Original subtitles

[seagulls squawking]

[classical music playing]

[Iris] I've imagined it so many times.

How among all the other questions

certain to have come to you was,

"What will happen to the dog?"

[opera singers singing]

[pants and chuckles]

[all laughing]

He's there, at the top of the hill

between the two bridges,

silhouetted against the limpid sky.

You're making this up.

I'm certainly not making it up.

Limpid is one of your words.

Well, limpid's made up, sure.

But I didn't make it up. Some other guy did.

- [all laughing] - [Walter] "Limpid."

This really happened. Hang on.

Voilà!

It was like he was magicked there.

Like one of Andersen's giant dogs.

- [woman 1] And no collar. - No.

- [Iris] No tag. - Nothing.

[man 1] Wait. Hans Christian...

You know the story. A soldier steals a tinderbox.

He opens it up.

Three giant dogs appear

to grant any wish that he desires.

[scoffs] Walter, that story is a rape fantasy.

- No, no, no. Come on. - The pervy soldier is obsessed

with the king's daughter, so he had the dogs kidnap her.

As revenge.

It's Danish social commentary.

So he can have sex with her while she's sleeping.

Well, that's Danish.

[all laughing] Okay. You could have a point.

- Thank you. - [Walter] The fact is the dog magically appeared.

[woman 2] So, how's Barbara feeling about this magical dog

suddenly appearing out of nowhere?

Barbara was a much better sport about my grown daughter

magically appearing out of nowhere.

[woman 3] How is your daughter?

[Walter] She's spectacular.

She's working with Iris now

- on The Letters. - [woman 4] How's it going?

Oh, it's good to have a partner. Yeah.

[woman 4] Another writer in the family?

Thank you.

[classical music continues playing]

[Walter on voicemail] Do you recognize this voice?

I don't.

Uh... It's Walter.

Where are you?

I found that old computer, but I can't boot it

or kick it or whatever you do to it.

And that little prick in IT is completely useless.

Please call me.

[somber music playing]

Do you recognize this voice?

I don't.

Uh... It's Walter.

Where are you?

- I found that... - [clicking]

[Iris] You loved to tell your students,

"Beware the inevitable detail.

Guard against anticipation.

Embrace disorder."

Yet, many of the stories I read in writing workshops

begin, inevitably, with someone getting up in the morning.

Much less often does a story begin

with someone going to bed.

Of course, real people seldom behave

as predictably as characters in stories.

That's one of the first things you taught me as a writer.

And strangely,

one of the last things we talked about

while you were still alive.

[Jerry] And o'er this sickle bending;

I listened, motionless and still;

As I mounted up the hill,

The music in my heart I bore,

Long after it was heard no more.

[Tuesday] Ah.

[sighs]

I'm a mess, sorry.

I thought I would read a few of Walter's words.

He wrote this in 2010.

It's also the passage I chose to begin my upcoming book

about our time together.

[thumping]

Hello? Hello? [chuckles]

[clears throat]

Um...

Good afternoon.

My husband's students and colleagues

meant as much to him...

- [man coughs] - as his writing.

- [man coughs] - [Barbara] Well, almost as much.

[mourners chuckle]

[Barbara] You were the community of friends,

writers, and readers, and sometimes even critics,

who prodded and pushed him.

And loved him in so many different ways.

[orchestral music playing]

[crowd chattering]

Excuse me.

- I had no idea you were coming. - I wasn't going to.

But then I thought, you know, closure.

[sighs] God, Iris, almost 20 years.

How did that happen?

I always imagined coming back.

[Elaine] It's really good to see you.

Wife number two is a piece of work, huh?

Oh, you don't know the half of it.

[Elaine] She's really milking the bereaved widow thing.

I mean, for a number two.

Google says we're "surviving divorced wives."

- Oh. - There can only be one widow.

- Feeling cheated? - Relieved.

Excuse me.

- Oh, thank you. - Thank you.

To...

him.

- Him. - [clinking]

God, what an asshole.

[Elaine chuckles]

But what about you? How's your writing going?

- Oh. - - I read The Counting. - Stunning.

- Really? - Really.

- What are you working on now? - I'm not.

Well, I was.

I started a novel a couple of years ago, but... Yeah.

The worst writer's block of my life.

Maybe because I called it Eastern Bloc.

- [Elaine] Ouch. - [Val] Hey.

Hey. I was looking for you

- when I came in. - Oh, God. Yeah.

I was late. Ah.

I feel like a party crasher.

Or like something bad is about to happen.

Hasn't something bad already happened?

- Uh... - [Elaine chuckles]

Sorry. I'm... I'm Elaine.

- Wife number one. - Oh, Elaine. Right. Yes.

Iris has told me so much about you. Hi.

- Hi. - [Iris] Yeah.

- Val. Val, Elaine. - Hey.

- This is Walter's daughter. - Hi.

Walter's...

daughter.

Wow.

"Daughter" daughter?

Step-daughter? Widow's daughter?

- Uh, what? - Hello, Val.

- [Val] Barbara. - You must be Elaine.

- The memorial was beautiful. - Thank you.

I really appreciate you including me.

Iris, I need to talk with you about something.

I was hoping you'd come by the house.

Maybe early in the week?

- Yeah. - [Jerry] Excuse me, ladies.

Hello, Iris. Yeah.

- You missed half my poem. - [Iris] Oh.

Yeah. "Oh." It's okay.

Sanderson, um, wants to talk to you.

Thank you, Jerry. Oh. And I go back to work

- on Wednesday, so... - Okay.

- I'll call you. Yeah. - Thank you.

Call me.

I should have introduced myself sooner.

[Val] No, it wouldn't have helped. Believe me.

What do you think Barbara wants to talk to you about?

I have no idea.

- [birds chirping] - [somber music playing]

[Iris] Walking with Samuel Beckett

one fine spring morning, a friend asked,

"Doesn't a day like this make you glad to be alive?"

Beckett responded...

[Walter] I wouldn't go as far as that.

[somber music continues]

[traffic humming]

[Iris] And another from your hero, Beckett.

[Walter] The day that I die will be like any other day,

only shorter.

[Iris] You cracked us up with the line...

[Walter] "The more suicidal people there are,

the less suicidal people there are."

[door buzzing]

Hola, Ms. Iris.

- That time already, is it? - Oh, yeah.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

[sighs]

Ho, ho, ho.

I've read that almost all people

who attempt suicide and survive

regret having tried.

Like jumpers who say that as soon as they hit the air

they knew they didn't really wanna die.

I wonder about you.

About how you might have felt.

The thought keeps me up at night.

"Mancini drove a Buick

that appeared out of nowhere.

Nobody asked questions.

They all just chipped in for gas.

And three hours later,

they were at the Blue Horizon

to watch George Benton,

master of the Philly Shell

slip and block and elude punches

in a display of the sublime.

'Make them miss and make them pay.'

Maybe Sid was perverse,

but he loved making them miss

more than making them pay.

That was his ideal, inside the ring and out.

It was easier in the ring.

Outside, even the guys who were untouchable,

who were blessed with clairvoyance

or some uncanny genius,

got destroyed.

Outside, life was chaotic and artless.

"And you took three punches to land one."

[exhales]

"The sharpness of the betrayal cut like a knife.

There was no doubt anymore.

It was her ex."

It's good. Better than it was.

I like the ending.

But Jane's still not very much

like a character in a story.

She's more like a real person.

Not like the kind of guys that you write about.

- Like that kind of story. - No. I'm just saying...

[Jenna] Like no winged phantoms

- or ritual beheadings. - I just don't see

the point writing about somebody totally regular.

I mean, with everything going on in the world.

- The world? Are you kidding? - I'm just offering

- an honest critique. - Carter, what do you mean

by "regular"?

I mean, the look and everything.

I know a lot of Janes.

Well, all I heard was she's got red hair, green eyes.

There's more detail on my driver's license.

Maybe you meant a regular woman.

Is the other girl tall?

I don't know why we let them critique each other's work.

Blind leading the blind.

Down a dead-end alley.

I'm so sorry about Walter.

Wow, pure sympathy.

- [scoffs] Drive-by condolence. - [chuckles]

[soft music playing]

- Hey. - Hey.

- [Iris] How's it going? - [Val] Yeah, good. You?

Yeah. Okay.

Get ready. [grunts]

- Jeez, this is a dinosaur. - Yeah.

But all his emails should be on there until 2007.

- And your guy... - Rico.

should be able to crack the code.

Yeah, he will. Said he'd do it tonight.

Okay. Tomorrow then?

- Yeah. I'll come over. - Great. Be careful.

- There's no backup. - Got it.

It's precious.

And we'll make a backup, so...

[traffic sounds]

Hey. How are you doing?

Hmm. I don't know. You?

[sighs] You know.

I still haven't cried.

Well, people feel the way they feel.

But it just feels wrong. It's like I'm missing something.

I cried when my phone screen cracked.

What did Barbara want?

I don't know. I'm headed there now.

You think it's about me?

Why would it be about you?

Is that a rhetorical question?

Bye.

[somber music playing]

[Iris] I wanna tell you that no matter how much I sleep,

I'm exhausted.

That I feel as though I'm losing control.

Like my life story is being written by someone else.

[doorbell rings]

[footsteps approaching]

Thanks so much for coming.

Earl Grey?

- I hope that's all right. - Yeah.

So, tell me. How are you doing?

How's it going with the book?

Are you and Val still getting along?

Oh, yeah. She's... She's great. She, uh...

Well, we're moving a little slow,

but you know, we're figuring it out.

And she found some...

She found some guy that

uh, is helping get these emails

off his thousand-year-old computer.

Oh, God, right. That ancient laptop.

Have you spoken with Jerry

about perhaps bringing on another editor?

Why do you ask? Did he say something?

No. Well, yes. Only, as you say, that things are going slowly.

Huh. So, that's what you wanted to talk to me about?

Oh, no. Of course not.

I don't know publishing.

That's between you and Jerry, how best to finish the book.

I think you know

how much Walter appreciated

you taking time out from your own writing

to edit his correspondence.

Hm.

I think it was a mistake

for Walter to stop teaching.

Um...

He loved it. [laughs sheepishly]

But all that "misconduct" nonsense,

it was demoralizing.

Of course, once he stopped, he missed it.

[cell phone ringing]

Oh. Just let me...

[cell phone continues ringing]

[clicking]

Things being what they are now,

I suppose most writers in the world

wonder what their place is, huh?

Well... So, you are probably wondering

why I asked you here.

It's about the dog.

I wanted to ask if you could take him.

- Apollo? That dog? - Yes.

No.

No. [laughs]

No. I... I... I can't.

They don't allow dogs in my building.

- Are you sure? - Yes, I'm sure.

[chuckles] Yeah.

- Uh, could he not stay here? - Oh, no, no, no.

That's what I'm trying to say. He needs to be re-homed.

- Re-homed? - He's been miserable here.

The poor thing wasn't eating.

And he would wait by that door day and night.

Every time I managed to pull myself together,

I'd look at him there, and then...

- fall apart. - [tea pouring out]

What about Val?

Iris.

Some other family member?

I'm at my wit's end.

All the sanctuaries have such long waiting lists.

He can't spend the rest of his life in the kennel.

- You... You put him in a kennel? - What else could I do?

He didn't understand that Papa is never coming home again.

How...

How can you explain death to a dog?

What if you took him for a little while?

Even that would be a very big help.

You will see, he is very obedient.

He knows all the commands. He doesn't bark.

He doesn't destroy things. Doesn't have accidents.

And he knows to stay off the bed.

Yeah, well I'm sure all of that is true.

I know this is a lot to ask.

But I have to tell you, the truth is

this is what Walter wanted.

You were his contingency plan.

His what?

I don't like dogs.

[chuckles] And he knew that.

I begged him not to keep it, but he was determined.

And in the middle of the worst fight

that we have ever had, he assured me that

should things go wrong,

that the dog would go and live with you.

- Why would he say that? - You live on your own,

you don't have kids or a partner.

And you love animals.

- Uh. I love animals, Barbara. - Hm.

I love animals, yes.

I love cats. I don't love... I... I...

Apollo? He's...

Contingency plan? Why would... Why would he say that

without mentioning it to me?

I wouldn't make this up.

You were his best friend.

[dogs barking]

[dogs continue barking]

[dog whimpering]

[dogs continue barking]

[sniffles]

[somber music playing]

[somber music continues]

[grunts]

Oh, God.

Hey.

Come on.

Apollo.

Come now.

[grunts]

I'm sorry.

- This way. Come on. It's here. - [elevator bell dings]

Come on.

[whimpering]

[grunts] Jesus.

Okay. Let's try again.

I'll go first. You follow me.

Hey.

Come on. Let's go.

- Let's go in. Come on. - [whimpers]

- Come on. Let's go. - [whines]

- Apollo. - [whines]

Okay. Shit.

Uh... Excuse me.

Are you going up?

- After you. - Okay. Thanks.

[sighs]

- [pants] - [whimsical music playing]

That's it.

One more.

Okay. Hold on, bud.

Yeah. This is... This is it.

This is where I live.

Apollo.

No. No. Get off the bed. Off.

Get off.

- [knocking on door] - What a liar.

[Marjorie] You home?

[gasps] Zoinks. There's a pony on your bed.

[gasps] A very sad pony.

He was Walter's.

Yeah, I remember. I thought you were a cat person.

[moans] It's just temporary.

Uh, Apollo, Marjorie.

Apollo. [sneezes]

Teensy bit allergic.

Good luck, hon.

I'm home if you need anything.

- Yeah, thanks. Call me. - [door closes]

[somber music playing]

[sighs]

- [snarls] - [gasps]

[somber music playing]

Come on, doggy.

Come on. You gotta be hungry, right?

Here you go.

[clattering]

Okay.

- Well, it's right there. - [siren wailing outside]

[line ringing]

[automated voice] You've reached the Tri-state Great Dane Rescue

hotline. Please...

What do you want?

Some music?

Okay. Let's see.

Oh.

My dad's favorite.

You're gonna like this.

[opera music playing]

Maybe?

Maybe not.

[toilet flushes]

[exhales]

Come on. This is my bed.

Seriously?

[low growls]

Okay.

[low growls]

Okay. You stay there.

[grunts]

[soft tense music playing]

[sniffing]

[Apollo whining, scratching]

[groans]

[pensive music playing]

[woman] Yeah, I know. A hundred percent,

- you have to Uber at night. - [barking]

It's dangerous in New York now.

- Hey. Can you...? - Yeah. Sorry. Sorry.

Come on, Rocco.

Yeah.

Come on. Let's go in the park.

Ugh.

Oh. Uh...

Hello, Ms. Iris. Hi.

- Hey, Hektor. How's it going? - Good. Good.

- I heard there was a dog. - Yeah.

Uh... This dog has... The... The...

The owner, he died quite suddenly.

- Wow, that's sad. - Yeah.

But there are no dogs allowed.

- It's just until I can find a... - No. Not even temporary.

But there's no one else.

I'm sorry, Ms. Iris. No dogs.

[sighs]

[exhales]

Okay. Here. How's this?

[radio static, indistinct voices]

["Joy To The World" playing]

Bye.

[door closes]

[train howling]

Everyone's got their own way of processing criticism.

Yeah, well, hers must be, "Back off, asshole."

Did you find anything helpful in what Jenna was saying?

You mean about female characters?

I mean, I love that you're writing speculative fiction.

I write tons of female characters.

Like, all the time.

I have to delete all that before I read in class.

Your workshop is mostly girls, in case you hadn't noticed.

And there's, like, you know,

sex and stuff.

- They'd crucify me. - Mm-hmm.

But I'll let you read it.

[scoffs]

Yeah, well, we are coming to the end of term, so...

It will be my best stuff.

Pretty intense but super romantic.

Less porny than, like, Game of Thrones,

- or whatever. - [knocking on door]

- Oh, Come in. - Oh, sorry.

No, no. We were just finishing up.

[Blossom] Uh. How about a bite before the movie?

- [Carter] Is that a Great Dane? - What? Carter...

[Carter] Are you adopting a Great Dane?

- No. - They're the king of dogs.

There's this crazy Dane meetup in Central Park every Sunday.

I go just to watch sometimes.

- Are you getting a dog? - No, I'm not.

Well, you'd love a Dane.

Thanks for the tip.

- What was that all about? - Please, let's just forget it.

Bite to eat?

Oh.

Blossom, I'm sorry.

I have to get home.

I think he missed you.

"[Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" playing]

[door closes]

[Iris exhales]

What...

Bad dog!

Bad, bad dog!

You bad dog!

Damn it.

[exhales]

Thanks.

That's exactly what Walter

thought of Eastern Bloctoo.

That's just great.

[somber music playing]

[shower running]

[opera music playing]

Come on, you gotta eat sometime.

Maybe you spoiled your appetite on my pillows.

And my writer's block.

[intercom dings]

- Hello? - [Val] Yo! It's me.

Shit.

Come on up.

This is all your fault.

[knocking on door]

[knocking on door continues]

- Hey. - Hey.

- You forgot. - No.

Jesus. This guy?

Ah, yeah.

Hey, big bro.

So, this is what Barbara wanted to talk to you about?

Yeah.

Are you even allowed here?

It's only until I can find someone else.

Then what, you'll re-home him?

- He just got here. - Uh...

Poor guy.

He's taken over my bed.

And he won't even look at me. See?

And whoever said that music soothes the savage beast...

- It's savage breast. - What?

It's "music soothes the savage breast."

Oh. Well, there you go. No wonder.

[music stops]

Does your breast need soothing?

Hm?

I bet it does.

Is now a bad time?

- You really forgot? - No.

[sighs] Okay, yes.

I thought we were gonna do it after the boat thing.

No, I said Rico would do it right away,

and then you said tonight.

Besides, I'm not going on the boat.

Well, I guess I didn't believe you.

Well, you should have.

It might be helpful.

For what? My feelings?

Well, sometimes those kind of rituals can be...

No, it's not about my feelings. It's just, like,

really not my thing.

It's their thing.

Walter's people.

And besides, they don't want me there.

No, I think everyone is really hoping to see you.

Trust me. They're not.

I just remind them things about him

that they wish they could forget.

No. You are not something to forget.

[exhales]

Do you wanna look at the drive? We don't have to.

Yeah. Let's do it. Why not?

[sighs]

- What happened in here? - - [whimpers]

I... He doesn't like being left alone.

Um, well, Rico recovered everything.

Thirty thousand emails, I think.

Thirty thousand?

Three of which were to my mother.

Which tells you everything you need to know

- about that relationship. - Oh, I'm sorry.

No. Don't be sorry.

It wasn't like that between them. I...

I didn't expect there to be more.

But anyway, there's, like, 300 letters.

And I found this one.

"What a stroke of luck,

the two of us being in Berlin at the same time.

I can't stop thinking about the green-blue floes

"drifting along the Spree."

Oh, jeez.

Oh, sorry.

Do you not want me to...

No, no, go on. It's okay.

"Jaggedly foreboding,

more translucent somehow, for the steely sky.

"Breathtaking. What..."

[Val] What's he doing?

Uh. I don't know.

Hm.

Okay. Um...

"What a happy day together."

I'd been missing you terribly, Iris,

these past months,

and now, once again, I find myself sadly bereft.

But these new pages of yours. I'm enthralled.

Fabulous work,

"riveting and wondrous."

[Apollo whimpers]

Do you think Walter read to him?

[scoffs] Yeah, I'm sure. He...

He'd read to anyone who'd listen.

Hm.

What?

Just imagining what that might have been like.

Being read to by Walter.

Numbing. That's how.

Let me read to you, and him.

"The goal of the expedition

was to map a tributary, of a tributary of the Amazon.

The poetically named River of Doubt.

"And..."

Amazing. Is that what you like?

The written word?

Does that soothe your savage breast?

Okay, okay, okay. Wouldn't want to overdo it.

[melancholy music playing]

[Jerry] I want to read a poem

called "My Spirit Will Not Haunt The Mound" by Thomas Hardy.

My spirit will not haunt the mound

Above my breast, But travel, memory-possessed,

To where my tremulous being...

[chuckles]

[somber music playing]

[Apollo howling]

It's just he is so big,

and your apartment is like a shoebox.

You've never been to my apartment.

Well, I've heard. From Walter.

You two would discuss the size of my apartment?

We talked about a lot of things.

It just seems cruel, Iris.

Barbara, um, you were right.

There's no space in any of the local rescues.

You can't just re-home Walter's dog.

[Barbara] I really wish you'd reconsider.

I know it's what Walter wanted.

Come on, did he actually say that?

That's what he wanted?

Iris.

[Barbara] Thank you.

Walk me to the train?

Yeah. Come on, big guy.

[soft music playing]

That dog, he's so Walter.

You mean, the swinging balls?

[chuckles] Walter would've hated today.

The ashes. Flowers. Mournful poem.

He'd have loved seeing his three wives

stuck on a tiny boat together.

We should've invited the girlfriends.

[chuckles] "You're gonna need a bigger boat."

- [chuckles] - [Iris] God.

I never told you that I...

I knew about the two of you. That you'd been together.

Did Walter tell you?

I guessed. Then I asked him, and he, you know, owned it.

He was so proud of himself that you'd remained friends.

But he never really shared details.

[groans]

It was...

that summer,

that last class we took from him.

We just kept hanging out.

Going for walks. Coffees.

One night, out of the blue... We'd been drinking.

he just suddenly said to me,

[chuckles]

"We should fuck."

And I didn't expect it with us. After so much time together.

I'd seen it with other students, but...

- Yeah. - So, I just stared at him

and said, "Why?"

- [chuckles] "Why?" - Yeah. He laughed too.

And then he said, "We should find that out about each other."

- He didn't. - He did. And then we did.

Men like Walter and their beloved language.

Isn't it disappointing that

when it comes time to seduce,

they all sound the same?

Hm.

I mean, at that point in my life,

I was so intense about everything.

I wanted every experience. And he...

He was just so fucking sophisticated.

And?

And then that was it.

The next day, he pronounced it a mistake for us

to try and be more than friends.

- What a cad. - Yeah.

I was mortified. And angry.

And I didn't think for a second we could ever be friends again.

- And then my dad got sick. - I remember.

Right, and he shows up at the funeral,

and it was really nice.

And weirdly okay.

And then you two started up, and it was all normal again.

Why didn't you ever say anything?

I don't know. It didn't seem to matter.

We were all friends.

Yeah. I guess it didn't.

[Elaine] But then Walter and I split.

And I was jealous.

- Of me? - Of your relationship with him.

Yeah, your...

Your friendship.

Your best friendship.

That he found a way to do that with you.

That he wanted it. Without the sex.

For God's sake, he left you his trusted steed.

Oh, God.

Hey.

Tell me. Um...

That class we took with Walter.

It's Shauna, right? Val's mom is Shauna?

- God, you're good at this. - Yeah.

The second I left the reception, it hit me.

She and Val, they could be twins.

No, but it was right after you split.

I know. I know. I know. I know. I did the math.

And you know what? It's... It's okay.

[chuckles awkwardly]

No, it's not.

Fuck.

[soft music playing]

Can we stay in touch this time?

[door buzzing]

Oh, Ms. Iris, I thought I told you, the dog.

- When will you get rid of him? - Yeah.

Not yet.

- I'm working on it. - No.

You can't just work on it. You gotta make him go.

Hektor, he has a name.

- Apollo. - Yes, I know.

Apollo, right.

Apollo. Hektor. Okay?

Apollo. Hek... Oh. Yeah. Okay, yes.

Look, he can't stay, Ms. Iris.

Management company, they are very strict.

It's not a problem. I'm working on it.

- Just a few days. - Um...

- And I am working on it. - Okay.

- I promise. - You said that already.

But this... He's... Okay.

- [snores] - [Apollo starts whining]

[continues whining]

You okay?

[continues whining]

Oh, bud.

It's okay. I know.

I know.

[somber music playing]

- [phone ringing] - [dogs barking]

[Dr. Novak] A hundred and fifty-one.

About where he should be. Little arthritis in the hips,

but, uh, otherwise, he's in good shape. For his age.

Which is what, do you think?

Uh, five. Maybe six.

- Getting on for a Dane. - Six is old?

Big dogs are like butterflies. But he's okay.

And what about the fit he had last night?

Well, he lost his master.

He's in mourning.

Before that, he was abandoned. How would you feel?

Sit.

- Good dog. - Wow.

I've never seen him do that before.

Well, he's smart.

Give you a piece of advice.

The trick with large breeds like this

is never let them know the truth.

And the truth is,

you can't really make them do

anything they don't wanna do.

Stand your ground.

And for God's sake,

get yourself back up on the bed

and him on the floor.

Well, during that last fit,

when I was getting on the bed,

- he let me sit. - Let you?

No, no, no, no, no. Get him off the bed.

Give you this for the joints.

He's a good dog.

Don't turn him into a bad one.

Hey. Hey, Apollo.

Hey. Sit.

[scoffs]

What...

["Wigwam" playing]

[singer vocalizing]

[bell jingles]

[singer continues vocalizing]

[singer continues vocalizing]

You like them big, don't you?

[clattering]

Okay.

Here you go, bud. A nice bed for you.

[grunts]

Really?

Okay. [exhales]

Fine.

Knock yourself out.

[exhales]

[exhales]

[somber music playing]

[chuckles]

[siren wailing]

[exhales]

[scratching]

[Apollo whining]

Aw, dude, come on.

[soft music playing]

[dog barking]

[cell phone dings]

[Tuesday] Hi, love. Brainstorm.

- I'll adopt Apollo. - [dings]

Cleared with co-op board and Barbara,

- so we're 100% good to go. - [dings]

Call me. Xo.

Her even offering seems suspicious, no?

[Elaine] Maybe Tuesday's actually trying to help.

Help? She hates me.

You sound paranoid.

Tell me you've never heard of people

taking revenge on someone's child or pet.

Okay. First of all, uh,

he is Walter's child or pet, not yours.

All... All I'm saying is, you have no other options,

and you don't wanna lose a rent-controlled apartment.

So, maybe you ought to hear Tuesday out.

How is the book going, anyway?

We started in on his email,

but it's kind of a slog without him here, you know?

Yeah, I can imagine how that would change things.

But how much was he even working

- with you before? - [thumping]

You know...

- Hold on a second. - Yeah, okay.

Yeah, yeah. I'm coming.

- Hey. - Hey. Sorry.

- I just... - Are you okay?

Yes. Can you tell those people, your neighbors...

just open the door.

Because I was standing out there for, like,

- fucking ever. - Oh.

Hi.

[Elaine] Aw, that's so cute.

- Like father, like daughter. - Oh.

- Hm? - Ah...

- Hi, Val. - Oh, hi.

- Bye, Val. - Yeah. Uh...

Bye.

- Hi. - Sorry. I'm interrupting.

No, it's fine.

It's just that the I train

was gonna take 20, which gave me

[clears throat] just enough time to break up with that douche.

You know that guy I've been seeing.

Shit.

- The train didn't come. - Oh.

You wanna crash here?

- Okay, come on. - [sniffles]

You're a pal.

- [Iris] So, one too many? - [Val sniffles]

Maybe just one. Um...

You're so wrong. Tuesday hates me way worse.

Careful. Yeah, well, it's not a competition.

With her, there's plenty of hate to go around.

I'm just saying that lady is crazy.

So, yeah, you have to question her shit.

I mean, why would you even think about letting her have Apollo?

- It's not that simple. - It is that simple.

I just can't keep having him here.

And he's getting in the way of my work. Our work.

I just don't think it's that different.

Oh, my God. What is that?

- [coughs] - Oh. [chuckles]

That, my friend, is yesterday's kombucha.

Um... [groans]

You should put that away.

[grunts]

I guess I don't think it's that different.

We've been working on the book for over a year now.

What does that mean?

It means, way before my dad killed himself,

or before Apollo even came along, I just...

I don't think it's about the dog.

Hey, I... I put just as much time into the book as I do...

No, I'm not complaining. [sniffles]

Walter warned me.

Warned you?

About your pace.

My pa... You two talked about my pace?

- Are you kidding me? - Maybe it wasn't your pace.

Well, what then? What did you talk about?

Yeah, it was... It was your pace.

He worried about you going too slow,

about pushing you to finish.

I care about the book, you know. I wanna finish it too.

And you think I don't?

Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. My...

My head hurts.

You gotta do something about this dog, though.

I can't keep watching him every time you go out.

Right, dog go? Huh?

Hi, big bro.

What do you wanna do? [grunts then exhales]

What'd our dad want if he were here?

[soft music playing]

You wanna go live with a crazy lady?

What are you looking at?

Well, it's not that I don't like her.

- She's lovely, she's bright. - What, then?

- I like to work by myself. - She's very bright.

- I just said that, didn't I? - You might appreciate

another perspective, you know.

Someone to bounce things off of.

- That's not the point. - She's young,

energetic, and my daughter.

Right, but she hardly knows you.

She doesn't know your work or relationships.

And that's exactly what I'm trying to fix.

So, I'm the fixer?

Everyone knows that you fix things.

- Ah. - She's already here.

Since when have I ever... What?

Why didn't you tell me she was coming?

What the fuck?

- [Val] Hi. - [Iris] Ah.

- [Walter grunts] - [Val laughs]

[Iris] Hey.

You think this is a bad idea, don't you?

No. It's great.

It is a bad idea because

we haven't had coffee yet.

- Soon, all will be perfect. - [Val chuckles]

It's just a trial.

Okay? One day. That's all.

To see if it's a good match.

And who knows, maybe she's not as irritating to a dog. Go on.

Hi. Tuesday Chang, please.

Good job. Good boy. Yes, that's it.

See? That wasn't so bad.

Why can't you be like that with our elevator?

My elevator.

Maybe that will be your elevator one day.

Okay.

Was there a problem?

Uh... How do you mean?

It just normally doesn't take people

so long to get up the elevator.

Oh, no. No problem.

I heard talking.

Nope.

Okay.

- Well, come on in. - Yeah.

- Oh, my God. He's ginormous. - Yeah. I know.

[Tuesday] Maybe it's just being inside.

Or this hallway.

No.

Look, I brought some food

- and treats and toys and stuff. - Yes.

[Iris] But he doesn't really like to play with them.

Sometimes, this Kong thing.

- But mainly, he's just sad. - Aw.

He likes to sleep. And he loves being read to.

Well, my godson's head is gonna explode when he sees him.

I'll be back around five,

so probably you just need to go out once,

- around two. - Two.

Normally, he likes to go out

three times a day.

Oh, wow, I didn't realize.

That he'd need to go out?

Well, three times a day, I mean.

- [Iris] Oh, yeah. - My friend uses

- something called pee pads. - Oh, trust me.

You don't want to try that.

Oh. No, no, no, no, no, no. Down.

Apollo, off. Do...

[grunts] Can you...?

It's a vintage Tacchini.

I can't imagine Walter let him just go willy-nilly

- wherever he wanted. - Ah.

I'm quite sure he did.

That's ridiculous. Barbara told me

that the dog was perfectly behaved.

Yeah, well, she told me the same thing,

but there you have it,

willy-nilly all over your vintage zucchini.

Are you mocking me?

What? No. No, of course not.

I... I'm sorry.

Okay.

I'm running late. But, uh...

I'll be back around five.

But thank you.

Why would Walter leave the dog to you?

What?

I mean, if he's like this. Unmanageable.

I mean, your apartment, for God's sake.

Even for one person...

What is it about my apartment?

I just think that maybe Barbara misunderstood.

You know it's not as if Walter put it in writing.

You mean, in the run-up to killing himself?

I'm sure it was on his to-do list.

Oh, okay. God. You know what? Just...

Just tell me what else I need to know.

About Apollo, or in general?

[door opens]

Okay, I was wrong.

She's just as irritating to a dog.

["Everybody's Talkin'" playing]

♪ Everybody's talkin' at me ♪

♪ I can't hear a word They're sayin' ♪

♪ Only the echoes of my mind ♪

♪ People stoppin', starin' ♪

♪ I can't see their faces ♪

♪ Only the shadows Of their eyes ♪

♪ I'm goin' where The sun keeps shinin' ♪

♪ Through the pourin' rain ♪

Let's go this way.

♪ Goin' where the weather ♪

♪ Suits my clothes ♪

No. Not that way. Here. Let's go...

- Back up. Sorry, ma'am. - No, no, no!

- No dogs inside, ma'am. - What?

- I... - No dogs inside.

I have an appointment. I'm running late.

So, can you just help me?

- No dogs inside. - I have an appointment.

Can you let me in?

- I can't. I'm sorry. - Sir!

- Can you call your boss, please? - Can you please remove the dog?

No, I will not.

Just let me inside, please.

I can't do it. It's my job on the line.

Okay, right. I'll sit here too.

5-3 to base. I need some assistance up here.

And they have a big dog here too.

[elevator bell dings]

I'm really sorry about all that.

Reception can be such a-holes.

I mean, so random to involve the police.

- [Sophie] This way. - [Iris] Oh.

[Sophie chuckles]

Come on.

- [knocking on door] - I have Iris

- and Apollo. [chuckles] - I'm sorry.

- [Jerry] Come in, come in. - [chuckles] Hi.

- Wow! - Um, yeah.

I think your security team overreacted.

I heard. Not to worry. Not to worry.

- Sorry. I didn't plan on this. - Please, sit.

- Okay, thanks. - Yeah.

Okay, bud. Sit.

- Bravo. - Good job.

Did you teach him that or Walter?

Uh, I think he came with it.

- Impressive. - Mm.

Does he need anything?

Oh, I think Sophie was getting him some...

- Oh. Fiji water. - Here we go.

- Wow, fancy. Fancy. - Here you go.

- He's so thirsty. [chuckles] - Yeah.

- I'll be at my desk. - Okay.

I'm sorry about the mess.

[Jerry] So, he seems better

- than he was on the boat. - Mmm.

- How's the book going? - Uh...

I know that's what you wanted to talk about.

And I have been working, Val too, but...

Should I be looking for another editor?

I know with the grieving and the feelings...

No, definitely not. No.

Okay, then I'll be blunt. I need this book.

Dead Walter is suddenly hotter than live Walter.

There's considerable interest in his correspondence,

and we've got to capitalize on it. Now.

- I understand. - If you need help,

- or you don't want to... - No.

I said...

I understand.

Fine.

[traffic sounds]

What are you gonna do about the dog?

Okay. Let's go, bud.

[exhales] Uh, I'm late for school.

And Val's AWOL,

so you're just gonna have to be by yourself again, okay?

You just stay there.

And you're gonna promise not to destroy my apartment.

Okay?

Good. Good boy.

You're gonna be a good boy.

How about some music, huh?

[radio static, indistinct voices]

["As Time Goes By" playing]

Okay, good.

All right.

[keys jingling]

Okay, be a good boy. Please.

Please, pretty please.

Don't wreck the apartment.

Okay.

Goodbye.

[door closes]

♪ And when two lovers woo

♪ They still say "I love you"

[whimpers]

♪ On that you can rely

♪ As time goes by ♪

♪ Moonlight and love songs Never out of date ♪

♪ Hearts full of passion ♪

- [Apollo whimpers] - ♪ Jealousy and hate ♪

♪ Woman needs man And man must have his mate ♪

♪ That no one can deny

[whimpers]

"The South to her,

a sexy accent inviting her up worn wooden stairs.

The South was defanged and charming,

a relic of history.

Like this boy who took notes with a No. 2 pencil

and a Moleskine notebook.

In the Google Doc, where she and her best friend

kept their senior year bucket lists,

"she wrote under 14: Get published in The New Yorker."

[bell ringing]

♪ As time goes by ♪

Good boy.

Good boy, Apollo.

Very good boy.

[Iris] I've been playing my father's records for him.

- [Marjorie] Really? - [Iris] Yeah.

Bass arias, mostly. I think he's kind of into it.

[chuckles] He isn't.

Audiobooks, not so much.

Talk radio, movie soundtracks, no.

To be honest, I don't think he likes anything

as much as he likes being read to.

That he really loves. A lot.

You're not thinking of keeping him now?

No. Of course not.

Okay. Come on. [grunts]

One more. Getting our steps in.

- Oh. And it's a tie. - A tie.

Ta-da! Almost.

Okay. Thanks for that.

You're gonna come in for some tea?

No. I'll start sneezing

- like a lunatic in there. - Yeah.

I wish you'd think again about coming to Woodstock

- for Christmas. - Oh, shit.

What?

"You are in violation of allowing

a dog to occupy the premises

and despite repeated warnings

from building superintendent Hektor Cepeda.

If you continue to keep said dog

- in the apartment..." - "Said dog"?

It should say sad dog.

- They're going to evict me. - No.

No, no. You've been here so long now.

And before that, your dad.

This is your home.

Iris, you cannot lose this apartment.

You will never find another place you can afford.

Not in the city.

Not anywhere with this roommate.

What about the shelter in Michigan?

Oh, I'm still on the wait-list.

I need to speak directly to the landlord.

Who's to say the man's a heartless prick?

[Marjorie] I am. He tried to evict me

when I renovated my kitchen.

- You need a plan B. - But...

I just need a little more time.

The only alternative is to put him back in the kennel.

I can't let that happen.

[knocking on door]

Hello. Hey, Ms. Iris.

Did you know about this?

They're going to evict me.

Oh, Ms. Iris, what do you think I was talking about when I said

- "the dog"? - You know I'm trying.

- You know that. - You're not trying.

And you know how I know that you're not trying?

Because the dog is still here. No?

It's not about the dog for them.

They want me out so they can triple the rent.

That's not my problem.

They told me to tell you, Ms. Iris.

So, I'm telling you, okay?

No dog.

Yes, I'd like to speak to Howard, please.

No, I don't wanna speak to a supervisor.

[traffic humming]

Yeah. Okay, fine. Just...

Have him call me back. Please. It's urgent.

Merry Christmas.

[Iris] What do dogs think seeing humans cry?

What do they make of human sadness?

[somber music playing]

I keep thinking of you.

How among all the other questions

certain to have come to you was...

[Walter] What's gonna happen to the dog?

- [dogs barking] - [somber music continues]

[Mary] Did you bring the wreath?

What wreath?

The Merry Christmas wreath

- for the window. - No.

[Mary] Where's your coat and hat?

[Bailey] Left them at the office.

[Mary] What's the matter?

[Bailey] Nothing's the matter.

[muffled party music playing]

- [chuckles] Come in. Come in. - Ta-da!

Oh, I'm so glad you came. I know you didn't want to.

Get yourself a drink.

- You take that. - And a hat.

- A hat. Okay. - Yes.

Hi. [chuckles]

[Blossom] Iris.

- Oh, Blossom. - Oh.

- Happy New Year. - Happy New Year.

- You came alone. - Very funny.

- [Blossom] How's your roommate? - He's fine.

Marjorie told me about the letter.

Yeah, well, I'm not gonna be evicted, okay?

Easy. Just asking.

I was just talking to Shervin. Have you met Shervin?

- Ah. No. Hi. - [Shervin] Hey.

- How's it going? - Nice to meet you.

Shervin's a friend of Marjorie's.

He's a broker. And Shervin was just telling me

how impossible it is to find

a pet-friendly apartment in New York these days.

- [Shervin] Are you looking? - Uh, no. I'm really not.

What kind of pet do you have?

Oh, the Great Dane?

- Uh, he's not... - Iris. Iris.

Such a long time.

- Harry. Oh, my goodness. - Hey.

- So many years. - I hardly get in town anymore.

- Oh, my God. - This is my husband, Larry.

- Hi. - Larry.

Your husband, Larry.

Harry, Larry. That's adorable.

[chuckling] Iris lives right next door.

Her father Gary sang with me

- in the Gay Men's Chorus. - Oh.

You're the one with the dog.

Oh, yeah. I've heard crazy stories.

Are you gonna lose your apartment?

- No. - I love big dogs,

but I could never do what you're doing.

I gave Marjorie the name of a rescue

in Delaware. They're amazing.

[Larry] Five is kind of old for a Dane, isn't it?

What are you gonna do when he becomes,

you know, incontinent?

- Bye. - Thank you so much.

Happy New Year to you.

Happy New Year, darling.

- Bye-bye. - Bye-bye.

[Marjorie] Take care.

Oh, honey, it's late. Go home.

No, no. It's okay.

- You're mad. - No.

Maybe just a little?

[scoffs]

I did think this was a New Year's party,

not an intervention.

People are concerned.

I'm concerned.

You're my friend.

You're more than my friend.

When your father got sick,

I don't know what would have happened without you,

if you hadn't moved in with him to help.

I miss him. A lot.

I don't wanna miss you too.

I actually did hear back from the Michigan rescue, so...

They can take him now?

Well, that's good news.

[melancholy music playing]

Hey.

How you doing?

Hey, bud.

Hey.

[sobbing]

[sobbing]

Come on, boy.

Get in.

Stay.

- Ms. Iris, I... - Can you just...

watch him, please?

Sure. Sure.

[knocking on door]

Sorry.

I wanted to come sooner. But I train-hell train.

Marjorie clued me in.

Gimme.

Thanks.

- You all right? - [keys jingling]

You know. I hear wife number three is in China.

Or is it Macao?

Is Macao in China?

- Wow, look at that. - Oh.

Hey, big boy.

[clear throats]

It's a nice dog.

Gimme. [grunts]

[Val] I almost forgot.

Here.

I looked for an Iris, but...

Thanks.

Bye, big bro. I'll miss you.

You're doing the right thing.

You think?

I don't know.

Maybe.

Yeah.

Call me when you get back. Please.

Okay. You okay?

Bye.

[pensive music playing]

See ya.

[Iris] I've imagined it so many times,

how among all the other questions

certain to have come to you was...

"What will happen to the dog?"

We expect the worst.

It's something we learn early, from children's books.

In those stories, animals often die.

Often tragically.

Old Yeller. The Red Pony.

And even when they survive,

even when they're happy at the end,

they've often suffered badly.

Often put through hell.

Black Beauty. Flicka. White Fang. Buck.

Okay. Okay.

Okay.

Dogs don't commit suicide.

They don't weep.

But they can fall to pieces.

They can have their hearts broken.

They can lose their minds.

[country music playing over speakers]

- Oh. - [dog barking]

Good boy.

- Murtle, hush. - [dog continues barking]

Hey. So, you know how some people say

their dog is an emotional support animal

so they can get them on the plane?

Yeah, I know, but I was wondering...

I know it's uncool, but I was wondering

if the same law might prevent the landlord from...

Right. Just do a quick search and call me back, okay?

Perfect.

Jerky?

[soft music playing]

[Iris] Val? Val?

Hey, Val? Can you hear me?

[GPS voice] Directions to Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Shit. Hold on.

- Val? Hey. - [Val] Oh, hey. There you are.

I started looking, and I think maybe you're right

about being able to keep a service dog in an apartment.

Any apartment.

Though he's gotta be registered,

you know, for real.

Not by one of those fakey places.

Like, by a shrink.

Is that what you're gonna do?

Oh, excuse me.

Hi. I spoke to someone on the phone

about seeing Dr. Warren.

- I'm sorry, your name? - Iris.

Oh, right. You couldn't make it earlier.

I was... You know, I was thinking

maybe I could sit and wait.

Oh, no. It doesn't work like that.

You know what, I'm gonna go ahead and just sit.

Uh...

- That's fine. - [Lydia] Uh...

Ma'am.

[clears throat]

Okay.

[door opens]

- Ma'am. - [knocking on door]

Ma'am, you can't.

Hi, Dr. Warren. Do you remember me?

- Um... - It's been a couple of years.

But Iris. Iris Dixon.

Oh, yes, yes, Iris. Of course.

Oh. Are you, um... Do we have an appointment?

I called, uh, before.

- Lydia? - Uh...

Apollo was sad. Like, truly sad.

I could feel him missing Walter in the same way I did.

- You know what I mean? - Mm-hm.

Anyway, the certificate is...

Could you...

Well, you'll have to apply for it, but yes,

I could write an evaluation saying that you're suffering

from depression and anxiety

aggravated by bereavement,

that the dog provides essential emotional support,

the loss of which may likely cause harm to your mental health

or might even be life-threatening.

Does that sound okay?

That sounds like a lot.

It's what you're asking for, isn't it?

Yeah, well, I guess I just... I saw it the other way around.

Like, I'm the emotional support human,

and it's the dog that can't cope.

[chuckles]

You... You think I'm a mess.

No, no. Not at all.

Why a mess?

Well, I know people who genuinely need support animals

would hate people like me.

I would too. But I'm not one of those crazies.

I would never take him anywhere he's not supposed to go.

In fact, I left him in the car right now.

Here's the thing.

I cannot get thrown out of my apartment.

In the car, here?

[pensive music playing]

[whimpering]

He thinks you should come in.

Come on, bud.

He's very friendly.

They do seem to know things, don't they?

- [chuckles] - Oh, bud.

[Dr. Warren sighs]

Do you ever talk to Apollo?

Oh, yeah, but the vet told me I should.

The most natural thing in the world.

- What do you two talk about? - I don't know.

Anything. Like...

What's up, pup?

You hungry? Does your arthritis hurt?

Does this top go with these pants?

Can you tell I've been drinking?

Some... Sometimes, I feel rage.

You know.

About Walter.

Especially in crowded places.

Like, I keep thinking,

who are all these fucking people,

and how come they get to be alive.

And he's just...

Walter made a choice, though, didn't he?

- Yeah, but... - And yet,

your rage isn't directed at him?

Tell me, then, why do you think

Walter killed himself?

I don't know. I don't fucking know.

Because he was weak and in pain?

And like he was... trapped upside down

in a fucking tankful of water. [chuckles and sobs]

[sobbing]

Were you in love with him?

No. I know I was not in love with Walter.

Sometimes, putting a name on our feelings

can help with the grieving process.

Look, I know about grief.

I know what love feels like, and that wasn't it.

I wasn't hoping for something more.

I'm only suggesting...

We were friends, not lovers.

And yes, sometimes, okay,

sometimes, I got jealous or possessive.

We... We... We could just talk for hours.

About anything.

Art. But...

Music. Books. So many books.

It was just effortless.

Like...

breathing together.

And now he's gone.

Yeah. He's gone.

He's fucking gone. He's fucking...

killed himself, and it's just the way it is.

[exhales]

If Walter were here right now,

what would you like to say to him?

If you could say anything. Anything.

[somber music playing]

[Dr. Warren] Look, you're a writer.

Maybe it would help if you write about it.

[Iris] About Walter?

[Dr. Warren] About what happened.

What?

[Iris] Is this the madness at the heart of it,

the fairy tale I whisper to myself?

That if I love beautiful, aging Apollo,

that if I act selflessly,

I'll wake up one morning to find him gone

and you in his place,

back from the land of the dead?

How does the story begin?

We start with a woman.

She rides on the subway.

Is she alone?

No.

She has brought a dog with her.

A miniature Dachshund.

And some daffodils.

Where is she going?

She's going to visit an old friend.

The friend lives in a brownstone

in Brooklyn.

See her now walking up the steps of the brownstone.

See her ring the doorbell.

[doorbell rings]

She waits,

uncertain.

Hello.

Hi.

Come on in.

[Iris] Does the friend live alone?

No. He lives with his wife, but she isn't home today.

She's at work.

[Walter] Exactly what did Barbara tell you

- about what happened? - [barks]

[Iris] That she was away on a business trip.

But the flight was canceled because of a storm in Denver.

And when she got back here,

she found the dog outside the study,

with a note on the door for your cleaning lady

warning her to call 911.

The cleaning lady was scheduled to come in

the next morning.

But you're right.

If one of my students had put that in a story,

I'd have said, "Gee, isn't that just a little bit too easy?"

Hm.

So, how do you feel now?

Humiliated, disgraced.

Ordinary human reactions.

Hm. I know that.

I've been reading up on suicide.

You'd better stop that.

Suicide is contagious.

What choice did I have?

It's been...

confusing.

Okay. I get that.

What are you gonna do about the book?

The book. [scoffs]

I've decided to step away from the book.

Your book.

What do you mean, my book? I gave you complete control.

I'm feeling conflicted

about my own writing.

Well, you weren't doing any writing before the book.

I thought this would be good for you.

No. When you asked me to work on your correspondence,

you weren't thinking about me.

You were thinking about you and your legacy.

Your existential crisis is my fault?

I'm not blaming you.

But you made a choice, and you put me

in an impossible position.

- I have? - And Val too.

But she's fine.

She can finish the book without me.

I'm thinking about writing something else.

Well, that is wonderful.

- What about? - You.

About what happened.

It came to me suddenly one night

I was watching It's a Wonderful Life.

I'm sure you've seen it.

- Many times. - Yeah.

And I'm sitting there

with Jip in my lap.

And I was thinking what a crummy thing suicide is.

The pain for everyone left behind. And the dumb luck in it.

Having an angel come down and save you.

Or not.

- Which means you're dead. - [barking]

This might be the place to bring in some comedy.

Comedy?

You killed yourself.

You think that's funny?

Oh, I should have said,

- my book is fiction. - I know what that means.

You're gonna change my name to Wally,

or...

- Wilber? - Nah.

I'm not gonna use names at all.

Except for the dog.

Well, Jip's in it.

That makes me happy.

Oh.

And your character is English.

Yeah, I thought that might sting a bit.

I could be Italian.

Everyone wants to be Italian.

You're exploiting my life. It's the least you could do.

Not your life, your death.

[low growls]

You see? He hates that word.

You know, I'm looking at your face.

Do you feel sleazy? You should.

What kind of friend does this to a friend?

Tell me.

You made a choice to end things.

And that's what this is about.

- [barking] - That is not what this is about.

Go ask your shrink.

What makes you think I'm seeing a shrink?

[Jip continues barking]

Well, isn't that obvious?

Why else would we be having this conversation?

Okay. I did not fulfill your needs as a teacher,

as a lover, as a friend.

Or are we still dealing

with your fucking daddy issues? Okay.

I'm sorry that yours left the family.

I'm sorry that he got sick.

I'm sorry that he died. And the way that he died.

My father fought for his life. He clung to it. He loved it.

He loved everyone around him.

And he...

[Jip continues barking]

Oh, forget it. I shouldn't be doing this.

I don't know what I was thinking.

Why don't you put that to Dr. Obvious?

What were you thinking?

I'll tell you what I wasn't thinking.

I wasn't thinking you're a monster

of selfishness and self-pity.

I wasn't resenting you for throwing away

such a precious life. And I didn't think

you chose suicide just to punish those around you that loved you.

[Jip continues barking]

It's clear,

you weren't considering us at all.

Well, in my defense, I was suicidal.

Literally.

That lack of consideration.

For me, for Val, Apollo.

Who in the hell is Apollo?

Jip is Apollo.

[scoffs]

He's a dog.

And he was not present

at the moment of my death.

Apollo was devoted to you.

Your best friend. The center of his world.

And you left him alone in the house

with your body.

He scratched at the door.

He was listening the whole time as your life was draining away.

Did you hear him, Apollo, in those moments?

Did you?

The least you could have done...

is find him a decent home first.

[soft music playing]

He had you.

He always had you.

Is that really what you thought?

Who cares what I thought. I'm dead.

And now you got me here with a wiener dog.

What else do you want?

Nothing anymore.

I can't think of anything else.

[Walter] What's gonna happen to the dog?

[somber music playing]

Yes, I know.

And I spoke with the city before,

and they told me as long as I have

proper documentation from my doctor...

Why would you continue with the eviction process when...

I've tried calling him twice, maybe three times now,

and no one is calling me back.

Well, this is not your judgment call.

[Iris] Come on.

Oh, Ms. Iris. I was looking for you.

- Why? - They just called.

- We have a problem. - Who? Who called?

The building management. They called from Florida.

- They're not very happy. - Wh... I...

I just talked to them. And they...

They told me that you talked to them,

and then they called the lawyer, see.

- The law... - Yeah.

What? What did they say?

The lawyer, well, I don't know.

[chuckles] He... He said...

I can't... [chuckles]

They said that they have no choice.

- No choice? - No choice. [chuckles]

- About? - They have no choice

about Apollo.

They cannot evict you.

- What? - [laughs]

So...

- Are you... - No.

- So, that's it? - That's it.

- It's done. - Done.

That's it.

- Oh, my God. - Yeah.

You hear that, Apollo? You don't have to go anywhere.

You stay here.

Forever. Okay, boy?

You're such a good boy. Just like that.

This is a good thing.

Yes. Yes, it's very good.

Very good. Thank you.

[Hektor] Okay. That's okay.

- Okay. - Oh, my God.

Yeah. Listen, I just...

I apologize to... Because, you know.

I was... That's my job, you know.

- Yeah, no. That... - He's a very nice dog.

Yeah.

- That makes sense. - Okay.

- Okay. - Okay, see you later.

Oh. Hektor, I have

a very nice bottle of champagne in the fridge.

- Wow, no. No. - Just a little celebration.

- I cannot really. I can't. - Would you come on in?

- Just five minutes of your time. - But... Okay. Five.

Five minutes, okay.

[soft music playing]

Excuse me. Is that Apollo?

- You know Apollo? - Well,

I mean, I haven't seen him for a while,

but he was a regular here for about a year.

Apollo?

Yeah, his owner's... tall.

He's a... He's a writer, I think.

Walter.

He died last year.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Ah. Thank you.

He sure was proud of that dog.

[chuckles]

I mean, I must've heard him

tell the story of finding Apollo,

I don't know, uh, a lot.

[Robert] He's a beautiful animal.

Sure is.

[somber music playing]

Hey...

big guy.

How are you? What are you looking at?

Huh? Who's in charge of you?

How did you end up here?

Hey, wanna go get some breakfast?

What are you looking at?

[Iris] It's not uncommon

to wonder what someone you love

was like before you met them.

Let me see. Oh, look at you.

You got two different colors, a blue eye and a brown eye.

[Iris] It almost hurts not knowing

what that person was like as a child.

That's pretty cool.

[Iris] I've felt this way about the men I've loved,

and about many close friends.

And now it's how I feel about you.

Not to have known you as a frisky young dog,

to have missed your entire puppy hood,

I don't feel just sad. I feel cheated.

I think of you when you'd wake me years ago,

in the middle of the night,

inhaling every inch of me

as I lay on the floor.

Who was I to you then,

and what have I become to you now

after so much time?

After what they paid us for this place,

- they'll knock it down for sure. - Oh, my God.

So, Apollo can do whatever.

The beach, it comes and goes with the tide.

But you'll get used to it. I think.

You'll be able to write, won't you?

- Yeah. - And Apollo can wander.

As much as he's able to now.

[Iris exhales]

This is... perfect. Thank you.

Yeah.

My mom practically grew up here.

I guess I did too.

She needs the money now, so...

[chuckles]

Oh. Hello.

Yeah. It came in a couple of days ago.

I wanted to leave one for you to find.

- Come on, Val. - [chuckles]

This is...

This is fantastic. Congratulations.

You too.

Like I said, they don't take possession until end of May.

So, go nuts.

- Stay the night. - No. I can't.

- Come on. - I have to get back.

And you guys should settle.

Thank you.

♪ If I should leave you ♪

♪ Try to remember All the good times ♪

♪ Long days Filled with sunshine ♪

♪ And just a little bit Of rain ♪

- [thunder rumbling] - [rain pattering]

♪ Just a little bit of rain

[seagulls squawking]

[soft music playing]

[Iris] One more summer.

[waves lapping]

At least you get that.

And I get to say goodbye.

Am I talking to you or to myself?

I confess, the line has gotten blurred.

What were you like in your prime?

Where did you run and play?

Who did you play with?

Are you seeing the ocean for the first time?

One miracle is not enough now.

That disaster was averted,

that we were spared separation or eviction.

It's not enough.

Now I'm like the fisherman's wife.

I want more.

And not just another summer or two.

I want you to live as long as I do.

Anything less is unfair.

Apollo?

Apollo?

Apollo?

Hello, my friend.

Oh. [gasps]

[sighs]

["Manhattan" playing]

Come here.

["Manhattan" playing]

♪ I'll take Manhattan ♪

♪ The Bronx And Staten Island too ♪

♪ It's lovely going through ♪

♪ The zoo ♪

♪ It's very fancy ♪

♪ On old Delancey Street, You know? ♪

♪ The subway charms us so ♪

♪ When balmy breezes blow ♪

♪ To and fro ♪

♪ And tell me, what street ♪

♪ Compares with Mott Street In July? ♪

♪ Sweet pushcarts gently ♪

♪ Gliding by ♪

♪ The great big city's A wondrous toy ♪

♪ Made for a girl and boy ♪

♪ We'll turn Manhattan ♪

♪ Into an isle of joy ♪

♪ Tell me, what street ♪

♪ Compares with Mott Street ♪

♪ In July? ♪

♪ Sweet pushcarts gently ♪

♪ Gliding by ♪

♪ The great big city's A wondrous toy ♪

♪ Made for a girl and boy ♪

♪ We'll turn Manhattan ♪

♪ Into an isle of joy ♪

♪ I'll take Manhattan ♪

♪ I'll take Manhattan ♪

[song ends]