Original subtitles

♪♪ [orchestral waltz]

♪♪ [orchestral waltz continues]

[siren wailing]

Honey, have you seen my wallet?

[woman] Uh, isn't it on the bedside table?

[sighing] Yep.

Now, listen, you know we're running a little late.

[woman] I know.

-How do I look? -Perfect.

-Is my hair okay? -It's great.

[scoffs] You're not even looking at it.

[toilet flushing]

It's beautiful. You always look beautiful.

Did you give Roz the phone and pager numbers?

[man] Yeah, I put it on the fridge. Let's go, huh?

Good.

All right. I'm ready.

[music stops]

-What's the name of the babysitter? -Roz.

Okay, Roz, we're going now.

Wow, you look amazing, Mrs. Harford.

Oh, thank you. Helena, you ready for bed?

Yes, Mommy. Can I stay up and watch The Nutcracker?

-[woman] What time's it on? -Nine o'clock.

-Sure, you can watch that. -Can I stay up until you get home?

-No, darling. -It's gonna be a little late for that.

-Now, the phone number is on the fridge... -Okay.

...and, uh, there's plenty of food in there, so help yourself.

We shouldn't be home any later than 1:00.

I'll hold our cab tonight to take you home.

-Thanks, Dr. Harford. -You be good, baby.

-[Helena] Good night. -Good night.

-See you in the morning. -[Roz] Have fun.

[band playing elegant jazz music]

[indistinct chatter]

-Victor, Illona. -[Victor] Alice, Bill.

-Alice. Merry Christmas. -[Bill] Merry Christmas.

-Merry Christmas. -Thank you for coming.

How good to see both of you. Thanks so much for coming.

-We wouldn't miss it for the world. -Alice, look at you.

-God, you're absolutely stunning. -Oh, thank you.

And I don't say that to all the women. Do I?

-Yes, he does. -Oh, he does?

Hey, that osteopath you sent me to, the guy that worked on my arm?

You ought to see my serve now. Guy's terrific.

He's the top man in New York.

I could've told you that looking at his bill.

Listen, go inside, have a drink, enjoy the party.

-I'll see you in a bit. -Thank you.

-Thanks for coming. -Thank you. Bye.

[band continues playing elegant jazz music]

Do you know anyone here?

[Bill] Not a soul. [chuckles]

Why do you think Ziegler invites us to these things every year?

This is what you get for making house calls.

[Alice chuckles]

You see that guy at the piano?

I went to medical school with him.

Really?

He plays pretty good for a doctor.

He's not a doctor. He dropped out.

[song ends]

Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you're enjoying yourselves.

The band's going to take a short break now,

and we'll be back in ten minutes.

Thank you.

Let's go over and say hello to him.

Honey, I desperately need to go to the bathroom.

You go and say hello, and I'll, um, meet you where? At the bar?

Good.

[elegant jazz music playing over speakers]

[indistinct chatter]

Nightingale.

-Nick Nightingale. -Oh, my God. Bill.

Bill Harford. How the hell are you, buddy?

-How long has it been? -Oh. Jeez, I don't know. Ten years?

-[laughing] And a couple. -Yeah. [laughs]

-Do you have time for a drink? -Sure.

[both laugh]

You haven't changed a bit.

Oh, thanks, I think. So how you doing?

-Not too bad, you know. Not too bad. -Yeah?

I see you've become a pianist.

Oh, yes. Well, my friends call me that.

How about you? You still in the doctor business?

Well, you know what they say. "Once a doctor, always a doctor."

Yes, or in my case, "Never a doctor, never a doctor."

I never did understand why you walked away.

No? It's a nice feeling. I do it a lot.

Cheers.

Excuse me. Nick, I need you a minute.

Be right with you.

Listen, I gotta go and do something. If I don't catch you later,

I'm gonna be in the Village for two weeks at a place called the Sonata Cafe.

-Stop by if you get a chance. -I'll be there.

Yeah.

-It's great seeing you. -Yeah, good seeing you too, man.

[band playing elegant jazz music]

[indistinct chatter]

Um, I...

I think that's my glass.

Oh, I'm absolutely certain of it.

My name is Sandor Szavost. I'm Hungarian.

My name is Alice Harford.

I'm American.

Delighted to meet you, Alice.

Did you ever read the Latin poet Ovid, on The Art of Love?

Didn't he wind up all by himself,

crying his eyes out

in some place with a very bad climate?

But he also had a good time first.

A very good time.

Are you here with anyone tonight, Alice?

With my husband.

Oh, how sad.

But then, I'm sure he's the sort of man who wouldn't mind if we danced.

What do you do, Alice?

Well, at the moment,

I'm looking for a job.

I used to manage an art gallery in Soho.

-But it went broke. -Oh.

[Alice laughing]

What a shame.

I have some friends in the art game.

Perhaps I can be of some help.

Aw.

Thank you.

[chattering]

[Bill laughs]

Someone you know?

My husband.

Oh.

Don't you think one of the charms of marriage

is that it makes deception a necessity for both parties?

[Alice laughs]

May I ask why a beautiful woman,

who could have any man in this room, wants to be married?

Why wouldn't she?

-Is it as bad as that? -Oh...

As good as that.

[English accent] Do you know Nuala Windsor?

No. No, and it's very, very lovely to meet you both. [laughs]

Uh, how do you spell Nuala?

N-U-A-L-A.

[chuckles] You don't remember me, do you?

Um...

You were very kind to me once.

Only once? That sounds like a terrible oversight.

[laughs]

I was doing a photo session in Rockefeller Plaza

on a very windy day?

-And you got something in your eye. -Just about half of Fifth Avenue.

-Right. -You were such a gentleman.

You gave me your handkerchief,

which was also clean. [laughs]

Well, that is the kind of hero I can be sometimes.

Oh...

You know why women used to get married, don't you?

Why don't you tell me?

It was the only way they could lose their virginity

and be free to do what they wanted with other men.

The ones they really wanted.

[Alice chuckles]

Fascinating.

[guests laughing]

Do you know what's so nice about doctors?

Usually a lot less than people imagine.

They always seem so...

knowledgeable.

Oh, they are very knowledgeable

about all sorts of things.

But I bet they work too hard.

Just think of all they miss.

You're probably right. Now...

ladies, where exactly are we going?

Exactly?

[all laughing]

Where the rainbow ends.

Where the rainbow ends?

Don't you want to go where the rainbow ends?

Well, now, that depends where that is.

Well, let's find out.

Excuse me, ladies. Sorry, Dr. Harford. Sorry to interrupt.

I wonder if you could come with me for a moment?

-Something for Mr. Ziegler. -Oh, uh...

Fine.

To be continued?

[music continues, muffled]

[knock on door]

Yeah.

Bill, thanks for coming.

Uh... We had a... We had a little accident here.

-[Bill] What happened? -[Victor sighs] Well, she was, uh...

[sighs] She was shooting up, and she... She had a bad reaction.

What did she take?

A speed ball or a snowball or whatever the hell they call it, you know.

It's... It's heroin and coke.

-[Bill] Heroin and coke? -[Victor] Yeah.

[Bill] Uh-huh. Anything else?

[sighs] We had a couple of drinks. Nothing, really.

Some champagne. That was it.

How long has she been like this?

Uh, maybe five minutes, six minutes, something like that.

What's her name?

Uh... Mandy. Mandy.

[Mandy mumbling indistinctly]

Mandy?

Mandy?

-Can you hear me, Mandy? -[mumbling indistinctly]

Can you hear me?

Just move your head for me if you can hear me.

Just move your head for me if you can hear me, Mandy.

There you go. You can hear me.

Can you open your eyes for me? Mandy, can you do that?

Let me see you open your eyes. There you go, come on.

Come on, look at me. Look at me.

Look at me. Look at me.

Look at me. Look at me, Mandy.

-[Mandy] Mmm. -Good.

Good.

[band playing elegant jazz music]

I love Victor's art collection, don't you?

Yes. It's wonderful. [chuckles]

Have you ever seen his sculpture gallery?

No. I haven't.

He has a wonderful collection of Renaissance bronzes.

Do you like the period?

Mm. I do.

I adore it.

The sculpture gallery is upstairs.

Would you like to see it?

I can show it to you.

[Alice chuckles]

We won't be gone long.

Maybe...

not just...

now.

[music continues, muffled]

[Victor sighs]

Well, that was really one hell of a scare you gave us, kiddo.

Sorry.

How are you feeling now, Mandy?

Better.

You are a very, very lucky girl.

You know that?

I know.

You're gonna be okay this time.

But you can't keep doing this.

You understand?

Yeah.

You're gonna need some rehab. You know that, don't you?

[whispers] I know.

Okay.

Okay.

Well, Victor, um...

I think I can leave the rest to you.

Is it okay if I get some clothes on her and get her out?

Uh, no, I'd...

I'd keep her here for another hour.

Another hour?

Then I'd... Well, I'd have someone take her home.

Okay. Okay.

-Good night, Mandy. -[Mandy] Hmm.

Listen, uh...

I can't thank you enough for this. You, uh... You saved my ass.

-I'm glad I was here. -Bill, I probably...

Oh, I know I don't have to mention this, but this is just between us. Okay?

Of course.

Thanks.

[band playing elegant jazz music]

[Alice chuckles softly]

Mm. Mm.

Mm.

I think I've had a little too much champagne.

I think I have to go and find my husband now.

Oh, but I'm sure he'll be all right on his own a little longer.

Yes...

But will I?

Of course you will.

No.

No, no, no. I... I...

I really have to go. I have to go.

You don't, you know.

Yes, I do.

Alice?

I must see you again.

-That's impossible. -Why?

Because...

I'm married.

♪♪ [rock]

♪ Baby did a bad, bad thing ♪

♪ Baby did a bad, bad thing ♪

♪ Baby did a bad, bad thing ♪

♪ Baby did a bad, bad thing ♪

♪ You ever love someone so much ♪

♪ You thought your little heart Was gonna break in two? ♪

♪ Didn't think so ♪

♪ You ever try With all your heart and soul ♪

♪ To get your lover back to you? ♪

♪ I wanna hope so ♪

♪ You ever pray With all your heart and soul ♪

♪ Just to watch her walk away? Yeah ♪

♪ Baby did a bad, bad thing ♪

♪♪ [orchestral waltz]

[Bill] Good morning, Lisa.

Good morning, doctor. Your mail.

Good. Please ask Janelle if she will bring me my coffee.

-Sure. -Thank you.

-Good morning, Sarah. -Good morning, doctor.

'Twas the night before Christmas When all through the house

Not a creature was stirring Not even a mouse

♪♪ [orchestral waltz continues]

Okay. That's fine. You can put your gown on.

Hold this for Mommy.

-Looking forward to Christmas? -Yeah.

-Does this hurt? -Yeah.

♪♪ [orchestral waltz continues]

-Right there? -Yeah.

Oh, Daddy's gonna like that.

Very good choice.

"...before me,

-when I jump into my bed." -[mouthing along]

[commentators speaking on TV]

We should call the Zieglers and thank them for the party last night.

[Bill] I've taken care of that.

[Alice yawning] Oh, good.

So how do you feel about wrapping the rest of the presents?

[sighing] Uh, let's do that tomorrow.

[sighs]

[exhales deeply]

Mmm. Tell me something.

Those two girls...

at the party last night...

[chuckles]

Did you,

by any chance, happen to...

fuck them?

[Bill chuckles]

What?

[coughs] What are you talking about?

Oh.

I'm talking about the two girls

that you were so blatantly hitting on.

I wasn't hitting on anybody.

Hmm.

Who were they?

They were just a couple of models.

And where did you disappear to with them for so long?

Mmm, wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

I didn't disappear with anybody.

Ziegler wasn't feeling too well,

and I got called upstairs to see him.

Anyway, who was the guy you were dancing with?

[snickers]

A friend of the Zieglers'.

What did he want?

What did he want?

Oh, what did he want?

Mmm, sex.

Upstairs.

Then and there.

Is that all?

Yeah. Yeah, that was all.

Just wanted to fuck my wife.

That's right.

Well, I guess that's understandable.

-Understandable? -Mm.

Because you are a very, very beautiful woman.

Whoa.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait. So...

because I'm a beautiful woman,

the only reason any man ever wants to talk to me

is because he wants to fuck me?

Is that what you're saying?

Well, I don't think it's quite that black-and-white, but...

But I think we both know what men are like.

Oh.

So on that basis,

I should conclude that you wanted to fuck those two models.

There are exceptions.

And what makes you an exception?

What makes me an exception is that...

I happen to be in love with you.

And because we're married,

and because I would never lie to you

or hurt you.

[exhales]

Do you realize that what you're saying

is that the only reason you wouldn't fuck those two models

is out of consideration for me?

Not because you really wouldn't want to.

Let's just relax, Alice.

This pot is making you aggressive.

No. It's not the pot. It's you.

Why can't you ever give me a straight fucking answer?

I was under the impression that's what I was doing.

I don't even know what we're arguing about here.

[sighs] I'm not arguing.

I'm just trying to find out where you're coming from.

Where I'm coming from?

Look... [sighs]

Let's say... Let's say, for example, you have some gorgeous woman

standing in your office naked,

and you're feeling her fucking tits.

Now, what I wanna know...

I wanna know, what are you really thinking about when you're squeezing them?

-Alice, I happen to be a doctor. -[sighs]

It's all very impersonal,

and you know there's always a nurse present.

So when you're feeling tits, it's nothing more than just your professionalism?

Is that what you're saying?

Exactly. Sex is the last thing on my mind when I'm with a patient.

Uh-huh. Now,

when she is having her little [in high-pitched voice] titties squeezed,

[in normal voice] do you think she ever has any little fantasies

about what handsome Dr. Bill's

[in high-pitched voice] Dickie might be like? Hmm?

[scoffs] Come on, I can assure you sex is the last thing

on this fucking hypothetical woman patient's mind.

And what makes you so sure?

[sighs]

If for no better reason,

because she's afraid of what I might find.

Okay. Okay. So... So...

So after you tell her that everything's fine, what then?

What then? Uh...

I don't know, Alice. Um...

What then? Uh... Look...

women don't...

They basically just don't think like that.

Millions of years of evolution, right?

Right?

Men have to stick it in every place they can, but for women,

women, it is just about security and commitment

and whatever the fuck else.

A little oversimplified, Alice, but yes, something like that.

If you men only knew.

I'll tell you what I do know, is you got a little stoned tonight,

you've been trying to pick a fight with me,

and now you're trying to make me jealous.

But you're not the jealous type, are you?

No, I'm not.

You've never been jealous about me, have you?

No, I haven't.

And why haven't you ever been jealous about me?

Well, I don't know, Alice. Maybe because you're my wife.

Maybe because you're the mother of my child,

and I know you would never be unfaithful to me.

You are very, very sure of yourself, aren't you?

No.

I'm sure of you.

Do you think that's funny?

[continues laughing]

[sighs] All right. Fuck it.

Now we get the fucking laughing fit, right?

[Alice] Uh...

Do you...

Do you remember last summer at Cape Cod?

Yes.

Do you remember one night in the dining room,

there was this young naval officer

and he was sitting near our table with two other officers?

[clears throat]

[Bill] No.

The waiter brought him a message, at which point he left.

Nothing rings a bell?

No.

[scoffs]

[sighs] Well...

I first saw him that morning in the lobby.

He was... He was checking into the hotel,

and he was following the bellboy with his luggage

to the elevator.

He...

He glanced at me as he walked past. Just a glance.

Nothing more.

♪♪ [soft, tense]

But I could hardly...

move.

That afternoon,

Helena went to the movies with her friend, and...

you and I made love.

And we made plans about our future,

and we talked about Helena.

And yet,

at no time...

was he ever...

out of my mind.

And I thought if he wanted me,

even if it was only...

for one night,

I was ready to give up everything.

You,

Helena,

my whole fucking future.

Everything.

And yet it was weird, 'cause at the same time,

you were dearer to me than ever.

And...

And at that moment, my love for you

was both...

tender and sad.

I... I barely slept that night,

and I woke up the next morning in a panic.

I didn't know whether I was afraid that he had left

or that he might still be there.

But by dinner,

I realized he was gone.

And I was...

relieved.

[phone ringing]

[ringing continues]

Hello?

Yes, this is Dr. Harford.

When did it happen?

No. No. Uh...

I have the address.

Thank you.

Lou Nathanson just died.

I think I have to go over there and show my face.

♪♪ [soft, brooding]

[elevator bell dings]

[siren wailing in distance]

[doorbell rings]

-Hello, Rosa. -Good evening, Dr. Harford.

-How is Miss Nathanson? -Not so good. She's in the bedroom.

Thank you.

[woman] Come in.

Marion...

[Marion] Oh, Dr. Harford.

How... How good of you to come.

I came as soon as I got the message.

-Oh, thank you. -I'm so...

-I'm so sorry. -Thank you.

Your father was a...

He was a very brave man.

Oh, thank you.

How are you holding up?

Uh... Uh, I'm a bit numb.

I don't think it's really sunk in yet.

Uh, would you like to sit down?

[sighs] It's so unreal.

Daddy had such a good day.

His mind was clear, and he remembered so many things.

And then he had a little dinner,

and he said he felt like taking a nap.

I, uh... I went into the kitchen

and, uh, talked to Rosa for half an hour at most,

and, uh, when I went back in to see how he was,

I... I just thought he was asleep.

And then I...

And then I realized he wasn't breathing.

Marion,

from what you've said,

I'm sure your father died peacefully in his sleep.

Oh, God, I hope so.

I think I've been more afraid of the way it was actually going to happen

than his death itself.

Have you had a chance to phone any of your relatives?

I, um... I tried to call my stepmother in London, but, um, she was out.

My boyfriend, Carl, is making some calls,

and, uh, he'll be coming over soon.

I think you've met Carl here a few times.

Yes, I remember him. He's a teacher, isn't he?

A math professor.

We're going to get married in May.

Well, that's wonderful news. Congratulations.

Thank you.

Carl has a new teaching appointment at the University of Michigan.

We'll be moving out there soon.

Well, Michigan's a beautiful state. I think you'll like it a lot.

Yeah.

It really could be a wonderful change for you, Marion.

Um...

Um... [sobs]

I, um...

[sobbing] Oh, my God, no...

Oh...

I love you.

I love you.

-I love you, I love you, I love you. -Marion...

I don't want to go away with Carl.

Marion, I don't think you realize...

I do.

Even if I'm never to see you again, I want at least to live near you.

Marion, listen to me. Listen to me.

You're very upset right now,

and I don't think you realize what you're saying.

-I love you. -Marion.

We barely know each other.

I don't think we've had a single conversation

about anything except your father.

I love you.

[doorbell rings]

That's probably Carl.

Please don't despise me.

-[Carl] Hello, Rosa. -[Rosa] Hello, Mr. Thomas.

-Is she, uh... Is she in the bedroom? -Yes, she is.

Thank you.

[Marion] Come in.

Darling.

I'm so very sorry.

Are you all right?

I'm okay.

-Dr. Harford, good evening. -Good evening, Carl.

Thank you very much for coming over here tonight.

-It's the least I could do. -It means a lot to us.

Thank you.

Well, I was, uh...

I was actually on my way out.

Marion,

your father was very proud of you.

And I know you gave him great comfort these last months.

Thank you.

Thank you.

-Well... -Well...

I'll, uh, show you out.

-[inhales] -[Bill] Good night.

♪♪ [brooding]

♪♪ [brooding music fades]

[indistinct chatter]

[group laughing]

[teen 1] Listen to this. She had a red rose in her mouth.

She was doing a Mexican lap dance right in my face.

I'm serious. I got scars on the back of my neck.

[teen 2] Hey, hey, hey, what team's this switch-hitter playing for?

-Looks like the pink team. -Look at this faggot.

[teen 2] Hey, watch it, you faggot.

-[teen 3] Merry Christmas, Mary. -[group laughs]

-Your butt-brothers are back there. -Prime cut of meat, baby.

Wanna take a ride in this fudge tunnel, you stupid faggot?

-Looks like we got a moon puncher. -You should have tits,

you're standing so close. Get out of here.

-I got dumps that are bigger than you. -Come on, macho man.

Come on, macho man.

-You want a piece of this, baby? -Exit only, honey.

[teen 2] Go back to San Francisco where you belong, man!

[man] See you. Take care, babe.

Excuse me.

Do you know what time it is?

[Bill] Ten past 12.

Going anywhere special?

No, I'm just... Just taking a walk.

How'd you like to have a little fun?

I'm... I'm sorry?

Have a little fun?

I just live right down there.

Would you like to come inside with me?

Come inside with you?

Yeah.

It's a lot nicer in there than it is out here.

You... You live in there?

Yes.

By yourself?

No. I have a roommate, but she's not home.

Hey, it's okay.

Listen, no one will bother us.

It's okay. Come on.

Come on.

This is it.

Nice tree.

[chuckles]

Oh.

Sorry about the mess. Maid's day off.

It's, uh...

[grunts] It's, uh...

cozy. It's... [sniffles]

Cozy place.

It's okay.

[clears throat]

So...

Um...

Do you...

Do you suppose we should...

talk about money?

Yeah, I guess so.

[Bill chuckles]

That depends on what you wanna do.

What do you wanna do?

Well...

what do you recommend?

[laughs]

What do I recommend?

Um...

Hmm...

Well...

I'd rather not put it into words.

How about you just leave it up to me?

I'm in your hands.

Okay.

And how does 150 sound?

Sounds wonderful.

Don't worry. I don't keep track of the time.

[pleasant music playing on TV]

-[man on TV] Thank you. -[waiter speaks in Italian on TV]

-Grazie. -You're welcome.

[man] If I was Italian, he would have answered me in Italian.

[sultry jazz music playing on stereo]

So...

shall we?

[cell phone ringing]

Excuse me.

[music stops]

Hello?

Hi.

Hi, is everything all right?

Yeah, I was, um...

I just wondering if you were gonna be much longer.

[quietly] Um, listen, it's, uh... It's a little difficult to talk right now.

It could be a while.

Any idea how long?

No, I don't really know.

We're still waiting for some relatives to arrive.

Well, I'm... I'm gonna go to bed now.

Okay.

Bye-bye.

Was that Mrs. Dr. Bill?

[chuckles softly]

Yes.

Yes.

[Bill sighs]

Do you have to go?

Do I have to go?

Tsk.

I think I do.

-Tsk. -Are you sure?

[sighs] Yes, I'm afraid so.

Um, but listen, I wanna pay you anyway.

How much did you say it was? Hundred and fifty?

Yeah.

But you know what? You don't have to bother about that.

No, it's all right.

-No, really. You don't have to. -No, I want to.

-Really? -Really.

Well, thank you very much.

[mellow jazz music playing from inside]

[music continues]

[Bill] Thank you.

[band playing mellow jazz music]

[sniffles]

Good evening, sir. Would you like a table, or would you like to sit at the bar?

-I'd like a table. -Please, follow me.

[coughs]

-Can I take your coat? -Thank you.

-Could I get you anything to drink? -[Bill] Um...

-I'd like a beer. -Certainly.

-[applause] -One, two, one, two, three, four.

[playing lively jazz music]

That's it for tonight, ladies and gentlemen.

On the bass, Mr. Larry McVey.

On the drums, Kip Fleming.

And on the guitar, the one, the only, Mr. Bobby Berman.

We hope you enjoyed the music tonight.

We'll be here for the next two weeks, so please do stop by.

I'm Nick Nightingale. Good night.

[applause]

Yeah.

-[man] Nick, that was great. -Oh, thanks, man.

-[Bill] Nightingale. -Hey, Bill, you made it.

Yeah, listen, I'm sorry, I got here just as you were finishing your last set.

Oh, that's all right. The band sucked tonight anyway.

[both laugh]

-[Bill] What are you drinking? -A vodka and tonic, please.

Thank you.

So, what brings you out at this hour?

-I have a patient in the neighborhood. -Do you live in the Village?

No, we have an apartment on Central Park West.

You're married?

Nine years.

-Any kids? -Yes, we have a 7-year-old daughter.

How about you?

I've got a wife and four boys in Seattle.

You're a long way from home.

Yeah, well, you gotta go where the work is.

Thank you.

-So is this your band? -No, it's a pickup band.

-Who do you normally play with? -Anybody, anywhere.

As a matter of fact, I got another gig later tonight.

-You're playing somewhere else tonight? -Mm. They only get started around 2.

In the Village?

Um, believe it or not, I don't actually know the address yet.

You don't?

No. It may sound ridiculous, but... [chuckles]

...it's in a different place every time, and I only get it an hour or so before.

-Different place every time? -So far.

What's the big mystery?

Hey, man, I just play the piano.

Nick, I'm sorry. Is there something I'm missing here?

[both chuckle]

I play blindfolded.

-[Bill laughs] What? -Yeah. [laughs]

I play blindfolded.

You're putting me on.

[Nick] No, it's the truth.

And the last time,

the blindfold wasn't on so well. [laughs]

Oh, man.

Bill, I have seen one or two things in my life,

but never,

never anything like this.

And never such women.

Well.

[cell phone rings]

Excuse me.

Hello?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir, this is Nick.

Mm-hm.

I know where that is.

Mm-hm.

Right.

Okay.

Well, I'm on my way right now.

Okay, sir. Thank you. Bye-bye.

What is this?

It's the name of a Beethoven opera, isn't it? [chuckles]

Nick...

It's the password.

[Bill] The password?

Yeah. Look, I'm really sorry to do this to you, Bill.

I mean...

I... I gotta get going. I gotta... I gotta go.

Nick...

you know there is no way on earth

that you are going to leave here tonight without taking me with you.

-Oh, come on, buddy, give me a break. -[Bill] Nick, I'll tell you what.

I've already got the password.

Just give me the address,

and I'll go there by myself,

and there won't be any connection between us whatsoever.

Listen, let's just say for one second

that I was prepared to do that.

You couldn't get in anyway in those clothes.

Why not?

Because everyone is always costumed and masked.

Where the hell are you gonna get a costume at this hour of the morning?

Thanks. Keep the change.

[buzzer rings]

[man over intercom] Yes? Who is it?

Peter, this is Bill Harford.

I apologize for disturbing you at this late hour, but I need your help.

[Slavic accent] Who is it that you want?

Oh, I... I'm very sorry. I'm looking for Peter Grenning,

the owner of Rainbow Fashions.

What's your name?

My name is Bill Harford.

I'm Mr. Grenning's doctor.

You are Grenning's doctor?

Yes.

Okay.

Just a moment.

You are looking for Peter Grenning?

Yes, I am.

He moved to Chicago over a year ago.

He moved to Chicago?

Uh... I wasn't aware of that.

Uh...

Then are you the present owner of Rainbow Fashions?

Yes, I am.

Well, first of all,

please let me apologize once again

for disturbing you at this hour, Mr., um...

-Milich. -Mr. Milich.

Just to let you know that I really am Dr. Harford,

this is my New York State Medical Board card.

Okay, so you are Dr. Harford.

And if I see Peter, I tell him you were looking for him.

Oh, no, no, wait. Please. Please, um...

Listen, the reason that I came here tonight was, uh...

Basically, the reason is, is that I need a costume.

And I'd be happy to pay you $100 over the rental price

for the inconvenience.

A hundred dollars?

Yes.

I don't think so.

Well, uh, okay.

How about $200?

Two hundred dollars over the rental price?

Yes.

Okay.

[alarm blaring]

[Milich coughs]

Come in.

-Can't be too careful these days. -Mm.

[keypad beeping]

-Please. -[alarm stops]

Is it any special costume you are looking for?

Yes. Um...

I need a tux, a cloak with a hood, and a mask.

A cloak with a hood and a mask?

Yes.

Okay.

I think we'll find something for you.

Follow me, please.

Good.

[Milich] Looks like alive, huh?

Yes.

-It's wonderful. -Come.

So, what color cloak?

-Um... -Black, brown, red?

Black.

Are you sure the good doctor wouldn't like something more colorful?

-I don't think so. -Clowns, officers, pirates?

No. No, just the tux, the black cloak...

With a hood, and a mask.

-Yes. -Okay.

May I take your coat?

-You are medicine doctor, yes? -Yes, I am.

Ah.

Look, doctor, I have some problem with my hair, you know.

-Your hair? -It's starting to fall down too fast.

I lost, in two weeks, a lot of hair. Mostly here.

Look at this. Here.

Oh, yes.

-You see? -Yes.

And?

I'm afraid this really isn't my field.

What? You can't help me?

No. You should see a trichologist. It's a hair specialist.

Mr. Milich, I've obviously left things a bit late tonight.

-So if you don't mind... -Okay, okay.

I'm in hurry too, doctor, to get back to bed.

-[Bill] I understand. -pshh.

So black cloak?

[thud]

[whispers] Did you hear something?

-[Bill] Mm. -What is this?

What is it?

What is this?

[muffled sneeze nearby]

[sneezes]

[Milich] What on earth is going on here?

Milich, I can explain everything.

[Milich] You! What you are doing here?

I kill you, I promise I'll kill you!

And you. Have you no sense of decency?

Gentlemen, have you no sense of decency?

Milich, have you gone crazy? We were invited here by the young lady.

[Milich] Young lady? This is my daughter! And couldn't you see she's a child?

-You will have to explain to police! -To the police?

You little whore. I'll kill you for this!

I promise, I'll kill you! I'll kill you!

Hold on to that girl for me, please.

[man] Milich, this is preposterous. The young lady invited us here.

Couldn't you see she is deranged?

Doctor, I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

Gentlemen, this is now a police matter.

You will please stay here until I return.

What you are doing?

-Let us out of here! Milich! -I'm afraid that's out of the question.

-Doctor, um, sorry. -[man shouting, banging on glass]

-What color did you say? -Uh...

-Black? -Black.

[men shouting]

Gentlemen, please, have the goodness to be quiet for the moment!

Couldn't you see I'm trying to serve my customer?

Sorry.

And you, little whore, go to bed at once, you depraved creature.

I'll deal with you as soon as I serve this gentleman.

[whispering] You should have a cloak lined with ermine.

♪♪ [brooding]

Okay, that's 74.50.

Seventy-four fifty. All right.

There's 80.

I promised you 50 bucks over the meter, right?

I'll make that a 100...

if you wait for me.

Just let the meter run.

I'll give you the other half plus the meter when I get back.

-Okay? -How long you gonna be?

I don't know, maybe an hour or more. But maybe only ten minutes.

I'll leave my stuff here in the back.

Okay?

Okay.

[gate man] Good evening, sir.

-[Bill] Good evening. -[gate man] Can we be of any help?

Well, I suppose you'd like the password.

If you'd like, sir.

Fidelio.

Thank you, sir. We'll run you up to the house.

Good evening, sir.

Good evening.

-Password, sir? -[baritone voice chanting faintly]

Fidelio.

Thank you, sir.

[slow, somber string music playing faintly]

[chanting continues]

[ominous baritone chant playing backward over speakers]

[Nick playing slow, somber string music on electric piano]

[chanting & music continue]

[chanting & music continue]

[mournful tenor chant playing backward over speakers]

[baritone & tenor chants overlapping]

[staff thumps]

[chanting & music fade]

[he addressed woman] I'm not sure what you think you're doing,

but you don't belong here.

[Bill] I'm sorry, but I think you've mistaken me for someone else.

♪♪ [female voice singing softly]

[he addressed woman quietly] Please. Don't be foolish.

You must go now.

[Bill] Who are you?

[he addressed woman] It doesn't matter who I am.

You are in great danger.

And you must get away while there's still a chance.

♪♪ [mysterious Carnatic]

[man] Would you be so good as to excuse us for a moment?

♪♪ [mysterious Carnatic continues]

[gold-masked woman] Have you been enjoying yourself?

[Bill] Well, I've had a very... interesting look around.

[gold-masked woman] Do you wanna go somewhere a little more private?

[Bill] Private?

That might be a good idea.

[he addressed woman] Oh, Here you are. I've been looking all over for you.

May I borrow him for just a few minutes?

I promise to bring him right back.

I don't think you realize the danger you're in now.

You can't fool them for much longer.

You've got to get away before it's too late.

Why are you telling me this?

-It doesn't matter. -Who are you?

You don't want to know. But you must go. Now.

Will you come with me?

-That's impossible. -Why?

[he addressed woman] Because it could cost me my life... and possibly yours.

-[Bill] Let me see your face. -No.

Go.

[butler] Excuse me, sir.

Are you the gentleman with the taxi waiting for him?

[Bill] Yes.

[butler] Your driver's at the front door and would urgently like a word with you.

[mellow jazz music playing over speakers]

♪♪ [foreboding bare piano line]

[Red Cloak, with English accent] Please, come forward.

[Red Cloak] May I have the password, please?

[Bill] Fidelio.

[Red Cloak] That's right, sir. That is the password...

for admittance.

But may I ask, what is the password for the house?

[Bill] The password for the house?

[Red Cloak] Yes.

[Bill] I'm sorry, I...

I...

I seem to have...

forgotten it.

[guests murmuring]

[Red Cloak] That's unfortunate.

Because here, it doesn't matter whether you have forgotten it

or if you never knew it.

You will kindly remove your mask.

Now...

get undressed.

Get... undressed?

Remove your clothes.

Gentlemen, please...

Uh...

Remove your clothes.

Or would you like us to do it for you?

Stop!

[guests murmuring]

Let him go.

Take me.

I am ready to redeem him.

[guests murmuring]

[Red Cloak] You are ready to redeem him?

[he addressed woman] Yes.

[guests murmuring]

[Red Cloak] Are you sure you understand what you're taking upon yourself

in doing this?

Yes.

[guests murmuring]

Very well.

You are free.

But I warn you,

if you make any further inquiries

or if you say a single word to anyone

about what you have seen,

there will be the most dire consequences for you

and your family.

Do you understand?

But...

what is gonna happen to that woman?

No one can change her fate now.

When a promise has been made here,

there is no turning back.

Go.

[Alice murmuring]

[giggles]

[laughing]

Alice?

-Alice? -[gasping]

It's okay.

-It's okay. -[panting]

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I woke you up, but I thought you were having a nightmare.

Oh, God.

[groans] I just had such a horrible dream.

What time is it?

It's a little after 4.

[Alice groans softly]

Did you just get home?

Yes, uh...

It took longer... longer than I thought.

You must be exhausted.

Come on, lie down.

Lie down.

What were you dreaming?

It was just, uh...

[sighs] Just these weird things.

What was it?

[sighs tearfully]

So weird.

Tell me.

[Alice breathing shakily]

[exhales deeply]

We...

We were...

We were in a deserted city...

and...

And our clothes were gone.

We were naked...

and...

[sobbing] and I was terrified.

♪♪ [soft, melancholy]

And I... And I felt ashamed.

Oh, God.

And...

And I was angry because I thought it was your fault.

You...

You rushed away to go find... Find clothes for us.

As soon as you were gone, it was completely different.

I...

I felt wonderful.

Then I was lying in a beautiful garden,

stretched out naked in the sunlight...

and a man walked out of the woods.

He was...

He was the man from the hotel, the one I told you about.

The naval officer.

He... He stared at me...

and then he just laughed.

He just laughed at me.

[sobbing]

But that's not the end,

is it?

No.

Why don't you tell me the rest of it?

[Alice whimpers] It's...

It's too awful.

It's only a dream.

He, uh...

He was kissing me...

and then...

Then we were making love.

Then there were all these other people around us.

Hundreds of them, everywhere.

Everyone was fucking.

[sobs]

And then I...

I was fucking other men.

So many, I...

I don't know how many I was with.

And I knew you could see me in the arms of all these men, just...

Just fucking all these men.

And I... I wanted to make fun of you.

To laugh in your face.

[sobbing]

And so I laughed as loud as I could.

[sobbing]

[sighs]

And... that must have been when you woke me up.

[Bill] Oh, shit.

[upbeat oldie playing from inside]

♪ I want one who can shimmy And one who can twist ♪

♪ And one who can thrill me With one kiss... ♪

-Hi. -Hi.

I'll just have a cup of coffee, please.

Anything else?

No, thank you.

Excuse me.

Would you happen to know when they get in next door at the Sonata Cafe?

I think there's usually someone in the office around 2 or 3.

Two or 3. Um...

Listen, I, uh...

I don't suppose, by any chance, you know Nick Nightingale?

He's playing piano over there right now.

Nick Nightingale?

Sure, he comes in here.

Well, look, uh, maybe you can help me,

because it's very important that I get in touch with him this morning.

Do you know where he's staying?

Well, uh...

I don't know if he'd want me to give out his address.

It's okay, I'm a doctor.

I'm actually a very old friend of his.

Well, doctor, um...

He'll be playing there tonight. Can't it wait until then?

Listen, to be perfectly honest, uh...

it's a medical matter.

Some tests.

And I know he'll wanna know about them as soon as possible.

Excuse me.

Hi. How can I help you?

Can you please ring Mr. Nightingale's room for me?

Nick Nightingale.

I'm sorry, sir, Mr. Nightingale has already checked out.

-He checked out? -Yes.

Uh...

-Did he leave a forwarding address? -No, I'm afraid not. No.

When did he check out?

Um, about 5:00 this morning.

-Five o'clock? -Yes.

That's a pretty early checkout, isn't it?

It is a little on the early side, yeah. [laughs]

Look, uh...

Did you notice anything, uh,

I don't know,

unusual about him when he left?

Unusual?

Hey, you're not Five-0, are you?

-[Bill] No. -Huh?

-No, I'm an old friend of his. -Really?

-I'm a doctor. -Oh.

Well, um... Bill?

-[Bill] Sure. -[clears throat]

It's funny you should ask that question, Bill,

because, actually, there was something a little strange

about the way Mr. Nightingale left, yes.

-Really? What was that? -Mm.

Um, well...

He came in this morning, about 4:30 a.m.,

with two men.

Big guys.

I mean, they were very well dressed and very well spoken,

but they weren't the kind of people you'd like to fool around with,

if you know what I mean.

[clears throat] Anyways, uh...

I noticed Mr. Nightingale had a bruise on his cheek.

And, um, to be perfectly honest,

I also thought he looked a little scared.

Scared?

Yes. Yes.

He said he wanted to check out,

and then he went upstairs to his room with one of the men.

And the other guy stayed down in the lobby and settled his bill.

And then when they came back down,

Mr. Nightingale tried to pass me an envelope.

But they saw it and took it away

and said that any mail or messages for him

would be collected by someone properly authorized to do so.

And then they just took him off in a car.

Do you have any idea where they went?

No, not a clue.

Um... well...

Anyway...

I certainly... I certainly appreciate your help.

Oh, anytime, Bill.

Bye.

Oh, the good doctor.

Mr. Milich.

-Was your outfit a success? -Yes, it was. Thank you.

Good, good.

Tuxedo. Cloak.

Shoes.

Uh... I think you forgot the mask.

It's not there?

No, no, no. Maybe you left it at the party.

Uh...

I don't think so.

I must have lost it. Could you just put it on the bill, please?

Sure.

[cash register dings]

Here we are.

That was 150 for the rental, 200, you said, for my trouble...

-Mm. -...25 for the mask. Sorry.

[mutters] That's 5, 7...

[in normal voice]...375.

Yes, dear?

Come, come.

Would you like to say hello to Dr. Harford?

-Hello. -Hello.

Thank you, Mr. Milich. I'll call you soon.

-Bye-bye. -Goodbye, gentlemen.

-Merry Christmas and happy New Year. -[man] And you too.

-[Milich] Well, Dr. Harford... -[door closes]

...here is your receipt.

I'm tearing up your deposits.

And thanks for the business.

Mr. Milich,

last night...

you were going to call the police.

Well... things change. We have come to another arrangement.

And by the way, if the good doctor himself should ever want anything again,

anything at all...

It needn't be a costume.

♪♪ [brooding]

[knocking on door]

Come in.

-Tuna salad and black coffee. -Thanks.

Listen, how's my afternoon looking?

I think it's just Mrs. Akerly at 2:30 and Mrs. Kominski at 4.

Well, look, something has come up,

and I'm not gonna be able to see them.

Please ask Dr. Miller if he can fit them in.

Otherwise, just apologize and make new appointments.

Sure.

And please call the garage and have them get my car out in half an hour.

-[Lisa] No problem. -Okay.

♪♪ [foreboding bare piano line]

[camera whirring]

[Alice] That's right.

-Hi. -[Helena] Hi, Daddy.

[Bill] Hi.

Any, uh... Any calls for me?

[Alice] Dr. Sanders and, um, Mrs. Shapiro.

-[Bill] Hey, gang. -Hi, Daddy.

-Hey. -Look, I got all these right.

-You got all of those right? -Yeah.

-Every single one of them? -Mm-hm.

-That's good. -[Alice yawns]

You hungry?

Uh... sort of.

Want to eat at 7?

Ooh, 7? Listen, can we make that a little earlier?

Because I have, uh, some appointments at the office.

-Oh, you have to go out again tonight? -Mm. I'm afraid so.

Daddy, am I gonna get a puppy for Christmas?

[chuckles] Well, we'll see about that, okay?

-[Helena] He could be a watchdog. -[Alice chuckles]

We'll see.

[Alice] Come on, baby, let's finish this off.

All right, we have Joe. And Joe has $2.50.

And Mike has $1.75.

Joe has how much more money than Mike?

-[Helena] Hmm, 1.75? -[Alice] Mm-hm.

So is it gonna be a subtraction or an addition?

Um...

"How much more" means that it would be a subtraction, right?

Yeah, because you're gonna be taking... Right.

[Alice tearfully] And there were all these other people around us.

Hundreds of them, everywhere.

Everyone was fucking.

And then I... I was fucking other men.

So many, I...

I don't know how many I was with.

♪♪ [brooding]

[line ringing]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

[Bill] Keep the change. Merry Christmas.

[doorbell rings]

-[woman] What is it? -Domino?

[woman] No, she's not in.

Uh...

Are you expecting her back soon?

[woman] No, I'm not.

[sighs]

Okay.

I have something for her. Can I leave this with you?

[woman] Uh, just a minute.

[chain clinks]

Can I say who it's from?

Well, just tell her it's from...

Bill.

-You're Bill? -Yes.

The Bill?

You're the doctor who was here last night?

Well, I suppose I am.

Domino said how nice you were to her.

-Did she? -Mm.

Why don't you come in for a second?

[Bill chuckles]

-Sure. -Okay.

Okay.

I'm Sally.

-Hello, Sally. -Hi.

So do you have any idea when you expect Domino back?

No.

I have no idea.

-You have no idea? -No.

Hmm...

Well, to be perfectly honest, she may not even be coming back.

[Bill laughing]

-She may not even be coming back? -Mm-mm.

[both chuckle]

[Sally] Mm.

[sighs] Well, um...

I, uh...

You, uh?

I think there's, uh... There's something that I should tell you.

-Really? -Oh, my... Yeah.

But I, uh... I just... I don't know. I don't know.

-You don't know? Well, what is it? -No. I'm...

-Um... -Hmm?

Oh, I don't know whether to tell you this.

Oh, wow.

Why don't you, uh... Why don't you have a seat?

Okay? Let's sit down.

[Sally groans]

-[Bill laughs] -[groans]

I don't quite know how to say this.

-You don't quite know how? -Hmm...

-[Bill] Hmm... -[sighs]

Well, considering that you were with Domino last night...

[Bill] Hmm.

...I think it would be only fair to you to let you know that, um...

[sighs]...she got the results of a blood test this morning,

and, uh, it was HIV-positive.

-HIV-positive? -Yeah.

Well...

I am very, very sorry to hear that.

Yeah.

I mean, it's absolutely devastating.

Listen, can I offer you anything?

A cup of coffee, maybe?

No, thank you.

I think, uh...

maybe I'd better be going.

Okay.

♪♪ [foreboding bare piano line]

[footsteps keeping pace in distance]

[footsteps continue]

♪♪ [foreboding bare piano line continues]

[horn honks]

-[Bill] Taxi. -[driver] Off duty.

[indistinct chatter]

[solemn choral music playing over speakers]

I'll just have a cappuccino, please.

I'll bring it over to you.

Thank you.

♪♪ [foreboding bare piano line]

♪♪ [foreboding bare piano line continues]

-Good evening. -Good evening.

I'm Dr. Harford.

One of my patients was admitted earlier this morning. Miss Amanda Curran.

Could you please give me her room number?

Certainly, doctor.

Uh, her name again?

Curran. Amanda Curran.

[receptionist] C-U-R-R-A-N?

Yes.

[receptionist] Miss Amanda Curran?

That's right.

[receptionist] I'm sorry, doctor. Miss Curran died this afternoon.

She died this afternoon?

[receptionist] Yes, at 3:45 p.m.

I'm sorry.

[he addressed woman] Because it could cost me my life...

and possibly yours.

♪♪ [tense, somber piano]

[cell phone ringing]

Hello?

Yes, this is Dr. Harford.

Tonight?

No, no, no, that's okay. Um...

Just, uh... please tell him I'll be there in about 20 minutes. Okay?

Come in.

-Bill, I appreciate you coming. -Sure.

Sorry to drag you out here tonight.

-Let me have your coat. -No, no. I was out anyway. Thank you.

How about a drink?

-Are you having one? -Sure.

-Okay. -What would you like?

-Just a little Scotch. -Good.

-How do you take it? Neat? -Please.

That was a terrific party the other night.

-Alice and I had a wonderful time. -Well, good. Good.

It was great seeing you both.

-Cheers. -Cheers.

Were you playing?

No, I was just knocking a few balls around.

-Beautiful Scotch. -That's a 25-year-old.

-I'll send you over a case. -No, please.

-Sure. Why not? -No. No, no. No.

[Victor chuckles]

You, uh, feel like playing?

-No, thanks. You go ahead. I'll watch. -No, no, no. I...

I was just, uh...

Listen. [clears throat]

Bill...

[sighs]

The reason I, uh, asked you to come over is, I... I...

I need to talk to you about something.

Sure.

[exhales] It's a little bit awkward.

And I have to be completely frank.

What kind of problem are you having?

It isn't a medical problem.

Actually...

it concerns you.

Bill...

I... I know what happened last night.

And I know what's been going on since then.

And I think you just might...

have the wrong idea about one or two things.

I'm sorry, Victor, I, uh...

What in the hell are you talking about?

Please, Bill, no games.

I was there.

At the house.

I saw everything that went on.

[Victor sighs]

Bill...

what the hell did you think you were doing?

I couldn't... I couldn't even begin to imagine how you'd...

How you'd heard about it,

let alone got yourself through the door.

Then I remembered

seeing you with that... That prick piano player,

Nick whatever-the-fuck-his-name-was, at my party.

And it didn't take much to figure out the rest.

It wasn't Nick's fault.

It was mine.

Of course it was Nick's fault.

If he hadn't mentioned it to you in the first place,

none of this would've happened.

I... I recommended that little cocksucker to those people,

and he's made me look like a complete asshole.

Victor?

What can I say?

Uh...

I had...

absolutely...

no idea you were involved in any way.

I know you didn't, Bill.

But I also know that you...

You went to Nick's hotel this morning and... talked to the desk clerk.

How do you know that?

Because I had you followed.

[scoffs]

You had me followed?

Okay, okay, I'm sorry.

All right? I owe you an apology.

I... This was for your own good, believe me.

Now, look, I know what the desk clerk told you.

But what he didn't tell you is,

all they did was put Nick on a plane to Seattle.

By now, he's... He's probably back with his family,

you know, banging Mrs. Nick.

The clerk said he had a bruise on his face.

Okay, he had a bruise on his face.

That's a hell of a lot less than he deserves.

[scoffs] Listen, Bill, I don't think you realize

what kind of trouble you were in last night.

Who do you think those people were?

Those were not just ordinary people there.

If I told you their names... I'm not gonna tell you their names.

But if I did, I don't think you'd sleep so well.

Was it the second password?

Is that what gave me away?

Yes, finally.

But not because you didn't know it.

It's because there was no second password.

Of course, it didn't help a whole lot that those people arrive in limos,

and you showed up in a taxi.

Or that when they took your coat, they found the receipt

from the rental house in your pocket made out to you-know-who.

There was a...

There was a...

There was a... a woman there...

who, uh...

tried to warn me.

I know.

Do you know who she was?

Yes.

She was...

She was a hooker.

Sorry, but...

that's what she was.

A hooker.

[sighs]

Bill...

suppose I told you that...

That everything that happened to you there,

the threats, the girl's warnings,

her last-minute intervention...

Suppose I said that all of that...

was staged.

That it was a kind of charade.

That it was fake.

Fake?

Yes. Fake.

[sighs]

Why would they do that?

[Victor] Why?

In plain words,

to scare the living shit out of you.

To keep you quiet about where you'd been

and what you'd seen.

Have you seen this?

Yes, I have.

I saw her body in the morgue.

Was she...

Was she the woman at the party?

[Victor] Yes.

She was.

Victor...

the woman lying dead in the morgue...

was the woman at the party.

Yes.

Well, Victor, maybe I'm missing something here.

You called it a fake, a charade.

Do you mind telling me what kind of fucking charade ends

with somebody turning up dead?

[sighs]

Okay, Bill, let's... Let's cut the bullshit. All right?

You've been way out of your depth for the last 24 hours.

You wanna know what kind of a charade? I'll tell you exactly what kind.

That whole play-acted "Take me!" phony sacrifice

that you've been jerking yourself off with

had absolutely nothing to do with her real death.

Nothing happened to her after you left that party

that hadn't happened to her before.

She got her brains fucked out. Period.

When they took her home, she was... She was just fine.

And the rest of it is right there in the paper.

She was a junkie. She OD'd. There was nothing suspicious.

Her door was locked from the inside. The police are happy. End of the story.

[smacks lips]

Come on.

It was always gonna be just a matter of time with her.

Remember? You told her so yourself.

You remember? The one with the great tits who OD'd in my bathroom.

Listen, Bill,

nobody killed anybody.

Someone died. It happens all the time.

But life goes on.

It always does.

Until it doesn't.

[laughs] But you know that, don't you?

♪♪ [foreboding bare piano line]

[sighs]

[Bill sobbing]

I'll tell you everything.

I'll tell you everything.

[vehicles honking faintly outside]

[breathes shakily]

[sniffles]

Helena's gonna be up soon.

[breathes deeply]

[scoffs] She's, uh...

She's expecting us to take her Christmas shopping today.

[children laughing, chattering]

[Christmas carol playing over speakers]

That's nice.

I could put Sabrina in here.

-Yeah. -It's really pretty.

It's old-fashioned.

[chuckles]

He's big.

I hope Santa Claus gets me one of these for Christmas.

You do?

[Helena] Yep.

Well, you're gonna have to wait and see.

[Helena giggles]

Alice?

What do you think we should do?

What do I think we should do?

[Helena] Look, Mommy.

Hey.

[sighs]

What do I think? I don't know.

I mean, maybe I...

Hey.

[sighs]

Maybe I think

we should be grateful.

Grateful

that we've managed to survive through all of our...

adventures.

Whether they were real

or only a dream.

Are you...

Are you sure of that?

Am... Am I sure?

[sighs]

[sniffles] Um...

Oh...

Only...

Only as sure as I am

that the reality of one night,

let alone that of a whole lifetime,

can ever be the whole truth.

And no dream is ever...

just a dream.

Hmm.

The important thing is...

we're awake now.

And, hopefully...

for a long time to come.

Forever.

[scoffs] Forever?

Mm...

[Bill] Forever.

Mm. Let's... Let's not use that word. You know?

It frightens me.

But...

I do love you.

And you know,

there is something very important

that we need to do as soon as possible.

[Bill] What's that?

Fuck.

♪♪ [orchestral waltz]