Tell Me a Story (2018–…): Season 2, Episode 2 - Writer's Block - full transcript

- You're unstoppable.
- Stop. You're gonna curse me.

♪ I gave you everything I had.

Previously on Tell Me a Story...

Could the person
who did this be out there?

We're gonna keep you safe.

He runs the security firm

that the label hired for you.

- What's your name?
- Beau, ma'am.

Thank you.

Who's downstairs?
Mom and your entire record label.

They just want to know if I can sing.
Can you?



♪ Nobody know...

You're marrying a crazy writer.

Four weeks behind
on my deadline.

And I will turn this around.

I have a process.

Hey there.

Hello?

Reba, was that you?

And I'm sober.
Really?

How many days you got?

Pruitt.

You're very nice.

- And you're very drunk.
- Oh, don't go.

Sorry, Jackson,
but you're the last thing



in the world I need right now.

♪ Sometimes I want to give up.

♪ I bet you think you know me

♪ I bet you think you care

♪ I bet you think I'm stronger

♪ Than I really am

♪ I hide behind the laughter

♪ I hide behind the makeup

♪ I hide inside the music

♪ And the words

♪ Nobody knows

♪ How hard it is to wake up

♪ Nobody knows

Fuck.♪ How many tears I've cried

♪ Nobody...

Here we go.

Beau Morris.

I thought that was you.

Officer Miller.

You look good.

Vacation's treating you well.

Yeah.

Don't think my buddy's
enjoying himself

quite as much, though.

Now you got nothing to say.

Wish you showed that
same restraint with I.A.

You gonna tell me
what you pulled me over for?

I need to see a
license for that gun.

Are you serious?

Are you failing to comply?

Slowly.

Saw you on TV escorting
Ashley Rose from the hospital.

Wonder if babysitting pop stars

has made you reconsider
your story.

You mean the truth?

I'd be careful with that gun.

One of us real cops
might get the wrong idea

you're reaching for it.

Good day.

Fuck!

Did you read the pages I sent?

Mm. Yep.

Deposition date
was off by a year,

and you misspelled
plaintiff's name.

Last time you made a
mistake that big was...

dumping me in law school.

I think your wife
would disagree.

Point taken.

Sorry, I've just been
preoccupied.

Anything I can help with?

Uh-uh.

Well...

Maybe.

Okay, um...

Did you ever second-guess

the whole...
getting married thing?

Yeah, of course I second-guess.

Till death do us part?

That's some crazy cult shit.

Yeah.
Yeah.

I know, but you and Christine
seem so happy.

We are happy.

Well, except when we're not.

But that's marriage.

Is there trouble in Tucker land?

No, I didn't say
there was trouble.

It's just, I don't know.

He's just been so distant.
He's just not himself.

He's not sleeping.

Maybe it's pre-wedding jitters.
I don't know.

It's probably nothing.

I'm sure it'll all work out.

Yeah.

What happened?

The beast got out of its cage.

Look, Ash, you're allowed

to be hurt and mad at the world.

I can... I can take it in.

Get it fixed up good as new.

All right?
Thank you.

Oh, and your mom wanted me
to give you this.

This is a joke, right?

I don't think so.

Where are you going? To break more shit.

Hey, did you know about this?

About what?
This.

Your press interviews?
Of course.

Your new single released today.

We need to support it.

Standard operating procedure.

So you knew.

You knew, too.
You signed off.

Yeah, before someone
tried to kill me.

Listen, I understand
how difficult this is.

The label determines your
press schedule, not us.

They felt that this would
be a great opportunity...

To capitalize on my trauma?

Ash, your fans, they love you.

People love a comeback.

This isn't a comeback.

- It's a freak show.
- It's not a freak show.

People genuinely
want to see you.

Okay.

Get Damien over here now.

I'll kill this if you won't.

Again?

I'm sorry... I thought your job was

to protect me,
not constantly get in my way.

- Ma'am, I'm...
- I don't need excuses.

Stay the hell away from me.

This could be her. Who we got?

False alarm.
It's just the assistant.

What are you doing?

Quitting.

What happened?

Look, I appreciate
the job, Pops,

but this isn't for me;
I am a cop.

Not right now you're not.

Come on.

Give it a chance.

I didn't raise no quitter.

At least give me some time
to find a replacement.

Bye, Daddy.

Simone.

You didn't tell us
you were coming.

It's my father's funeral.

I can't believe he's gone.

So sorry about it. He was a good man.

So sad.
So very sorry.

We both are.

I understand there's
a reception at the house.

Yes.

Yes, of course there is.

You should join us.

Well, only if it wouldn't
be an intrusion.

- You must go...
- Not at all.

Um...

It's a difficult day
for all of us.

Do what you think is right.

You got to come to yoga more.

Really?

'Cause I'm still stressed.

Your cat will turn up.
I shouldn't have moved.

Change can be very hard on cats.

It's not your fault.

You can't put your
life on hold for a cat.

I wish I stayed in Oklahoma.

Everything's gone to shit since
moving here. Hey, that's not true.

Isn't it?

Grant and I broke up.

I'm waitressing again.

And I think I'm allergic
to the water here,

because I'm breaking out
like crazy.

Well, how's grad school going?

I took the semester off.

Yeah. Comparative literature

is starting to feel
like another bad idea.

I'm sorry,

but I should run.

Thank you for

the coffee and yoga.

Yeah.

Bye.

Shit.

Knock, knock.
Hey, look.

It's the talk of the town.
Congratulations.

You have already surpassed
your first single in downloads.

Are you kidding me, Damien?

I'm dead serious. The West Coast
are barely waking up.

We're gonna be at a million
by this afternoon.

This song is gonna be huge.

Let me put those flowers
in some water.

How could you do this?

I haven't been out
of the hospital a whole day,

and you want to parade me
in front of a bunch

of TV cameras looking like this?

Ashley, we don't know
what the future holds, okay?

But right now, we have
a hit single on our hands,

if we use the right
press appearances.

I am not ready.

I can barely stand
to look at myself in the mirror.

Look, I don't want to be this
guy, but you signed a contract.

Does she have to do TV?

Can she do phoners,
print, radio?

Some of the key markets.

I understand your
reluctance. I do.

But TV is an integral part
of our brand strategy pyramid.

"Brand strategy pyramid."

What kind of marketing
bullshit is that?

Look, I hear your concerns.

I do.

Okay?
We want what's best for you.

So,

for now,

we'll do things on your terms.

My terms?

Your terms.

Great.

Well, then, here are my terms.

Get the hell out of my house.

It's all part of my strategic
go-fuck-yourself pyramid.

Shit.

Ma'am.

I'm just going for a walk.
I don't need a babysitter.

It's my job to keep you safe.

Fine. Do it
from a distance.

Okay. How far would you like me?

I don't know. Canada?

Sorry. Didn't bring my passport.

How about five feet?

Ten.

Done.

See? It's like
I'm not even here.

No.

No, no, no.
What are you doing?

What does it look
like I'm doing?

It looks like
you're trespassing.

Yeah. And if you follow me,
you will be, too.

Hmm. Rebel.

Thank you both for coming.

How are you holding up?

Taking it day by day.

Thank goodness for my boys.

So, Ron,

how's the business?

- I'm Ron.
- He's Ron.

- He's Derek.
- I'm Derek.

Of course. Forgive me.

The business is doing well,

- considering.
- And...

how is that beautiful
girlfriend of yours?

She's fine. She broke up with him.

We're not together anymore.

She wasn't
good enough for my son.

Thanks, Mom.

Sweetheart, would you mind
grabbing me another?

Of course.

Liquid courage?

Is it that obvious I need it?

No.

A little.

It's so strange
being back in this house.

Ten years is a long time.

What choice did I have?
Your mom hated me.

If I'd have stayed any longer,

she would've
locked me in the attic

and thrown away the key.

Sometimes she can be...

difficult.

Look, I know it's
been a long time,

but give her another chance?

She's your mother, too.

Stepmother.

Simone.

Cora?

Oh, look

at my beautiful goddaughter.

Oh...

Do you mind if I steal her
for a minute?

Not at all.

I wasn't sure if you had gotten
my messages or not.

I should've called you back.
It's been a rough few days.

That's okay.

I'm just so glad you're here.

Your father would've been, too.

Cora, what happened?

He fell?

They think that at some point
in the middle of the night,

he must have gotten out of bed
to head downstairs

and lost his footing.

Veronica found him
the next morning

at the bottom of the stairs.

I talked to him just a few
months ago on his birthday.

- Mm-hmm.
- It wasn't much.

The whole conversation
lasted all of five minutes.

He hated talking on the phone.

But he loved to hear your voice.

How are things at
the distillery?

Tough without your father,
but we're managing.

Ron and Derek work there now.

They plan to step up.

I'm sure they're
wonderful assets.

You got the "ass" part right.

Cora, I've missed you.

I've missed you, too.

We're gonna need
a proper catch-up

before you leave town, okay?

- Okay. Of course.
- Promise?

Okay.

I'm so sorry I'm late.

Traffic on 65 was awful.

- It always is.
- It's fine.

Hi.

Thank you so much
for hosting, Rebecca.

Yeah. Of course.

Anything for Maddie.

I'm gonna leave you two.

My, uh, vote is on
the hazelnut praline.

It is so yummy.

Maddie?

- We can get started.
- Excellent.

So, this first one
is our salted caramel.

- Very, very popular.
- Mmm.

Oh, my God. That's, like...

That's, like, the best thing
I've ever tasted.

Thanks.

- Do you love it? Hmm?
- Actually,

um, I'm so sorry.

I don't want to do this.

Not like this.

Why don't I give
you two a moment?

Thank you.

Maddie, I understand
you're upset.

I actually don't think you do.

Look, last night,
I wasn't at my best...

It's not about
last night, Tucker.

It's about everything.

It's the...
it's the-the late nights

and the distracted days.

The constant excuses.

I'm only getting half of you.

- What is going on?
- Nothing. I'm...

I'm fine. You're fine?

You're not fine.

I don't think you're fine.

I spent years watching
my mother pretend

like everything was
fine with my dad.

I won't do that.

Wait, come on, Maddie.

- Maddie. Hey, come on. Come on.
- Would you just stop? I'm not...

It's not you. Then what is it?

It's my publisher. Okay?

They're not happy with my pages.

Tripp said they're
cutting my order.

Okay? There's even talk
of pushing my publishing date.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because I didn't want
to disappoint you.

Do you think
any of this matters?

I love you, Tucker.

Not Tucker the writer.
I love you.

I wouldn't care if you
never wrote another word.

But I would.

It's who I am.

Yeah.

I got to go back to work.

Okay. Honey, come on.

Let's figure this out.

No, I think that you need
to figure things out,

because something has to change.

Now we're breaking and entering.

You always this by the book?

When I'm on duty, yeah.

Hi, boy.

Bet you're the kind of cop that
gives tickets for jaywalking.

Well, it's illegal.

The Mullens are cool neighbors.

Said I could come over
and ride whenever I want.

Hi, Scout.

He likes you.

Oh, he knew me before
I turned into a bitch.

This is when you're supposed
to tell me that I'm not a bitch.

You've been through a lot.
I get it.

Yeah, wish my mom did.

And Damien.

They just want me to pick up
right where I left off,

like nothing happened.

I'm sure they're just doing
what they think is best.

Yeah, for me or my career?

Hey, I heard your new song.

And I liked it a lot.

It was better
than your first song.

Yeah.

That's 'cause I wrote it.

The first one
was a label demand,

noisy and overproduced.

Well, for what it's worth,

I think you should only
sing your own stuff.

That new song is...

it's-it's real honest.

I agree.

Doesn't really matter anymore.

None of it does.

You got talent.

You got that thing,

the ability to tap
into something real

and touch people.

Just imagine the songs
that you're gonna write next.

That's not what the label wants.

They want a pity party.

They want to trot me out
on some press tour

and hope that people
feel so sorry for me

that they pay $1.29
for a new song,

so they can

recoup money
off their bad investment.

Well, I don't know
about all that, but...

you're in a tough business.

I know what that's like.

I highly doubt that.

What I mean is

I know what it's like
to feel the pressure

to do something
that you don't want to do.

How can I sit and talk
about my career

when I don't even know
if I can sing anymore?

It's like everything I knew,

everything I was, is...

...is just gone.

You're still right here.

I'm staring right at you.

You're gonna get through this.

I'll do radio.

That's it.
Okay.

Thank you.

Veronica.

Simone, sweetheart.

Did you get something to eat?

I did, yeah.
Thank you.

Frank would've loved
that berry cobbler.

That man had a sweet tooth
like no other.

Dad hated cobbler.

Excuse me?

Dad always said
people make cobbler

when they're too lazy
to make pie.

That didn't take long.

I knew the real Simone
would emerge.

- I didn't come here to fight.
- Then why did you come here?

Because if it's for your father,
you're about ten years too late.

I was notified by a lawyer

that the reading
of Dad's trust is tomorrow.

Oh, so you came here
with your hand out?

And you didn't?

You abandoned your father.

You abandoned this family.

And you feel like
you're owed something?

Yes. Because as far
as I can tell,

I'm the only one in this room

who was related
to my father by blood.

When I saw you today,
I actually thought you were here

to mourn the death
of your father.

I should've known better.

- I think you should go.
- I think you should go.

Simone, wait.

I didn't just come home
for my father's money.

I know you didn't.That woman is evil.

You may be more
right than you know.

What do you mean?

I didn't want
to bring this up today

with the funeral
and everything...

No, no, tell me.
What do you know?

- He fell down stairs?
- What are you saying?

When did you know your father
to do something like that?

I haven't known my father in ten years.
He was a healthy man.

The only thing wrong with him
was his choice in women.

He didn't fall down stairs.

I know Veronica
is a horrible woman,

but she's not capable

of something like that, is she?

You're right.

I'm just... I'm just upset.

Forget I even said anything.

No. No. Cora.

Cora.

Well, thanks anyway.

- Oh! Oh, my God.
- Ow.

- Are-are you okay?
- Oh, my... Sorry, sorry.

- I didn't see you.
- I'm-I'm so sorry.

- No, no, you know what?
- I wasn't looking where I was...

It was my bad. I wasn't... Sorry.

Sorry.
Is that a J-45?

- Uh, I don't know.
- D-Do you mind

if I...?
Sure.

This is a vintage Recording King
Lily of the Valley.

How old is this?

Uh, it's the boss's.

It's pretty busted up.
Yeah.

Beyond repair, apparently. That sucks.

What do you do that you get
to play with guitars?

Uh, what do you mean?

Sounds like you have a cool job.

Oh, uh, well, actually, I-I work
for someone pretty well-known,

but I signed a bunch of NDAs,
so I can't really talk about it.

Oh. Well, I won't pry,
but whoever

your mystery employer is,
she's lucky to have you.

How'd you know it was a she? I-I didn't.

50/50. Just trying to be
all woke, I guess.

Not all bosses are men.

Right, okay. Um, do you play?

I wish.

What do you do for work?

I'm actually
a-a-a graduate student

over at Vandy.

That's a great school.
What do you study there?

Psychology.
Nice.

Hey, I was actually gonna
grab some coffee.

Do you want some?

Um...

I'm so sorry,
was that too forward? No.

No.
No, it wasn't too forward.

It was, um, sweet. I just...
I'm kind of on the clock, so...

Mm... probably shouldn't.

Uh, but, I don't know, maybe you
want to give me a call sometime?

I'd love that.

Great. Um,

give me your number,
I'll-I'll-I'll text you my...

text you my digits.Okay.

We're on the phone
with Ashley Rose,

whose new single "Nobody Knows"

hit the airwaves this morning,
and our listeners

have not been able
to get enough ever since.

Ashley, thank you so much
for chatting with us.

Thank you for having me.

So, after everything
you've been through,

I'm curious how it's felt
to see people

responding to the song
the way they have today.

Oh, my God, it feels incredible.

I just... I'm so thrilled that
it's finally out in the world.

So are we. Whose decision
was it to release

such a heartfelt ballad
as your second single?

Um, it was always planned.

Interesting.

Tell us,

how are you doing since
the pipe bomb attack that nearly

claimed your life?

Um, it hasn't been easy,

but, uh, thanks to the support
of my fans, my loved ones

and the amazing team of doctors,

I'm ready to put that behind me.

Have you spoken
to Charles Mayfield

since the attack? Who?

The valet who pulled you
from the car

before the second explosion.

Um...

We sent him flowers.Um...

Oh, um, yeah, of course.

Um, un-unfortunately, I've been
so focused on my recovery

that...

Like I said, I'm ready
to move beyond that

and focus on the music.

So, tell me, then,

what does the future look like
for Ashley Rose?

Ashley, did we lose you?
Can you repeat that question?

I'm just wondering,
where do you go from here? Um...

What's next?

I-I-I...

Ashley, uh, has
another interview,

but thank you so much.

Prick.

All right,
that's all the time we have.

Thank you so much, Ashley.

Let's play her new single
one more time.

Here's "Nobody Knows."

♪ I bet you think you know me

♪ I bet you think you care...

Are you Tucker?

That's me. Oh, my God.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Please, don't even mention it.

No, seriously,
I was freaking out.

Well, I got really lucky.

She just wandered
right into my yard.

My little explorer.

Where is she?

Uh, funny story.

She really did not enjoy
being caught.

Oh, no, she bit you.

Yeah, but it's not nearly
as bad as it looks.

I'm so sorry. Please,

it's water under the bridge.

But you can understand
why I was a little bit skittish

about taking her
out of the cage.

Yeah.
Do you mind?

Sure.

Thanks.

Honestly, I can't blame her.

I've never been
very good with pets.

There she is.

Ugh.

Hi, crazy girl.

I've missed you.
You gave me quite a scare.

Come here...

Yeah?

You okay?

I've been better.

I am so sorry.

I, uh... I...

was wrong to put you
in that position.

I am asking you as your mother:

what can I do for you?

Tell me what to do,
and I will do it.

I want to go to bed.
I'm tired.

I am here, and I am listening,

and if you need to talk...

I really am tired.

...you can
talk to me.

Or you can talk to someone else.

We can... we can
call that doctor,

and we can make an appointment.

Okay.

What are you doing here?

Oh, this-this is
my favorite curb.

I just sit here all the time.

Is that right?

Okay.

Maybe I was waiting for you.

And yet, I don't recall
giving you my address.

You didn't.
You also didn't give me

your last name or your number.

And you still didn't
get the hint.

I like a challenge.

How'd you find me?

Well, it was simple.

Uh, when you walked in the bar,

I, of course, first noticed

your beautiful personality

and the confident way
that you carry yourself.

Then I might have
noticed your legs,

accentuated by a pair
of high heels.

Personality and confidence
before the legs?

Of course.
I am a gentleman.

Anyway,

the bartender told me
you weren't local.

And because you were
wearing those...

leg-accentuating high heels,

I figured you didn't walk far.

Checked a couple local hotels.

Here I am.

Why would someone go
to all that trouble?

Look, it's been a bad day, so...

Well, maybe this will
make it better.

There you go.

It's too bad, Jackson.

What is?

That you're such a gentleman.

♪ Red, red is your color, boy

♪ Did anybody ever
tell you that? ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh

♪ Ooh, you got me
seeing red ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm mad at myself

♪ For loving you

♪ Seeing red

♪ I'm seeing red

♪ Ooh

♪ 'Cause red,
red is your color, boy ♪

♪ Did anybody ever
tell you that? ♪

♪ Ooh, you got me seeing red

♪ 'Cause I'm mad at myself
for loving you. ♪

I see you survived.

Barely.

Well, I appreciate it.

Look, I'm gonna pull one of
my guys off the Foster job

if you want to leave
your earpiece and keys.

What, you think I'm a quitter?

No, I'll stay.

I guess I just needed to, uh,
clear my... my head.

Good night, Pops.

I mean...

Ken.

Sorry again.

I was just heading out.

Ken will be here
through the night.Okay.

But I want you to have this.

It-it's a panic button.

Wear it around your
neck for safety.

So, if you decide to sneak out

and go trespassing again,
and you find yourself

in need of some assistance...

You'll come running?

Something like that.

Good night, ma'am.

Good night.

You've reached Madison Pruitt.

Please leave a message.

Hey, it's me.

I, uh, know you don't want
to talk,

and... it's okay.

Obviously, things haven't
gone as planned.

But I want to see you tomorrow.

I believe things
will get better, Maddie.

I just haven't been sleeping.

My head is all messed up.

It's just...

We'll figure things out.

I love you, Maddie.