Original subtitles

[sirens wailing] [indistinct voice on radio]

[sirens wailing] [drill]

[sirens stop]

-Hey, God bless you, sir. -Yeah.

Yeah, this is Donovan.

I'm coming up. Be there in a minute.

TWO CENTS FROM A PARIAH

[distorted cha-ching]

Thank you so much for coming. I'm sorry I'm like this.

No need to be sorry.

You're going through a very difficult time.

Losing a significant other can be an almost...

incomprehensible assault on the senses.

-You're so kind. -Just here to help.

I'm...

I'm inheriting a large amount of my husband's money.

When I signed the prenup three years ago

I actually felt good about it.

But it feels dirty now.

No one doubts you loved your husband,

Mrs. Daugherty.

You were by his side every step of the way.

You deserve...

everything that's coming to you.

I cheated on him.

The whole time I was with him.

There were so many other men.

Was he aware?

I don't think so.

We all make mistakes.

But when I found out he was sick,

and I asked the doctor how long...

I wasn't thinking about...

his pain.

Or what he must be feeling. I was thinking about...

how long it'd be until he'd be gone

and I could have his money.

How long until I could...

stop sneaking around.

My-- my daughter...

she's actually older than me. My step-daughter.

When she looks at me it's like she knows.

Everything.

Are you afraid she'll...

-Expose you in some way. -No.

I don't know. I...

Do you mind if I run to the bathroom?

No, of course.

-Thanks. I'll be right back. -Sure.

[sighs]

[exhales]

[clears throat]

[footsteps]

Sorry about that.

You must think I'm a sick person.

On the contrary...

what you're feeling is perfectly natural.

It'll pass.

The money.

You could choose to do great things with it.

For yourself, for others, charity.

You do what you think is right, and you'll...

you'll find you'll drive out the negativity.

Like...

an infection through the bloodstream.

You'll feel like a new person.

What about the past?

You do the right thing long enough...

you'll feel like the past was never there.

Trust me.

Alright, I have some calls to make

and a few errands, but...

-Here you are. -Oh, thank you.

So we'll speak again soon?

I'd like that.

[elevator beeps]

[assistant] Good morning, Mr. Strathmore.

Good morning.

-How are you today? -I'm well, thank you.

So what's on the docket for today?

It looks like you have a meeting with Paul Anderson.

And the McGuires would like to see you tomorrow

if that's alright.

I didn't know they were back from LA.

Yeah.

Paul Anderson.

He say anything specific?

Just that he'd like to see you at his office instead of home.

Okay.

Thank you for coming.

Of course, Paul. What can I do for you today?

Well, for starters..

you remember that NDA form I had you sign?

Of course.

Good.

Alright [sighs].

So...

A little while ago I hired a dominatrix.

Yeah.

You know, to shake things up a bit.

Nance doesn't know about her.

Obviously.

I do, and now you do.

And I'd like to keep it that way.

Anyway, it was great at first, I'll admit.

She's fun. Oh, is she fun.

She's a real mind fucker if you know what I mean.

But now I feel that it's started to get

into the deep end.

And I want to end it.

But I just can't seem to get free of her.

Are you feeling financially constrained

as a result of her continuing services?

No, I can afford it.

That's not the problem. It's more in my mind.

And, as I told you, Nance doesn't know.

But my wife...

she's far from stupid.

Paul, you're going to need to resist.

For the good of not only yourself,

but everyone around you.

You have got to stop this poison from spreading.

You're right, Donovan. You're right.

What a wonderful choice of words

because she is poison and you know what...

I love drinking her.

Getting fucking loaded on her. I mean look at me.

Look at me. I mean it's like...

I think she might be able to blackmail me.

Here's the deal.

Talk to her, Donovan, please.

because you're the only one that can fix this.

I will make it worth your while.

Name it.

[slow jazz music playing]

I'll stand.

But you're shaking.

I'll get right to the point.

My client, Paul Anderson.

He wants to stop seeing you.

He's afraid if he does, you'll blackmail him.

[laughs]

I'm a professional.

I would never actually blackmail anyone.

He gets off on the idea of it, that's all.

He's free to go without any consequences at all.

But as long as he pays me for my services...

I'll give him my best.

Yeah?

You're saying he knows you wouldn't blackmail him.

Of course he does.

He's a rich man who has everything.

So he pays for the illusion of danger.

Getting close to what it'd feel like

to lose everything.

Without ever having to.

It's all a game.

That's a perverse way of making a living.

[laughing] You're his life coach, right?

The one who fills him with all the religious fervor.

I try to lead him down the path of righteousness.

So do I.

As yourself this.

Are you here...

because you truly care about his wellbeing?

Or because he paid you to be here?

What fun you would be.

Yeah, Paul. Donovan here.

I called her, as you asked.

She's something, isn't she?

Yeah, listen Paul.

I think that you seriously need to tell your wife.

No, Donovan, no. I already told you

that's not in the cards.

She'd divorce me and take everything.

No, listen to me. Whatever you think you have,

what you're feeling with this woman, is not real.

It's a game.

Especially the danger.

Alright, now listen.

You could leave her in a minute

and there would be no repercussions, she told me.

-She said that? -Yeah, she did.

Listen, you...

You pay me for advice, right?

I think what you need to do is accept that you're an addict.

I think it's great you kept the place here in New York.

You two enjoying the break from the LA scene?

But it doesn't feel like a break anymore.

Brandon here just got offered the best payday of his career.

Leading role in a comedy.

And he wants to turn it down.

[Tori] Can you believe that?

[Brandon] I've been going nonstop, alright?

I finally realized, after so many years

of being poor,

that I'm doing pretty good.

I want to take a break. Just some time off, you know.

Actually see my wife and kids.

Otherwise...

what's the point of all this work?

Well family is what matters most.

Exactly.

Why does it feel like you don't want to spend time

with me anymore?

Baby.

I want to be able to tell our kids...

that their father was the highest-grossing movie star

of all time.

Not that he squandered away his opportunities.

I mean what kind of example would that set for our kids?

Alright, let's all take a deep breath.

I was going on a date after work.

-So that's why... Yeah. -Oh yeah?

So...

How'd it go?

It was okay.

What about you? Are you seeing anybody?

You know, you never mentioned someone.

Okay...

Thank you all for coming out tonight,

and let's put our hands together for the man of the hour,

Mr. Donovan Strathmore.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you all very much, I...

I appreciate your being here.

It's been a great deal of time since we were last together.

And I have to confess, the reason for that is...

because of the fact that I've been very busy

working on my new book, which I'm pleased to say

is going to be released within five days.

So thank you all for your support.

[applause]

Every time we have new people here,

we always acknowledge them.

I see some old faces.

I see a couple new faces,

and I want to introduce a couple people to you.

Brandon

and Tori McGuire.

Brandon and Tori came in from LA to be with us.

And I know that everybody here will give us the old welcome.

Brandon, I'm very proud of both of you

for making the decision

and taking that part in that new film.

I can speak for each of us when I say

that we are all going to be front and center, first row

when you make your premiere here in New York.

In the time since our last gathering, I--

I've been...

I've been thinking a lot about what it means

to be a good person

in this world of temptation.

There are lots of opportunities for people to go astray

and have self-injurious behavior.

And for that reason I believe

that it's a matter of resisting temptation.

The temptation to stray from the path of righteousness.

The temptation of the material world.

Temptation of the flesh.

We must not allow ourselves to become breasts.

Beasts.

We must...

[Donovan clears throat]

We must not become beasts.

Excuse me. Um, sorry.

We must rise above the fires of the pit

and transcend the shallow-- the so-called values...

of this increasingly material world.

We must know...

that the serpent from the garden of Eden

still lives here among us.

Make no mistake.

I think that went well.

There were some donations.

-Thanks. -Excuse me, Mr. Strathmore.

Could I speak with him briefly in private if you don't mind.

[assistant] No, not at all.

I'll leave you two.

Do your thing.

Thank you for your message tonight.

I really appreciate all you do.

Oh, really? Thanks.

And thanks for coming.

I was wondering, do you have dinner plans?

Well actually, I'm...

You put together such a great program and...

I don't know. I thought maybe I could take you out.

Treat you to dinner. Show my appreciation.

Um...

Well this is...

It's a nice place, thank you for getting the reservation.

Wow.

It's nice.

Seeing you like this.

Outside the realm of a professional relationship.

Seeing you just as... a man.

I'm always just a man.

You know what I mean.

No, I...

You-- you're so handsome.

The more I look at your face without a professional barrier.

Thank you. Thank you for the...

for the compliment.

You look unprofessional, too.

Did you know

you're the first man I've ever bought dinner for?

No, no actually I insist that I pick up the check.

No, I forbid it.

-I want to do it. -You sure?

Positively.

You know my place isn't far.

Want to walk me home?

It would be very gentlemanly of you.

I don't like walking alone in the dark.

Okay.

[foreboding music]

You... You remind me of him.

My husband.

Um...

Have you ever lost someone?

I'm sorry.

I can't do this.

[eerie vocalization]

[Donovan crying]

I KNOW YOUR SECRETS. DO AS I SAY

OR THE WORLD WILL LEARN ABOUT THE HYPOCRITICAL ADDICT

WHO COULDN'T TAKE HIS OWN ADVICE.

[ominous music]

IF YOU DON'T WANT THE WORLD TO LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU,

TRANSFER $1,000,000.

THE BANK WON'T ALLOW ME TO JUST WIRE THAT MUCH AT ONCE,

I'LL NEED SOME TIME

YOU HAVE 72 HOURS.

IF YOU GO TO THE POLICE, I'LL KNOW,

AND YOUR SECRETS WILL BECOME PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE IMMEDIATELY.

Why were you at my event last night?

I was protecting my investment.

Extorting me, you mean?

I'm talking about our mutual client.

What's this about extortion?

He was afraid you were going to blackmail him.

And I told you I would never actually do that to someone.

[man inside] Goddess Emiliana, please come back.

Is that him?

Somebody hacked my computer and they're threatening me.

I saw you leave before the event was over.

You saying that it wasn't you?

That's not my thing.

I choose to work for a living.

After all, "we must not allow ourselves

"to become breasts."

If you want something else...

make an appointment.

What brings you here today, Mr. Strathmore?

Uh, I've been...

I've been hacked.

Somebody's trying to scare me into giving them money.

I see.

Well I'll tell you up front,

you're not the type of client that usually rolls up in here.

What do you mean?

I worked Internal Affairs for eight years.

I was good at it.

Too good.

I realized they didn't really want me to be.

So I started up this firm to help the people

that can't afford our...

rigged system.

Clearly you can.

That's what I mean.

If you don't want to work with me, I can just--

Listen.

Any idea who might be trying to blackmail you?

Could by anybody. Somebody I met? I--

Let's see, my-- my assistant.

This client named Marsha Daugherty.

It's D-A-U-G-H-E-R-T-Y.

I saw her on the day that message came up

on my computer screen.

Then there's this dominatrix that I had to talk to for work.

Could be a punk hacker

who's just got too much time on their hands.

I just, I can't rack my brain. I just don't know.

Alright, what about anybody from your past

that might have a grudge?

Ex-lover?

Yeah, there is one.

Now look, this is totally confidential, right.

Any private investigator who can't keep a secret...

is a private investigator without work.

And I know your money's green.

Alright.

So there's this woman.

But I haven't heard from her in decades.

Can you tell me her name?

Of course. It's Maureen...

Nyman. N-Y-M-A-N.

She'd be about my age now.

Look, I only have a couple days to solve this, so I...

Alright. I'll do my best.

But full disclosure,

that's nearly an impossible turnaround time.

No guarantees.

Alright.

Now let's talk fees.

[phone vibrating]

Hello?

-[PI] Mr. Strathmore. -Yeah.

-This is Rod Fitzgerald. -Okay.

Still working on a few angles, but there's one that went cold.

Maureen Nyman...

She died about two years ago.

Overdose.

I'll stay in touch with any updates.

Sure.

[phone clatters on ground]

LOVE ALWAYS, MAUREEN

[ominous music]

[no audible dialogue]

I got something I want you to take a look at.

From the security cameras at the event.

Had to pull a few strings with my friends at the precinct.

Looks like this young lady snuck into your dressing room.

Probably messed with your computer there.

Do you recognize her?

Your ex, Maureen...

had a daughter in '89 named Evelyn Nyman.

The father was a fellow by the name of David Schmidt.

Pulled her bank statements.

She took a trip recently here to the city.

Positive match on her ID in those photos.

Any reason she'd have a grudge against you?

No.

Can I keep these?

I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

I'LL SEND YOU THE MONEY.

He's going to do it.

[chuckles]

[polite applause]

I've had the chance to read the book.

It's one hell of a story.

Thanks, Connie. That means a lot coming from you. Thank you.

Would you care to give some of those

who might be unfamiliar a little background.

Sure, well...

You know, Connie,

once you get to a certain point in life,

You start to think about how you got to where you are.

Everyday I deal with some powerful

and well-known people, right?

And if you had told me, when I was young,

that I would be doing this for my job,

I would've thought that you were joking.

So there were reports that came out recently

that claimed to prove a very different...

story about your history.

Are you aware of that?

First I've heard of it.

They were leaked very recently. These reports...

They claim...

that you actually spent some time in prison.

And that you had an--

No, no these were not...

These weren't in our list of questions.

Let's get back to the-- this is...

Would you care to set the record straight?

Mr. Strathmore, I have the reports right here.

-These documents appear valid. -This is...

-Unbelievably unprofessional. -Appear--

No, this interview is over.

-Call the car. -Already on it, sir.

These weren't in our list of questions.

Let's get back to the-- this is...

Would you care to set the record straight?

Mr. Strathmore, I have the reports right here.

-These documents appear valid. -This is...

-Unbelievably unprofessional. -Appear--

No, this interview is over.

LYING AUTHOR EXPOSED AT BOOK SIGNING.

WHY WOULD ANYONE BUY THE BOOK ANYWAY?

THAT'S A MINUTE OF MY LIFE I'LL NEVER GET BACK.

ANYONE ELSE READ THE LEAK ABOUT THIS GUY?

PEOPLE LIKE STRATHMORE PERPETUATE A VERY WARPED VERSION

OF CHRISTIANITY.

...you may hang up, or press one for more options.

Mrs. Williamson, I haven't heard back from you

about our next session.

Please let me know if we're still on, thanks.

[ringing]

Hey, this is Brandon McGuire.

Leave a message after the tone. Thanks.

Brandon, Donovan here.

Wanted to see how you and Tori are doing, and...

see about scheduling our next session.

So say hi to the kids and take care in the meantime.

Bye.

[muffled speech]

Publisher's not happy at all with how that interview went.

They've printed out a lot of copies,

which means it's a big investment for them.

They want to be sure

before they go on with any more publicity.

It's about the sales. I'm sure you understand.

Well, I'm sure everything will blow over.

Good luck to you.

[footsteps receding]

[sighs]

[computer chimes]

THE RIDER NATHAN SHOW DONOVAN STRATHMORE: FRAUD

Donovan Strathmore, a life coach to the rich and famous,

has just been exposed by an anonymous source

as a man leading a life very different

from the advice he dishes out

at a book signing recently.

He was asked about some of these allegations

and unable to conjure up any defense.

He just walked out.

I don't know if you've seen the video.

It's something to check out. Look...

We've since learned

his actual name is David Schmidt.

He's a recovering alcoholic and drug addict

with a very checkered past.

Including a DUI, where he hit a child pedestrian

who is now wheelchair-bound for life.

Look it's not uncommon for public personalities

change their names to protect their privacy,

However this guy has been covering up lots more than that.

He was arrested for distributing illegal substances

just a few years after the accident.

Didn't learn his lesson.

Then he spent some time behind bars.

Strathmore's book touches on none of this.

In fact, it appears to be offering

a completely revised history.

-I got your message. -What do you want?

-Where'd you find that video? -That's just one of many.

They're all over the place.

Look, I'd really rather not hear from you again.

Here's an interview with Strathmore's assistant.

I've been his assistant for two years.

I used to admire him.

But I guess it just makes you question

if you ever really know somebody.

I need you to punish me.

[leather thwacks] Tell me you're a sick man.

-Say it, David. -I'm a...

I'm a sick man.

Tell me you're a hypocrite.

I'm a hypocrite.

[different accent] I'm happy you came back to see me.

Your voice...

Your name.

I'm sorry I accused you of hacking me, I...

The more I thought about it the more I realized.

I went to your event because Paul invited me to.

He said he wanted to see if he could resist me.

As I was leaving, I saw a girl.

Wearing gloves, walking out.

Thought maybe she was catering at first, or something.

Did you ever find out who blackmailed you?

Was it her?

Been seeing your name around a lot lately.

You're becoming a regular pariah.

They say it's never too late to choose to be a good man.

I believe that.

You know what I see when I look at you?

A man who wants to atone for his sins.

A man who desperately wants to do the right thing.

I think you should be given a chance.

Nobody else does.

[she sighs]

People are so ready to assume the worst.

They have a rabid appetite to destroy anyone

with any sort of platform.

Especially those they disagree with.

It's sometimes justice, but it's always theater.

Heroes and villains, black and white.

Good and evil.

The mind of the masses is a simple one.

The world could use a little tenderness.

I'm not going to charge you for the session.

It was my pleasure.

Strange.

Here, now...

I'm experiencing the only kindness

that I might have for...

maybe the rest of my life.

[laughs]

-Thank you. -Always remember...

People are never just one thing.

I'll go grab you a towel.

Look don't tell me to try and calm down.

I'm trying to explain this to you, I've been hacked.

I want to make sure you cancel everything.

The credit cards, everything, hold--

Excuse me, I have a call. Hold on please, do not...

get off the phone.

Yeah.

Yes?

Why didn't you tell me you were Evelyn's father?

That you changed your name?

You left out a crucial detail

that could've helped the investigation.

Doesn't matter anymore.

I guess it doesn't.

Your daughter, she lives in Wisconsin.

If you want to ask her for your money back or something

I can tell you where she works.

[no audible dialogue]

What the fuck are you doing here,

you sick fuck?

I know it was you.

You promised me you wouldn't give out that information

if I gave you what you wanted.

Yeah? Well promises, promises.

What'd you do when you found out you knocked up my mom?

You ran off.

Do you know she lost all her friends because of that?

Everyone saw her as a burden and didn't want to help her.

She did nothing wrong, but love your sorry fucking ass.

And she paid a terrible price for it.

And she couldn't forget you because seeing me everyday

made that impossible for her.

No, now you know what it's like

to feel untouchable.

Can we-- can we go somewhere to talk?

-I just want to talk. -Oh my God.

I didn't invite you here, dude.

I don't want to fucking talk to you.

I don't owe you anything.

I don't owe it to you to hear your sob story

and cleanse you of your guilt.

You are feeling exactly how you should be feeling.

You made a big mistake coming here.

Get the fuck away from me

before I call the bouncers on your ass

and issue a restraining order.

Okay.

I'll go.

I'm waiting.

[thoughtful music]

You've got five minutes.

Follow my car.

[background chatter]

Out of all the names you could've picked...

where the fuck did you come up with Donovan Strathmore?

You're telling me you don't have a stage name at work?

[waitress] Can I get you anything?

-Coffee. -Coffee.

-Two coffees. Anything else? -No, thanks.

So.

You tracked me down.

Came all the way here.

What were you expecting would happen?

I just wanted to see you.

You're not getting the money back.

It's not a-- It's not about the money.

-Look, I'm sorry-- -Everything you thought--

You thought you could make some kind of comeback story

for yourself.

The reformed man, born again,

with a shitty new name by the way,

handing out overpriced advice.

-I help people. -Oh.

Have you? Only the rich.

That's not very Christ-like.

Everyone's equal in the eyes of the Lord.

But not in your eyes.

They have to be able to afford you

to get your services.

Look around.

Have you ever helped anyone who truly needed it?

That's what I thought.

Maybe all this money you're making,

maybe that's your new drug, your new high.

Think about it.

Anything else?

This is great, thank you.

So really, all I get is five minutes?

Yeah. We're on the clock.

Like one of your sessions.

It's already been two.

I was hoping to maybe...

find a way to make things right with you.

[she laughs]

Oh shit.

We are way past that point, man.

I mean did you ever read any of the letters

I sent you growing up.

I sent so many.

And I never got one response.

Not one.

You know, Mom...

Mom was furious when she found out

I'd been writing you.

I'd found your address. Written it down somewhere.

I still have all the letters.

All of them.

So what made you come up with this scheme to get the money.

Heaven helps us cope with knowing we're going to die.

The American dream...

helps us think that all our hard work and suffering

will pay off once we're rich

and join the elites.

I've got not time for bullshit bedtime stories, old man.

Your time's up.

I'm staying at the motel down the street

if you want to see me again.

Room 108.

That's my daughter.

You snore.

How did you get in here?

Computers aren't the only thing I can break into.

I didn't think you'd come.

I'm the embodiment of your sins.

I'm starting to enjoy making you squirm.

Let me...

Let me show you something.

MY HOUSE

I'm sorry I didn't give you that.

You asked why.

The money.

God, life is so fucking hard, man.

Mom and I never had much.

She never stopped using.

Now I have a one-year-old daughter.

Her name's Maureen.

Named after my mom.

Where is she?

With her dad.

You know if you needed money you could have asked me.

I would've given it to you.

You ignored me my entire life.

Why would I think that you would suddenly change?

Who's the father.

My fiancé, Adam.

This whole thing was actually part his idea.

We needed a way to keep food on the table, okay?

We thought with enough money that we could...

finally live free, and simple, and move west where it's warm.

Have a small wedding.

And give Maury a comfortable childhood.

When are you moving?

I don't know, a few months maybe.

Tie up some loose ends.

I, um...

I appreciate you telling me that I'm a...

a grandfather.

I know you could've left that out.

Yeah, well...

I appreciate you keeping my letters.

But I also fucking hate you for never writing me back.

I understand.

Look, um...

I wonder if I can meet your family.

I don't think so.

Adam doesn't know you're here. It's not a good idea.

Why?

He'd think that you just want your money back.

And I'm not entirely sure it's not why you're here either.

No, it's not about the money. It's about trying--

No, I told you no sob story.

Oh God, I've got to go.

Will I see you again?

-I have another key. -I don't care.

[car ignition]

[muffled country music playing in store]

God bless you.

You know there's some breakfast at this place that I'm staying.

-I could bring you some. -Eat shit.

VACANCY

[latch turning]

Why are you on your knees?

-I'm praying. -Oh.

That's what it is, okay.

Because from here it kind of looks

like you're blowing the Holy Spirit.

Which is a little homoerotic for Christianity, no?

Why do you feel the need to criticize my faith?

Did you do Twelve Step?

Yeah.

Someone force you to go?

No.

And in recovery is where you found God?

I didn't have a moral compass.

Didn't worship anything but my next high.

Drugs,

alcohol, sex, all of it.

You took the initiative.

To save yourself

when you committed to Twelve Step.

The truth of God didn't do that for you, you did.

Because deep down,

you actually did know right from wrong.

I don't care what belief system you latched onto in recovery.

That doesn't deserve the credit.

You do.

No, the minute you realize that you will see

that you are accountable for what you do.

That you're in control.

You know, Zeus 2.0 didn't predetermine your fate

and engrave it on a golden scroll

on some white fucking fluffy cloud.

Help me.

Help me find the verse where it says,

"The Lord's work is to exonerate the first-class guilt

"of the ruling class."

What would a stripper know about God?

A lot more than a fucking junkie that's for sure.

To those men...

I am a goddess.

They come to my house of worship.

And they see me in the flesh.

They don't need a go-between guy like you to take their money

so they can reach their deity.

You know...

I do wonder, though.

As you and I...

the goddess and the holy man...

take our money to the bank...

what are we really?

You took my money.

So.

So was the club where you met your fiancé?

No.

Why wasn't meeting your daughter part of your recovery?

It is.

It should've been.

I buried the man that I was.

I buried everything about him.

You and your mom.

I denied myself any pleasure, I...

I punished myself with sobriety. So that I don't go back--

Do you think all of your self-punishing

somehow makes me feel better?

I help people--

I use what has helped me to help other people.

Do you understand?

What the fuck kind of rationality is that?

Look at me.

Do you think I asked you because I gave a shit

about the answer?

I said look at me.

You need to say it.

Out loud.

Not for me.

For yourself.

Right now.

I felt...

that if I had...

contacted you...

that it would've made our relationship real.

That I would've started something that I couldn't...

maintain.

I hurt so many people.

I didn't want to make the same mistake with you.

So I ran.

It was selfish, and I'm...

I am truly...

sorry.

How long are you planning on staying here?

How long do you want me to?

These little talks... they're nice.

But the truth is...

I don't want you here.

I want you gone. Yesterday.

God, anything I could've-- I could've gained from this

That ship sailed a long time ago, buddy.

I'll leave if you want me to, okay, but...

Let me ask you something.

Can I see your daughter?

I'll think about it.

[somber music]

[phone vibrates]

[bell chimes]

[muzak playing in store]

Nice place you got here.

Must be great to be surrounded by such beauty as this.

Pays the bills.

$21.10 for the bouquet.

You take cash?

-[Evelyn] Okay. -[knocking]

The sauce... Come in, it's open.

That's what Mommy does.

Hi.

These are for you. They were your mom's favorite.

I know. Thank you.

Hi. It's a nice place.

Thanks. I've got to put her down for a nap.

Okay.

GERARD UTILITY ADAM WENSCOMBE

Shit.

Can I help you?

No, I've got it.

Do you have a vase that I could put these flowers in?

Yeah, check on top of the fridge.

There should be something up there.

This'll work.

So that picture...

in the hall of your mother and me.

Did you get that from your ma?

Where else would it have come from?

It was taken just before she got pregnant.

We were trying to get clean.

We weren't doing a very good job of it.

We fantasized...

about getting married and that we'd start this--

Start a rehab facility to help people like you.

Yeah, I heard.

Things don't always work out the way we want, do they?

I always remember her eyes. They were so--

They were so sweet and warm.

But even when she smiled, she still seemed kind of sad.

One time she told me that I was the love of her life.

-And that if she could-- -Time to eat.

So I was thinking...

If you keep showing signs of becoming a better person,

truly.

That I'll give you some of your money back.

In installments, of course.

[door slams]

Finished up a little early [clears throat].

Didn't realize we were having company.

Are you hungry, I can get you--

Nope, I got it. All good.

-[chair scrapes on floor] -[she clears throat]

This is Adam.

-Hey. -Hey.

Did she show you our baby?

Yeah.

-Beautiful, right? -Yeah.

She's gorgeous, yeah.

-Mm. -You two should be very proud.

-So you live here, too. -No, I live nearby.

But you're here all the time, babe.

He's here all the time, and we share bills sometimes.

-Oh. So... -Yeah.

What do you do for a living, Adam?

[Adam snorts]

He works on cars.

Yeah, you ever seen her dance? She's a hell of a dancer.

Yeah.

-She's pretty good. -Oh yeah.

That where you two met? At the club?

[inaudible]

-Yeah, it was. -Do you want some water?

No, I'm fine.

-Honey, I can get you water too. -No, I'm fine. I'm okay.

I'm actually going to stop dancing

in like a month or so.

As we get closer to moving... west, so...

Oh yeah, you must be really excited

to move out there, to get the hell out of dodge.

Yeah.

Ever been out there, out west?

-Uh-uh. -No? Oh.

It's beautiful. Oh yeah. You three...

You'll love it.

Well, um...

I should be going. This has been really great.

I really thank you for the dinner. It's...

Thank you. You're--

You're very gracious. Wonderful meeting your baby

and I'll see you again.

Thank you guys.

[dog barking]

[car ignition starts]

The fuck was he doing here?

Hm?

I heard you when I came in.

Are you seriously thinking

about giving him some of his money back?

That asshole walked around like you didn't exist

for your entire life. Do not forget that.

Hey, what we took. It's blood money.

Do you understand.

Do you understand?

Come into the house.

[suspenseful music]

[phone vibrates]

-Hello? -Rod? Rodney?

-Rodney? -Mr. Strathmore.

Find your daughter?

Yeah, I did.

Hey, can you look into an Adam Wenscombe?

It's W-E-N-S

C-O-M-B-E.

He's engaged to my daughter.

Sure. In light of your whole "riches to rags" thing,

it's on the house.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Call you when I know something.

[phone vibrating]

-Hello? -Did I wake you?

Doesn't matter.

So your daughter's fiancé, Adam.

-Yeah. -He's real bad news, man.

I'm no life coach, but here's my two cents.

If you care about your daughter,

I'd intervene in that shit right quick.

-What can you tell me about him? -Been in and out of rehab.

Possession and dealing.

A few B&Es. The works.

Guy's worse on paper than you.

[suspenseful music]

[dogs barking]

[knocking] Evelyn.

Evelyn, this is Donovan.

Can I speak to you for a second?

What happened?

Come in.

[door slams]

[lock clicks]

What the fuck are you still doing around?

I couldn't leave you again.

Now what happened?

Adam.

He came by with some of his friends

coked out of his mind.

And he forced me to transfer the money, all of it.

[sniffs]

I thought we were going to go--

I thought-- [sobs]

Is...

Is Maureen alright?

Yeah? Here.

Thank you.

Tell me how I can find him.

He's probably at his friend's.

If they haven't left town yet, they're getting ready to.

Why would he do this?

[sighs] Fuck.

He owed some money to some people.

And he promised me that he would pay them off.

And then we'd move west together.

But he was so mad.

He was furious, you know, and he...

He'd heard me tell you that...

I wanted to give you some of the money back.

Now you listen to me.

None of this is your fault.

Okay?

Tell me where I can find him.

If he's still in the state, he's at his friend's.

-233 Michigan. -233.

-It's a green house. -You and the baby safe here?

No reason for him to come back now, is there?

Well let's hope that's true.

Okay, look, you stay here.

You call the cops if you have to

and I will find a-- Oh and, um...

Don't open that door.

You barricade it with a chair or table, whatever.

Evelyn. You got it?

-Yeah. -Okay.

[door slams]

[faint hip-hop beats]

Guys, I think we need to get...

we need to hurry this up, okay?

What's the fucking rush? We have all these fucking drugs.

You paid them off. We're rich.

We can do anything we want.

We should celebrate.

Yeah we can celebrate

when we get maybe the fuck out of here, alright?

What is the rush?

The fuck are you doing here?

Getting my daughter back her money.

She has your baby to take care of.

[laughs]

Oh that's funny.

-Coming from you. -Yeah.

You beat up an innocent woman.

Took everything that she has.

And now you're about to abandon her?

You think when you get where you're going

you're going to be happy?

The guilt will eat you up. I promise you.

We had plans for that money.

Hey? Until you came along and fucked everything up.

Adam, come on. Just listen to me please.

None of this is for me.

Just give her some of the money so she can live for a while,

if you're going to leave her and Maureen.

Adam.

It's never too late to choose to be a good man.

[laughs]

[Adam's friend] Good man?

[laughter continues]

It's not too late, Adam [laughs].

You really going to let this old fuck

tell you what to do, bro?

The fuck are you waiting for? Kick his fucking ass.

-Yeah. -Yeah.

You need to leave. Right now.

Not until I get what I came for.

Don't be such a pussy, Adam.

Give him what he fucking came for

and beat his fucking ass.

Yeah, don't fucking wait. Stop standing there.

Make a fucking move, Adam.

-Shut up! -Fucking hit him.

Hit him!

Put him in a fucking wheelchair, Adam.

You remind me of something.

-Yeah? -Yeah. Me when I was younger.

-Fucking hit him. -Come on.

[intense music]

[impact]

[thuds]

We should hit the road, guys.

[Donovan gasping]

Got a long ways ahead of us.

And who knows

if Sergeant Badass over here...

came to call the cops on us.

-[groans] -What else you got?

Thanks.

Let's go.

[footsteps]

[groans]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[groans]

[high-pitched tone]

[breathing heavily]

[groans]

[knocking at door]

Evelyn? [coughs]

Evelyn [knocks]. It's Donovan.

It's Donovan.

-Oh my God. -[groans]

It's okay.

Oh God. It hurts.

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

I can't believe you walked all the way here.

They took my car and my phone.

-Thank you for... -Yeah.

Did he get all your money?

Oh no.

Why can't you just hack him and get it back.

Because he's a better hacker than I am.

I mean...

It's gone, Dad, it's gone.

You-- you just called me Dad.

You have...

You have your mother's eyes.

[laughs]

[continues laughing]

[baby squawks]

[continues laughing]

[she chuckles]

[sighs deeply]