Original subtitles

(film reel rolling)

(rain pattering) (thunder rumbling)

(soft music)

- [God] Humans often feel alone, desolated, forgotten.

They are not.

There is always hope.

Love.

Watchers.

Angels offer guidance, inspiration,

comfort when it is most needed.

But not all are created equal.

Some guardians find it a seemingly difficult task

to give of themselves to others,

for they need their humans

as much as their humans need them.

What the Watchers leave behind for his human

weaves itself into them forever.

And if done fairly, offers them hope

and love to follow for a lifetime.

Yet, each guardian is only given so much time on Earth.

(tense, dramatic music)

(coughing) (gasping)

(tense, dramatic music)

If they use of too much of themselves...

Their existence, (snaps)

life, will dissolve, leaving their humans alone

to guide their lives unaccompanied...

(tense, dramatic music)

(electrical buzzing) (yelling)

Forever.

(tense music)

(soft music) (birds chirping)

- Pardon, am I currently addressing

my the grandest of All Mighties?

- Me, sir? (laughs)

No, not me, I'm afraid.

William.

Welcome.

(tense, mysterious music)

- [God] William. Do you know why you are here?

I trust you're feeling better.

(speaks in foreign language)

Please be still.

Pause, sit and have some birthday cake.

(speaks in foreign language)

- Much obliged, ma'am.

- No, no.

There is no gender here.

(speaks in foreign language)

We simply are.

Humans seem to need compulsion, definition of self,

but here we do not.

And of course, guardian angels,

which I don't have to remind you,

are newly, um, expired, departed

human souls tasked with helping their one person.

In a way, you still impose, feel and see gender.

You may call me ma'am.

It is reasonable.

Agreed?

Acceptable.

It is so hard to keep track of true time without my watch.

William, it seems you have destroyed,

caused a stir for your human.

You know, one infraction we overlook.

Two you get a summons to the outer office.

But three? (chuckles)

Oh William, so disappointing, or is it unexpected?

I forget how to make you understand

my thoughts, ideas, feelings.

Anyway, I'm so interested to know why you did

what you did.

Back to the exit.

Preface.

Beginning, then.

(pinging)

(speaks in foreign language)

(William exhales deeply)

(upbeat music) (man vocalizing)

♪ Come on ♪

♪ Clap hands ♪

♪ Dance ♪

(William sighs)

- Mercy.

(upbeat, funky music)

Permit my absence.

I will catch you downstream shortly.

♪ See, see ♪

♪ See the rhythm ♪

♪ See ♪

♪ See the rhythm ♪

♪ See, see ♪

♪ See the rhythm ♪

- [God] This is your place, position, choice,

of where to be when your human was being born.

When your James was being born.

You choose poorly and you decide to arrive late.

(phone line buzzing)

(buttons beeping)

(phone line trilling)

- [Woman] Westminster Hospital.

- Good morning.

Uh (clears throat) I mean, good afternoon.

I'm looking for the room of an expecting woman,

uh, childbearing woman.

Last name Ballaban, B as in Becky.

- [Woman] Let me check.

- She would have come in just moments ago.

- [Woman] Uh, yeah, there's no one here under that name.

- All right then.

(upbeat country music)

(Natalia gasps)

- Everything's all right. Hold tight, honey.

- [Woman] I feel it. I feel it!

- [Man] You feel what?

- It.

- It? What's it, honey?

- The baby, sugar, the baby!

- It is the baby?

(snapping) (pinging)

(snapping) (electric buzzing)

(upbeat country music)

(snapping) (pinging)

(electric buzzing)

- [Natalia] It's the baby! (yells)

- Oh honey, I love you to death,

but I'm a little out of my league here.

I mean, I drove us to a dead end

(snapping) (electric buzzing)

for God sakes!

- Just get out our goddamn baby. (yells)

- All right, all right, I'm gonna get the goddamn baby.

Okay.

(yelling)

Oh my god!

Okay, honey.

Okay.

(snapping) (electric buzzing)

(William grunts)

(sighs)

(upbeat country music)

(snaps) (electric buzzing)

- [God] Your human James was born.

(baby crying)

- [Man] It's a boy.

- [Woman] No, it's a James.

(William grumbles)

- Mercy.

(baby crying)

- I never get tired of seeing their first breath.

Such hope, courage.

And you missed it.

Slighted.

No.

Horrible.

Tragic.

(snapping)

(drum rolling)

(upbeat orchestral music) (fireworks fizzing)

- This was Independence Day.

James was at the early age of five.

His parents brought him to the cabins

on the lake for a weekend.

I could've comforted him then, but I did not.

(fireworks explode)

This moment is one of my grandest regrets.

I see that now. (fireworks exploding)

If you saw me, why didn't you correct my behavior sooner?

- [God] But I did.

It was your choice not to hear me.

(upbeat music)

(soft violin music)

- [Boy] Watch out!

Can you please help me get my kite down?

(upbeat music)

(electric buzzing)

(upbeat music)

It's a very important part

of my renewable resources project.

(birds chirping)

(cracking)

(James yells)

(James thuds)

Hello, I'm Wade Wellman. WW.

Not like the war, but like Wade and Weatherman,

my first and last name.

I'm homeschooled and I skipped two grades.

I plan on skipping two more grades in high school.

Mom says public schools have too much filler.

(electric buzzing)

(clock ticking)

- [God] Your lack of caring, interest,

dedication was concerning.

James was broken so I called you up home here to see Dean.

(William sighs)

- It, uh, seems a bit like I'm tied to the switchin' post.

(Dean laughs)

- There will be no, uh, switching here.

(Dean sighs) Your use of speech

is a bit of a quandary, but I can assure you,

you were only called upon to establish

your role regarding your being.

- I take it you're Dean?

- Oh, that will be fine.

Now back to the business at hand.

Seems you missed a birth and you did not intervene

to avoid your being breaking himself?

Now William, this is just inadequate behavior.

(William chuckles)

- I fail my position only because James is so very timid.

You right know that I feel what he feels.

Anxious. (sighs)

Anxious all the time.

- True.

You do feel what your being feels.

Still, incidents, accidents, profanity

and misguidance, drinking are all highly looked down upon.

- Ah, ah. (chuckles)

Now I did not use profanity.

- [God] Even here you paint a picture

of innocence without fault.

- [William] James was unlike me.

- Find it within yourself to guide.

Let's take a moment

while you look over this letter,

clearly outlining your offenses.

(soft jazzy music)

- Well, now that does paint me as a broken wagon wheel.

And I do understand, but let me tell you,

and I, I don't mean this in an awful way, but,

James is odd.

He strays from the pack,

(scoffs)

he lacks courage of any kind.

I can't be held responsible for his choosing

in strange ways.

- You only exist because of James.

Your life force is directly linked to his lifeline.

Your two strings are tied.

- He is, uh, he is...

Odd.

- I suggest you find the beauty in the odd.

I can assure you the odd is...

(watch ticking)

The very best part.

- Well I-

(watch ticking)

(thunder rumbling)

This was the night of the thunderstorm.

I blamed James for being called into Dean's office.

That night, I blamed James for being different.

(thunder rumbling) (wind whistLing)

(fingers snap)

- Now you see me.

(fingers snap) Now you don't.

(fingers snap) Now you do.

(fingers snap) Now you don't.

(thunder rumbling) (wind whistling)

I saw he was taking care of that butterfly.

He was brave in his own way

and I opened my heart to the boy,

never like I'd done before.

Once I did, I was flooded with regret

and overwhelmed with love.

As if I saw James for the first time.

He was strong.

He was my everything.

I knew from that moment forward, I had to change my ways.

(soft orchestral music)

Our differences no longer seemed important.

(soft orchestral music)

(speaking in foreign language)

- Wait, no. That was of Dutch.

Let me try again. Some endowments are gained.

No, granted from celestial space.

There.

Now do you understand?

I would like to see greater...

More.

(bright, upbeat music)

- [William] Naturally, James was drawn to watching

over those butterflies that always enjoyed his company.

His passion for playing his violin was only masked

by his love for those winged creatures.

- [James] Good night guys.

Love ya.

Goodnight.

- Where's Flintstone? Late?

Late again. Always late.

- He just gets distracted, that's all.

- What is that on your arm?

- [William] Now, Wade is that fella that was unsuccessfully

flying that bird leg that ended up in the tree,

then leaned into my boy with his broken wing.

- [God] I know.

- You're going to get ink poisoning.

_ Just because your mom said, it's not-

- No, no, no, no, no.

We are not going to do this whole

just because your mom said thing.

My mother is a lovely person who gave up

years of her life to support my education.

And besides, being distracted from

your obligations is irresponsible.

- Flintstone is not irresponsible.

- Just give me your hand.

(spraying)

- See? Not that late.

- Anne's in the car.

- He had to pick up Anne.

Thank you.

- He flourished in taking care of the smaller things.

And he played.

He played the notes that were awe-inspiring.

but never showed anyone for years.

I, I can't explain why.

Somehow I felt like he was playing just for me.

Those are the moments I cherish.

I never liked Anne much.

Her disposition was much like an angry cat.

Never a good fit.

In the end, it was her that ended things.

(wind blowing)

(tense music)

- Okay. What the hell?

- [William] At the time it seemed Anne broke his heart.

I could feel the sadness,

although I knew she was not his to bond to.

- You're not being very adult about this.

The very least you could do is drop me off

before you start crying.

You're almost making me feel bad.

It's really inconsiderate.

(upbeat music)

♪ Hello, let's rock ♪

♪ Hello, let's rock ♪

♪ Hello, let's rock ♪

♪ Hello ♪

I think you really should be thanking me for doing this

in person and not over the phone.

- Not cool, Anne. - For what?

Being considerate? - Not cool.

- At all!

(Anne scoffs)

(tires skid) (trash cans thudding)

(tires skid)

Flintstone!

- James, I thought you closed the door.

- I was, I...

(James sobbing)

- I think you gave me whiplash.

Flintstone, you gave me whiplash.

You gave me whiplash!

- I didn't.

♪ Oh, let's rock ♪

♪ Hello, let's rock ♪

♪ Hello, let's rock ♪

♪ Hello, let's rock ♪

♪ Any time or dance, yeah ♪

♪ Baby come and stop, come on ♪

(James sighs)

(bag rips) (items clatter)

(Wade sighs)

Why would you give her a ride?

(Flintstone sighs)

(melancholy violin music)

Look what you did.

And you gave me whiplash.

(Flintstone scoffs) - It's not my fault.

Anne was a total let down for him, man.

Bogus. (scoffs)

Dude.

- This is it.

I'm calling my mom.

My symptoms could be invisible today

yet catastrophic tomorrow. (sighs)

(scoffs) - I'm kind of glad she's gone.

(melancholy violin music)

Hey, I think I won.

Wow.

- We were wounded bears together.

James regained his musical passions

during his mournful time of recovery,

and in my own sadness, I was reminded

of the lost opportunities of his youth.

One day I felt a liftin' of spirits.

(pinging)

(birds chirping)

(pinging)

- Oh James.

Hey, you know what my mom says

when one window closes another one opens

for a cross breeze?

- Huh?

- Uh, well, Anne dropped your stuff off about a week ago

and things have been pretty hectic

and now Flintstone and Anne are kind of-

- Ah shh.

I don't want to know.

I don't want to see her

for a long, long time or ever again.

(tense, dramatic music)

(James sighs)

- See Anne, I told you he wouldn't harsh my berries.

- This isn't going to be a thing you make a deal of, right?

'Cause if it is, I could go.

- Why would you go, baby? You just got here.

- He's obviously hysterical now.

- Okay guys, that is enough. All right?

Okay, James, I made these for you in case

you came out in time.

And even if you didn't, I was going to ring the fire alarm,

but it doesn't matter.

You need to play in front of people

and not keep hiding your talent.

Oh, Spankin' Little Jenkins, that's my improv group.

It doesn't make a lot of sense out of context.

- Wade's the straight cat's meow, man.

- He's not that funny.

This is what you need to get over me.

It's not all about you, James.

(James laughs)

- About me?

- Denial.

- I am over you until you started

making out with Flintstone, my cousin, in my house.

And did he tell you that he couldn't vote last year?

- Oh my god. Hysterical.

Stop acting like a 12-year-old.

So immature.

I don't care about age.

- Immature? He's working part time.

(Flintstone chuckles)

- That's the righteous thing, man.

I quit. Screw the man.

- See?

He doesn't work part-time. He quit.

- [James] What?

- Flintstone won $5,000 on a scratcher.

Dang Flintstone.

- I am going to do this.

And not because of you, Anne.

(Anne scoffs)

Being on stage is probably the most terrifying thing

I can only think of, but I would be rather doing that

than being here with this.

I'm leaving. To the library.

(door opens)

Thank you for the flyer.

(door closes)

- I think that went well.

- Me too, baby doll.

I mean, well for James, not very well,

but for us, far out.

Far out.

- I appreciate that this particular

peak bodes badly for James and I,

but in truth to be told, this was the opening of a new dawn.

(soft acoustic music)

♪ Well I gotta get the world off of my back ♪

♪ Or pretty soon I'm-a gonna crack ♪

♪ So I gotta get the world off of my back ♪

♪ Somehow ♪

(James inhales deeply)

♪ I'm sittin' here thinkin' ♪

♪ About the poems I used to write ♪

♪ When I was just a little boy ♪

♪ About that when I grew up ♪

♪ Everything would be just fine ♪

♪ Fancy clothes, cigars ♪ (car beeping)

(dog barking in the distance)

(James sighs)

(grumbles)

(grunting)

I stood there in the library

watching James mending his heart,

feeling his fear and excitement for playing that night.

- Doesn't have to be rude about it.

- [William] Then it all changed by a butterfly.

(footsteps approaching)

(soft music)

In one swift moment, James looked upon this girl.

He was forever changed,

a shift that no one can or could ever define.

No words to explain other than

a life without her would leave James wanting.

(soft orchestral music)

(grunting)

(papers rustling)

(soft, romantic orchestral music)

Behold my quandary then.

I felt a warmness that was of course from James

that was unprecedented.

I felt his love for this young fawn directly,

but you see, I still held James' talent

as a gift he deserved to impart.

My mind became divided.

- Did you know there were over 3000 books

about devotion, um, affection?

No, love. Just right here.

You're correct, precisely.

It is true.

James found what my greatest poets ascribe here.

(speaks in foreign language)

Halt.

There, that is decided.

- You have deliberated my fate this promptly?

I, I have further to expound upon.

- Oh no, that was not for you.

(skates rolling)

I only need a small fraction of myself to listen to you.

That was regarding the evolution of existence.

(inhales) (sighs)

(speaks in foreign language)

(soft country music)

- [James] You write cowboy poetry?

- Yeah.

(soft country music)

Wait.

(soft country music)

Can't leave me alone on my birthday.

- [Wade] You need to play in front of people

and not keep hiding your talent.

- I am going to do this.

- [William] I saw the weight in James's heart

struggling with indecision.

(staticky buzzing)

All my strength to ease him seemed like a small price.

- To use so much of yourself

for decent time on Earth.

(staticky buzzing)

You offered James both paths as choice, outcomes, options.

- After all I denied the boy in my earlier years,

how could I let him choose?

Two chances to seemed better than one

and I fully planned to correct the situation

once the true path was set.

(staticky buzzing)

(staticky buzzing)

(tense, dramatic music) (staticky buzzing)

- You divided, created one path of following love.

The other hope...

And you were now dying on earth

with only hours left until you were nothing.

Erased.

Demised.

Nothing left to see but what you did

with your last remaining energy on earth.

(people chattering) (soft vocalizing)

- All right, all right.

Now could everyone listen up here

'cause tonight we've got something special, something stoic,

a poem from a poetry reading with all been waiting for,

our regular, Lily Abner.

(applause)

- Who's ready for some freakin'...

(yelling) (clapping)

We in the house, yo!

(grunting)

Up top. - Oh!

Hey yo! - Down low.

♪ Ay ay ay ♪

There it is! ♪ Ay ay ay ♪

(tense music) (James breathing heavily)

- Okay.

- I'd like to dedicate this one to my new friend

who I got kicked out of the library with today. (chuckles)

You know who you are.

(exhales sharply)

(tense, dramatic music) (James breathing heavily)

There once was a cowboy who died,

the wind still echoes his last ride.

(tense, dramatic music) (breathing heavily)

With 500 head of cattle and a dreadful flu,

the wind and the rain took his hat as it blew.

(tense, dramatic music) (gagging)

(barfing)

(James breathing heavily)

He even lost one boot under an old Elm root.

He fought a rattlesnake and took those cows across the lake.

Through the mud those cows were led

until they were safe and fed.

(audience cheering) (clapping)

- [Wade] You're up. Go get 'em!

- Okay.

I'll get 'em.

(tense, dramatic music)

(heart beating) (breathing unevenly)

- He sat in his chair, which was very rare.

He was dry and rested until the angel came and blessed him.

(tense, dramatic music) (heart beating)

- Your playing is exceptional.

Greater than you know.

Perform.

(audience applause) (cheering)

(soft violin music)

- [God] William, you had so little time left

with your strength, essence,

spirit being dissolved while on earth.

- [William] Existing in both with James

was more than I could bear.

My strength slipped from me.

(tense, dramatic music)

(audience applause) (cheering)

- You were weakening.

I had to interject to save what little

of you there was left.

(clock ticking)

(tense, dramatic music)

And now we are here.

I exude.

Resume.

(speaks in foreign language)

Understand.

Your intentions were for the most, were for the best.

A lovely sentiment.

Now rest.

Take comfort in watching James's

last remaining year of life.

- Four seasons combined in total?

(tense, dramatic music)

- It goes without saying that everyone

and everything in your split realities will be dissolved,

exterminated, cease to exist in exactly one year

on the dawn of the last day.

Here, let me set my watch to the true time

till their end.

(watch ticking) (tense, dramatic music)

(ticking)

Unless the two timelines reunite to one reality,

the true reality.

- Then there is hope.

- Oh, William, there is always hope.

The odds are very slim without

any guidance, assistance, help.

You see the two realities will certainly never become one.

Both entire lines, James in both will just dissolve

as if they'd never been there at all,

like a spark in nothing.

And your intervention would be your own demise.

The end of you forever.

(speaks in foreign language)

You would dissolve completely.

- What have I done?

(tense, dramatic music)

- Oh, William, you've done something beautiful.

(speaks in foreign language)

Extraordinary.

Only with great consequence to everyone

and everything in both realities.

Close your eyes.

Tell me a place in time you would like

until dawn, September 16th.

Willy.

There is a lack, less, not enough of you to remain on earth.

Any time beneath, below, there,

you would dissolve completely.

But here you may exist.

Now James will be unguided, without escort,

unaccompanied, without you forever.

(tense, dramatic music)

You must see, view, watch from here now.

Forever or return to earth and be erased for always.

- Um, do You mind? - Oh.

- It's kind of awkward to hold.

I do cowboy poetry. (chuckles)

- I like you. It.

I liked it.

- Good.

I would hate for you to miss your thing

and then be awful. - No, it wasn't awful.

You are amazing.

You were amazing.

I didn't, I didn't want to play, anyway.

- All right, cowboy.

Come meet my friends.

- Well ma'am. (Lily chuckles)

Show me the way. (Lily laughs)

(soft acoustic music)

(soft country western music)

♪ I'll make you happy ♪

♪ I'll make you smile ♪

♪ I'll help you forget about her ♪

♪ Every once in a while ♪

♪ Da da da da ♪ (Lily laughs)

♪ I won't be too far away ♪ (Lily laughs)

- Well...

This is where my stage coach stops, cowboy.

(James sighs)

(James and Lily sigh)

Well, it was nice meeting you, James.

And uh, good luck with your violin.

- My girlfriend of two years broke up with me

and is dating my 18-year-old cousin.

My cousin is also my roommate.

Oh. (quirky music)

- You didn't have to tell me that.

With that, I've been dating a guy at college

for the last eight months.

You and I just met.

We're just friends.

- I have terrible stage fright.

- And I'm in love with John Travolta.

We don't have to wrangle all the cattle at once, you know?

Call me tomorrow.

No, don't.

I'm picking you up at 5:30.

Taking you to an art show.

- I guess, uh, I want to go.

I want to see you tomorrow.

- All right, then.

Dress formal, but colorful.

(soft, romantic music)

(James chuckles)

Thank you for staying with me on my birthday.

Oh.

(Lily chuckles)

(soft doo wop music)

(clicks teeth) (chuckles)

(soft doo wop music)

(record player clicks)

(upbeat music)

- Woo!

(upbeat music)

(snapping fingers)

(upbeat music)

- You didn't show.

You made a mockery of my posters.

But am I mad? No.

You know, I shouldn't have pushed you to the moon

when you weren't ready to fall among the stars.

When you're ready to perform in front of an audience,

you'll perform in front of an audience.

I just can't believe Flintstone

inherited $140,000 from his great aunt.

Dang Flintstone. - Isn't it far out, man?

Like I never even met her.

I'll never have to work again.

- Yes, Flintstone, yes.

$140,000- - Plus the righteous

5K from the lotto.

- Yeah, Wade.

- Okay $140,000, that'll get you three to four years.

Five if you skimp.

- Five year, easy cat.

Anne buys most of my grub.

- Don't do that. I don't buy his grub.

- Yeah you do ,baby.

- I just met the girl I'm going to marry.

- What?

- What?

- He just met the girl he's gonna marry!

Groovy.

(snaps fingers)

- So soon after me?

- She's beautiful.

And interesting.

And we're just friends because she has a boyfriend,

but I don't care.

I'm going to marry her.

Oh, Wade.

I'm sorry I made a mockery out of your posters.

Flintstone, your dancing is really good.

I want you to teach me. - Sure thing, my man.

Just freak out.

(upbeat music) (doorbell chimes)

Dig it, man, the groovy chicks are here.

(women laughing) - What groovy chicks?

(women laughing)

- Hello, William.

We've been here before.

I'm going to play the violin one day.

(soft violin plucking)

- Yes you are.

- [Young James] Would you like to read to me?

- Yes, I would.

(soft violin music)

(phone line trilling)

- [Lily] Sorry I missed your call,

but the open prairie song pulls me.

Try me again real soon

and y'all call back now, you hear?

(line beeps)

- James, you need to call that number right now.

- Why? - It's for a paid violin gig.

(buttons beeping)

(phone line trilling)

- It's ringing.

- [Man] Hello?

- Hi, good morning. Uh, good afternoon.

Um, my name is James Ballaban and I would like to audition.

- [Man] Can you audition at, uh, 5:30?

- Yes, I can be at 5:30.

- [Man] I'll see you then.

- Thank you.

I think I just booked myself an audition.

(Wade laughs)

Oh my god.

Wait, I think, oh, I didn't ask where they-

- No, no, no, my mom already emailed them.

Don't worry.

But she said you need to start making your own decisions

and that I can't force my decisions on you.

But I already printed you a map.

(James chuckles)

Oh!

(dramatic operatic music)

- Antonio's flaming lips of ecstasy

will change the way you see and envision art.

Forever.

(inhales deeply)

(blows)

(dramatic operatic music)

Lily from the Valley.

Who did you bring with you to my show?

- Actually, we just met.

- [James] James.

This is amazing.

- Yes, James, I do know it's amazing.

All of my work is...

Amazing.

I'm sorry, mate. I just...

I want something real, you know?

Urinating on the subway tracks, that's real.

I don't know what any of this is.

(sighs deeply)

I want to urinate on this painting.

I want to urinate on all of it!

- But don't you sell these paintings

for a ridiculous amount of money?

- Yes, indeed I do sell this

for a ridiculous amount of money.

Everyone seems to want a piece of Antonio's soul.

(laughing)

Mark my words.

I will be on everything.

(people chattering) (soft percussive music)

Come, come.

With me.

Let me show you to all the important people here.

They're not real, but important nonetheless.

Ah, and James, my boy.

I want you to experience something real.

(dramatic operatic music)

(fireworks fizzle)

(upbeat groovy music)

♪ Don't say we're through ♪

♪ There's nothing that we can't do ♪

♪ This is crazy ♪

- I love this song.

- Me, too.

- Let's hear it.

- You want me to sing out loud?

- I want you to sing out loud.

♪ Strong enough to keep it up ♪

♪ And baby then we'll know ♪

♪ 'Cause it's you ♪

♪ You're the one ♪ ♪ You're the one ♪

♪ That I saw ♪ ♪ That I saw ♪

♪ That all my life I've waited for ♪

♪ Don't give up ♪ ♪ Don't give up ♪

♪ A love like this should never die ♪

- I mean, it's way harder

and I'll probably never do it until

I'm married with kids and a backyard, but,

still it's on my bucket list, so, fruit.

Now you.

Fruit or vegetable?

- Um...

I want to play a violin.

- A violin?

- Mm-hm. (Lily chuckles)

- A violin I feel is much more like a fruit.

- Hm? - And the vegetable

of the instruments is easily the guitar.

(James chuckles)

I would love for you to play me something.

- Oh.

I don't play for people.

The whole stage fright thing.

- I'm not people.

Have you ever driven up the 101 through San Luis Obispo?

- No, but I've always wanted to.

- It's beautiful.

- It is beautiful.

- James?

- Yes?

- Summer break is over.

- I like summer break.

- No I, I go back to college tomorrow.

- Mark her charms.

You were destiny intertwined.

- Why don't I share my music with her?

- Your years prevent clarity of their inevitable paths.

I hope you will combine your traction

of being irresistible together with your love to play music.

- I'm glad you found hope, William.

Thank you for reading to me.

I must go.

(tinkling)

(gentle music)

(James sighs)

- My playing is exceptional.

Better than I know.

Perform.

(soft violin music)

(applause) (cheering)

(soft orchestral music)

- Mick Spenderson.

The ladies call me Catalina.

Let me ask you a question.

How much they pay you for tonight?

- Um, Mr. Spender- - How much?

- I, I don't...

This is not my job. I work at the zoo.

- How much?

- Just 100, just for tonight.

- One hunski?

See, that's the problem with these fancy places.

They think they can shortchange a man of your talents.

$100?

Let me tell you, just because they're educated

does not mean that they are smart.

$100?

You deserve more.

- Thank you, Catalina.

- You know, I feel classical music is making a come back.

I want to see you on stages

playing for audiences across the country.

You and your violin on stages night after night after night.

I want them to hear the sweet, sweet music

that you played for us tonight.

Now let's talk money.

How does $125 a night sound?

(soft, upbeat acoustic music)

♪ When you are lonely ♪

♪ And feeling so blue ♪

♪ Then I will be only ♪

♪ Here thinking of you ♪

♪ I won't pretend that I could ♪

- James? ♪ Make you mine but ♪

James? ♪ I'll make you happy ♪

(soft, upbeat music)

What are you doing?

- It's a going away party.

(James chuckles) - Oh?

James?

- You were leaving, and I wanted to see you.

And then I remembered this nursery does

all of the greenery at the butterfly enclosure

and they owed me a favor.

(soft, bright music)

(Lily chuckles) - What if I didn't stop?

- Then I would have been happy to see you driving by.

- James, I- - I know.

You have to go, but, this is for you.

A belated birthday present.

- A fruit tree?

- Cherries, I think is the violin of the fruit family.

(soft, bright music)

- Thank you.

(soft, bright music)

So, do you rollerskate?

(James chuckles)

We should go.

I mean, it's childish, no offense.

And it hurts fierce when you fall, like a mule kick,

but we should.

- I'll try.

- There's a 70s night.

Okay.

For my 24th birthday, we're going,

and I want you to do a dance for me.

- A dance?

Me?

Dance?

- Yes.

And it will be my favorite birthday moment ever.

Guaranteed.

- I...

Hope your cherries grow.

- I hope you play your music in front of people,

and come skating with me.

(Lily sighs)

Let's not say goodbye.

Let's watch all the balloons till they're gone.

Except this one.

This one's special.

I'm keeping it.

(soft acoustic music)

(soft acoustic music)

(bright, upbeat music)

(bright, upbeat music)

- That was a great show.

Can you book me more?

- That's it, right there, James.

The fire we live for.

I have a contract ready, James.

I made this contract the night of your first show.

That night.

(spraying)

(tinkling)

(glasses clink)

- Did you play?

(Mick chuckles)

- Did I play? (laughs)

- What instrument did you play?

(Mick smacks lips)

- The instrument's not important.

It's about who plays them.

A long time ago, there was this young man full of hope.

He played in this band.

Not a great band, but he had something, a lot like you.

Crowds adored him. (chuckles)

The ladies loved him.

- [James] Was he you?

- Doesn't matter.

What matters are the decisions that we make.

Do you go on tour and miss the last dinner with your father,

or do you stay home and pass him the butter?

Those are the big ones,

and this is your moment to decide to play.

(soft muted music)

- I wanna play.

(Mick sighs)

- Of course you do.

Of course you do.

Hm.

Solo violinist. Who would've thought?

- Did you stay to pass the butter?

- Doesn't matter.

(Mick sighs)

This is your moment.

(Mick grumbles)

But the ladies did love him.

- I bet they still do.

(people chattering)

(car passes)

(door closes)

(ice clinks)

(can opens) (woman moans)

(bubbles sizzling)

(bell dings)

- [Man] Bravo!

(James sighs)

(coughs)

- Ugh.

Ah.

- You're home.

- Just got in.

- Hey, look, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your show.

Things have been pretty hectic at work.

- Wait, what if I quit the zoo

and start working as a musician?

- Well, that would bring up a lot of questions.

I mean, for one, carpooling,

I mean, you would need your own car.

Can musicians even afford their own cars-

- Wade.

(James sighs)

That first night when I played,

I heard a voice deep within me

that said you're better than you know,

and that my playing is exceptional.

I'm not afraid anymore.

I want to play.

- What's this?

- It's a contract.

To play.

Would you check it out for me?

- Yeah, I can send it over to my mom

and she can also get us some on the car.

- Just you.

You do it.

You're the smartest guy I know.

I trust what you think.

(James sighs)

- All right.

- This is about the decisions that we make.

It's time to move forward.

(pinging)

- [Dean] Hello William.

I felt the need to check in with your time here.

- Oh.

Oh, mercy.

James, he, he's drifting downstream.

- And how are you fairing?

- Yet I cast his dive demise

and cut his time to the bone.

He, he is unaware of the shortness of his days.

- They all have shortness of days.

We all do.

William, the moments that we don't dwell on our end

are the ones where we, they, are most alive.

You can waste time here hating the fact

that James may breathe his last one year from now,

or you can take comfort in the fact

that you can have the chance to watch him live,

to feel his joy and two realities,

one of them with love and hope he finds his heart's fate.

Moment of hope is enough for a lifetime.

None of us know how long we have.

Only true time can tell.

Oh. You must be returned. (chuckles)

Traveling down myself.

Just to step through a door. (chuckles)

God I'd be lost without this thing.

Take comfort in the moments, William.

Dawn is coming sooner than you think.

(fingers snap)

(demented laughing)

(upbeat, mysterious rock music)

- Have you watched the Return of the Wolf Man?

- Yeah, of course.

- I like the Wolf Man.

He's a really nice guy.

Only gets really a bad day on the full moon.

- What was that, cat?

Uh, Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein, 1948.

Abbott and Costello, watched.

- Teen Wolf?

- Teen Wolf, are you kidding?

We're talking classic horror here.

But yes, of course, I've seen it.

Actually inspired me so much,

I went in the back of a truck

full out going about 30 miles per hour,

hit my head on a rock.

How do you think I got this bald spot

on the back of my head?

- Gross, you have a bald spot?

Do you think it will ever grow back?

(phone ringing)

- Happy Halloween.

Of course I'm going to see you on Christmas.

Yeah, this is calls all week.

We're gonna get Grandy's.

Yeah, I promise you. We'll get it.

- [Flintstone] Tell her I got an apple.

- Trick or treat. - Trick or treat.

(mysterious synth music) (howling)

- Crowd awaits. - Let me grab my violin.

- Uh, James overeating candy directly causes indigestion.

- Oh, don't be a square.

I have a sweet tooth, too.

I'm gonna eat all this candy.

- He likes things that are sweet.

- Are you referring to yourself?

- I'm not always thinking about me.

- Why do you always make such bad decisions for yourself?

- Is that directed to me?

- No, Anne.

(mysterious synth music)

- Hey, I just won a jet ski.

- Let me see.

(scoffs) You won.

- See you guys. - At the show, my man.

- Trick or treat. - Trick or treat.

(mysterious synth music)

(wind whistling)

(James grunts)

- It is today.

Lily's back.

(bright, upbeat music)

♪ Snow fallin' down ♪

♪ And I'm feeling blue ♪

♪ I wish you were around ♪

♪ To cuddle up to ♪

♪ Church bells are ringin' ♪

♪ Children are singin' ♪

♪ The fire is on low ♪

♪ I need you right now beneath my mistletoe ♪

♪ Shoo wop dee doo we doo ♪

♪ Baby, can't you see ♪

♪ Shoo wop dee doo we doo ♪

♪ Shoo wop dee doo we doo ♪

♪ That you're the only gift I need ♪

♪ You're the only gift I need ♪

♪ So please Santa Claus ♪

♪ I am writing to you ♪

♪ Well I've got my flaws ♪

♪ But I bet you have, too ♪

♪ I just want one kiss ♪

♪ Oh, from your sweet lips ♪

♪ I've been a very good girl ♪

♪ So don't put me on your naughty list ♪

♪ Shoo wop dee doo we doo ♪

♪ Baby, can't you see ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ That you're the only gift I need ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ I said baby can't you see ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ That you're the gift I need ♪

♪ You're the only gift I need ♪

(people chattering) (soft music)

- Why'd you get a coffee?

Lucy, another coffee.

I booked your next 20 shows.

They are keeping their eyes tight on you

for a full college tour.

- This is great news.

- You got a full 20 shows up the coast

and then a four year contract. (James sighs)

(James chuckles)

- I'll start working on the new set list right away.

Mick, I can do this.

(Mick grumbles)

- Hot.

The coffee's good.

Hot.

(Mick sighs)

- You sure this is not too much?

- You showed me how it could have gone

for that young man in that band.

It's been a good ride.

- It's not over yet.

- For him it is.

And he doesn't regret one moment of his choices.

And I got to watch you live his dream.

Remember, there's a lot of life to live without applause.

♪ Dreams ♪

♪ Sweet words to you ooh ooh ♪

♪ This heart has wings ♪

- [Man On Radio] Here he is, Ben Mallard.

(windshield wipers squeak)

(Lily gasps)

(Lily laughs)

- Mm.

I made this happen.

I wished it would snow for you for Christmas,

so consider this your present.

You're welcome.

(James laughs)

- That's so weird because I got you the same thing.

- I love it.

Next time you get me something,

consider a little disco in it.

Oh my god.

I'll get some towels.

(James shivering)

I hope you're free for New Year's.

- New Year's?

- From the hole he dug, the sweat filled his dirty mug.

That's from a new poem,

but really I want you to come to San Diego for New Year's.

My boyfriend's going to be there

and I want him to meet my best friend.

My parents love Rick and they're gonna love, love you.

And recently I think it might be getting kind of serious.

- New Year's, um, I usually go

to Wade's mom's house, so um...

- But it's a classical music concert

and at San Diego State.

You would love it.

You're not weird about meeting Rick, right?

- No.

No.

- You're still my best friend, Buckaroo.

- I want you to be happy.

- I want you to be happy, too.

(soft, melancholy music)

So New Year's?

It's a masquerade ball.

(soft, melancholy music)

- No.

I wish I could.

♪ The stars are brightly shining ♪

♪ It is the night of the dear Savior's birth ♪

♪ Oh night divine ♪

♪ Oh night, night divine ♪

♪ Christ is the Lord ♪

♪ Oh praise his name forever ♪

♪ His power and glory ♪

♪ Evermore proclaim ♪

♪ Oh night divine ♪

♪ Oh night, oh night divine ♪

(violin chords play)

(audience applause)

- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,

that was San Diego State's

New Year's Classical Music Conference.

Thank you James Ballaban and all the

kind musical guests this evening.

(audience applause)

(distant upbeat band music)

(James sighs)

(sighs)

(distant upbeat band music)

- [Lily] Do you mind if I sit?

- Oh, I don't mind.

I don't mind you.

(Lily sighs)

(Lily sighs)

- This weather's a bit nippy.

Did you, uh, get to see the snow storm before Christmas?

- I did.

(Lily sighs)

- Oh. (chuckles)

- Do you want to know a secret?

A really big secret?

Or did you want to keep talking about the weather?

Don't answer that.

I'm going to tell you.

- [Crowd] 10,

nine,

eight... - James.

- [Crowd] Seven,

six,

five... - We found each other.

- [Crowd] Four,

three,

two,

one.

(crowd cheering) (clapping)

(firework explodes)

(soft orchestral music) (distant cheering)

I should have waited for you, but I didn't.

- Lily, it's not too late.

- No, it is.

It is.

- Wait, it's not.

(tense orchestral music)

(watch ticking) (tense orchestral music)

(bright, upbeat orchestral music)

(camera clicking)

- Hey, Lily, um. it's James.

I know we haven't talked for a while.

I was wrong.

I was weird about you having a boyfriend and,

but I think I'm okay with it now.

And...

Okay.

Call me.

Call me.

(James sighs)

(James sighs)

(soft, melancholy orchestral music)

(phone rings)

Lily?

I missed you, too.

(soft orchestral music)

(wind whistling)

(bright, upbeat music)

Road trip.

We're going 24 hours for Lily's 24th birthday.

We're leaving tomorrow at 11:00 AM.

No earlier, no later. Right after work.

- Yeah, you're right. I should go with you.

And I'll go in early to work tomorrow.

Oh, shoot.

Do I have time to check the fluid levels on the car?

- Okay.

Okay, I'll go, I'll go.

But is it really a good idea to, you know,

tell her how you feel when she has a boyfriend?

- It is a good idea and pay for everything.

I promise I'll pay you back.

Anne's invited, too.

- So that's what I am now? Money bags?

I mean, I don't really care, but, Anne broke up with me.

- What? - What?

- Uh, she just wanted me to be someone else.

- Someone else?

Someone else?

She wanted you to be someone else?

You're a new person every two months.

Maybe if she would have just waited two months,

it would have worked out.

I'm sorry Anne broke up with you.

Okay.

We're all in.

(upbeat, funky music)

(grunting)

- Okay, so the party starts at 11:00 PM?

It's unhealthy to be up that late.

- It started at six this morning, sunrise to sunrise.

But I want to get as close as I can to her real birthday.

We should get there right before midnight.

- So the party's been going on for hours?

Isn't it rude to show up late?

- Right? Then yes, you do your little dance then.

Boom bada bang, you're out of the friend zone, right?

It only took you one year.

- I mean your brain won't even be fully functioning by then.

You know what my mom always says,

if you're up past 12 to 13 hours,

then your brain doesn't function as normal.

- I'm sorry. That's just not true, Wade.

I say it how I hear it, you know, love conquers all.

(James sighs)

- Hey.

No.

Flintstone, do not use the air conditioning

unless absolutely necessary.

We need to save as much money

on fuel economy as possible above all else.

We probably won't even reach 27 highway miles.

- I would calm it down, all right?

It's nothing to get all worked up about.

- Oh, so you'd rather just

blow money on the air conditioning?

- Yeah, I'll pay.

I'll pay for the air conditioning all the way.

Good now?

- I'm accepting this to teach respect, not to prove a point.

This money is mine now. (sighs)

- You think she's going to be surprised?

- Surprised?

You're not going to weigh in on the air conditioning?

(tires squeal)

(soft music)

- [Mick] There's two things Catalina Mick knows:

it's talent and the look of a man in love.

- [James] Can you fall in love with the person

you met only twice?

- [Mick] That's the best kind.

Look, what I came here to tell you is you did it.

You got that contract.

It's a solid, steady paycheck, benefits, less travel.

They'll book your shows, your hotels.

Real sweet set up for you, buddy.

- [James] For us. You did this.

- [Mick] No.

I just gave you a push.

I don't think he need me collecting a check

for doing nothin'.

Consider my 25% a gift from old Catalina Mick.

- [James] Mick.

We make a great team.

I don't want you to go.

- [Mick] Just do one favor for me.

I know this old gal.

She manages an after hours jazz club.

Told her you'd stop by the night before the HSU show.

(gentle music)

(upbeat country rock music)

- I know she's the one because I dream.

Every night, I am on some stage

and I'm playing my violin and I see her in the audience.

Almost every night.

- I didn't dream about Anne.

- Well, maybe that's because you didn't have to.

She was always there.

Anyway. I used to dream about Ava Wondermill,

from the second grade.

She won the science fair, crazy girl.

- Smokey.

Smokey. She was my dream girl all through junior high.

She wanted to play the guitar.

She was horrible.

Too cute for anyone to mention it, though.

I loved her.

Actually love is too weak of a word for how I felt.

I loaved her. I lurved her.

Hey, that's her.

Just stop the car! (upbeat music)

Smokey, baby doll, how the heck have you been?

It's me, Flintstone.

- Freddy Bedrock.

I was just, like, totally thinking about you

right at this moment.

- Did you hear that?

Annie Hall's dead. Back to cool cats.

- That nervous stuttering was Annie Hall?

- No, you didn't know who that was for the past four months?

Woody Allen.

- Oh.

- Had to be Smokey F., not Ava frickin' Wondermill.

Dang Flintstone.

- Do you need a lift?

- Yeah, a lift would be cool.

Let me grab my stuff.

- Dig it, cats, we're giving the skirt a ride.

- Hi Smokey.

- Hi, I'm Wade. Wade Wellman.

Uh, did you get all your things out of the car?

I mean, you don't want vandals to get them

before the tow truck comes.

- Oh, that's not my car.

It just came into my life to get me here.

- So you didn't call a tow truck?

- No. Let the car be free to find its own path.

So, where's the wind blowing all of you?

- Let me sock it to you.

We split town to hit this groovy shindig

for James's sweet baby. - Her name is Lily.

Do you roller skate? - Serendipitous.

I identify with skating.

So close to flying, you know?

- No.

- I love birthdays.

They celebrate the passing of the sun.

- [James] Do you play guitar?

- I did. Don't now.

- Isn't that a guitar case?

- I couldn't keep the guitar's music

trapped just for my own pleasure.

So I set it free, but I liked the organic shape,

so I use it for carrying my, like, things.

- [Flintstone] Swingin'. Totally swingin'.

- Why are you doing that?

- What's what, baby?

- Smothering your true self.

It's cool if you don't want to be you,

I just liked your inner true self.

Such good, real energy.

- Just Freddy?

- Just Freddy.

- Okay.

- Okay.

(upbeat acoustic music)

♪ You're my rock 'n roll ♪

♪ You're my ♪

It it a theme birthday?

- Uh, yeah, actually. It's a 1970s theme.

That's why we're all dressed like this.

- Far out. I have that.

Do you mind if I change? - Yes.

- Nope. - Um, em...

Okay.

(upbeat funky music)

♪ Down, down ♪

♪ Tonight ♪

(upbeat funky music)

♪ Feeling ♪

♪ Of life ♪

(upbeat funky music)

♪ Baby, baby ♪

(upbeat funky music)

♪ Baby, baby ♪

(upbeat funky music)

♪ Baby ♪

(upbeat music)

(Lily gasps)

- Oh, James.

(upbeat music)

- Okay. These are my roommates.

Um, Flintstone.

- Freddy, hello. - Yeah.

- And Wade. - Hi, nice to meet you.

Um, do you happen to know the laws on abandoned cars?

You know, I'll just report it.

Nevermind. - Oh?

Okay.

- Yeah.

And this is uh, Flintstone's girlf...

Um.

Uh, Smo-Smokey.

- Salutations. - Oh.

- Happy passing of the sun.

Oh.

You are a light worker. A light being.

You can teach me.

- Okay.

(upbeat music)

- So the skates have not been washed.

I'm clear on that.

No, it was not my car.

No. No, do not put me on hold.

Not you, not you, not you.

Okay, so the skates have not been washed?

- I don't know, man.

I only work the Fridays.

But you're not going to complain, right?

'Cause I did spray 'em.

- Okay, sprayed them with what?

- The stuff they told me to, man.

- Okay, can I see the can?

Okay.

So I saw the car after mile marker 37.

No, it was not my can...

Car. It was not my car.

(sighs)

Okay, can I see the car?

The can? Can I see the can?

- Car or can, man?

- Can.

Why would I...

Nevermind.

(phone clatters) (Wade scoffs)

- I'm so glad you're here.

Oh, I have so much planned.

24 hours for turning 24.

24 for 24, you're here for the last seven,

and nobody sleeps till 6:00 AM tomorrow.

- Perfect.

I don't need to sleep.

I've studied with grand master yogi

to pull nutrients out of the air and other beings.

- Really? Wow, like an energy wrestler.

(upbeat music)

Did you bring me a present?

- I did.

(upbeat music)

- Oh.

Thank you.

Thank you, it's vert beautiful.

- These are for you guys.

- Oh. - This one's for me,

and, ready to go?

- I did bring you something,

but I will give it to you at midnight

when it's your real birthday.

- Okay.

But at midnight sharp, I want it.

(Lily chuckles)

- Hey. - Oh.

(Lily laughs)

- James, right?

You must be the best friend I heard about.

I'm the boyfriend. You heard about me?

(tense music)

- I heard about you.

Uh, you heard about me?

- Yeah I heard about you, and you heard about me.

- Uh yeah, we all heard of each other.

- Oh, we all heard.

- You both heard, okay?

(Lily chuckles)

(upbeat funky music)

- Going to a jazz bar after this.

Closes at dawn.

Tonight they're playing classical and jazz.

God, I'm so glad you're here.

It was either that or a campfire on the beach.

- You should do a poem tonight.

- Tonight?

I'm really glad you came.

- What?

(upbeat funky music)

(tense, dramatic music)

(soft, upbeat music)

♪ You're a winner, that's what you are ♪

♪ Believe it or not ♪

♪ You know you're really a star ♪

♪ I'm so happy ♪

♪ There's a radiance here ♪

(people laughing)

- Excuse me. I have to change.

I have a show.

Where are the bathrooms?

(upbeat, funky music) (people chattering)

(footsteps echoing) (muted funky music)

(upbeat funky music) (people chattering)

♪ Don't know when I saw the winner take all ♪

(soft, upbeat jazzy music)

Oh I'm James. Mick talked to you about me.

(snaps fingers) - James.

(upbeat funky music)

(James breathing heavily)

- Well, it is the midnight train in Georgia, people.

The witching hour.

It is midnight.

Do you know where your children are?

Could we have everyone clear the floor

for this magic moment?

This one goes to the birthday girl,

a girl The Who says

"Pictures of Lily made my life so complete."

Lily.

And hey...

♪ It's her party ♪ (mic screeching)

♪ Cry if she wants to ♪

(heart beating)

The one we've all been waiting for, Mr. Big Stuff.

(heart beating) (James breathing heavily)

(heart beating rapidly)

(people chattering)

(upbeat funky music)

(tense music)

(applause) (cheering)

- [Man] Yeah!

(applause) (people chattering)

- [Woman] Oh, oh!

(James grunts)

(James gags)

- [James] That first night when I played.

- [William] Perform.

(applause) (cheering)

- [Lily] James?

(footsteps thudding)

That was my favorite birthday moment ever.

- Oh my gosh. You could have a concussion.

Okay, you need to go to the bathroom and check your pupils.

It only takes two pounds of pressure

to cause the brain to swell.

I'm calling my mom!

(Lily laughs)

- One, two, (grunts) three.

(laughing)

You okay?

(soft, upbeat funky music)

Okay?

I will wait for you. - I can't hear you.

Call. I'll be right there.

(soft, upbeat funky music)

♪ I have ♪

(James sighs)

(muted, soft upbeat funky music)

(water running)

(Rick whistling)

(toilet flushes)

(muted, soft upbeat funky music)

- It's quite the show you put on out there.

(water running)

(James sighs)

Do you love her?

- Yep. I love her.

- Yeah, I do, too.

(water dripping)

When she talks to you on the phone, I hear her laugh.

- She's with me, but...

(water running) (Rick sighs)

(Rick mumbles)

She needs you, too.

- You just, you make her happy.

I can make her happy.

- Listen, I understand that you think

you can make her happy.

That's the tough part,

because I know that you could.

She loves you.

I know that.

But I still feel that she loves me, too.

(water dripping)

- What does that do for us?

- It mean we both do what any man in love would:

we give her everything that she needs

and we respect each other, both loving an amazing woman.

Let her decide.

Until then, I am going to enjoy

every moment that I have with her.

(water dripping) (tense music)

(muted, soft upbeat funky music)

(Rick sighs)

You know, I've been waiting to have this conversation

with you for almost a whole year now.

It turns out you're just a nice guy.

(melancholy orchestral music)

(William breathing heavily) (grunting)

(William yells)

(clattering)

(banging)

(William panting) (tense music)

(thuds)

(tense music)

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday dear Lily ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

(crowd cheers)

(strange, frenzied music)

(soft melancholy orchestral music)

(melancholy orchestral music)

(people chattering)

- I think you should drive Lily.

The two of you must have a lot to catch up on, I'm sure.

I can take your friends, don't worry.

I mean, besides, I was having a great conversation

with Wayne about cutting ties with overbearing mothers.

- Are you sure about that?

- No.

I'm not.

I want her to be with me because she wants to,

not because she can't be with you.

(people chattering)

- Why are you so nice?

(James chuckles)

I drove all the way here to win her from you.

And you are so nice.

- Look, don't get the wrong idea, okay?

I still want her to choose me.

But I thought maybe you'd screw it up in the car ride over.

Say something she hates, yeah?

I'm gonna give you that chance.

(Rick exhales sharply)

(Lily chuckles)

Happy birthday, baby.

You should ride with James.

Catch up, yeah?

I will see you there, okay?

I got you this. - Oh.

(people chattering)

- Hey.

Tommy Two-Taps.

Smooth dance.

(Lily laughs)

- Well, how about it, Buckaroo?

- Uh...

Our ride's over there.

- Let's get a move on.

♪ A million years have passed ♪

♪ Since I held you last ♪

♪ I guess ♪

Can we stop by my house first?

I want to change and it'll only take a minute.

It's on the way.

Nobody will even miss us for at least an hour.

- Sure.

- Pull a left at the light.

♪ That you would hold me ♪

♪ But a million times you're bound to cross my mind ♪

♪ Seems a million years have passed ♪

♪ Since I help you last ♪

♪ I guess ♪

- That's...

That's nice.

- Yeah, he is nice.

Ugh, I really like him.

♪ But I'm learning fast ♪

Oh, up, on the left.

- I'm glad you're happy.

- I am happy.

I'm happy you're here.

♪ And tears fill my eyes ♪

♪ I wonder who that someone else could be ♪

(dogs barking in the distance)

(soft, mysterious violin music)

(thudding)

(dogs barking in the distance)

Let's go.

(dogs barking in the distance)

(car starts up)

(clock ticking)

(soft, upbeat jazzy music) (people chattering)

- Hey, we're going to head back to the hotel.

I need to call my mom and have a discussion with her

about being my own person.

I think she'll think it's a good idea.

- You stay. We got a ride.

Smokey found a car.

- Enjoy the moment, friend.

Breathe it in.

She's like half your life song.

- And now ending the night by request,

a poetic song spoken by Miss Lily.

(applause)

(soft, romantic music) (woman softly vocalizing)

- How could it all end?

The light came from the bend, light only to be hated,

reminding them of what was faded.

The prairie held no comfort,

not for them, not for anyone.

(soft, romantic music)

(woman softly vocalizing) (soft, romantic music)

To being happy.

- Cheers. (soft, romantic music)

(applause) (cheering)

(soft violin music)

- I know him.

(soft violin music)

- But where you must, follow your glance.

See your direction. ♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Forever ♪

♪ We will be together ♪

- Hey, excuse me?

This is the last song of the night.

Would you like to dance?

♪ Forever and a day ♪

(soft romantic music)

- I should have waited.

(James chuckles)

- It's not too late.

- It is too late to have waited.

Not too late to start fresh.

- Well, nice to meet you.

Oh, my name is James.

- My name is Lily.

I just broke up with my boyfriend.

- Mm-hm?

- I never felt like I could talk to him

the way could talk to you.

That day at the library...

And today is my birthday.

- Ah, I know it is your birthday.

You wrote that on my arm. (Lily chuckles)

- Looks like we wrangled all the cattle at once.

- Looks like we did.

(people chattering)

(stopwatch winding)

(man grunts)

(hits) (man grunts)

- [Man] Come on!

Oh man. Dude, I thought you were someone else.

(staticky buzzing)

(William panting)

- [Woman] Hey, hey, hey!

- I'm sorry.

I'm just leavin'! (James grunts)

- James! Are you all right?

- [James] Yeah. (grunts)

I'm okay.

- Oh my god.

You're a classical violinist for God's sakes.

(people chattering)

(muted chattering)

(car starts up)

(pinging)

(James groans)

(chuckles)

(sighs)

(soft acoustic music)

- James?

(tense, dramatic music)

- [God] It goes without saying that everyone

and everything in your split realities

would cease to exist in exactly one year

on the dawn of the last day,

unless the two timelines reunite to one reality,

the true reality.

James in both will just dissolve

as if they had never been there at all.

(tense dramatic music)

And your intervention would be your own demise.

The end of you forever.

(tense dramatic music)

(speaks in foreign language)

(tense, dramatic music)

(electric buzzing)

(tense, dramatic music)

- Hold back the dawn!

(tense, dramatic music)

Hold back the dawn.

(tense, dramatic music)

(William coughs)

(tense, dramatic music)

Let me do what I can

with at least the last moments of James.

(coughing) (breathing heavily)

A real angel.

He's loved. Let him know, please.

(tense, dramatic music)

(William yells)

(tense, dramatic music)

(William coughing) (gasping)

(tense, dramatic music) (panting)

The odd is the best part, James.

(gulps)

(tense, dramatic music)

Now you see me.

(snaps fingers)

(tense music)

Now you don't.

(snaps fingers)

(William yells) (electric buzzing)

(thudding)

- [God] Oh, William.

There is always hope.

You see the two realities will certainly never become one,

unless the two timelines reunite to one reality,

the true reality.

(tense music)

(rain pattering)

(honking)

(rain pattering)

(James grunts)

(rain pattering)

(William grunting) (breathing unevenly)

William.

- Your final moments could not have

been more magically spent.

(speaking in foreign language)

(clock ticking)

What you have one is extraordinary,

but only with great consequence yourself.

(birds chirping)

(William grunts)

- James...

- He has found his true path.

At this one moment, you allowed James

to be at the exact spot to correct both realities

to be as one.

The other path has been erased.

For ever gone.

(speaks in foreign language)

(William breathing unevenly)

Love and hope saved him.

You saved him.

For that, you deserve to see what shall be.

(William breathing unevenly)

See. (ethereal music)

(rain pattering) (soft orchestral music)

I don't want to wait for you to call me.

I don't want to wait until dinner.

I want to spend my whole life with you,

this year and every year after.

I know that it's odd to say, but I do.

- The odd if the best part.

I want to be able to live life. Live life with you.

- I want to watch the snow in winter with you

and I want to go to art shows.

I want to, I want to see you play your violin

and know that you're playing just for me.

I want to live. Live with you.

(rain pattering) (soft romantic music)

(soft romantic music)

(soft romantic music)

(gentle music)

James.

We found each other.

- [James] Looks like we did.

(soft romantic music)

(clock ticking)

(soft, ethereal music)

- [God] For a brief second,

maybe you saw someone beside you.

A passing shadow that blends

into the ever-moving world around you.

For that moment, you feel warmed,

graced by a presence that proves you are not alone.

You have always had hope and love.

Your watcher, guide, angel

has given that to you always and forever,

by one simple snap. (fingers snap)

(bright upbeat funky orchestral music)

(bright, upbeat funky music)

(soft orchestral music)