Six Feet Under (2001–2005): Season 2, Episode 4 - Driving Mr. Mossback - full transcript
Nate and Claire go to Seattle to pick up the body of a man who died on a public bus.
Pike Place Market was born in 1907...
from citizen outrage
at the high cost of produce...
when Seattle City Councilman
Thomas Revelle...
proposed a public street market.
On opening day, August 7, 1907...
eight farmers brought their wagons
to the corner of 1st and Pike...
and were overwhelmed
by an estimated 10,000 eager shoppers.
By 11.00 a.m. They were completely sold out.
That concludes the morning half of our tour.
Once again, my name's Karen.
You've been a superduper group
this morning.
We'll see you back here on the bus at 1.30.
Thank you, Karen.
I don't know about you,
but I could sure use a fucking cigarette.
Come on, dear.
Bye.
Excuse me, sir?
Sir, it's lunchtime.
You can get off the bus now.
We're at Pike Place Market.
Shit!
We've got another dead one
back here, Larry.
You missed your last three sessions.
Sometimes coming in here talking about
my life gets in the way of me having one.
So why did you bother coming in today?
Because they sent a letter to my mother
and threatened to suspend me if I didn't.
I thought you had something
you wanted to talk about.
With you? Yeah, right.
Are you angry with me?
How can you tell?
I was obligated to cooperate
with the police, Claire. It's my job.
Just so you know,
I was here for you, not for them.
They wanted to interrogate you alone.
And they haven't found him yet,
in case you're curious.
I'm not.
You haven't heard from him?
Fuck, no. Not that I'd tell you if I had.
You did the right thing
when you called the police that night.
I know I did the right thing.
This isn't about whether or not
I did the right thing.
Given the circumstances,
it's fully understandable...
that you're feeling this angry, Claire.
If you don't stop saying my name
at the end of every sentence, I am gonna...
- What?
- I don't know.
Just don't, okay?
You feel like throwing something?
Excuse me?
You could, you know.
Just pick something up off my desk
and chuck it.
I'm so sure
you'd let me trash something off your desk.
If you thought it might help, I would.
No, thanks.
You're angry with Gabe...
and you're scared because you don't know
what's gonna happen to him.
At this point,
I don't give a flying fuck about him.
You don't really feel that way, do you?
No.
I do feel better. Thank you.
He was on one of those package bus tours.
He'd been going on a lot.
Three or four times a year,
ever since Mom died.
Sometimes he went with his friend Pete.
This time he went alone.
They think his heart just gave out.
I'm very sorry.
- Where is your father now?
- He's still up there in Seattle.
The Columbia Funeral Home's holding him
for us. They're on Rainier Avenue.
Not a problem. We can make arrangements
to have him flown back to LA.
- Flown back?
- Yes.
Dad won't fly.
It was always a sore spot with Mom.
She wanted to travel,
but Dad flat out refused.
Then, after she died, he started taking
all these package bus tours.
He has...
- He had a thing about flying.
- He never flew.
- I'm sure, given the circumstances...
- No, it isn't what he would have wanted.
Isn't there some other way?
We can make arrangements
to have him shipped via rail or freight.
Like FedEx?
- You can do that?
- It's done all the time.
They brought Abraham Lincoln home
to Illinois by train...
all the way from Washington, packed in ice.
It shouldn't be a problem.
Keith, I'll be back up here just as soon
as your father's back on his feet.
What if Grandpa dies?
My friend Neisha's brother had an operation,
and he died.
I told you, Taylor, it's just a hernia.
It's nothing for you to worry about.
I'd sure like to know where the hell Karla is.
Is she still up in Oakland with Derek?
Did she even offer
to come back down here...
and take care of her kid
when you told her you were leaving?
We haven't heard from her.
Jesus.
I thought you had a number for her.
- It's been disconnected.
- Shit.
I told you, Keith,
hush that kind of mouth around your niece.
Maybe I should just take the child with me.
She'll be fine, all right?
My new place has an extra room,
and between Eddie and me...
- we'll make sure she's...
- I don't wanna come stay with you.
- How come you can't stay here?
- Because my things are at my place.
- What about my stuff?
- You can bring it with you.
You'd probably steal it.
There's my cab.
Taylor, come on, honey.
Give your grandma a hug.
I love you, Grandma.
Now, you be good,
and you mind your Uncle Keith.
I'll try to come back as fast as I can.
I know a lot worser words than "shit,"
you know.
So do I.
So, how'd the Mossback intake go?
We need to find a way to get a body shipped
back from your old stomping ground.
Why can't you just fly it back?
That's what your father always did.
Apparently the deceased was afraid
of flying.
I don't think he's gonna give a shit now.
The family doesn't want him to fly, all right?
The freight companies
are backed up until next week.
And Amtrak can't bring him back
until next Tuesday.
No problem.
I'll fly up, rent a refrigerated van,
and drive him back.
You don't need a refrigerated van,
just a one-way rental.
- He's already been embalmed.
- Even easier.
You'd do that? You'd fly up there
and turn around and drive all the way back?
I haven't been back since Christmas.
I can see a few friends.
I still have stuff up there. I'd love to.
I suppose we could mark up
the cost of shipping to cover your travel.
- When do you want me to leave?
- Tomorrow?
Done.
Have you met any nice men recently, David?
No one to speak of.
I wish you'd put yourself out more.
The door to your house only opens
from the inside, you know.
We haven't seen your friend Gabriel
around much lately, Claire.
So?
Have you not been seeing as much of him?
- No, I haven't.
- Did you two have a falling-out?
Yeah, Gabe joined the Hare Krishna, okay?
Those people with the orange robes
and tambourines?
That try to sell you books in the airport.
Yeah, that's them.
Oh, my goodness!
- He never struck me as a religious person.
- He is now, big-time.
- Did he shave his head?
- Yeah, he shaved his head.
Can we talk about something else, please?
Claire, do you want to come to Seattle
with me?
You're asking me to come to Seattle
with you?
Yeah, why not?
I'm not sure we can stick the Mossbacks
with two plane tickets.
- I'll pay for it.
- You will?
Yeah. I could use the company.
- You could help me drive on the way back.
- She'll miss school.
We're not doing anything I can't miss,
and I can bring my homework.
It's just for a couple of days.
Fine.
I'm tired of trying to be the architect
for this family.
It's high time you drew your own blueprints.
Does anyone know
what the fuck she's talking about anymore?
- Nate.
- What?
By the way,
I'm flying up to Seattle tomorrow.
- You are?
- Yeah.
I'm picking up a body
and driving it back for David.
- I'm gonna take Claire with me.
- Sounds like fun.
You don't mind that I didn't ask you?
- Ask me what?
- To go with me.
- No, not at all.
- Good.
You sure?
Nate, I'm trying to read...
and you know I hate it
when you floss in front of me.
Sorry.
Is it weird I didn't ask you
to come to Seattle with me?
No, why would it be?
I don't know. It just feels a little weird.
Okay, now it is a little weird.
But only because
you're making it a little weird.
- But you're not mad about it?
- Not at all.
I think it's really good for you,
spending some time with your sister.
That's what I think.
- You sure it's not too weird?
- God, Nate, give it a rest.
- Good night, Bren.
- Good night.
Cool! Sleater-Kinney's playing
at this place called Showbox tonight.
I hate to break it to you,
but Showbox is 18 and over.
What makes you think
I don't have a fake I.D.?
You have a fake I.D.?
You're not gonna pull some
pseudo-parental bullshit on me, are you?
No. I had a fake I.D. Once, too.
Maybe I'll go with you.
- I don't need a babysitter, Nate.
- I love Sleater-Kinney.
You love Sleater-Kinney?
Will you try to get over yourself for a second
and let me be your friend and your brother?
Did you bring me on this trip because
you thought I needed a little distraction?
I invited you because I thought it'd be fun
to bring you along.
Now I'm having second thoughts.
I believe you.
- So where are we staying, anyway?
- My friend Lisa's.
- Is she an old girlfriend?
- No.
No way, not even close.
We were strictly roommates, nothing more.
Worked at the co-op together.
Is she all crunchy-granola...
backpacky, and way into grunge?
Crunchy-granola: Maybe a little.
Backpacky: Definitely.
Into grunge: No way.
Grunge died long before Kurt Cobain did.
Besides, Lisa is...
It's not too easy to categorize.
You guys did it a few times, though, right?
- We're not having this discussion.
- Fine.
This is it.
Sweet.
- It's so good to have you back home.
- It's good to be back.
Lisa, this is my sister, Claire.
Come in.
Hello, Hiram? It's me, Ruth.
I'm fine. How are you?
Listen, the reason why I'm calling is...
I just wanted to let you know that I've been
drafting a new blueprint for myself.
No, not for the house.
Yes, it is for the house. My house.
I mean, not the actual physical structure
I live in with my family.
I'm speaking
more of the emotional structure...
in which I've chosen to live my life.
I most certainly have not been drinking.
I'm just trying to let you know, Hiram...
that I harbor no hard feelings against you.
No, I do not want to get back together.
How presumptuous!
You know something, Hiram? Fuck off!
Amelia? It's Ruth.
I know we haven't seen each other
in a while...
and I feel a little funny leaving this
on your machine...
but I just wanted to let you know...
I've been drafting a new blueprint
for myself.
And if you're ever looking
for an opportunity to renew our friendship...
my front door is open to you.
That's all I wanted to say.
You can call me back if you want to, okay?
Bye!
Sarah, are you there?
If you're there, pick up.
Okay, fine. I know we don't talk
to each other very much anymore...
but I left you three messages in two weeks
and you haven't returned any of my calls.
I think you don't ever want to
talk to me again, and if that's the case...
we really need to talk!
There are things I'd like to say to you
about the cracks in my foundation...
and your part in helping me repair them.
This is your sister, Ruth.
What do you mean, you can't?
Eddie, I need you
to pick up Taylor from school.
Look, I realize you're in the middle
of a shift.
Can't you get somebody to cover for you?
I'm caught between a rock
and a fucking hard place here.
I need you to do this for me.
All right, never mind. Fuck it, then.
This is a bullshit detail.
I wish the guy would just shoot her
and get it over with.
I've got tickets for the Dodgers tonight.
What did I say?
Listen, I've got a huge favor to ask.
What is it?
I'm stuck in Koreatown.
Some guy's
holding his mother-in-law hostage.
He claims she put his TV remote
down a garbage disposal.
I don't know when I'll be out of here.
Eddie's pulling a double shift.
I hate to ask...
but is there any way
that you can pick up Taylor...
from Bridgebrook Elementary at 3:00?
Yes. I mean, sure. I'd be glad to.
- You sure?
- Yes, of course.
All right, thanks.
I'll call ahead to the school
so they'll be expecting you.
- I'll pick Taylor up from your place later.
- Great.
Thanks, man. I owe you one.
No problem.
- What is this?
- Tofu meatloaf.
It's completely vegan.
No dairy, no eggs.
No animal products of any kind.
- No meat?
- None whatsoever.
Why do you call it "meatloaf"?
You're a pisser just like your brother,
aren't you?
- Anyway, it used to be his favorite.
- It's delicious, Lisa.
I didn't put in too much garlic?
- Not for me.
- No way.
Garlic is a miracle herb.
It lowers cholesterol and blood pressure.
It stimulates the immune system...
and inhibits the growth of parasites
in the intestines.
So, how's life at the co-op?
Our membership is up 15% since you left...
in spite of the corporate outfits
breathing down our necks.
- Wow, sounds like things are going great.
- We miss you.
You should stop in
and say hello while you're here.
- So, how's life back in LA?
- It's okay.
What can I say? I may have finally
found something I'm good at.
- I always knew you had a spiritual calling.
- Yeah, right.
What? Being a funeral director
is proof of a spiritual calling?
It's not exactly what I imagined for Nate,
but it doesn't surprise me.
Nothing ever surprises you, Lisa.
That's true.
So, last time I spoke to you,
back in January...
I suppose, you had met somebody?
- Brenda.
- Yeah.
Anything ever happen with that?
We're still together.
Wow! Eight months.
That's gotta be an all-time record
for you, Nate.
It might be.
Sounds like a real relationship to me.
What can I say?
It is what it is.
I mean, for me, for where I am at right now,
it's a good thing.
- It's all good.
- It is. It's all...
well, mostly, you know, good.
I'm really happy for you, Nate.
You know, I got offered a job in LA.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Some big-time producer
came through town shooting a movie.
She's looking for a vegan chef,
and she offered me a job.
Really, what movie?
I'm not good with titles.
I don't go to the movies.
Film is processed with gelatin.
Gelatin comes from horses' hooves.
- I didn't know that.
- Most people don't.
Hence the global slavery of animals.
- Were you thinking about taking the job?
- I don't know.
I mean, LA is such a godless place.
Besides, my life is really full here.
- May I use your bathroom?
- Yeah.
It's down the hall, first door on the left.
- She's a lot like you.
- You think?
God, I've missed you, Nate.
I've missed you, too.
Give me a break.
I think you totally cleared out my sinuses.
Not too hard?
Some of my clients find me a little intense.
Not at all.
I love it.
It feels great.
I have to say you're pretty loose.
Not a lot of tension in the usual places.
I'm curious. Melissa, what do you do?
I'm just asking because I'm thinking
about changing professions...
and I'm curious.
I'm a prostitute.
No shit?
No shit.
Cool.
I'm making a cup of tea. Want one?
I'd love to, but I've gotta get to work.
- Same time next week?
- Absolutely.
- I'll see you.
- See you.
- Hello?
- Bren. Hi, honey. It's Mom.
I'm at Tranquility Spa.
I need you to meet me over here.
- Why?
- Sweetheart, it's an emergency.
- I need you over here, please.
- What's happened?
I'm at Tranquility Spa, Brenda, in La Cañada.
I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important.
Brenda! Don't go in there.
Mother, let go of my fucking arm.
You're hurting me!
This is your father's car.
So Dad's here. Who cares?
He's not here. He's at work. I checked.
Look on the dash.
Your father doesn't smoke Virginia Slims.
Look on the gear shift.
A scrunchie. Big fucking deal!
Your father hasn't had enough hair
to need a scrunchie since 1975!
- So you think Dad's fucking somebody.
- Bingo!
Oh, my God, is that all this is?
I thought you'd heard from the hospital
that something happened to Billy.
Don't be so dramatic, Brenda.
I have to go downstairs
and work for a little while.
Do you have everything you need?
Can I have some chocolate milk?
I'm sorry. We don't have any chocolate milk.
I want some goddamn chocolate milk.
I'm sorry, but we only have white milk.
Ain't you got any other cookies
besides these?
Those are all we have.
I don't like these kind.
These kind taste like shit.
Then just color in your coloring books,
and I'll check in on you in a bit.
I don't like coloring books.
- You picked them out at the drugstore.
- You told me I had to.
- I thought you liked coloring books.
- I don't. I told you I like to draw.
Then draw.
These are coloring books.
You can't draw in coloring books...
because they already have
the drawings in them.
You can only color in coloring books.
That's why they're called coloring books.
- You wanna watch TV?
- Okay.
- You know how to use that?
- What do you think, I'm stupid?
- I didn't say you're stupid.
- I know how to use a remote.
Fine, knock yourself out.
Dumb-ass cracker.
Man, I am starving for a cheeseburger.
I want something that walked the earth,
with the works.
Man, I'm having a double.
I thought you liked the meatless meatloaf.
- I lied.
- No shit.
And what's with the "it is what it is"...
purposely vague bullshit
about you and Brenda?
I don't want to hurt Lisa's feelings, okay?
You definitely slept with her.
Okay, yes.
We had occasional sex together,
but it was strictly on a friendship basis.
You were fuck-buddies?
Yeah.
- And nothing more.
- Does Lisa know that?
You know what?
Every time we did have sex,
and I'm talking about five, six times, tops...
I was very honest with her
about what it meant and what it didn't mean.
- She's got it bad for you.
- I was always honest with Lisa.
- Lf you say so.
- What do you want?
I want a Chubby Cheese with everything,
medium skinny fries, and a Coke.
My God, do you smell that?
What, burgers and fries?
No, it's like rotten eggs! Jesus!
Oh, man, déjà fucking vu.
Welcome to Chubby's.
May I take your order?
Yeah, I'll have a double Chubby...
I'll have a double Chubby cheeseburger.
Fuck me!
- Was that one or two cheeseburgers?
- Jesus, my head!
Fuck!
Nate, are you okay?
Sir, I didn't get that.
Can I take your order, please?
Hello, sir?
You drive.
I'm gonna get some air
and make a phone call.
Okay.
- I didn't get that. Please repeat your order.
- Shut up.
Yeah, is Dr. DiPaolo in?
Yeah, it's definitely an emergency.
- Can I take your order, please?
- Shut the fuck up!
I'm going to have to contact the manager.
I can't believe I'm doing this.
Can't we at least go inside?
I could get a seaweed wrap
while I pretend to listen to you.
That couldn't be her.
I'm eating your protein bar.
Maybe it is.
This is like eating upholstery.
I knew it.
Bern couldn't get anyone that good-Iooking
to jump his saggy ass.
I thought you and Dad had an agreement
about this sort of thing.
We did. We do.
Only this time he broke one of the rules.
He didn't tell me first.
So you're not upset
Dad's fucking somebody else.
You're upset he didn't tell you
he was fucking somebody else.
That's right.
The rule is,
if you step outside the holy bonds...
you have to tell your wife first.
So she can line up some young hottie
of her own.
I guess that sounds fair.
You have other rules?
- Yeah, a whole slew of them.
- Go on, tell me. I'm curious.
You can't fuck my friends, I can't fuck yours.
No fucking of mutual friends.
Never in Hawaii.
Never in a hotel
that costs more than $300 a night.
And never in a hotel
that's under $75 a night.
Not on holidays.
There are others. I just can't remember
all of them at the moment.
Is one of them:
"Never fuck anybody else
in front of your kids"?
I guess not. Since there was that time
I saw you in the hot tub...
with some old guy with a hairy back.
Darling, your father was there.
And there was absolutely no penetration,
I can assure you of that.
- I'll bet that wasn't your choice.
- And you were supposed to be in bed.
I was only gone a couple of hours, Rico.
Every hour you're gone
is an hour I have to stay late.
I'm sorry about your buddy's kid,
but I have kids of my own.
Is this about us not giving you the loan
for the house?
Because you never used to complain
about having to work a little overtime.
This is about me not wanting to be
taken advantage of by my employers.
- We're more than just your employers...
- That's bullshit, David, and you know it.
When it's convenient, we're like family.
But in a pinch, I'm just an employee...
and you and Nate are just my bosses.
Hey, little lady.
Taylor, I told you to wait upstairs.
- My tummy hurts.
- Let's go.
Is that man dead?
That man was totally dead.
Yes, that man was totally dead.
- Did you kill him?
- No.
- Did that other man in there kill him?
- No.
He died of natural causes.
My friend Renee said
sooner or later we'll all be dead.
That's true.
So someday I'll be dead,
laying on a table like that?
Not for a very, very long time.
My mom says my dad's good as dead
as far as she's concerned.
That's just her way of expressing anger
at him for not being around.
Sometimes my mom says
she wishes she was dead.
That's just something that people say
when they're upset about something.
Did that dead man in there have any kids?
Yeah, he had a wife and three children
and five grandchildren.
- I don't ever want to die.
- Me, neither.
It's called arteriovenous malformation.
AVM, for short.
Lots of people have it their whole lives
and never even know.
And the pills?
They're an anti-seizure medication.
So what happened to you,
that was a seizure?
Sort of.
- Sort of?
- It was a mild seizure.
- Does David know about this?
- Yes, he does.
I don't want Mom to know
'cause she'll just freak out. All right?
It's no big deal, I promise.
People don't just spaz out...
and hork all over their shoes
for no good reason.
Two words: Tofu meatloaf.
Besides, now I have these pills
it'll be totally under control.
- You swear?
- I swear.
I just have to take them
for the rest of my life is all.
I don't believe you.
Just do me a favor
and don't tell David about this.
This client of mine's a prostitute.
- Is that supposed to shock me?
- What?
God, not everything is about you.
You're such a classic narcissist.
Just because your parents are shrinks
doesn't mean you know about psychology.
Just because you're a shrink doesn't mean
that you're not out of your fucking mind.
I've treated several prostitutes
over the years...
and they're not as uncommon
as you'd think...
That's her.
She's your age. I have to talk to her.
- Mom, don't. Please don't.
- No, wait.
I'm not angry.
I'm not going to make a scene.
I just need to personalize the experience
and humanize the situation.
- It's for all of us.
- You'll just regret it.
Miss!
Hello, I'm Margaret, Bern's wife.
You know, Bern and I have
a really open relationship...
and I just want you to know
it's okay with me.
I'd love to chat,
but I've gotta go meet Bern for lunch. Sorry.
Get off, you bitch! I can't believe you!
- Get off of me!
- Fine.
You slut!
Psycho!
I'll see you in hell.
I hope you like herpes.
You know, I thought she'd be more evolved.
Evolved?
Mother, you just attacked
that woman repeatedly.
- She could have you thrown in jail.
- I seriously doubt that.
Are you hungry?
Why am I here?
Why was it necessary
for me to be here with you for this?
Because you needed a fucking audience.
- Not everything's about you, Brenda.
- Look at Mommy.
Isn't Mommy pretty?
Isn't Mommy fabulous and free-spirited
and uninhibited?
Validate Mommy, kids,
because she's incapable of doing it herself.
No wonder Billy ended up in a psych ward.
Not that you care.
For your information, Miss High and Mighty,
this is life.
People have crises.
They push each other's buttons.
They inflict pain on one another.
And once in a fucking blue moon,
they bring out the best in each other.
But mostly, they bring out the worst.
- You're pathetic.
- Don't you dare judge me.
You think you're the paragon
of mental health...
just because you've been dating
the same man for the past few months?
That's real,
compared to what your father and I have?
- You're just jealous.
- Of what?
The fact that I haven't allowed you
to totally destroy my life...
like you have everybody else's.
What life?
You've spent 32 years
being your little brother's nursemaid...
Fuck you!
...to avoid having any emotional life
of your own.
And now that he's been put away...
you're gonna have
to face your own demons.
And, sweetheart, they're legion.
Get out of my car.
I would be happy to.
I hope you like pork roast
and mashed potatoes.
They're okay.
- Where are you going, dear?
- To watch TV.
In this house we eat dinner at the table.
- You don't watch TV while you eat?
- No, we don't.
Maybe we can watch some TV
when we're done eating.
- So, what grade are you in, Taylor?
- Fourth.
David was in the fourth grade once.
It's true.
Did you know David
used to be my Uncle Keith's boyfriend?
Yes, I did.
Sometimes my momma calls my Uncle Keith
a punk-ass fudgepacker...
'cause he likes men instead of women.
I guess that makes you
a punk-ass fudgepacker, too, don't it?
We don't use those kinds of words
at this table.
- We don't use those kinds of words at all.
- How come?
- Because those words are...
- Hateful. Those are hateful words.
What words do you use?
Homosexual.
My Uncle Keith has a new boyfriend.
His name's Eddie.
He drives an ambulance.
But I don't like him too much.
Why not?
He looks at himself in the mirror a lot,
and he talks to me like I'm stupid.
- I'm sure that's not true.
- Yes, it is.
It is true.
Some people just don't know
how to talk to children.
Tell me about it.
I think I'll start the dishes.
It's time for you to leave now.
Go!
- Is everything okay?
- Claire, I thought you were taking a nap.
I was reading.
- Where's Nate?
- He's outside making a phone call.
Who were you talking to?
Ants.
I'm being overrun by them.
At first I tried setting a little food aside
for them next to the back door.
Then I tried coaxing them out
with some citrus oil.
Now I'm trying to reason with them.
At home, my dad used to squirt them
with lighter fluid and torch them.
I'm not still in love with your brother,
if that's what you're thinking.
Actually, I wasn't thinking that.
I used to be.
I used to think one day he would realize
I was the one for him.
He never has.
Do you think he ever will?
I'm probably not the person
to be asking that question.
He's my brother, but to tell you the truth,
I'm just getting to know the guy.
He's a heartbreaker, that's for sure.
There are a dozen women all over Seattle...
who would freak
if they knew he was back here.
- You must think I'm so stupid.
- No, I don't.
- Do you have a boyfriend?
- No.
Not anymore.
We broke up.
You're better off, trust me.
Fucking ants.
I just wanted to hear how your day went.
My mother practically beat the shit
out of a woman in a parking lot...
but apart from that, I'm fine.
- How's Seattle?
- Seattle's good.
Your mother tried
to beat the shit out of somebody?
I really don't feel like reliving that right now.
How's it going with Claire?
Great. We're getting along great.
Is everything okay?
I just have a headache.
We're gonna hit the road first thing
in the morning.
Okay, I'll see you, then.
I just ran a bath and it's getting cold, so...
I miss you.
I miss you, too.
You never called.
How did you know where I live?
That's not really important.
I think maybe it is.
You wanna know what's really important?
Show me.
Did she give you a hard time?
Not really.
Let me grab her,
and we'll get out of your way.
Thanks again.
It's no problem whatsoever.
She's a great kid, Keith. She really is.
Considering everything she's been put
through, it's kind of a miracle.
We should go.
- Good night, David.
- Good night.
I thought you might need an extra quilt.
It gets cold in this room.
Excellent.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
- I'm fine.
- Are you sure?
Yeah. I'm good.
You can't fool me, Nate. I know you too well.
I'm fine.
Poor baby.
It's okay. I'm here.
I'm right here.
It's okay.
- Are you sure you don't want any breakfast?
- I'm good. I never eat breakfast.
Lisa, have you seen
my old brown flannel shirt?
I'm pretty sure it got donated
to the co-op garage sale.
Here it is.
I love that shirt. It's so Nate.
- Why don't you hang on to it?
- No, I couldn't.
I want you to have it.
- What would I want with your shirt?
- Would you just keep it?
We should probably hit the road
and pick up Mr. Mossback.
Right.
As always, it's been great seeing you.
- Take care of yourself, Nate.
- You, too.
- It was nice to meet you.
- Nice meeting you, Claire.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Morning, Mom.
It's awfully quiet around here
with Nate and Claire being gone.
I suppose it is.
What time did your friend come by
to pick up his niece?
1:30.
That's awfully late
for a child her age to be up.
She was asleep on the sun porch.
- Is there something you'd like to say to me?
- No.
Yes, there is.
I'm all ears.
Your father used to say that to me
all the time. "I'm all ears."
Sometimes you remind me of him.
What's on your mind?
You have to be careful with children...
because their blueprints are being drafted
by the adults in their lives.
And this little girl...
It seems to me that her foundation
is probably unstable enough...
without you bringing your...
My what?
Your relationship with her uncle,
you have to admit...
might be a little confusing
to someone her age.
I'm happy for you if this whole plan thing
of yours has enabled you...
to draft your own blueprint...
or patch up some of the cracks
in your foundation.
But just between you and me,
you're starting to sound like a crazy person.
I think it's time you kept
that shit to yourself...
and minded your own fucking business.
Thank you.
It's a little weird driving a dead guy
all the way back to LA.
It's only weird if you make it weird.
- It's a little weird.
- It's not.
You know, Nate, I don't know why...
but it's comforting to know
you're just as fucked up as the rest of us.
I'm not anywhere near as fucked up
as the rest of you.
- You are.
- I'm not.
- Yes, you are.
- Shut up and drive.
from citizen outrage
at the high cost of produce...
when Seattle City Councilman
Thomas Revelle...
proposed a public street market.
On opening day, August 7, 1907...
eight farmers brought their wagons
to the corner of 1st and Pike...
and were overwhelmed
by an estimated 10,000 eager shoppers.
By 11.00 a.m. They were completely sold out.
That concludes the morning half of our tour.
Once again, my name's Karen.
You've been a superduper group
this morning.
We'll see you back here on the bus at 1.30.
Thank you, Karen.
I don't know about you,
but I could sure use a fucking cigarette.
Come on, dear.
Bye.
Excuse me, sir?
Sir, it's lunchtime.
You can get off the bus now.
We're at Pike Place Market.
Shit!
We've got another dead one
back here, Larry.
You missed your last three sessions.
Sometimes coming in here talking about
my life gets in the way of me having one.
So why did you bother coming in today?
Because they sent a letter to my mother
and threatened to suspend me if I didn't.
I thought you had something
you wanted to talk about.
With you? Yeah, right.
Are you angry with me?
How can you tell?
I was obligated to cooperate
with the police, Claire. It's my job.
Just so you know,
I was here for you, not for them.
They wanted to interrogate you alone.
And they haven't found him yet,
in case you're curious.
I'm not.
You haven't heard from him?
Fuck, no. Not that I'd tell you if I had.
You did the right thing
when you called the police that night.
I know I did the right thing.
This isn't about whether or not
I did the right thing.
Given the circumstances,
it's fully understandable...
that you're feeling this angry, Claire.
If you don't stop saying my name
at the end of every sentence, I am gonna...
- What?
- I don't know.
Just don't, okay?
You feel like throwing something?
Excuse me?
You could, you know.
Just pick something up off my desk
and chuck it.
I'm so sure
you'd let me trash something off your desk.
If you thought it might help, I would.
No, thanks.
You're angry with Gabe...
and you're scared because you don't know
what's gonna happen to him.
At this point,
I don't give a flying fuck about him.
You don't really feel that way, do you?
No.
I do feel better. Thank you.
He was on one of those package bus tours.
He'd been going on a lot.
Three or four times a year,
ever since Mom died.
Sometimes he went with his friend Pete.
This time he went alone.
They think his heart just gave out.
I'm very sorry.
- Where is your father now?
- He's still up there in Seattle.
The Columbia Funeral Home's holding him
for us. They're on Rainier Avenue.
Not a problem. We can make arrangements
to have him flown back to LA.
- Flown back?
- Yes.
Dad won't fly.
It was always a sore spot with Mom.
She wanted to travel,
but Dad flat out refused.
Then, after she died, he started taking
all these package bus tours.
He has...
- He had a thing about flying.
- He never flew.
- I'm sure, given the circumstances...
- No, it isn't what he would have wanted.
Isn't there some other way?
We can make arrangements
to have him shipped via rail or freight.
Like FedEx?
- You can do that?
- It's done all the time.
They brought Abraham Lincoln home
to Illinois by train...
all the way from Washington, packed in ice.
It shouldn't be a problem.
Keith, I'll be back up here just as soon
as your father's back on his feet.
What if Grandpa dies?
My friend Neisha's brother had an operation,
and he died.
I told you, Taylor, it's just a hernia.
It's nothing for you to worry about.
I'd sure like to know where the hell Karla is.
Is she still up in Oakland with Derek?
Did she even offer
to come back down here...
and take care of her kid
when you told her you were leaving?
We haven't heard from her.
Jesus.
I thought you had a number for her.
- It's been disconnected.
- Shit.
I told you, Keith,
hush that kind of mouth around your niece.
Maybe I should just take the child with me.
She'll be fine, all right?
My new place has an extra room,
and between Eddie and me...
- we'll make sure she's...
- I don't wanna come stay with you.
- How come you can't stay here?
- Because my things are at my place.
- What about my stuff?
- You can bring it with you.
You'd probably steal it.
There's my cab.
Taylor, come on, honey.
Give your grandma a hug.
I love you, Grandma.
Now, you be good,
and you mind your Uncle Keith.
I'll try to come back as fast as I can.
I know a lot worser words than "shit,"
you know.
So do I.
So, how'd the Mossback intake go?
We need to find a way to get a body shipped
back from your old stomping ground.
Why can't you just fly it back?
That's what your father always did.
Apparently the deceased was afraid
of flying.
I don't think he's gonna give a shit now.
The family doesn't want him to fly, all right?
The freight companies
are backed up until next week.
And Amtrak can't bring him back
until next Tuesday.
No problem.
I'll fly up, rent a refrigerated van,
and drive him back.
You don't need a refrigerated van,
just a one-way rental.
- He's already been embalmed.
- Even easier.
You'd do that? You'd fly up there
and turn around and drive all the way back?
I haven't been back since Christmas.
I can see a few friends.
I still have stuff up there. I'd love to.
I suppose we could mark up
the cost of shipping to cover your travel.
- When do you want me to leave?
- Tomorrow?
Done.
Have you met any nice men recently, David?
No one to speak of.
I wish you'd put yourself out more.
The door to your house only opens
from the inside, you know.
We haven't seen your friend Gabriel
around much lately, Claire.
So?
Have you not been seeing as much of him?
- No, I haven't.
- Did you two have a falling-out?
Yeah, Gabe joined the Hare Krishna, okay?
Those people with the orange robes
and tambourines?
That try to sell you books in the airport.
Yeah, that's them.
Oh, my goodness!
- He never struck me as a religious person.
- He is now, big-time.
- Did he shave his head?
- Yeah, he shaved his head.
Can we talk about something else, please?
Claire, do you want to come to Seattle
with me?
You're asking me to come to Seattle
with you?
Yeah, why not?
I'm not sure we can stick the Mossbacks
with two plane tickets.
- I'll pay for it.
- You will?
Yeah. I could use the company.
- You could help me drive on the way back.
- She'll miss school.
We're not doing anything I can't miss,
and I can bring my homework.
It's just for a couple of days.
Fine.
I'm tired of trying to be the architect
for this family.
It's high time you drew your own blueprints.
Does anyone know
what the fuck she's talking about anymore?
- Nate.
- What?
By the way,
I'm flying up to Seattle tomorrow.
- You are?
- Yeah.
I'm picking up a body
and driving it back for David.
- I'm gonna take Claire with me.
- Sounds like fun.
You don't mind that I didn't ask you?
- Ask me what?
- To go with me.
- No, not at all.
- Good.
You sure?
Nate, I'm trying to read...
and you know I hate it
when you floss in front of me.
Sorry.
Is it weird I didn't ask you
to come to Seattle with me?
No, why would it be?
I don't know. It just feels a little weird.
Okay, now it is a little weird.
But only because
you're making it a little weird.
- But you're not mad about it?
- Not at all.
I think it's really good for you,
spending some time with your sister.
That's what I think.
- You sure it's not too weird?
- God, Nate, give it a rest.
- Good night, Bren.
- Good night.
Cool! Sleater-Kinney's playing
at this place called Showbox tonight.
I hate to break it to you,
but Showbox is 18 and over.
What makes you think
I don't have a fake I.D.?
You have a fake I.D.?
You're not gonna pull some
pseudo-parental bullshit on me, are you?
No. I had a fake I.D. Once, too.
Maybe I'll go with you.
- I don't need a babysitter, Nate.
- I love Sleater-Kinney.
You love Sleater-Kinney?
Will you try to get over yourself for a second
and let me be your friend and your brother?
Did you bring me on this trip because
you thought I needed a little distraction?
I invited you because I thought it'd be fun
to bring you along.
Now I'm having second thoughts.
I believe you.
- So where are we staying, anyway?
- My friend Lisa's.
- Is she an old girlfriend?
- No.
No way, not even close.
We were strictly roommates, nothing more.
Worked at the co-op together.
Is she all crunchy-granola...
backpacky, and way into grunge?
Crunchy-granola: Maybe a little.
Backpacky: Definitely.
Into grunge: No way.
Grunge died long before Kurt Cobain did.
Besides, Lisa is...
It's not too easy to categorize.
You guys did it a few times, though, right?
- We're not having this discussion.
- Fine.
This is it.
Sweet.
- It's so good to have you back home.
- It's good to be back.
Lisa, this is my sister, Claire.
Come in.
Hello, Hiram? It's me, Ruth.
I'm fine. How are you?
Listen, the reason why I'm calling is...
I just wanted to let you know that I've been
drafting a new blueprint for myself.
No, not for the house.
Yes, it is for the house. My house.
I mean, not the actual physical structure
I live in with my family.
I'm speaking
more of the emotional structure...
in which I've chosen to live my life.
I most certainly have not been drinking.
I'm just trying to let you know, Hiram...
that I harbor no hard feelings against you.
No, I do not want to get back together.
How presumptuous!
You know something, Hiram? Fuck off!
Amelia? It's Ruth.
I know we haven't seen each other
in a while...
and I feel a little funny leaving this
on your machine...
but I just wanted to let you know...
I've been drafting a new blueprint
for myself.
And if you're ever looking
for an opportunity to renew our friendship...
my front door is open to you.
That's all I wanted to say.
You can call me back if you want to, okay?
Bye!
Sarah, are you there?
If you're there, pick up.
Okay, fine. I know we don't talk
to each other very much anymore...
but I left you three messages in two weeks
and you haven't returned any of my calls.
I think you don't ever want to
talk to me again, and if that's the case...
we really need to talk!
There are things I'd like to say to you
about the cracks in my foundation...
and your part in helping me repair them.
This is your sister, Ruth.
What do you mean, you can't?
Eddie, I need you
to pick up Taylor from school.
Look, I realize you're in the middle
of a shift.
Can't you get somebody to cover for you?
I'm caught between a rock
and a fucking hard place here.
I need you to do this for me.
All right, never mind. Fuck it, then.
This is a bullshit detail.
I wish the guy would just shoot her
and get it over with.
I've got tickets for the Dodgers tonight.
What did I say?
Listen, I've got a huge favor to ask.
What is it?
I'm stuck in Koreatown.
Some guy's
holding his mother-in-law hostage.
He claims she put his TV remote
down a garbage disposal.
I don't know when I'll be out of here.
Eddie's pulling a double shift.
I hate to ask...
but is there any way
that you can pick up Taylor...
from Bridgebrook Elementary at 3:00?
Yes. I mean, sure. I'd be glad to.
- You sure?
- Yes, of course.
All right, thanks.
I'll call ahead to the school
so they'll be expecting you.
- I'll pick Taylor up from your place later.
- Great.
Thanks, man. I owe you one.
No problem.
- What is this?
- Tofu meatloaf.
It's completely vegan.
No dairy, no eggs.
No animal products of any kind.
- No meat?
- None whatsoever.
Why do you call it "meatloaf"?
You're a pisser just like your brother,
aren't you?
- Anyway, it used to be his favorite.
- It's delicious, Lisa.
I didn't put in too much garlic?
- Not for me.
- No way.
Garlic is a miracle herb.
It lowers cholesterol and blood pressure.
It stimulates the immune system...
and inhibits the growth of parasites
in the intestines.
So, how's life at the co-op?
Our membership is up 15% since you left...
in spite of the corporate outfits
breathing down our necks.
- Wow, sounds like things are going great.
- We miss you.
You should stop in
and say hello while you're here.
- So, how's life back in LA?
- It's okay.
What can I say? I may have finally
found something I'm good at.
- I always knew you had a spiritual calling.
- Yeah, right.
What? Being a funeral director
is proof of a spiritual calling?
It's not exactly what I imagined for Nate,
but it doesn't surprise me.
Nothing ever surprises you, Lisa.
That's true.
So, last time I spoke to you,
back in January...
I suppose, you had met somebody?
- Brenda.
- Yeah.
Anything ever happen with that?
We're still together.
Wow! Eight months.
That's gotta be an all-time record
for you, Nate.
It might be.
Sounds like a real relationship to me.
What can I say?
It is what it is.
I mean, for me, for where I am at right now,
it's a good thing.
- It's all good.
- It is. It's all...
well, mostly, you know, good.
I'm really happy for you, Nate.
You know, I got offered a job in LA.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Some big-time producer
came through town shooting a movie.
She's looking for a vegan chef,
and she offered me a job.
Really, what movie?
I'm not good with titles.
I don't go to the movies.
Film is processed with gelatin.
Gelatin comes from horses' hooves.
- I didn't know that.
- Most people don't.
Hence the global slavery of animals.
- Were you thinking about taking the job?
- I don't know.
I mean, LA is such a godless place.
Besides, my life is really full here.
- May I use your bathroom?
- Yeah.
It's down the hall, first door on the left.
- She's a lot like you.
- You think?
God, I've missed you, Nate.
I've missed you, too.
Give me a break.
I think you totally cleared out my sinuses.
Not too hard?
Some of my clients find me a little intense.
Not at all.
I love it.
It feels great.
I have to say you're pretty loose.
Not a lot of tension in the usual places.
I'm curious. Melissa, what do you do?
I'm just asking because I'm thinking
about changing professions...
and I'm curious.
I'm a prostitute.
No shit?
No shit.
Cool.
I'm making a cup of tea. Want one?
I'd love to, but I've gotta get to work.
- Same time next week?
- Absolutely.
- I'll see you.
- See you.
- Hello?
- Bren. Hi, honey. It's Mom.
I'm at Tranquility Spa.
I need you to meet me over here.
- Why?
- Sweetheart, it's an emergency.
- I need you over here, please.
- What's happened?
I'm at Tranquility Spa, Brenda, in La Cañada.
I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important.
Brenda! Don't go in there.
Mother, let go of my fucking arm.
You're hurting me!
This is your father's car.
So Dad's here. Who cares?
He's not here. He's at work. I checked.
Look on the dash.
Your father doesn't smoke Virginia Slims.
Look on the gear shift.
A scrunchie. Big fucking deal!
Your father hasn't had enough hair
to need a scrunchie since 1975!
- So you think Dad's fucking somebody.
- Bingo!
Oh, my God, is that all this is?
I thought you'd heard from the hospital
that something happened to Billy.
Don't be so dramatic, Brenda.
I have to go downstairs
and work for a little while.
Do you have everything you need?
Can I have some chocolate milk?
I'm sorry. We don't have any chocolate milk.
I want some goddamn chocolate milk.
I'm sorry, but we only have white milk.
Ain't you got any other cookies
besides these?
Those are all we have.
I don't like these kind.
These kind taste like shit.
Then just color in your coloring books,
and I'll check in on you in a bit.
I don't like coloring books.
- You picked them out at the drugstore.
- You told me I had to.
- I thought you liked coloring books.
- I don't. I told you I like to draw.
Then draw.
These are coloring books.
You can't draw in coloring books...
because they already have
the drawings in them.
You can only color in coloring books.
That's why they're called coloring books.
- You wanna watch TV?
- Okay.
- You know how to use that?
- What do you think, I'm stupid?
- I didn't say you're stupid.
- I know how to use a remote.
Fine, knock yourself out.
Dumb-ass cracker.
Man, I am starving for a cheeseburger.
I want something that walked the earth,
with the works.
Man, I'm having a double.
I thought you liked the meatless meatloaf.
- I lied.
- No shit.
And what's with the "it is what it is"...
purposely vague bullshit
about you and Brenda?
I don't want to hurt Lisa's feelings, okay?
You definitely slept with her.
Okay, yes.
We had occasional sex together,
but it was strictly on a friendship basis.
You were fuck-buddies?
Yeah.
- And nothing more.
- Does Lisa know that?
You know what?
Every time we did have sex,
and I'm talking about five, six times, tops...
I was very honest with her
about what it meant and what it didn't mean.
- She's got it bad for you.
- I was always honest with Lisa.
- Lf you say so.
- What do you want?
I want a Chubby Cheese with everything,
medium skinny fries, and a Coke.
My God, do you smell that?
What, burgers and fries?
No, it's like rotten eggs! Jesus!
Oh, man, déjà fucking vu.
Welcome to Chubby's.
May I take your order?
Yeah, I'll have a double Chubby...
I'll have a double Chubby cheeseburger.
Fuck me!
- Was that one or two cheeseburgers?
- Jesus, my head!
Fuck!
Nate, are you okay?
Sir, I didn't get that.
Can I take your order, please?
Hello, sir?
You drive.
I'm gonna get some air
and make a phone call.
Okay.
- I didn't get that. Please repeat your order.
- Shut up.
Yeah, is Dr. DiPaolo in?
Yeah, it's definitely an emergency.
- Can I take your order, please?
- Shut the fuck up!
I'm going to have to contact the manager.
I can't believe I'm doing this.
Can't we at least go inside?
I could get a seaweed wrap
while I pretend to listen to you.
That couldn't be her.
I'm eating your protein bar.
Maybe it is.
This is like eating upholstery.
I knew it.
Bern couldn't get anyone that good-Iooking
to jump his saggy ass.
I thought you and Dad had an agreement
about this sort of thing.
We did. We do.
Only this time he broke one of the rules.
He didn't tell me first.
So you're not upset
Dad's fucking somebody else.
You're upset he didn't tell you
he was fucking somebody else.
That's right.
The rule is,
if you step outside the holy bonds...
you have to tell your wife first.
So she can line up some young hottie
of her own.
I guess that sounds fair.
You have other rules?
- Yeah, a whole slew of them.
- Go on, tell me. I'm curious.
You can't fuck my friends, I can't fuck yours.
No fucking of mutual friends.
Never in Hawaii.
Never in a hotel
that costs more than $300 a night.
And never in a hotel
that's under $75 a night.
Not on holidays.
There are others. I just can't remember
all of them at the moment.
Is one of them:
"Never fuck anybody else
in front of your kids"?
I guess not. Since there was that time
I saw you in the hot tub...
with some old guy with a hairy back.
Darling, your father was there.
And there was absolutely no penetration,
I can assure you of that.
- I'll bet that wasn't your choice.
- And you were supposed to be in bed.
I was only gone a couple of hours, Rico.
Every hour you're gone
is an hour I have to stay late.
I'm sorry about your buddy's kid,
but I have kids of my own.
Is this about us not giving you the loan
for the house?
Because you never used to complain
about having to work a little overtime.
This is about me not wanting to be
taken advantage of by my employers.
- We're more than just your employers...
- That's bullshit, David, and you know it.
When it's convenient, we're like family.
But in a pinch, I'm just an employee...
and you and Nate are just my bosses.
Hey, little lady.
Taylor, I told you to wait upstairs.
- My tummy hurts.
- Let's go.
Is that man dead?
That man was totally dead.
Yes, that man was totally dead.
- Did you kill him?
- No.
- Did that other man in there kill him?
- No.
He died of natural causes.
My friend Renee said
sooner or later we'll all be dead.
That's true.
So someday I'll be dead,
laying on a table like that?
Not for a very, very long time.
My mom says my dad's good as dead
as far as she's concerned.
That's just her way of expressing anger
at him for not being around.
Sometimes my mom says
she wishes she was dead.
That's just something that people say
when they're upset about something.
Did that dead man in there have any kids?
Yeah, he had a wife and three children
and five grandchildren.
- I don't ever want to die.
- Me, neither.
It's called arteriovenous malformation.
AVM, for short.
Lots of people have it their whole lives
and never even know.
And the pills?
They're an anti-seizure medication.
So what happened to you,
that was a seizure?
Sort of.
- Sort of?
- It was a mild seizure.
- Does David know about this?
- Yes, he does.
I don't want Mom to know
'cause she'll just freak out. All right?
It's no big deal, I promise.
People don't just spaz out...
and hork all over their shoes
for no good reason.
Two words: Tofu meatloaf.
Besides, now I have these pills
it'll be totally under control.
- You swear?
- I swear.
I just have to take them
for the rest of my life is all.
I don't believe you.
Just do me a favor
and don't tell David about this.
This client of mine's a prostitute.
- Is that supposed to shock me?
- What?
God, not everything is about you.
You're such a classic narcissist.
Just because your parents are shrinks
doesn't mean you know about psychology.
Just because you're a shrink doesn't mean
that you're not out of your fucking mind.
I've treated several prostitutes
over the years...
and they're not as uncommon
as you'd think...
That's her.
She's your age. I have to talk to her.
- Mom, don't. Please don't.
- No, wait.
I'm not angry.
I'm not going to make a scene.
I just need to personalize the experience
and humanize the situation.
- It's for all of us.
- You'll just regret it.
Miss!
Hello, I'm Margaret, Bern's wife.
You know, Bern and I have
a really open relationship...
and I just want you to know
it's okay with me.
I'd love to chat,
but I've gotta go meet Bern for lunch. Sorry.
Get off, you bitch! I can't believe you!
- Get off of me!
- Fine.
You slut!
Psycho!
I'll see you in hell.
I hope you like herpes.
You know, I thought she'd be more evolved.
Evolved?
Mother, you just attacked
that woman repeatedly.
- She could have you thrown in jail.
- I seriously doubt that.
Are you hungry?
Why am I here?
Why was it necessary
for me to be here with you for this?
Because you needed a fucking audience.
- Not everything's about you, Brenda.
- Look at Mommy.
Isn't Mommy pretty?
Isn't Mommy fabulous and free-spirited
and uninhibited?
Validate Mommy, kids,
because she's incapable of doing it herself.
No wonder Billy ended up in a psych ward.
Not that you care.
For your information, Miss High and Mighty,
this is life.
People have crises.
They push each other's buttons.
They inflict pain on one another.
And once in a fucking blue moon,
they bring out the best in each other.
But mostly, they bring out the worst.
- You're pathetic.
- Don't you dare judge me.
You think you're the paragon
of mental health...
just because you've been dating
the same man for the past few months?
That's real,
compared to what your father and I have?
- You're just jealous.
- Of what?
The fact that I haven't allowed you
to totally destroy my life...
like you have everybody else's.
What life?
You've spent 32 years
being your little brother's nursemaid...
Fuck you!
...to avoid having any emotional life
of your own.
And now that he's been put away...
you're gonna have
to face your own demons.
And, sweetheart, they're legion.
Get out of my car.
I would be happy to.
I hope you like pork roast
and mashed potatoes.
They're okay.
- Where are you going, dear?
- To watch TV.
In this house we eat dinner at the table.
- You don't watch TV while you eat?
- No, we don't.
Maybe we can watch some TV
when we're done eating.
- So, what grade are you in, Taylor?
- Fourth.
David was in the fourth grade once.
It's true.
Did you know David
used to be my Uncle Keith's boyfriend?
Yes, I did.
Sometimes my momma calls my Uncle Keith
a punk-ass fudgepacker...
'cause he likes men instead of women.
I guess that makes you
a punk-ass fudgepacker, too, don't it?
We don't use those kinds of words
at this table.
- We don't use those kinds of words at all.
- How come?
- Because those words are...
- Hateful. Those are hateful words.
What words do you use?
Homosexual.
My Uncle Keith has a new boyfriend.
His name's Eddie.
He drives an ambulance.
But I don't like him too much.
Why not?
He looks at himself in the mirror a lot,
and he talks to me like I'm stupid.
- I'm sure that's not true.
- Yes, it is.
It is true.
Some people just don't know
how to talk to children.
Tell me about it.
I think I'll start the dishes.
It's time for you to leave now.
Go!
- Is everything okay?
- Claire, I thought you were taking a nap.
I was reading.
- Where's Nate?
- He's outside making a phone call.
Who were you talking to?
Ants.
I'm being overrun by them.
At first I tried setting a little food aside
for them next to the back door.
Then I tried coaxing them out
with some citrus oil.
Now I'm trying to reason with them.
At home, my dad used to squirt them
with lighter fluid and torch them.
I'm not still in love with your brother,
if that's what you're thinking.
Actually, I wasn't thinking that.
I used to be.
I used to think one day he would realize
I was the one for him.
He never has.
Do you think he ever will?
I'm probably not the person
to be asking that question.
He's my brother, but to tell you the truth,
I'm just getting to know the guy.
He's a heartbreaker, that's for sure.
There are a dozen women all over Seattle...
who would freak
if they knew he was back here.
- You must think I'm so stupid.
- No, I don't.
- Do you have a boyfriend?
- No.
Not anymore.
We broke up.
You're better off, trust me.
Fucking ants.
I just wanted to hear how your day went.
My mother practically beat the shit
out of a woman in a parking lot...
but apart from that, I'm fine.
- How's Seattle?
- Seattle's good.
Your mother tried
to beat the shit out of somebody?
I really don't feel like reliving that right now.
How's it going with Claire?
Great. We're getting along great.
Is everything okay?
I just have a headache.
We're gonna hit the road first thing
in the morning.
Okay, I'll see you, then.
I just ran a bath and it's getting cold, so...
I miss you.
I miss you, too.
You never called.
How did you know where I live?
That's not really important.
I think maybe it is.
You wanna know what's really important?
Show me.
Did she give you a hard time?
Not really.
Let me grab her,
and we'll get out of your way.
Thanks again.
It's no problem whatsoever.
She's a great kid, Keith. She really is.
Considering everything she's been put
through, it's kind of a miracle.
We should go.
- Good night, David.
- Good night.
I thought you might need an extra quilt.
It gets cold in this room.
Excellent.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
- I'm fine.
- Are you sure?
Yeah. I'm good.
You can't fool me, Nate. I know you too well.
I'm fine.
Poor baby.
It's okay. I'm here.
I'm right here.
It's okay.
- Are you sure you don't want any breakfast?
- I'm good. I never eat breakfast.
Lisa, have you seen
my old brown flannel shirt?
I'm pretty sure it got donated
to the co-op garage sale.
Here it is.
I love that shirt. It's so Nate.
- Why don't you hang on to it?
- No, I couldn't.
I want you to have it.
- What would I want with your shirt?
- Would you just keep it?
We should probably hit the road
and pick up Mr. Mossback.
Right.
As always, it's been great seeing you.
- Take care of yourself, Nate.
- You, too.
- It was nice to meet you.
- Nice meeting you, Claire.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Morning, Mom.
It's awfully quiet around here
with Nate and Claire being gone.
I suppose it is.
What time did your friend come by
to pick up his niece?
1:30.
That's awfully late
for a child her age to be up.
She was asleep on the sun porch.
- Is there something you'd like to say to me?
- No.
Yes, there is.
I'm all ears.
Your father used to say that to me
all the time. "I'm all ears."
Sometimes you remind me of him.
What's on your mind?
You have to be careful with children...
because their blueprints are being drafted
by the adults in their lives.
And this little girl...
It seems to me that her foundation
is probably unstable enough...
without you bringing your...
My what?
Your relationship with her uncle,
you have to admit...
might be a little confusing
to someone her age.
I'm happy for you if this whole plan thing
of yours has enabled you...
to draft your own blueprint...
or patch up some of the cracks
in your foundation.
But just between you and me,
you're starting to sound like a crazy person.
I think it's time you kept
that shit to yourself...
and minded your own fucking business.
Thank you.
It's a little weird driving a dead guy
all the way back to LA.
It's only weird if you make it weird.
- It's a little weird.
- It's not.
You know, Nate, I don't know why...
but it's comforting to know
you're just as fucked up as the rest of us.
I'm not anywhere near as fucked up
as the rest of you.
- You are.
- I'm not.
- Yes, you are.
- Shut up and drive.