yes, we talked about this.
We did.
And I thought a lot about it.
You should do the right
thing for our family.
So here's the plan.
You have a 210 bowling
average in your last 36 games
of league play.
This qualifies you
for PBA membership.
You'll start doing
regional tournaments.
The first one is in three
months at Cuyahoga Falls.
Horrible town. Enjoy.
Now,
uh, if you don't place
in the top third,
we get nothing and we lose our
entry fee, which is bad. But
if you can win
just one regional,
it covers all of
your bowling expenses
till the end of the year.
Jen... Don't interrupt, babe.
The ultimate goal is, of
course, to win a major.
You'll earn exemption
so you can enter
any PBA event you want
and ideally bowl in
the PBA Championship.
No, honey, stop.
I'm fine. I don't
need to do this.
Actually, you do.
You're not the only one in
this family with a dream.
Your son wants to
dance on Broadway.
You need to show
him what's possible.
I want to open my own salon.
I'm gonna need you to
finish in the top ten
at a major to make that happen.
I mapped out driving routes,
budgeted motel costs,
gas money.
With me picking up extra shifts,
we can go for six months.
And after that, we reassess.
Sweetie, I... I can't do it.
I thought you'd say that.
So I stopped off at
the bowling alley
after work to talk to Archie.
He helped me pick this out.
If you're gonna be a pro bowler,
you can't keep using that
crappy, chipped-up ball
you've had for the
last ten years.
Oh. We'll be selling the
snow blower to pay for it.
You'll be shoveling this winter,
but Archie said you
could lose a few pounds.
Guy gives you curly fries
for 30 years, calls you fat.
Try the holes, babe.
Already drilled. No returns.
What if it doesn't work out?
But what if it does?
Look
you and your mom
had a tough life.
You lost some important things.
But you married me.
And I say
why can't we be the
family who wins?
Do you know how
many wives there are
who'd say, "Forget
the paying job,
just bowl and see what happens"?
One.
There is one and
you married her.
You won the lottery. I suggest
you cash in your ticket.
What's wrong?
I have to shovel this winter.
Why?
'Cause I got my third horseshoe.
Gross.
Captioning sponsored by CBS.