This Is Us (2016–…): Season 1, Episode 17 - What Now? - full transcript

Jack and Rebecca argue before the beginning of her tour, Kevin faces another opening night, while the entire family gathers at Randall's for an unusual party.

Previously on This Is Us...

The drinking has to stop.

We have to rein it in baby because I
won't have it in my house.

Although when we were together

she said she never
wanted to get married.

Hey, meet Gus.

Yeah, it was very brief.

It was another life. Probably
why she didn't tell you.

You think that I didn't deserve to know

that you had history with him?

You know, you never really
talk about your dad's death.



It's been, um, just blocked
for a really long time.

WILLIAM: Roll all your
windows down, Randall.

Crank up the music.

Let someone else make your bed.

(gasps for air softly)

Mm.

(gentle guitar strumming)

♪ Standing at the station ♪

♪ We don't know what to say ♪

♪ Looking out the window ♪

♪ As you're rolling away ♪

♪ If I'm gonna be alone ♪

♪ Let it be with you. ♪

You don't have to pack up his stuff yet.



It's only been a couple days.

I know.

(sighs)

I don't know what to do, Beth.

How do I honor his legacy?

Do I start wearing sweater vests?

Drink more egg creams?

Could get cooler frames.

Like, round ones,
like the hipsters wear.

William was kind of
the O.G. hipster, right?

- Baby.
- Huh?

Listen to me.

The only thing anyone expects
you to do is to plan a service.

- You already did that.
- Like I said, show up for the service,

be with your family,

think of him dearly, and...

You're gonna want to read this.

Hi. Uh, it's Kevin Pearson calling.

I was calling to see if Brandon
Novak was getting my voicemails,

because I've left quite
a few of 'em, and he...

Hello?

She hung up on me.

What, that theater critic's assistant?

Well, not that theater critic.

The theater critic. The Time right?

Shows live or die based on what
Brandon Novak writes about them,

which is why I need him to come
to opening night of my play,

but he won't come to opening
night of my play, because

he already came to opening
night, and I wasn't there, so...

Well, can't you just
explain what happened?

No, I'm not... I can't, you know,

tell them Randall's business.

He's been through
enough, so that's that.

Oh.

You know, you're-you're kind
of sexy when you're loyal.

- Really?
- Yup.

Oh.

Because I give money to the same
charity every year, you know?

You're not sexy when you brag about it.

- Right.
- No.

No.

You know what you should do?

You should sit with
my family at the play.

- Why don't you sit with them?
- No.

- Yes. Come on.
- No, uh-uh. No, I am

slinking in when the
lights go down, back row,

and then, when you take your
bow, I'm-I'm sneaking out,

successfully avoiding
the entire Pearson clan.

- Oh.
- Especially Kate.

Look, we haven't even told
them that we're dating yet.

See, now that's not...
You know what we should do?

We should just tell them that.
We get 'em together, and we say,

"Hey, family, you remember
Sophie, right, my ex-wife?

Well, we're dating exclusively.

Even though she still won't let me
sleep with her, which...

I'm hoping is not because

she's developed some, you
know, weird moles on your body

since the last time I saw you naked?"

- No.
- Or that you think I've lost my touch,

because I guarantee you

- I have not lost my touch.
- Mm-hmm.

What's happening?
Where-where are we going?

- Why are you... ?
- I've got to get to work.

Hey, what, you're gonna leave
me here with a floundering career

- and a lukewarm Americano?
- Kevin.

You're dating the ex-wife
you cheated on 12 years ago,

yet somehow managed to woo back

in a diner with a "C" health rating.

You really think you can't
win over this Novak guy?

So, it seems your grandpa
left you some instructions.

"Dear Tess and Annie,

I know you're probably
feeling a little sad right now,

and I'd like to get you back to smiling.

Because you have two of

RANDALL AND WILLIAM:
my all-time favorite smiles.

WILLIAM: "That's why I'd like
you two to plan my memorial.

Adults make these things sad,

and I want you two to make it fun.

Fill it with things that make you smile.

And make sure your mom and dad
help you execute your vision.

No questions asked."

So, we're in charge of the memorial?

Apparently.

It's tomorrow, right before
Uncle Kevin's play re-opens,

and I've already got the flowers
and the lasagna and the...

(whispering indistinctly)

Okay. We'll take it from here.

Um, if it's all right with you two,

I'd like to give a eulogy.

A eulogy sounds sad.

How 'bout we call it a toast, then?

We'll allow it.

- Well...
- (groans)

I guess I'll cancel the caterer...

and the flowers and the white doves.

You got white doves?

They don't make black ones, Randall.

You know, I heart N.Y.,

but I'm kind of psyched
to get back to L.A.

and get shacked up with my boo.

Yes, Bryce, I need 50 rainbow balloons.

Tomorrow.

They're for a funeral.

My nieces gave me one job.

Can I speak to your supervisor?

Hey. If you want to
talk about William...

or anything,

I know funerals can be difficult.

Especially since you lost your...

I just want things to be special
for Randall and the girls.

Okay.

Oh, I don't know, Sharon,
can you help me?

(sighs)

Oh, come on. Don't do this, Jack.

ALL: ♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪

♪ Which nobody can deny. ♪

- (applause)
- Thank you, everybody.

Uh, Jack, you told me to
tell you when it was 5:30.

Okay.

It's 5:30.

Uh, yeah.

- Jack?
- What?

What? We're... we're
celebrating Pench's retirement.

We hate Pench.

- You hate Pench.
- I do hate Pench.

Look, just... it's
time for you to go home

and say a proper good-bye to your wife.

- Yeah.
- Staying here

is not gonna keep her from leaving.

- With her ex-boyfriend.
- Jack...

Two weeks, five hotels.

Night after night, getting back late.

That is ridiculous.

This is Rebecca we're talking about.

Yeah.

- Now, go.
- Yeah.

You leaving?

The real party's happening
after work at Joe's Tavern.

- You should come.
- Night, Heather.

Hi, Amy, yeah, it's Rebecca.

What time did he leave?

Okay.

Yeah, thank you. Bye.

(front door closes)

Hi.

Hey, Dad.

Kitchen, please.

(keys jingle)

How could you be late
today, of all days?

- Is Ben here yet?
- No.

Then I guess I'm not late.

Well, you said you'd be home at 5:30.

- No, I said I would knock off at 5:30.
- I called your office and you didn't.

So, you're checking up on me now?

This is just passive-aggressive, Jack.

- Okay, the kids.
- Yeah.

They need a ride to
Joel's party tonight.

Parents are home, I already checked.

And Randall's robotics
class, do you see?

It's moved to Tuesdays.

I can read, Bec.

And please, please do
not let Kevin and Sophie

be by themselves in the basement.

- They're all over each other.
- (chuckles)

What's so funny? It's disturbing.

You know, the other day,
I came in... (sniffs)

- ... she was nibbling on his ear.
- Mm-mm.

Don't use the word nibbling
in reference to our son.

That is the only way to describe it.

Those ears haven't
seen Q-tips in years.

- No.
- (chuckles softly)

(both laugh)

(horn honks outside)

(sighs)

- (glass clunks on table)
- Time to hit the road.

Yeah.

I'm leaving.

KEVIN: Good luck, Mom.

- You're supposed to say "Break a leg."
- Oh, am I?

Mmm. Bye, baby.

Bye, sweetheart.

Oh, I love you.

I promise I'll call
twice a day, every day.

Have fun, Mom. Seriously.

I will. (chuckles)

(sighs)

(grunts)

I love you, Mom.

I love you more.

- I love you most.
- (Kevin groans)

Be good to each other.
Take care of each other.

- Bye.
- Bye.

(horn honks)

(indistinct talk on TV)

Dad.

Okay, okay.

His name was William H. Hill.

Everybody knows his damn name, fool.

(inhales deeply, sighs)

Oh, man...

(phone vibrates)

(phone vibrates)

(phone clicks)

Hey, Jessie.

Hi, Randall.

Is this an all right time?

I'm happy for the distraction.

How you doing?

Uh... not terribly
well, as it turns out.

Uh, William and I

had our good-byes privately,
before you left... but

- it's still a shock.
- I know.

I'm with my sister in Chicago right now.

It's, um...

it's a very slippery slope for me.

And I needed time.

You know, time away?

Uh, understood.

I told our NA group about his passing,

and, uh, there wasn't
a dry eye in the house.

A young man named Sebastian

insisted that I pass along

his condolences. He was

a young athlete who
was addicted to Vicodin

when he first came to our meetings

and, uh, wanted nothing to do with us.

But William feigned
an interest in football

so the boy would have

someone to relate to.

I'd have loved to have seen William

pretend to know anything about football.

It was...

(sobbing)

It was quite a laugh.

Yeah.

He was a soft armrest

for weary souls to lean on, you know?

Anyway, I...

I'm sure you've got
things going on there.

I don't want to keep you.

Hey, that's okay.

Thanks for calling, Jessie.

Um... be well.

Take care.

Bye.

- (door opens)
- Mr. Novak.

Sorry to just, you
know, barge in like this,

but I really need to talk to you. I'm...

Kevin Pearson, by the way.

- I know who you are.
- Oh, good. (chuckles)

How'd you get in here?

Oh, just bribed the assistant, Tracy.

You know, big Manny fan.

Um, I came here... to beg you...

to come to opening night of my play.

I did go to opening night, you didn't.

I know.

I know that, and I know what
you must be thinking...

I think that you choked.

I think that you realized

without the help of

five takes and a laugh track,

you're nothing but...
a 40-year-old playboy

with no talent.

36 years...

Doesn't matter, doesn't matter.

Neither here nor there.

I literally uprooted my
entire life for this play.

It's the only reason I'm here, sir.

And the crazy part
about this whole thing is

it's actually really good... it is.

But no one's gonna come see it,
sir, unless you tell them to,

so I am begging you, please...

give us another chance.

It's worth it. Just think about it.

- (doorbell rings)
- Oh, hey.

Morning. Sorry to ring,

I saw this crate of
perishables out there,

and I thought I...

Lot of pears.

Yeah, uh, thank you.

I hope you don't mind me
asking... how's William doing?

I haven't seen him lately and
I was starting to get worried.

I know his health wasn't all that good.

Uh, William died last week.

In Memphis.

Wow.

Wow.

Well, he always wanted
to get back there.

I didn't realize you two had
gotten to know each other.

Yeah, on his morning walks.
We got to talking.

You know, people don't stop
to just talk anymore, you know?

We became friends.

He always asked about my daughter.

I'm sorry for your loss.

This neighborhood will miss him.

BETH: Who's it from?

What? Oh.

Really?

Your father dies,

and this is what work sends you?

They've been good to me, Beth.

I've been out of the
office for a while now...

After not taking a
vacation in three years.

Beth...

Okay.

Are you all right?

Mm-hmm.

Okay, here we go. Let's have fun!

Call me, call me when
you want to come home.

SOPHIE: Thanks, Mr. Pearson.
JACK: Uh-huh.

Do you want this taxi
to stop somewhere else?

Are you and Mom all right?

Stop it, we're fine.

You don't seem fine.

Look... it's marriage.

Okay? It's just stuff.

Honestly, we're fine.

Why didn't you go to her show tonight?

Well... first off, it's two hours away.

- Yeah, it's two hours away
- Kate...

Hey, look, you've got
more important things

to worry about being a teenager.

Boys and-and grades and that band

that sounds like they're always
kidding... what's their name?

- Weezer.
- Weezer. Yeah.

Weezer.

Look, your mom and dad, we're the...

we're last thing in the
world you need to worry about.

Okay?

Okay.

Don't sit home tonight all sad.

How can I be sad when
I've got a kid like you?

Bye.

Okay. Have fun.

Rebecca, it's-it's gonna be okay.

They invited us.

No, the girls invited us.

You know things haven't been
the same since he found out,

he just... he tolerates me.

- You don't know that he...
- Yeah, I know my son.

Honey.

Don't get them tangled up.

It was one... It was one balloon.

Hey, geez, you guys
bring enough balloons?

No, actually, we didn't.

Do not poke the bear, alright
man, okay, I beg of you.

The kids asked her to bring 50.

I popped one in the car.

Everything okay? Yeah, I'm fine.

Well, don't you all look
ready for a FUN-eral.

No?

Not even a smile for "FUN-eral"?

All right, well, thanks for coming.

If you need anything...
cooking, cleaning.

You need help with his will?
I don't know anything about wills,

but I'm willing to
take an online course.

That's, uh,... Hey, guys.

Hi. - KEVIN:
Hey. - Randall.

Come on, let's get started!

(loud pop, all gasp)

- All right.
- Oh...

ALL: Oh...

KEVIN: Those aren't coming back.

TESS: Grandpa said we're
supposed to celebrate his life

and not be sad,
so today we're going to act out

William's perfect day.

Starting with breakfast.
He loved breakfast.

Please help yourselves.

ANNIE: And remember to take his pills.

They're just M&M'S.

You sure you don't
have anything stronger?

I want all the toppings.
Are toppings disrespectful?

- Top away. Go ahead.
- All right.

MAN (on TV): There were more
than a few people on the streets

as the archdiocese of Philadelphia...

(switches channel)

What are you suddenly being sore about?

WOMAN: What did you expect me to be?

Do you think women live

in vacuum-sealed containers,
like tennis balls?

MAN: I just thought you
were different, that's all.

WOMAN: Get smart. There hasn't been

a woman in love different since Eve.

MAN: So it's love?

- WOMAN: Yes, Max, it's love.
- (turns TV off)

(rock music playing)

Hey, Pearson! You made it!

- (man laughs)
- Hey.

Now, this is a first.

Bring it in, come on.

JACK: Yep.

- All right.
- Okay.

- Hey, Jack.
- Heather.

Can I get you a drink?

- Beer.
- Coming right up.

Baby, I think I figured out this toast.

Baby?

I refilled all his pills.

He knew he wasn't coming back.

I didn't know.

How could I have known?

You got your trip to Memphis.

The girls got their memorial.

He left you all with a way...

I loved him, too, Randall.

I never even got a
chance to say good-bye.

Honey...

Come on people!

It's toast time!

MIGUEL: Thank you, my dear.

- What is this?
- It's a Blue Hawaiian.

- Oh, is that William's favorite drink?
- No.

I think the girls misunderstood
a conversation that we had.

Blue Hawaii his favorite movie?

It's his favorite strain of weed.

RANDALL (clears throat):
Attention, everyone.

I guess I'm kind of breaking
the rules by speaking today,

as William didn't ask
me to say anything.

He was a master of words,
and he knew I was no poet.

But I think the real reason
why he didn't ask me to speak

was that he knew there
was someone else who was

much more deserving of this mic than me.

The person who was in it with him,

like, really in it,

every single day.

I really don't know what
to say actually because...

I'm pretty mad at him.

For leaving, I guess.

Hoo. (clears throat)

William was a lot of things.

He was... a father,

an artist,

a cheater at every card game.

God, he was my friend.

I can look all over this house and...

see the memories that we shared.

Every time I walk past the
bathroom, I can hear him humming

when he brushed his teeth.

At first it used to grate on me.

Like, "You love your
dental hygiene, we get it."

But...

pretty soon I came to expect it.

Y'all know that he could dance?

Right there,

right where Randall is standing,

is where he showed me

that even a frail old
bag of bones, his words,

could still attempt a Charleston.

(soft chuckle)

William's moves weren't... fast,

but... they were endearing as hell.

(voice breaking): He
was endearing as hell.

And even though we only
had him for a few months,

he's part of our fabric now.

We'll remember things
as "before William"

and "after William."

TOBY: Hey, Kate.

Come here, talk to me.

(crying): Please, just not now.

(sobbing)

(door opens)

Toby, don't.

Just don't.

I'm sorry.

I know I should be comforting you.

It's okay.

You know, ever since... that camp

just, like, broke me open,

and all that therapy,

and just all this stuff
is coming up about Dad.

Shh.

- It's okay.
- I'm so sorry

that you had to go through this twice.

I'm so sorry, Randall.

Kate, hey, hey, hey, hey. Hey.

I'm okay.

It's...

Had a dream last night

that Dad and William met.

I walked into the living room, and, uh,

(Jack and William laughing)

just talking and laughing
like old friends.

And William was telling
Dad how I taught him

- how to drive a car.
- ... teach me how to drive.

- Whoa, wait, wait.
- And dad was like...

- Really? Randall?
- Really? Randall?

JACK: (laughs) Did he
tell you about the time

that I taught him how to drive?

No, no, you've got
to tell me this, Jack.

I got all three kids
in the driveway there.

Randall hops in the car, excited...

RANDALL: "Oh, the kid
just threw it in reverse

"and zoomed straight back

- like a bat out of hell."
- Bat out of hell.

(crying)

Dad loved that story.

He did.

I'm not the guy to tell you
how to handle your feelings.

But I've learned that
you got to let 'em out.

You got to share them with
the people that love you.

I know.

Do you?

'Cause there's a really sweet,

really big guy in my
living room right now

who might think otherwise.

I know.

Where's the family tonight?

Um...

Uh...

kids are with their friends

and wife is out of town.

In Cleveland.

What's in Cleveland?

Oh, she's...

following her dreams.

No one's dreams are in Cleveland.

Well, it's Cleveland,

and then Boston,

then New York, Trenton, Philly.

She's on tour with her Ben.

Her band.

She's in a band, she's
on tour with the band.

Yeah. I knew something was up.

Nothing's up.

Come on, Jack, I see you every day.

You have that look a man
gets when something breaks

and he can't fix it.

♪ So help me, Jesus ♪

Heather, enough, enough.
Enough with this crap.

I'm a married man.

You're embarrassing me, and
you're embarrassing yourself.

I'm gonna make-make a phone call.

(clears throat)

Every morning and afternoon,

Grandpa would put on his old man hat

and walk around the neighborhood.

So now we're gonna go on his walk.

Come on, everyone, get your hats.

TOBY: All right.

ANNIE: Uncle Kevin, Grandma?

- RANDALL: Picking the green one?
- BETH: Yeah.

RANDALL: You gonna do that one?

Daddy, you wear Grandpa's real one.

I don't know, sweetheart.

Put it on, babe.

Yeah.

Mm.

I want to tell you what's
been going on with me.

About... my dad.

So maybe after the show tonight?

KEVIN: Okay, everybody,

this is where I leave
you, it's time for me

- to head to the theater.
- RANDALL: Break a leg, man.

- Thank you. All right.
- Yeah.

- See you in a few hours.
- I know.

Front and center, buddy.

You might have the whole
theater to yourself.

- Bye.
- RANDALL: Peace.

(Rebecca clears throat)

So, William seems to have
really connected with the girls

in a short time.

Yeah.

That's what he did.

With everyone he met, it seems.

You know your father.

Jack, I mean.

He, um... (clears throat)

he taught you a lot
about honesty and courage.

But the truth is, you came
into this world pretty perfect.

You always had this, uh... gentleness,

this inner kindness
to you, from the start,

and I think...

you got that from William.

I really thought I was doing
the right thing for you

- and for our family...
- Mom, you don't have to do this.

I do.
I have to.

I haven't said this to you before.
I need to, okay?

(sighs deeply)

When I first met him, he
was so far gone, Randall.

And then when I saw him again, years
later, he was so much better.

And you got curious.

And I got scared.

I always planned on telling you, I did.

I would set an age in my
mind. I'd say, "When he's 15.

I'm gonna tell him when he's 15."

And 15 would come and
go, and I'd lose my nerve,

and then I would decide on 16.

(voice breaking): Because the
truth is, I was so terrified.

Because I knew it would devastate you.

It was such a big lie.

And such a long lie.

I knew...

I knew that I could lose you over it,

(crying): and I couldn't
lose you, Randall.

I couldn't.

But that is no excuse.

It was...

selfish... and it was wrong.

And I want you to know, from
the bottom of my heart...

... that I am so sorry you
didn't have more time together.

That it is my fault

- you didn't have more time with him.
- I-I got enough. I got enough.

It was enough time to
know that I loved him.

I loved him.

And I know that he loved me.

I'm so glad.

I love you, Mom.

I love you more.

I love you m... no, no, I
mean, I meant what I said,

but I'm a grown-ass man

and this is gonna
cross a very weird line.

(both laugh)

Fair enough.

- I'm so sorry.
- It's okay.

It's okay.

I-D-I-D-I-D-I-D... Hey!

Hey, uh, I was just curious,

if Brandon Novak picked up his ticket?

- I'll check.
- Thank you.

Yeah, we'll see.

Okay.

(sighs)

Just need to meditate.

I want to see Wicked
tonight, am I in the right theater?

Hey.

Yeah, yes. Yes, you are,

as a matter of fact,
in the right theater.

Come over here and kiss me

- before I paint my face green.
- (chuckles)

Mmm. What are you doing back here?

I'm sorry, am I destroying your focus?

No. No, no, no, this is great.

Okay, just came to give you this.

It's what I always wanted.

- It's a crutch.
- I know what it is.

For when you break your leg.

Break a leg, okay. Yeah. Ha!

Well, the E.R. staff
thought it was hysterical.

Well, thank you... very much,

for sneaking back here;
it means a lot to me.

STAGE MANAGER: Half hour, everyone.

- Ay, ay, ay, ay.
- I know.

Thank you.

(giggles)

KEVIN: I know I can't go back.

There is no back, Jess.

It's just this continuous thing.

It's me, isn't it?

You gonna leave me?

♪ Oh, oh ♪

Just stay a little bit longer.

♪ Oh, oh ♪

(applause)

(audience cheers and whoops)

Kevin! (whoops)



(applause, cheering continue)

Hello? Oh, my God.

That monologue at the end?

- (laughs)
- God, it was incredible!

- Thanks.
- You had such a presence up there.

- Really?
- Oh, sweetheart, yes,

- Oh, Mom, thank you.
- I'm so proud. Wasn't he captivating?

I just can't get over how you
can remember all those words.

- (Kevin laughs)
- So impressive, Kevin.

Good move not showing your penis.

- Yes.
- Stage penis is so 2015.

Thank you, Toby.

There's now a man

- where the Manny once stood.
- Oh, come on.

Never been prouder, brother.

Really?

Never been prouder.

- Thank you, man. Thank you.
- Way to go.

(growls excitedly) You guys,
you're gonna make me cry.

This is amazing. Look
at all of you here!

(phone chimes)

We're late to relieve the babysitter.

I got to stop by the office.

Babe, it's 10:00 p.m.

Yeah, they're all still there.

Big deadline.

There's just something
I got to take care of.

Randall, thank God.

Ten years, Tyler.

I've worked here for ten years.

I've brought in 80% of our clients.

I grew this company
from a six-man operation

into a 60-person machine.

I've given you
20-hour days, man.

Like, nights away from
my wife and children.

My father died, man.

And on the day of his memorial,

you sent me pears, which...

I'm allergic to. And you know this.

Because at the lunch where you hired me,

we ate Roquefort Salad and I
went into anaphylactic shock.

- Randall...
- And along with the pears

that could have killed
me, you sent a card

with a one-line Hallmark message
and a typed-out signature:

"From the team."

And for all this, Tyler, I thank you.

You see, for days, I've been
plagued by this question:

How do I honor my father's legacy?

Then I realized, I honor it
by taking what I've learned

from how he lived his life
and having it shape the way

I go on living mine. And
so, here it is, Tyler.

Um...

I quit.

- Hold on.
- No hard feelings, man.

I walk out of here in triumph.

I came, I saw...

I conquered.

Sanjay...

it's all you now, brother.

Peace.

TYLER: What are you gonna do?

I don't know.

Maybe instead of running in
the morning, I'll go for a walk.

Slow it down a little.

Talk to my mailman.

That seems like a good
way to start the day.

Does it hurt?

Your leg.

You broke the hell out of that leg.

Did I?

You know you did.

- I know I did.
- (laughs)

So... Novak?

Oh, yeah, Novak was a no-show.

Oh...

Yeah, it doesn't matter. You know?

Yeah, but you've been
talking about it for days.

It's because I thought

the play was the only thing
that mattered. You know?

I looked out at that crowd
tonight, I saw that empty seat.

It made me sad, I'm
not gonna lie to you.

But then I saw the other seats.

You know, I saw my family and...

I saw you all the way
back there and I realized

I didn't come to New
York to be in a hit play.

I came to New York to win back my girl.

My girl who would drag a
crutch all the way across town

after a 12-hour shift
for a stupid joke.

- 14-hour shift.
- Okay.

Great joke.

I'm not messing things
up with you again.

And however long it takes for
me to convince you of that, I...

I'll just wait.

I came here for you, Sophie.

(Sophie gasps)

Is everything all right? You okay?

Yeah, yeah,

I'm just looking for weird moles.

Oh.

Okay.

(giggles)

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm ♪

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm ♪

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm ♪

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm ♪

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm ♪

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm ♪

(William laughs)

(echoing): Something simple, yeah.

Right on. This is the one.

WILLIAM: "Told you I'd
send you a postcard.

Good-bye, my dearest Beth.

The daughter I never had.

Love, William."

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm ♪

(phone vibrating)

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm ♪

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm ♪

(whispers): Hello.

Hey, Kevin, uh, it's Ron Howard calling.

Oh, hi, Ron Howard. You're
really cute, Randall.

What... what the hell
number are you calling from?

No, no, this is... this
is Ron. Uh, Ron Howard.

This is... this is my number.

(whispers): Wow. Uh, okay, um...

I am a huge fan of yours.

Now, what-what-what...
what can I do for you?

Well, my 16-year-old
niece is visiting us,

and against my better judgment,

we decided to take her to
this... this little play

because it starred her favorite
actor in the world, The Manny.

You were at my play?

And I-I'm sorry to be
calling you so late,

but I-I just... I just had to tell you,

man... you were phenomenal.

I... wow, thank you. I, um...

So, here's the thing:

um, I'm prepping a movie right
now that I'm gonna direct.

It-it shoots in a couple
of months in Los Angeles.

You would be perfect.

- I would?
- Absolutely.

I'd really like to send you this script.

Hey, Carol, it's Jack Pearson.

I was wondering if it
wasn't too much trouble

for the kids to stay the night tonight?

That's great, thank you.

Thank you. Yeah, I'll, uh,

I'll be by in the
morning to pick 'em up.

Hey. Can I... can I
speak to Kate, please?

(sighs) Wasn't he great?

I mean, I've always
told Kevin he was great,

but this is beyond what he's ever done.

And to see him up there,

not just pursuing his passion,
but freaking crushing it?

He was so inspiring.

- He was awesome.
- Yeah.

Hey, I thought we were
gonna talk about, uh...

(sighs)

you know.

♪ But I don't know where to begin ♪

Yeah, you're right. You-You're right.

I mean, if we're gonna start...

♪ And we all know
how this will end ♪

... a life together in L.A.,

then there is something
that I need to tell you.

♪ Be my keeper ♪

Okay.

You remember when I told you I...

couldn't talk about my dad's death?

Yeah, of course.

♪ You sing for the dead ♪

Well, that's because it's my fault.

Mm-hmm.

♪ I see the signal searchlight ♪

I'm the reason that he's dead.

♪ In the window ♪

Hey, princess, it's Dad.

I wanted to tell you something.

I-I wanted... I wanted you
to know that you were right.

I'm gonna fix things with your mom.

I love you, Katie girl.

All right, you have
fun with your friends.

Bye.

(sniffs)

(clears throat)

(keys drop)

♪ I forgive you, Mother ♪

♪ I can hear you ♪

♪ And I long to be near you ♪

♪ But every road ♪

♪ Leads to an end ♪

♪ Yes, every road leads to an end. ♪