Party of Five (1994–2000): Season 3, Episode 8 - Not So Fast - full transcript

You cheated on her?

Yeah.

You cheated on Sarah?

Keep it down.
Yeah.

Wow.
With-With who?

That is not
the question.

Well, it's sort
of the question.

No.
The question is why.

Why would I do
something like that?
Cheating?

That's like-- That's
the absolute lowest
form of...

Of...



I thought you guys
were doing pretty well.

I mean, it kind of seems
like you love her.

Well, yeah.
I mean, look at her.

She's beautiful and...
And incredibly smart
and unbelievably together.

But she's 16
and in high school.

Everything is high school,
high school.

And all the stuff we do,
it's the same stuff
we've always done.

And some stuff
we don't do at all.

You know?

You don't do it?

Okay, so technically
you're not cheating.

Give me a break.

I'm just trying to help.

Man, you are really
sweating this.



-Yeah.
-No, I mean, literally.

Look at you.
You're drenched.

Yeah.

It's making me
feel sick.

[Bailey sighs]

I know what I have to do.

No. You--
You can't tell her.

Bailey, promise me
you're not gonna tell her,
'cause that never works.

I've tried that,
like, twice.

No, three times.
And it never works.

Of course I'm not
gonna tell her.

Good.

I'm gonna break up
with her.

[theme song playing]

♪ Everybody wants to live ♪

♪ Like they wanna live ♪

♪ And everybody wants to love ♪

♪ Like they wanna love ♪

♪ Everybody wants to be ♪

♪ Closer to free ♪

♪ Closer to free ♪

Thanks.

-[Julia] Hi.
-Hi.

Anybody special you--

It's for me.
Um, Julia.

You were incredible.

Yeah, the, coughing fit

at the end really gave
the story that extra
oomph, don't you think?

[giggles]

Thanks.

What?

I've seen you before.

But were you, uh--?

You were at my reading
at Green Apple
last Thursday.

Yeah. And I also saw
you at City Lights.

Your stuff, it...
It just gets in.

You know, I mean,
I read it, or I hear
you reading it, and--

And I just have to sit back
and let it kick around
in my head.

If I could ever write
anything even close to
Dog With a Bone.

-A writer, huh?
-Uh...

Oh, kind of.

Since, I don't know,
second grade. Ha.

Actually, I have
a meeting at Stanford

this week with somebody
from Admissions.

I'm hoping to beg my way
into the creative writing
program.

No kidding.

Well, I teach
in that department.

You knew that, right?

Ah. That's kind
of the reason I...

[chuckles]

Look, why don't you come
to one of my classes?

Then you can see
what you'd be getting
yourself into.

Seriously?

Yeah, I've got a four o'clock
fiction seminar.

And they're way
over me. You know, maybe you could come

and tell them
that somebody still
thinks of me as hot stuff.

[laughs]
In a heartbeat.

[giggles]

[Charlie]
What is taking them so long?

They counted the votes
for the president
faster than this.

I've got a good
feeling about this,
Claud.

I think you could take it.
I do.

Really?
You think?

'Cause, well, I don't
know about that last
movement.

The...the thing with the,
uh, with the...the thingy?

With the...the bouncing
on the things?

Yeah. See, that...
That's just where I choked.

I overdid
the staccato.

[Avery]
She's right.

You were off just a bit.

But that first movement,
that was outstanding.

Spontaneous, flowing.

[chuckles]

I'm sorry.
And you are...?

Avery Baltus.

Avery Baltus. Of course.

I'm Ross Werkmen.
It's a pleasure
to meet you.

[Avery]
Nice to meet you.

How do I know that name?

I played with your mother.

Right.
In the scrapbook,
I remember.

They played, uh, quartets
in Central Park.

Well, actually,
they were duets
in the Battery.

[Charlie laughs]

I know.
I mean, I've heard
the recordings.

Julia's told me
a lot about you.

-[Woman] Ladies and gentlemen.
-Terrific. Shh.

We have our winner.

Starting in the young adults
category...

Paula Barksdale.

[crowd applauding]

Not to worry.

No one here
has got your talent.

[girls chattering, laughing]

Hi.

I didn't wanna interrupt.

Hm.

Oh. Heh.

Senior-class
homecoming float.
We're making flowers.

But I wouldn't wanna
bore you with that.

I know how you hate
anything that smacks
of high school. Ahem.

Anyway, it was
something to do.

It's not like
I had a very
busy week.

You're still
mad about the dance.

Really?

[Bailey sighs]

Look, can we--
Can we go someplace and--

And what?
Talk? Or fight?

Hey, how about we go
someplace, and you can
turn on me

and then claim that
I forced you there,

then get really nasty
and walk out on me?

Yeah, let's do that.

Sarah, come on, I--
I feel really lousy.

Well, you should.

No, I mean,
I really feel lousy.

Oh, my God.

I must be...

Bailey?

Well, give me--
Give me--

[vomits]

[sighs]

I promised myself
I was gonna stay
mad at you.

I really hate
you for this.

What?

Get in the car
and I'll take
you to the doctor.

[Gary]
The dirty secret
about my classes is

they're not really about
teaching writing.

It's like, uh... Hm.

It's like helping
someone give birth.

You tell them when to push,
you can tell them maybe
turn the shoulders.

But at the end
of the day,
it's their baby.

Hm.

That's a good analogy.
I might steal it
and use it in something.

See, now that is the danger
of being friends
with another writer.

So how did you start?

Oh, um.

Wow, I haven't thought
of this in, in forever.

Uh, my brother Bailey and I,
when we were little

he and his friend Will would
always go off being cowboys
and astronauts all the time

and they would
never let a girl play.

Oh, God forbid.

Except that I started
writing these adventures.

You know, with aliens
and, and monsters

and these great
heroic rescues and...

Anyway, uh, one day my--
my mom found them.

And she got
all excited, and--

And I know they weren't
really good cause I was,
like, eight.

But she said,
they were good. And-- And so I kept it up.

And after that,
she pretty much
would read

anything I ever wrote.
Heh.

That is really important.

See, every writer needs
someone like that.

It's too lonely
a business without it.

Yeah.

You know, I could
show you something.

I have a short story
that I was gonna submit
with with my application.

I mean, I know you're swamped
with your teaching
and the book, and--

No. I really would
like to read something
you wrote.

Just think of it
as a professional courtesy.

Okay. Heh.

Wait a second.
Dad had sawdust
on this floor?

And to advertise,
Nick actually
walked the streets

in one of those
sandwich-board thingies.

Uh, what did it say?

"Salinger's: For a fresh
food treat complete
with meat."

I painted the sign.

[all laughing]

Oh.

I hope you don't mind
me saying this,

but, uh,
if your mom and dad
could see all this.

I mean, Charlie, this place
with all these customers
smiling and paying.

[all laugh]

-And, Claudia.
-What?

Oh, you know what.
You are a wonderful musician.

Mm, not today.

Well, at the Troutman
competition?

And the Hutchinson Prize?

I wish your mom could
have heard you any one
of those days.

Yeah. Wait.

Wait, I don't get it.
Were you actually
following her around?

Yeah. I've been
watching her
for a long time.

First, just because
of who you are.

But after that because
of how good you are.

So why didn't
you say anything?

I was giving her time
to grow up a bit.

As a musician.
Waiting until I could help.

Help?

Help you be as good
as you can be.

And how good is that?

If you put your mind to it,

you could be
as good as your mom.

And, probably better.

[chuckles]

No kidding?

Man, I hate this.

It's like having
a million mosquito
bites.

I'm on fire.

Look, you don't
have to do this.
Thanks.

Do what?
Stop scratching.

This.

You know, help me
and be here.

Don't worry. Don't worry.
I talked to my folks

and I already had
the chicken pox when I was six.

[sighs]

Look, we have to talk.

No, you need
to be quiet and rest.

God, don't you guys
ever buy food?

You know,
like edible food?

I'm gonna have to run
to the store

but I'll get you all
set up when I get back.

Please, don't.

Look, I'm-- I'm fine.

Ow. Ow! Sarah--

Look, it's not like
I'm forgetting this whole
dance thing.

I'm not, I'm not.
I'm just-- I'm putting
it aside for a while

'cause, well, you know,
that's what you do when
your boyfriend gets sick.

I'll be mad at you next week.
I promise. Here, let's check
you again.

Sarah, please.

I don't-- This is a bad idea.

I don't need it.

I don't deserve it, and it's
only gonna make things worse.

So, please, please, please,
stop helping me.

I'll be back as soon
as I can.

Stay in bed
and don't scratch.
You're gonna scar.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[guitar music playing]

Oh, sorry.
Did, did I wake you?

A little.

I was just--

I must have
forgotten the time.

You're gonna go to bed
eventually, right?

'Cause you gotta
be at school in, like,
a matter of minutes.

Avery said we have the same
chin attitude when we play.

Mom and me.

Like we're trying to hold
the music down or it...

It might fly away with us.

You think I got that
from just watching her,

or you don't think it's
something hat just came
down from her genes?

I don't know, Claud.

It's just so cool
to think that

when I'm playing
she's, like, right here...

...playing with me.

[dance music playing
on stereo in distance]

[panting]

[Callie sighs]

So, uh, you're sick, huh?

Ugh, who's playing that?
I love this song.

Oh, wait. You didn't slobber
your germs on this, did you?

It's the chicken pox.
So I doubt--

Chicken pox? Ha.
Are you kidding?

Thank you.

Thank you very much.
That's very supportive.

Hey, you know,
it sucks you feel bad,
but, uh...

Just so you know,
I don't-- I don't do sick.

You know, it's just, uh--
It's not my bag.

What's all this?

I think Sarah left it
during one of my...

My fever-soaked deliriums.

Oh, chicken soup,

medicinal supplies.

We have a big old sweatshirt
for if you get cold.

I've a... compilation tape
of songs about feeling better.

God, this stuff is so sweet.

She must really love you.

Whatever's in there,
I don't want it.

I would have told her myself
if I had been coherent.

So if you
want anything just--

Just take it.

Ooh, Bailey's
got the chicken pox.

Ooh.

-Morning, Avery.
-Hi, Charlie.

I don't know.
I don't remember.
I don't think so.

Did you ever have
the chicken pox?

Nope.

I think you're the first, Bay.
I don't know.

Maybe we ought to stay away
for a couple of days
till you start getting better.

Who's taking care of him?

Who's taking care of you?

Really? Sarah's taking
care of him.

Oh.

Sarah's taking care of you?

Okay, okay.
I'm butting out.

We'll, um...
We'll call you.

Yup.

Ohh.

Ohh, scratchy.

-So, Avery?
-Yeah?

Oh, Avery and I are just going
over my repertoire and stuff.

No kidding.
It's kind of early.

So Mom played
all of these?

Heavy into
the Romantics.

-Cool.
-Hm.

This is... this is great.
Look, I promise
I'll be really dedicated.

I mean, I'll, like,
double my practice time.

Well, it's more
than just practice time.

Claudia, you're gonna be late.

I have a few minutes.
Oh, I know, I know.

[Claudia]
I mean, it's much more
than that--

[Avery]
It's listening to music
every chance you get.

It's making sure
you eat right,

that you get enough sleep,
that you exercise.

-It's discipline.
-Whatever.

[Claudia]
I mean, I don't care.

If Mom could do it.

-I can do it.
-Okay.

All right, but now it's time
for you to go to school.

[Claudia]
Got it.

[Avery chuckling]

[dance music playing]

It's called Moral Dilemma.
Ha-ha.

What?

You know, it's got all those
ethical-type questions in it.

Like, would you return
a missing wallet?

Would you
sleep with your boss?

Uh...
Yeah, I really don't--

I saw it advertised
on TV.

Uh, I think
it's a really bad idea.

How could a fun game
be a really bad idea?

Sarah, wait.

Look, I know you're trying
really hard here. And it's, like, no one else
is even trying at all.

And I really need that,

which is why I'm kind of
being a coward here.

Bailey, you're not
making any sense.

It must be the fever
kicking in.

Sarah--

Oh, I thought I heard
you two.

Oh, my God, are you guys
playing Moral Dilemma?

No.

I saw this
advertised on TV.

No, no.

Hey, you wanna play?
It might be better
with three people.

No! No! No!

What is your problem?

Yeah, what is your problem?

You don't do sick, remember?

Uh-huh. Who goes first?

Claudia, you got a minute?
We need to talk.

Can't it wait
until dinner?

I'm barely up to, like,
two and a half hours yet.

Claudia, please.
Claudia.

[Claudia sighs]

[sighs]

Avery said to keep
a practice journal.

"X minutes lost.

Miscellaneous brother
interruption."

That's what I wanted
to talk about.

Did you know--?
Well, Avery told me that

the conservatory
sometimes takes
students as young as me.

Well, that's great,
Claud, but--

Avery's good friends with
the people on the board.

-Uh-huh.
-Oh, and, Charlie,

oh, if you saw
this place, you'd die.

'Cause, you know, like,
this really old building

where it's, like,
if you squinted,

you could almost
see the ghosts
of orchestras past.

If I--?

Wait a minute.
When were you
at this place?

Today.
Oh, and guess what?
Avery said--

Today?
Avery took you
there today?

What'd--? What'd you do,
cut school without
permission?

We went during lunch, okay?

And, anyway,
since when do you care?

Hey, you know what?
That is out of line.

Okay, so I should have
gotten permission.

Anyway, Avery said--

I don't care what Avery says.

You know what?
If all you're gonna do is
rag on me I have to practice.

Give me that.

Wait, what is your problem?

Starting right now there
are some rules around here.

And rule number one
is you're not going anywhere
without me knowing first.

Fine.

Avery does not make
the decisions for you.
I do. You got that?

You just wanna
be the boss, is that it?

I don't wanna be the boss.
I am the boss.

Well, Bailey?

[laughing]
Five in a row.
Do I have your number or what?

It's just 'cause you're getting
the lamest questions.
That's all.

Oh, really?
Try me again.

Okay.

"Your best friend
is quite the ladies man
and he's setting up

a casual acquaintance
of yours for a fall.
Do you tell her the truth?"

You watch, "He'll say no,
because he wouldn't
wanna betray a friend."

But it's actually yes.
He'd want the friend
to do the telling himself.

You know what?
You can't do that.

-Do what?
-Analyze me like that.

That's not part
of the game.

Bailey, face it,
I know you better
than anyone.

I just do.

Oh, come on, don't sulk.
Pick a card.

"Your neighbors
with the pool
are out of town.

"It's the hottest night
of the year.

Do you go for a naked
midnight swim?"

Mm, definitely, yes.

[laughing]

What? You are so not
telling the truth, Sarah.

There is no way
you would do that.
No way at all.

Um, newsflash, Bailey.
Yes, I would.

[Bailey] Yeah, right.
Like the time you wouldn't
take your top off

at that topless beach.

Because you said no
because Will and Gina
were there.

Hey, I'm not
the prude here.
You are.

-Interesting.
-Hey, you know what?

All right, let's change
the subject, okay?

Um, okay...

"Your girlfriend's gone
out of town for the weekend

and lent her apartment
to this sexy--"

That's it, that's it.
We're done.

What's with you?
It's just a game,
remember?

Yeah, I know.
It's just a game.

So, what's
your problem?

Nothing.

[TV]
What's the matter
with you guys?

Ain't you ever
seen a dead man?

Let's get this body
out of here.
We ain't got all night.

[door opens]

Hey.

It's special delivery.

It's, uh, Gary Prescott.
That's that writer
you like.

By messenger, wow!

That's got to have set him back
20 or 30 bucks.

God, he read it so fast.
I, uh, gave him a story.

He said he'd read it
and tell me what he thought.

-That's great.
-Yeah. I don't know.

Maybe he'll put in
a good word in with
the Admissions people.

He's the kind of guy
who would.
He'd, he'd do that.

Well, hey,
I hope he liked it.

[chuckles]

Charlie, wait.
Um, you look.

I-I-I can't. Heh.

[giggles]

And--
And don't rip it.

Mm, don't smudge it.
I wanna keep the envelope.

Just read
the good parts.

[chuckles]

Charlie?

Well...

God.

I'm sorry, Jule.

Yeah, uh...

Well, just read it
out loud or hand it over.

[clears throat] "Dear Julia,

I took a look at your work
and here are my thoughts.

It won't help you
if I sugarcoat this
so I'm not going to,

and it's not to say that
you won't improve over time.

But, for now, I think
you should hold off

on submitting this piece
with your application.

There is an awkwardness
to the language

and an unfocused quality
in the storytelling

that makes the piece feel,
for lack of a better word,
very young.

Even your choice
of subject matter--

That's enough.

You look nice.

Whatever.

Your bummed, huh?

Well, you kind of left
the letter sitting out

last night,
and I kind of read it.

[scoffs]

So one person didn't
like your stuff, Jule.

So what?

I didn't win
that competition
the other day.

-This is different.
-No, it's not.

He's just wrong.

What if he's not wrong,
Claud?

Okay? I mean,
what if he's not?

Come on. I mean,

you make straight-A's
every term in English.
I mean, that's incredible.

It's nothing.
I mean, so what?

So I'm good compared
to 20 other kids in my class.

Big deal.

I mean, anyone who
has a pen can call
themselves a writer.

I can call myself that.
Who-- Who cares?

It doesn't mean one thing
in the actual world.

What if in the actual world
it turns out I'm nothing
special as a writer?

What if it turns out
I'm not special at anything?

[violin music playing]

[Ross]
Well, I'm just
surprised, Claud.

I thought Charlie
was on board
with all this. Yeah, well,
he kind of weirded out.

I mean, that's why
you have to talk
to him, Ross.

'Cause Avery is right.
You know, I have to move on.

I mean, change all my habits
and practice much harder

and probably,
you know, get--

Get a new teacher
and play different music.

Wait a-- Wait a minute.

You said get a new teacher?

Just last year you were saying
that I needed to move on

and find someone new.
I mean, you said that.

Ross, you're the only one
who understands just how
important this is.

To be, like,
great at something

and doing it
at the highest level
you can.

You taught me that.

So will you talk to him?

Please, Ross.
Please talk to Charlie?

I don't know.

Claud, I... I don't know
how I feel about this.

What?

Well, this is a big deal.

And it's happening
really fast.

And we don't know that much
about Avery as a person.

He played with Mom.
I mean, how much more
do you need to know?

A lot of things, Claudia.

Your class is starting.

[dance music playing]

Hey, there.

[groans]

God, has anyone ever
told you you make
a lousy sick person?

Look, I know why you
don't want me here
taking care of you.

'Cause you don't like
taking help from people.

You're great at taking
care of others,
taking care of me.

But when it's time
for that to come
back around--

-Sarah, that's not it.
-Yes, it is.

It's exactly it.

I really do
know you, Bailey.

God, I hate that
stupid song so much!

Tried pounding on
their stupid door
before, but they...

...must have left
it on and gone away
or something.

For God sakes, Bailey.

Sarah.
Sarah, what are you doing?

Sarah. Come on, Sarah,

we're three stories up.
What are you doing?

-Hey!
-[Sarah] Hey, Bailey,

see this thing underneath
my feet? It's called
a fire escape.

[Bailey]
Oh, you--
I can't believe you're--

You're not gonna--
That's like--

Sarah, that's like
breaking and entering. [window opens downstairs]

[music stops]

Sarah?

There.
You happy now?

Um, Bailey, I can't get
back in unless you move.

Oh.

I can't believe
you did that.

Right. Like there's not
anything in the whole
world I wouldn't do for you.

Moron. What?

[door opens]

-I'm such a--
-Hey, guys.

Hey, Cal.

Is that my sweatshirt?

Oh, yeah, chicken-soup
stain will come right off.

Sarah.

Sarah. Sarah, wait.

[door opens, closes]

[Mr. Strause]
Number 11 in your class.
That's impressive.

Excellent grades.
Good recommendations.

Your mother's an alum.
All right.

Now tell me why
we should accept you.

Well, uh, those reasons?

There are a lot of smart kids
out there, Julia,

and a lot of them want
to come to Stanford.

I wanna know what makes
you stand out,

what makes you special.

I don't know how
to answer that.

You know, you are allowed
to sell yourself some.

That's kind of the idea here.

Well, I--
I didn't know that

that was what
I was gonna have to--

Uh...

Let me, uh...
Let me, uh...

You know what?
Let's just--

Let's just
have a conversation.

Now, why don't you tell me
what you did this past summer.

Uh, I worked
at a publishing company.

Is that something
you're interested in?
Writing? Publishing?

Uh...
Maybe.

I'll tell you what.
When you send
your application

why don't you include
a writing sample?

A short story, some poetry,
and I'll take a look.

I really don't like
showing my stuff.

Oh, it might make
it a tricky field
for you then.

I probably won't.

I mean, why narrow
it down right now?

I mean, there's a lot
of things that I might
want to do or be.

There's a lot of, uh--

Uh, for instance?

Um...

A-- A lawyer, maybe?

So, what interests
you about law?

Well, it's--
It's interesting. Uh...

I'm sorry.

This is really bad.
Can we stop?

Sarah, wait.
Ow.

Sarah, come on,
will you please just--

Go inside, Bailey,
just go.

Sarah, come on,
at least let me just--

You really
don't get it, do you?

I spent all night putting
together just the right stuff
to make you feel better.

I spent three hours deboning
slimy chicken breasts
for your stupid soup.

And do you have any idea--?
Do you have any idea

how hard it is to find
20 decent songs on being sick?

And you--
You gave it all to her.

Sarah, I'm sorry.

God, what is my problem?
You--

You're whiny,
you're insensitive,

and you're miserable
to be around, and--

[engine starts]

[engine revving]

[Avery]
Charlie, I'm glad
you're here.

I've got some news.

It's good, Charlie.
It is.

I've talked to the board
at my conservatory.

And if Claudia meets
a couple of basic
requirements--

Just the interview
and transcripts

and well, the application
and stuff.

And...

She could start
as soon as December.

I don't know, Claud.

What?

Wait, did you and Ross
talk and, like, make
some decision?

No, Claud.
It's nothing like that.

He's my brother. I can tell
when "I don't know"
means "no."

I can't believe this would
be your decision. I mean,

that you honestly believe
this is what's best for her.

How do you know
what's best for her?

How long have
you known her, 4 days?

I know your family.
I knew your mother.

That's not the same thing.

Did you know last year
Claudia quit playing
completely?

That was so long
ago, Ross.

She didn't want
anything to do
with the violin.

She just wanted
to be like a normal kid.

Doesn't that
say something?

Look at her now.
She's changed her mind.

Someone changed
her mind. I'm not
sure it's her.

So I'm pushing
her into this?

[Charlie]
I think so, yes.

For what possible reason?

I don't know.

For our mother?

This is so crazy,
Charlie.

You did all these great
things with her.

And now what you're doing,
trying to recreate that
with Claudia.

I can't believe you would
say that. There's nothing
wrong with what Avery's doing.

I mean, you're the ones
who have the problem.

And you're angry at me 'cause
I wanna change teachers.

Claudia, come on,
that's not it.

Then I don't know
what your problem is.

But maybe you're still mad
at me about Kirsten.

All you care about
is making the rules.

No, you're wrong, Claudia.

Is she?

I know that this
is what Diana would
have wanted for Claudia.

You have to know that.

And I can give
it to her,

unless you choose
to take it away.

[sighs]

Uh, excuse me? Can you--?

Can you tell me where
parking structure B is?

I'm, uh-- I'm lost.

Sure.

Just turn this corner,
go straight ahead

then make a left
at the next building.

Don't go here, huh?

No, I don't.

-Callie?
-Yeah?

Could you...

Would you maybe make
me a sandwich or something?

Actually, I was just
on my way out.
Sorry.

You know...

It would have been nice

if even once
during all of this

you had said, just maybe, uh,
"How you feeling, Bailey?"

Or, "Hey, can I get you
a cup of this tea

that I'm already making?"

Look, you know, if you're
expecting an apology--

Okay, all right.

I'm sorry. Okay?

I'm sorry
that I disappointed you.

But I warned you,
remember?

I mean, sick people, me.
It's just...

It's a bad mix, okay?

Yeah.

Yeah, okay, whatever.

Um... Here.

Um, a few of these,
uh, deliver.

I think I remember
the Chinese place
is pretty good.

I gotta go. Okay?

But, uh...
Hey, you, uh...

You feel better. Okay?

See you later.

See you later.

[door opens, door closes]

[slow music playing]

So, what do you think?

It's decent.

I don't know. There's some
interesting shadows in the--

Whoa.
Jule, this guy
in the fountain's naked.

Oh, look at that.
He is. Ha.

So, um, these
are good, right?

Yeah. But what's
the big--?

Guess who took them.

Beats me.
Look, I gotta--

Mom, Charlie.

Mom took these.

-Really?
-Yeah.

Where'd you find these?

With her stuff
from Stanford.

This is what she majored in.
Visual arts, not music.

Huh, it's...
I didn't know that.

Me either.

I kept thinking about her
all day yesterday.

You know, after
I messed up
that interview.

I kept thinking there
was Mom and she
went to Stanford

and she knew exactly
what she was gonna be

when she was
my age, and--

And I kind of
didn't anymore.

I kept... I kept apologizing
to her in my mind like
I'd let her down.

And then I found these
in a box of her stuff.

It's kind of like
she's telling me it's okay.

You know, that I don't
have to be a hundred percent
sure today, this minute,

of who I'm gonna be 'cause
she was searching too.

What happened to you?

Oh.

I fell asleep
standing in line.

Kinda hit my head.

I wanted to get there
early to make sure
it didn't sell out.

Make sure what
didn't sell out?

Those...
What do you call it?

Those Hey Macarena guys.

A lot of people
let me ahead of them

probably because
of the whole

fear of infectious
disease thing.

Anyway. Here.

Tenth row. We'll have fun.

If I live.

I don't want these.

-You don't want these?
-No.

Why would I wanna go
with you to something that's
only gonna remind me of...

Here, just take them.

No. Look,

if you don't wanna
go to the concert,
then-- then just

use them as a bookmark,

or use them to get stuff out
from between your teeth
or something.

But just hang on to them.

'Cause that's not
right away.

And maybe after
a little time goes by

you'll remember
how much you love me.

Them. How much you love them.

The singer guys.

Does passing out
on the street count
as littering?

Sidewalk? Yeah.

Gutter, no.

Thanks.

Bailey?

Yeah?

You take me
for granted sometimes.

You know that, right?

Don't do it anymore, okay?

Okay.

Don't think you can
just buy me things
and make it better.

Okay.

I could get you to agree
to pretty much anything
right now, couldn't I?

Yeah.

Could you drive me home?

Yeah.

Come on.

[sighs]

I'm listening
to a new violin piece
I'm gonna learn.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah.

And I don't care
if it makes you
upset but

I'm gonna change
schools and I'm gonna
go to the conservatory.

-Claudia--
-I don't care--

Claudia, stop.

I'm having
a real hard time here.

I'm trying to take care
of you and set some
reasonable rules,

but it's like there's this
other parent in the house
all of a sudden.

You mean Avery?

No.

No, I mean Mom.

It's like,
"Mom would want this,"

and "Mom would never
allow that."

And "Mom would never
do what you're doing."

I can't compete with that.

I can't fight with someone
who's not here.

And I've been
really afraid of taking
something away from you,

of making the wrong
decision about
all this stuff.

So don't.

Did you know that
Mom didn't decide
to be a musician

until after
she left college?

She was gonna
be a photographer.

So what?

So it takes time
to figure out who
you're gonna be.

It's too fast, Claud.

You're changing your
whole life in three days.

Three days ago you cared
about a hundred
different things,

and now you only
care about one.

-I figured stuff out.
-No.

It's something else.
It's something about Mom
and missing her,

and wanting
to be just like her,

and wanting everything
decided for your whole life.
And you're 13, Claud.

I know what I want.

I'm not gonna
let you do it.

What?

We can take it slow
if you want,

add a few more hours
of lessons of work
with Avery--

That won't be enough,
Charlie.

Mom would hate
you for this.

I don't think so, Claud.
I really don't think so.

I'm sorry.

[violin playing scales]

He said no.

Yeah, I heard.

Maybe he'll change
his mind.

I don't think so.

We'll see.

I brought you
a present.

Remember how we talked about

finding someone you could
share the music with?

Someone who understood
completely and how it was
worth it for all that?

You know
the Mendelssohn?

Yeah.

[violin playing
on tape recorder]

It's your mom.

Why don't you
play it with her?

Play with her.

[Julia]
Dear Gary,

Thank you
for reading
y story story

and for your criticisms.

You definitely gave me
a lot to think about.

I have this habit.

I've always done this. Whenever I get a new book,

I turn to the last page first

because I need to know
how things are gonna turn out.

I've decided
I'm not gonna do that anymore.

And maybe I wouldn't have
figured that out

if I hadn't met you.

I don't know if that's gonna
make sense to you or not,

but I think that's really
what I'm thanking you for.

As for what
you said about my work,

maybe you're right.

But maybe you aren't.

And maybe I will become
a writer and maybe I won't.

I don't know.