All language subtitles for Q.P.Q.2008.1080p.WEB.H

Woman on radio:
You'’re listening to
FM 93.8,

member-supported
WPKV.

Up next,
a special edition
of "Downtown Local"--

stories
of life in the city
with Isaac Knott.

THIS IS P.R.N.Y.--

PUBLIC RADIO
NEW YORK.

Isaac Knott:
FROM W.P.K.V.
IN NEW YORK

IT'’S "DOWNTOWN LOCAL."
I'’M ISAAC KNOTT.

I DON'’T REMEMBER ANY
OF WHAT I'’M ABOUT
TO TELL YOU.

I ONLY KNOW
WHAT THE POLICE
AND CORONER'’S REPORTS SAY--

THAT ON THE MORNING
OF APRIL 5th, 1989,

A HIGH-SPEED
CAR CRASH OCCURRED

ON A RURAL HIGHWAY
IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

THERE WERE
TWO FATALITIES:

MY MOTHER DIED
ON IMPACT,

MY FATHER DIED
OF HEMORRHAGING FROM A TORN
PULMONARY VEIN

AND MASSIVE
INTERNAL INJURIES.

I'’M LISTED AS
"MALE SURVIVOR,

APPROXIMATELY
EIGHT YEARS OF AGE."

[ dogs bark distantly ]

WE WERE GOING
DOWN A ROAD.

NOBODY'’D SAID
MUCH OF ANYTHING YET.

THE ROAD WAS SUPPOSED
TO HAVE BEEN LONGER.

I DID A STORY
A WHILE BACK
ABOUT A KID WHO THOUGHT

SOMETHING HIS FATHER
HAD LEFT HIM

WAS MAGICALLY
MAKING HIM RUN FASTER.

HE SHOWS ME THE PATCH
AND MY FIRST THOUGHT IS,

IT DOESN'’T LOOK
LIKE MAGIC.

IT'’S BLACK.
THE EDGES ARE FRAYED...

[ overlaps ]
AND I HAVE TO CONFESS,
I THOUGHT I WAS

A LITTLE CRAZY MYSELF.
BUT THEN I MADE
TWO DISCOVERIES.

THE FIRST
HAD TO DO WITH THE WAY
PEOPLE LOOKED AT ME.

I'’D ALWAYS GOTTEN
THE STARES--

YOU KNOW, THE ONES
PEOPLE GIVE YOU,

OR AVOID
GIVING YOU?

BUT ONCE IN A WHILE,

WHEELING IN AND OUT
OF THE CURRENT
OF PEOPLE,

I'’D CATCH SOMEONE
LOOKING AT ME

AND I'’D SEE
SOMETHING ELSE
IN THEIR EYES--

JEALOUSY.

THEY WERE
JEALOUS OF ME,

JEALOUS THAT
I GOT TO SIT DOWN
AND THEY DIDN'’T.

DOES THAT SOUND
CRAZY TO YOU?

BECAUSE THE SECOND
THING I FOUND

WAS A PAIR
OF MAGIC SHOES.

- [ knocks on door ]
- BUT I'’M AHEAD OF MYSELF.

P.R.N.Y. IS A SMALL
OPERATION.

THE WHOLE OFFICE
HAS TO SHARE ONE
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT.

BUT I GOT AROUND THAT
BY MOVING MY DESK
NEXT TO HERS.

- Woman: HEY, I GOT
YOU A DATE.
- NO, THANKS.

LISTEN TO ME,
FORGET RAINE.
RAINE IS OVER.

CHARLENE KICKS
RAINE'’S ASS.

IS THIS CHARLENE A.B.?

IS SHE ABLE-BODIED?

YEAH.
SHE'’S ALSO H.B.--
HOT-BODIED.

AND SHE'’S A LAWYER.
SHE'’S H.B.L.--
HOT-BODIED LAWYER.

HEY, ISAAC...

DOES CHARLENE KNOW
ABOUT THE WHEELS?

WHAT, ARE YOU
FRANKENSTEIN?
YOU'’RE HOT.

TONIGHT.
I'’M CALLING HER
RIGHT NOW.

LAST WEEK A MAN
APPARENTLY WALKED
INTO BAYSIDE HOSPITAL

AND BRIBED A DOCTOR
INTO CHOPPING OFF
HIS LEG.

WHAT WAS WRONG
WITH HIS LEG?

NOTHING.

IT'’S WEIRD.
I CAN'’T LOOK AWAY.

IT'’S THE KIND
OF STORY I LIKE.

BUT THE CALLER HAS
A SPECIFIC REQUEST.

WELL, THEY ALWAYS DO.

SHE WANTS
TO MEET ISAAC.

LADY, IF THEY'’RE
CHOPPING OFF GOOD LEGS

FOR MONEY,
THAT'’S HARD NEWS.

SHE WANTS
TO MEET ISAAC.

THIS IS MY PURVIEW,
EDIE.

I'’LL CHECK IT OUT.
IF IT'’S TRUE,

IF IT REALLY HAPPENED,
I'’LL CALL HER BACK.

I KNOW A GUY
CAN FIND ANYTHING
ON ANYBODY.

I ALSO
KNOW SOMEONE

IN PATHOLOGY
OVER THERE.

SO CALL HIM,
SEE WHO GETS
THE STORY FIRST.

[ car horns honking ]

Isaac'’s voice:
A MAN WALKS INTO
A HOSPITAL

AND ASKS A DOCTOR
TO CHOP OFF HIS LEG.

THE CALLER
WHO GAVE US THIS TIP
LEFT HER EMAIL ADDRESS--

"ANCIENT CHINESE GIRL."

I KNOW IT ALL
SOUNDED LIKE SOME
ELABORATE JOKE.

MY CONTACT AT BAYSIDE
WAS ON DUTY
THAT NIGHT

AND I WAS
HALF HOPING SHE'’D TELL ME
NOTHING HAD HAPPENED.

THEN THE DOCTOR CAME IN
AND THE GUY GOES TO HIM,

"I WANT YOU
TO AMPUTATE
MY LEFT LEG."

AND THE DOCTOR
GOES, "WHY?"

SOUNDS LIKE
A JOKE, RIGHT?

SO THE GUY GOES,
"BECAUSE I'’LL GIVE YOU
$250,000 IF YOU DO."

CANDY, NO ONE WILL KNOW
YOU'’RE MY SOURCE.

NOTHING HAPPENED,
OKAY?

WE SAID NO
AND THE GUY RAN OUT--

LIKE, LITERALLY RAN.

ARE YOU TELLING ME

A FIRST-YEAR RESIDENT
TURNED DOWN A QUARTER
MILLION DOLLARS?

IT'’S NOT EASY
TO CUT OFF A LEG,
YOU KNOW.

IT TAKES MORE
THAN TWO PEOPLE.

DOES THIS HAPPEN
A LOT--

PEOPLE COMING
IN COMPLAINING
THEY'’VE GOT LEGS?

THIS GUY WAS CREEPY,

SAID, UH...

"I WANT A TRANSTIBIAL
AMPUTATION JUST BELOW
MY LEFT KNEE,"

LIKE HE WAS ORDERING
OFF A MENU OR SOMETHING,

LIKE HE KNEW EXACTLY
WHAT PART WAS HIM AND
WHAT PART WASN'’T,

AND THE PART THAT WASN'’T
HE WANTED GONE.

WELL, IF ANY DOCTOR
EVER DOES TAKE
THE MONEY,

CALL ME.

WHOA WHOA, TOMMY.
COME ON.

- IT'’S OKAY.
- YOU GOTTA WATCH OUT.

HEY, IT'’S OKAY.

Isaac'’s voice:
ALL RIGHT, SO THE FIRST TIME
I SAW THESE SHOES

I THOUGHT
THEY BELONGED
ON FRED ASTAIRE

STEPPING OUT OF
A 1950 DeSOTO--

BROWN-ON-BLACK,
WINGTIP, CARTOUCHE.

THEY USED TO CALL THEM
"SPECTATORS."

MY EX-GIRLFRIEND
IS A P.W.D.,

WHICH STANDS
FOR "A PERSON
WITH DISABILITY."

SHE BROKE UP WITH ME
BECAUSE I WAS TOO.

BLIND DATES
CAN GET DICEY
BETWEEN A.B.s AND P.W.D.s,

BUT I WAS ASSURED
THAT THIS BLIND DATE

DIDN'’T CARE
ABOUT THE CHAIR.

AND IF YOU'’RE
WONDERING--

YES, I CAN
HAVE SEX.

I JUST CAN'’T
CATCH A CAB.

NEED SOME HELP?

NO, I'’M FINE.

DON'’T WORRY, I'LL BE
YOUR GIRLFRIEND.

- SORRY?
- MY PARENTS USED TO

HITCHHIKE UPSTATE
BEFORE THEY WERE
MARRIED.

HE'’D HIDE
IN THE BUSHES

AND SHE'’D
THUMB THE RIDES.

SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING
MY PARENTS WOULD DO.

DON'’T WORRY ABOUT IT.
I'’D RATHER BE LATE

THAN GIVE
THESE HACKS A DIME.

DON'’T RUN ANYBODY OVER.

[ people conversing
quietly ]

THANK YOU.
I'’M EXPECTING
ONE MORE.

HER NAME IS
CHARLENE COKE.

THANKS.

HELLO, CHARLENE COKE.

OH, HERE COMES
THE LOOK...

FOLLOWED BY
THE TRIPLE-AXEL-

SOMEDAY-I'’LL-BE-
A-BETTER-PERSON SHRUG.

VERY NICE.
NOT AN EASY MANEUVER
TO PULL OFF.

YOU CAN CLEAR THIS.
I'’LL BE DINING
ALONE TONIGHT.

THANKS.

[ traffic noise ]

[ distant siren wailing ]

[ lift beeping ]

Brooster:
"IT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO
STRAIGHT TO THE INCINERATOR,

COMMA, BUT AN ORDERLY
FOUND THE UNMARKED LEG..."

[ keyboard keys clicking ]

[ phones ringing softly ]

I'’LL LET YOU
CATCH UP.

"...IN THE FREEZER

AND SENT IT
TO PATHOLOGY INSTEAD."

SHE LIED TO YOU,
YOUR CONTACT.

YOU THINK THAT
CAN BE A PROBLEM?

'’CAUSE I CAN SEE HOW
IT CAN BE A PROBLEM.

SERIOUSLY, IS IT
HARD TO GET PEOPLE

TO TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY
WHEN YOU INTERVIEW THEM?

OH, JANICE, WRITE ME
A DIFFERENT INTRO--

SOMETHING, UH, ICKY...

AND SEXY.

I MEAN,
DON'’T BLAME ME.

YOU HAD YOUR SHOT.

HE HAS A CRUSH ON ME.
THAT'’S WHY HE HATES YOU.
HE THINKS I LIKE YOU.

DO ME A FAVOR,
SET HIM UP WITH CHARLENE.

DON'’T TO ME ABOUT HER.
I'’M NEVER SPEAKING
TO HER AGAIN.

YES, IS CANDY REED
WORKING IN THE E.R. TODAY?

YOU CAN--

Isaac'’s voice:
SO THIS EMAIL WAS
FROM THE SAME CALLER

WHO'’D GIVEN ME THE TIP
ON THE AMPUTATION STORY.

I GOT THERE
AND I REMEMBER THINKING,

"SOMEWHERE IN
THIS BUILDING
THERE ARE OTHERS--

NOT ONE,
BUT OTHERS WHO WANT IT
TO BE AMPUTATED."

IT NEVER
OCCURRED TO ME

THAT "OTHERS" COULD MEAN
SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY.

[ indistinct voices ]

Man:
LAST WEEK YOU WERE
TALKING ABOUT

HURTING YOURSELF.

I CAME OUT
TO MY THERAPIST.

Man:
WELL, THAT'’S--

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
A MISTAKE.

SHE TOLD ME
WHEN I USE MY CHAIR

I STAY THE SAME HEIGHT
AS A CHILD.

Man #2:
YOU DON'’T NEED A THERAPIST
TO TELL YOU THAT.

WHAT I NEED IS
GINGER JAKE.

THEN I WOULDN'’T
NEED THERAPY.
I'’D BE PERFECT.

Man #2:
GINGER JAKE
WILL KILL YOU.

Man #1:
YOU THINK BECAUSE YOU
CAME OUT TO YOUR THERAPIST

- YOU'’RE READY
FOR GINGER JAKE?
- [ chair rattles ]

HAVE YOU FOUND US?

I HOPE SO.

[ ventilator hisses ]
ASK HIM HOW HE FOUND US.

UH, I GOT AN EMAIL--

- "ANCIENT CHINESE GIRL."
- THAT'’S HER.

THAT'’S HER EMAIL.

SHE IS NOT HERE,

BUT SINCE YOU ARE,

WHY DON'’T YOU TELL US
HOW YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF,

YOUR RELATIONSHIP
WITH YOUR CHAIR?

[ ventilator hissing ]

WELL, I HAVE

A PARAPLEGIC INJURY

SO I GUESS
YOU COULD SAY

MY CHAIR AND I
ARE PRETTY TIGHT.

IT'’S ALL RIGHT.

IT'’S OKAY.

YOU KNOW
WE'’RE WANNABES?

I DON'’T KNOW
WHAT THAT IS.

WE WANT TO BE
LIKE YOU.

I'’M NOT COMFORTABLE
USING AROUND HIM...

NOT UNTIL I FIND OUT
WHY SHE SENT HIM.

TELL US WHAT
YOU THINK OF US.

Man #2: WHAT'’S IT LIKE
TO SPEND ALL YOUR TIME
IN A CHAIR?

THEY DON'’T SAY
"IN A CHAIR."

SIT "ON A CHAIR."

WE JUST WANT PEOPLE
TO ACCEPT US,

ESPECIALLY PEOPLE
LIKE YOU.

I'’M HAPPY TO ANSWER
ANY QUESTIONS
THAT YOU HAVE.

TELL US WHAT
IT FEELS LIKE

NOT TO FEEL.

WELL, I HAVE
PRETTY GOOD SENSATION,
ACTUALLY,

NOT TOO MUCH ATROPHY.

MY LAST RUNNING DREAM
WAS 1992.

I DON'’T BELIEVE
IN HOPE

BUT I HOPE
TO WALK AGAIN
SOMEDAY,

IF THAT MAKES
ANY SENSE.

I WORK OUT
EVERY DAY--

ORTHOTRON,
STIM MACHINE.

I SWIM.

I STAY STRONG

SO I KNOW
WHEN THE DAY COMES
MY LEGS WILL BE THERE.

YOU ARE PERFECT.

I HAVE TO SAY, UH...

MY NAME IS
ISAAC KNOTT

AND I WORK FOR...

...PUBLIC RADIO
NEW YORK.

- Woman: WHAT?
- ISAAC KNOTT.

HE TELLS STORIES
ON THE RADIO.

YES, IT'’S TRUE.

I WANT TO TELL
YOUR STORIES,

ALL OF YOU.

NO, PLEASE...

PLEASE.

JUST PLEASE--

YOU SAID YOU WANT
ACCEPTANCE,

RIGHT?
LET ME PUT YOU
ON THE RADIO.

YOU CAN MAKE
YOUR CASE.

Isaac'’s voice:
THIS IS WHAT
I REMEMBER:

WE ARE
ON OUR WAY HOME,

RETURNING FROM
A LITTLE LEAGUE GAME.

MY TEAM LOST.

WE'’RE GOING
BY THE TULIP FARMS

BECAUSE MY DAD HOPES
THE DRIVE WILL
CHEER ME UP.

THE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE NORMAL

FOR A SPRING DAY
IN UPSTATE NEW YORK--

CLOUDY WITH SHOWERS
ON THE WAY.

MY MOTHER'’S EATING
HARD CANDY

SHE KEEPS IN A BAG
IN A GLOVE COMPARTMENT.

SHE KISSES MY FATHER.
SHE TURNS TO ME.

SHE THROWS ME
A PIECE OF CANDY.

THIS IS WHERE
I STOP REMEMBERING.

[ birds crowing ]

Child'’s voice:
WAKE UP.

[ people arguing
in distance ]

DID I TELL YOU
I'’M HAVING MY
HOUSEWARMING PARTY

- AND THAT
YOU'’RE INVITED?
- [ phone ringing ]

IF YOU PITY ME,
MUSSLEWHITE,
I WILL KILL YOU.

[ chuckles ]
OKAY.

[ phone continues
ringing ]

ISAAC KNOTT'’S DESK.

ONE MOMENT, PLEASE.

- THIS IS ISAAC.
- Woman: Isaac Knott?

RIGHT.

HELLO?

Hi. It'’s
Ancient Chinese Girl.

You never
called me back.

UH, SORRY
ABOUT THAT.

I-- WE GET A LOT
OF ANONYMOUS CALLS

AROUND HERE.
I GOT YOUR EMAIL.

I'’ve been
studying these people
for a long time.

- Anonymity is
everything to them.
- ARE YOU A PSYCHOLOGIST?

No, I study them
because, uh,

I want
to understand why.

WHY?
WHY WHAT?

Why they want
to be paralyzed.

Do you want
to understand why, Isaac?

LISTEN, CAN WE--
CAN WE MEET SOMETIME--

LIKE SAY, NOW?

- HI.
- HI.

I'’VE NEVER
ACTUALLY SEEN
ONE OF THESE UP CLOSE.

IS IT HARD
TO GET A CAB
AROUND HERE?

FOR ME IT IS.

HOP IN.

I'’M FIONA.

- [ beeps ]
- ISAAC.
MIND IF I RECORD?

WHY RECORD ME?

- [ beeps ]
- HAVE YOU EATEN LUNCH?

THERE'’S A GREAT PLACE
NEARBY.

REALLY?
UM, WELL,

WHY DON'’T WE GO
SOMEPLACE NEITHER OF US
HAS EVER BEEN?

[ recorder beeps ]

[ speaking Chinese ]

[ waitress speaks Chinese ]

I THOUGHT YOU SAID
YOU'’D NEVER BEEN HERE.

I HAVEN'’T.

I LOVE THE CULTURE.
I SPECIALIZE IN
CHINESE ART

AND CHINESE ICE CREAM.
OH, MAN,

I RECOMMEND GINGER.
IT'’S VERY GOOD.

NOW LAST NIGHT
THEY WERE TALKING

ABOUT SOMEONE
NAMED GINGER JAKE.
IS SHE CHINESE?

UH, JAMAICAN,
I THINK.

WHAT'’S THE DEAL?
PEOPLE GO TO HER

TO GET PARALYZED?

AS I UNDERSTAND IT,
YES.

WHAT DOES SHE DO
TO THEM?

YOU KNOW WHAT, PAL?

I'’M NOT
THE CASE STUDY HERE.

OKAY?
YOU TALK FIRST.

WHAT DO YOU WANT
TO KNOW?

TELL ME HOW YOU BECAME
PARALYZED.

I WAS EIGHT.
MY PARENTS WERE DRIVING.

THEY DIED.
I LIVED.

THE OTHER DRIVER
WAS UNDERAGE,

SO THE RECORDS
WERE SEALED.

I CALL HER
"THE POMPOM GIRL"

BECAUSE I REMEMBER
SEEING THESE POMPOMS.

PARALYZED
BY A CHEERLEADER.

YOUR TURN.

SO TALK ABOUT
YOUR FRIEND.

WHAT MAKES HIM
WANT TO BE LIKE ME?

YOU KNOW, I'’VE NEVER
TALKED ABOUT THIS
TO ANYONE.

SO WHY DO YOU THINK
SOMEONE WOULD WANT
TO BE PARALYZED

WHO ISN'’T?
GIVE ME YOUR
WORKING THEORY.

[ chuckles ]

I CAN'’T BELIEVE
I'’M TALKING TO YOU.

- ABOUT THIS?
- YES. NO. YES.

NO NO NO NO, I MEAN,
IT'’S YOU, YOU KNOW?

I MEAN, YOU'’RE, LIKE,
THE RADIO GUY.

SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT.
WHOEVER YOUR FRIEND IS,

THEY'’LL NEVER KNOW
I'’M QUOTING YOU.

OKAY OKAY, UM...

IT'’S JUST--
IT'’S HARDER THAN
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.

- WHY?
- OKAY, ALL RIGHT,
ALL RIGHT.

HERE'’S THE DEAL,
ALL RIGHT?

I WANT TO KNOW
WHY MY FRIEND WANTS
TO BE A PARAPLEGIC, OKAY?

SO THIS
FOR ME IS ALL ABOUT
UNDERSTANDING YOU.

AND, YOU KNOW,
THEN I'’LL TELL YOU
WHATEVER YOU WANT.

SO, QUID PRO QUO.

I WANT YOUR LIFE, PAL,

AS A PARAPLEGIC,
IN DETAIL.

YOU WANT MY LIFE?

ALL RIGHT.

AT MY WORK
I HAVE THIS GUY

WHO HATES ME.

BECAUSE YOU'’RE
PARAPLEGIC?

NO, BECAUSE
HE'’S A DICK.

I HAVE ONE OF THOSE
AT MY JOB.

WHERE DO YOU WORK?

UM...

I'’M A CONSERVATOR.
I FREELANCE.

RIGHT NOW I'’M DOING
THE NEW COLLECTION

- AT THE VAN PLATT MUSEUM.
- THERE YOU GO.

I'’M SURE AL QAEDA
HAS SOMEONE

WHO COMES TO
THE CAVE EVERY MORNING
AND SOMEBODY WHISPERS,

"THAT GUY HAS
NO SELF-AWARENESS
WHATSOEVER."

WELL, MAYBE HE THINKS
YOU'’REA DICK.

NO, HE THINKS
I'’M A GIMP.

WHAT IS THAT?
IS THAT, LIKE,
A REPORTER THING

WHERE LATER
YOU'’LL SAY,

"MENTIONED THE WORD '’GIMP'
AND SHE LAUGHS."

- YES.
- YES?

I'’M PAINFULLY
AWARE, OKAY?
I'’M TOO AWARE.

WELL, THEN YOU KNOW
I LIKE YOU.

UH-OH, THAT MEANS
YOU ARE WEIRD.

NO, I'’M EASY.
I LIKE ANYBODY
WHO LIKES ME, SO...

OKAY.

WHAT IF
I INTRODUCED YOU
TO MY FRIEND?

THEN I'’D LIKE THAT.

THEN THE QUESTION IS,
WHAT WILL YOU
DO FOR ME?

OH, RIGHT.
IT'’S ALWAYS QUID PRO QUO
WITH THIS GIRL.

[ lock rattles ]

[ clock ticking softly ]

[ soft squeaks ]

DON'’T TOUCH
THAT VASE.

IT'’S WORTH MORE
THAN THIS BUILDING.

OFFENDED?

I WANT
TO KNOW MORE.

YOU KNOW HOW YOU HAVE
APARTMENT FANTASIES

WHEN YOU'’RE
A TEENAGER?

MINE WAS
TO GET A PLACE

SO I COULD SHUT
THE CURTAINS ALL DAY

AND WALK AROUND
IN MY MILWAUKEE BRACE.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT'’S BETTER THAN
I EVER IMAGINED.

SO THIS IS
A SEXUAL THING
FOR YOU MAINLY.

PEOPLE WHO GET OFF
ON BRACES AND WHEELCHAIRS

ARE CALLED DEVOTEES.

THEY'’RE A JOKE.
THEY'’RE THE BOTTOM RUNG.

ABOVE THEM ARE
THE PRETENDERS.

THEY WEAR THE BRACES,
THEY PUSH THE WHEELS,

BUT THEY DON'’T BELONG
TO THEIR CHAIRS.

STILL, IF THEY WANT
TO FANTASIZE,

THAT'’S THEIR CHOICE.

THEN THERE ARE
THE WANNABES.

YOU SAW HOW CRAZY
THEY ARE.

WHAT MAKESYOU
DIFFERENT

THAN A WANNABE
OR A PRETENDER?

I'’M A UNIQUE CASE.

I DON'’T WANT TO BE
PARALYZED.

YOU DON'’T?

I ALREADY AM
PARALYZED.

I'’M JUST TRAPPED
IN A WALKING PERSON'’S
BODY.

[ sighs deeply ]

YOU MAKE ME
SO NERVOUS.

THE OTHER DAY
I DECIDED

THAT NERVOUSNESS
IS SHAME

SOMEONE CATCHES YOU
FEELING.

AND I ASK MYSELF,
WHY AM I ASHAMED?

AND IF YOU ARE,
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE

TO DO THIS?

I CAN'’T.
I CAN'’T.

I GUESSED YOU WERE
A T12 OR A T11
INCOMPLETE.

- WHAT WAS IT,
A LUMBAR LESION?
- NOT THAT.

LISTEN, THAT'’S NOT
THE PROBLEM.

I CAN HAVE SEX.

THE PROBLEM IS,
THERE'’S SOMEONE ELSE.

WHO?

SHE'’S PARAPLEGIC.

I DON'’T KNOW
WHY I JUST SAID THAT.

I DON'’T DESCRIBE PEOPLE
BY THEIR INJURIES.

SHE'’S--
HER NAME IS RAINE.

IS SHE
YOUR GIRLFRIEND?

SORT OF.
I ASKED HER
TO MARRY ME.

I DON'’T KNOW
IF THAT COUNTS.

SHE SAID NO.
SHE HAS THIS IDEA

THAT ONE PERSON
IN EVERY MARRIAGE

SHOULD BE ABLE
TO WALK.

SO THAT DOESN'’T
REALLY--

THAT DOESN'’T
REALLY COUNT.

THIS IS GOOD NEWS.

I'’M SURE SHE'LL
CHANGE HER MIND.

I HOPE SO.

AND IF SHE DOESN'’T,
SHE'’S CRAZIER
THAN I AM,

AND HOW CRAZY IS THAT?
[ laughs ]

IT'’S NOT YOU, FIONA.

YOU PROBABLY THINK
I'’D JUMP ANYTHING
IN A WHEELCHAIR.

NO, I DON'’T.
I'’M JUST TRYING
TO UNDERSTAND.

I'’VE NEVER SHOWN
ANY OF THIS

TO ANY LIVING SOUL,
EVER.

THERE ARE
SOME THINGS YOU'’RE NOT
SUPPOSED TO SHOW.

OH, WELL.

I DON'’T HAVE TO GO.
YOU CAN TALK TO ME.

I NEED TO USE
MY CHAIR RIGHT NOW

AND I CAN'’T DO THAT
IN FRONT OF YOU.

YOU CAN TRUST ME.

I'’VE BEEN COMPLETELY
HONEST WITH YOU.

TOMORROW I'’M GONNA USE
MY CHAIR IN PUBLIC

FOR THE FIRST TIME

AND YOU, PAL,
ARE CORDIALLY INVITED.

AND NOW I WANT
TO THANK YOU

FOR A WONDERFUL,
SO WONDERFUL DAY.

Isaac'’s voice:
THERE ARE NOT HUNDREDS
BUT THOUSANDS,

ALL OF THEM INVISIBLE,
UNLIKE THE PRETENDERS,

THE FETISHISTS,
THE PERVERTS.

EVEN THE AMPUTEE WANNABES
GET A NAME--

"BODY INTEGRITY
IDENTITY DISORDER,"

BUT FOR
PARALYSIS WANNABES

THERE IS NO
KNOWN PATHOLOGY.

THE DISORDER
IS ORDER.

THIS IS A STRANGE
NEW AMERICAN DREAM--

A WAY TO IMPROVE YOURSELF
A FEW DEAD LIMBS
AT A TIME.

BUT WHY?

WHAT MAKES SOMEONE
WANT TO BE PARALYZED
WHO ISN'’T?

OH, GOOD SHOT.

MY FRIEND DAVE AND I
MET AT A JESUIT SEMINARY

WHERE I LANDED
AFTER A LONG SERIES
OF FOSTER HOMES.

I THINK WE NEVER
REALLY FIGURED OUT

IF HE WAS A BROTHER
OR A FATHER FIGURE,

BUT HE'’S
THE ONLY FAMILY
THAT I REALLY HAVE.

DAVE FELL ASLEEP
AT THE WHEEL OF HIS CAR

WHEN HE WAS 17.

YOU HAVEN'’T
MENTIONED RAINE.

I HAVEN'’T SEEN HER
IN SIX WEEKS.

MM-HMM.
DID YOU TWO
HAVE A FIGHT?

SORT OF.

I ASKED HER
TO MARRY ME.

- WHAT DID SHE SAY?
- SHE BROKE UP WITH ME.

APPARENTLY, I'’M NOT
HUSBAND MATERIAL.

YOU'’LL NEVER GUESS WHY.

YOU EVER HAVE
ANYONE CONFESS

THEY WANTED TO BE
AN AMPUTEE

OR PARALYZED?

YOU'’D BE SURPRISED
WHAT SOME PEOPLE

WANT TO DO
TO THEMSELVES.

I'’M DOING
THIS STORY...

I CAN'’T DISCUSS
WHAT I HEAR IN CONFESSION,

NOT EVEN WITH YOU.

NO, I WOULDN'’T
PRESUME--

UH-HUH.

THERE'’S A LOT
OF MIXED-UP PEOPLE
IN THIS WORLD.

RAINE IS ONLY
ONE OF THEM.

UM... YES,
THERE HE IS.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

HI.

WHOO.
ARE PEOPLE STARING?

I CAN'’T TELL
IF IT'’S JUST ME.

PROBABLY
A LITTLE OF BOTH.

YEAH, WELL, THIS WAS
A GOOD SUGGESTION.

THANK YOU.

OH MY GOD,
THAT WOMAN IS
STARING AT ME.

THIS IS
AN INCREDIBLE FEELING.

OH, GOD.
THIS IS SO INCREDIBLE.

YOU KNOW,
I HAVE DREAMED

ABOUT THIS MOMENT
FOR SO LONG.

IT FELT LIKE 20 YEARS
JUST TO GET A CAB.

WELCOME TO HELL.
I'’LL INTRODUCE YOU
TO THE STAFF.

I WANT YOU TO STOP ME
IF I'’M DOING ANYTHING
WRONG, OKAY?

- YOU'’RE DOING FINE.
- NO, SERIOUSLY,

I WANT YOU TO TELL ME
IF THERE'’S ANYTHING

I SHOULD BE
DOING DIFFERENTLY OR
SHOULDN'’T BE DOING AT ALL.

- HI.
- HI.

FIONA, THIS IS--
THIS IS RAINE.

- WHO?
- RAINE.

OH. OH!

- HELLO.
- HI!

ISAAC HAS TOLD ME
SO MUCH ABOUT YOU.

HE TALKS ABOUT YOU
ALL THE TIME.

THIS IS MY FRIEND FIONA.

HI.
I'’M THE EX.

- HI.
- APPARENTLY,
WE HAVEN'’T DECIDED

WHO GETS TO KEEP
THE RESTAURANT YET.

- Fiona: RIGHT.
- NICE CHAIR.

THANK YOU.
IT'’S A GOOD RIDE, EH?

WE WERE JUST LEAVING.

- WHO WAS LEAVING?
- OH, SCOTT AND I.

WHO'’S SCOTT?

Raine:
YEAH, HE'’S JUST
FINISHING.

[ quietly ]
HI, SCOTT.

RAINE, YOU HAVE
TO HELP ME.

ISAAC AND I
WERE JUST TALKING
ABOUT FLYING TO NEVIS.

IT'’S A WONDERFUL ISLAND.
HAVE YOU BEEN?

- NO, I HAVEN'’T.
- OH, WELL, HE WON'’T BUDGE.

I REALLY WANT
TO GET OUT OF THE CITY,
BUT HE JUST WON'’T DO IT.

ENCOURAGE HIM.

- WHAT THE HELL,
YOU SHOULD DO IT.
- HE SHOULD.

- YEAH, WE'’LL SEE.
- YEAH, HE WON'’T BUDGE.

RAINE, IT'’S A REAL
PLEASURE TO MEET YOU

FINALLY.

GOOD TO MEET YOU,
FIONA.

IT WAS GOOD
TO SEE YOU.

OH MY GOD.

WAS I OKAY?

WHAT?
I SAID SOMETHING WRONG,
DIDN'’T I?

YOU DIDN'’T
FEEL ME KICKING YOU
UNDER THE TABLE?

NO.

JUST HOLD ON
ONE SECOND.

RAINE!

[ thunder rumbles,
rain pattering ]

[ knocks on door ]

HI.
YOU FORGOT THIS.

- I'’M SO SORRY.
- DON'’T BE.

I'’VE HAD THE MOST
INCREDIBLE DAY.

SAME HERE.
UNBELIEVABLE.

ISAAC, I FINALLY
STOPPED WORRYING
AND JUST STARTED BEING.

AND I FOUND OUT
THAT I CAN DO ANYTHING.

OOPS. OOPS.

[ chuckles ]
YOU KNOW WHAT?

I GOT STUCK
IN A BUILDING

THAT HAD
THE POWER DOOR IN FRONT
BUT NO RAMP

AND THEN A RAMP IN BACK
WITH NO POWER DOOR

AND IT PISSED ME OFF.
I YELLED AT SOME CITY GUY

FOR MORE CURB CUTS.

YOU KNOW WHAT?
I WAS JUST HEADING OUT.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

UH...

I WAS GONNA GO TALK

TO THE DOOR GUY
OR BROOSTER.

YOU WERE GONNA GO
TALK TO THE DOOR GUY
OR BROOSTER?

ABOUT WHAT?

I JUST DIDN'’T
WANT TO BE ALONE.

Child'’s voice:
WAKE UP.

Isaac'’s voice:
MY FIRST THOUGHT IS,

"THERE'’S
SOMETHING IN MY SHOE
BESIDES MY FOOT."

THEN I FEEL
A PIN DART,

THEN WAVES
OF HOT PINS

TRAVELING
UP MY LEGS.

THE URGE TO STAND
IS OVERWHELMING.

SHOULD I CALL 911?

BUT WHAT WOULD I SAY?

"COME QUICKLY,
I'’M BEING HEALED"?

AND THEN IT HITS ME--
MAYBE I'’M NOT.

WHEN I TAKE
THE SHOES OFF

THE HOT PINS
TURN TO ICE
AND THEN DISAPPEAR.

I MIGHT AS WELL
BE TRYING TO MOVE
MOUNTAINS.

[ grunts ]

THIS IS FUCKED UP.

[ traffic noise ]

HOLY SHIT.

YOU HAVE TO
TRUST YOURSELF.

DON'’T WORRY
ABOUT IT.

WHERE CAN I FIND
FIONA ANKANY?

IT'’S A SURPRISE.

HEY.

OH, GOD.

HELLO.

I HAVE
THE COOLEST NEWS.

I HAVE SOME
PRETTY COOL NEWS MYSELF.

UM... I DON'’T KNOW
IF I SHOULD TELL YOU.

- WHAT?
- OKAY, YOU FIRST.

YOU SCRATCH MINE,
I SCRATCH YOURS.

OKAY.
WELL...

I HAVE DECIDED

TO COME OUT

ABOUT MY WHEELCHAIR.

I'’M GOING TO TELL
MY MOTHER.

YEAH, I'’M GOING
TO TELL HER

AND THEN I'’M GOING
TO TELL EVERYBODY.

I'’M GOING TO BE
IN MY WHEELCHAIR
24/7.

OH, GOD,
THAT WOULD BE HEAVEN.

THAT WOULD BE
SO HEAVEN,

BUT I'’M SO NERVOUS
AND YOU HAVE TO
COME WITH ME.

I WOULDN'’T MISS IT.

YOU WOULDN'’T?

- DO YOU WANT
TO HEAR MINE?
- YES.

OKAY, BUT IT'’S
KIND OF... VISUAL.

REALLY?

UH-HUH.
SHOULD I BE SCARED?

NO.
OH, GOD.

[ laughs ]
I'’M SO SORRY.
I'’M SORRY. I'M SORRY.

I SHOULDN'’T HAVE
SURPRISED YOU LIKE THAT.

- I JUST COULDN'’T RESIST.
- OH MY GOD, NO.

WAIT WAIT
WAIT WAIT WAIT.
WHAT? HOW?

- IT WAS OUR SEX
LAST NIGHT.
- SHUT UP.

I DON'’T KNOW
HOW IT HAPPENED.
THE POINT IS, I CAN WALK.

OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD.
I'’M SHAKING.

LOOK, YOU'’RE MAKING
ME SHAKE. LOOK WHAT
YOU'’RE DOING TO ME.

- LOOK AT YOUR HANDS.
- NO. OKAY, YOU ARE
WEIRDING ME OUT.

AND THAT IS NOT
EASY TO DO.

IT'’S LIKE,
DID YOU EVER SNEEZE

AND FEEL LIKE IT WAS
A SECOND CHANCE?

YOU KNOW,
I'’M WALKING,

I'’M SEEING A DRUNK
PUKE HIS ASS

AND THEN THREE STEPS LATER
I'’M STANDING IN FRONT
OF A VAN GOGH,

AND I DON'’T KNOW
WHICH ONE IS MORE
BEAUTIFUL.

WHAT?

I'’VE NEVER USED
MY CHAIR AT WORK.

OH, THAT'’S FANTASTIC.

Isaac'’s voice:
IT WAS A SCENE

OF PERFECT
SYMMETRIC INSANITY--

THE WALKING PARAPLEGIC

PUSHING THE PARALYZED
PEDESTRIAN.

IT WAS ALSO
ONE OF THE HAPPIEST
MOMENTS OF MY LIFE.

I CAN'’T MOVE.

I CAN'’T MOVE.

Isaac'’s voice:
HER MOTHER'’S HOUSE WAS
ON LONG ISLAND.

THE PLAN WAS
TO GET THE CHAIR OUT
AS SOON AS WE ARRIVED.

HI!

NO, NOT YET,
NOT YET.

HI, MAMA.

HI, FIONA.

I'’VE JUST FILLED
THE BARBEQUE.

Isaac'’s voice:
I NEEDED TO SEE
HER FACE

WHEN SHE FOUND OUT
WHY WE WERE THERE.

LET'’S SLIDE IN.

SO ISAAC IS
DOING A PIECE ON ME
FOR PUBLIC RADIO.

I DON'’T KNOW
WHAT MADE ME THINK
OF A BARBEQUE.

I'’M GLAD.
I ALMOST STOPPED
TO BUY SOME BEER.

NO, ISAAC,
I'’VE BEEN SOBER
FOR ALMOST 16 YEARS.

CONGRATULATIONS.

FIONA,
HOW'’S WORK?

OH, I AM CONSERVING

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
PORCELAIN ELEPHANT,
MAMA.

IT IS TURNING OUT
BEAUTIFULLY,
SO BEAUTIFUL.

YOU KNOW WHAT?
I SHOULD DO MORE
SCULPTING.

- I DIDN'’T KNOW
YOU SCULPT.
- OH, YEAH.

I'’VE BEEN
THINKING OF MAKING
A PORCELAIN ELEPHANT

LIKE THE ONE
I'’M WORKING ON.

YOU DON'’T
REALLY SCULPT.

I COULD BE THAT GOOD
IF I HAD THE TIME.

YOU'’RE COMPARING YOURSELF
TO THE MASTER SCULPTORS?

WHY NOT?
THERE ARE STEPS
TO EVERYTHING.

I CAN JUST
FOLLOW THE STEPS
AND IN, LIKE, 10 YEARS

I CAN BE THAT GOOD.
IT'’S EASY.
ANYBODY COULD.

IT'’S ONE THING
TO SCRAPE THE DIRT

OFF SOMEONE
ELSE'’S WORK.
I WOULD THINK

YOU WOULD
AT LEAST NEED TO TAKE
A DRAWING CLASS.

OKAY, I WILL.
AND THEN I'’LL TAKE
A SCULPTURE CLASS.

AND THEN I'’LL TAKE
WHATEVER CLASS
IS NECESSARY

AND EVENTUALLY I WILL BE
AT LEAST THAT GOOD.

YOU CAN BE
WHATEVER YOU WANT
TO BE.

BUT...
[ laughing ]

BUT WHAT?

WHY ARE WE EVEN
ARGUING ABOUT THIS?

YOU KNOW WHAT, MOTHER?

WHO ARE YOU
TO TELL ME

THAT I CAN'’T MAKE
A BEAUTIFUL PORCELAIN
ELEPHANT,

AS BEAUTIFUL
OR EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL

THAN ANYONE ELSE
CAN MAKE A PORCELAIN
ELEPHANT, HMM?

WHO DIED AND MADE YOU
FINAL ARBITER OF WHO CAN
AND CANNOT BE

A FINE SCULPTOR
OF BEAUTIFUL PORCELAIN
ELEPHANTS?

- NOT ONE SINGLE
DRAWING CLASS.
- THAT'’S NOT FAIR.

FIONA, YOU NEVER SAID
YOU WANTED TO BE
A FINE ARTIST,

- NOT ONCE.
- SO?

I MEAN, WH--
WHY DO I HAVE
TO SAY IT?

WHAT IF I'’M
SAYING IT NOW?
IS IT TOO LATE?

DID I MISS THE CUTOFF?
I DON'’T UNDERSTAND.

IT'’S BETTER TO LIST
YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

AFTER YOU'’VE DONE THEM.
DON'’T YOU AGREE, ISAAC?

- DON'’T BRING HIM INTO THIS.
- I'’M JUST STATING
THE OBVI--

[ shouts ]
WELL, IT'’S NOT FAIR!

IF YOU WANT TO WALK,
PEOPLE EXPECT YOU
TO HURRY.

I'’M DOING MY BEST.

I DON'’T FEEL
LIKE DRIVING.

I'’VE NEVER USED
A FOOT BREAK.

YOU REALLY WANT
TO CAP THIS DAY OFF
WITH A CAR ACCIDENT?

JUST GIVE IT.

[ engine starts ]

[ car horn honks ]

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'’M A JOKE.
I'’M A WANNABE

JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE
IN THAT PATHETIC GROUP,

SO PATHETIC.

WHY DON'’T YOU DO
A STORY ON YOURSELF?

I'’M NOT THE STORY.

OH, YOU'’RE NOT
THE STORY?

OH, THAT'’S RIGHT.
THAT'’S RIGHT--

"WHY FIONAWANTS
TO BE PARALYZED"

BY ISAAC KNOTT.

IS THAT FUNNY?

[ continues laughing ]
NO.

NO, IT'’S NOT.

YOU JUST SAID
"WANTS TO BE PARALYZED,"

BUT YOU USED TO SAY
THAT YOU THOUGHT
YOU ALREADY WERE.

OH, COME ON, ISAAC,
DO I LOOK PARALYZED
TO YOU?

WHY DO YOU CARE SO MUCH
WHAT YOUR MOTHER THINKS
ABOUT YOU?

FIONA.

I'’M JUST THINKING
HOW EASY IT IS

TO GET USED TO
A MIRACLE.

Fiona:
I SHOULDN'’T HAVE
COME UP.

YOU CAN USE
MY CHAIR.

WE BOTH KNOW
HOW THIS IS
GOING TO END.

- WE DON'’T KNOW
WHAT'’S GOING TO HAP--
- OH, HERE IT COMES.

LISTEN, PAL,
YOU CAN FEEL
SORRY FOR ME.

LET'’S NOT PRETEND
THAT'’S CARING.

I DON'’T FEEL
SORRY FOR YOU.

NO, I KNOW
HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT ME--
"SHE'’S NOT NORMAL."

WHAT'’S NORMAL?
"NORMAL" IS A SETTING
ON A WASHING MACHINE.

NO, I DON'’T THINK
IT'’S A SETTING ON
A WASHING MACHINE.

I THINK WE ALL KNOW
HOW TO POINT AND SAY,

"SEE? THAT'’S NORMAL."

AND I DON'’T WANT
ANYONE POINTING AT ME
BECAUSE I'’M NORMAL.

I MEAN, I--
I MEAN, I DO.

FIONA, I THINK
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT

TO BE WHATEVER
YOU WANT TO BE.

I DON'’T WANT TO BE
A WANNABE ANYMORE.

YOU THINK I DON'’T KNOW
WHAT IT'’S LIKE
TO PRETEND?

I'’M PRETENDING
RIGHT NOW.

LOOK, I COULD
SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW,

TAKE OFF MY SHOES

AND MY LEGS
WOULD BE GONE.

WHAT?

THESE SHOES
ARE MAKING ME WALK

EVEN THOUGH
I KNOW THEY CAN'’T

ANY MORE
THAN A PATCH

CAN MAKE A KID
RUN FASTER.

SHUT UP.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE
WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

LIKE YOU'’VE
JUST TAKEN
A DEEP BREATH,

BUT BEFORE
YOU CAN EXHALE

SOMEBODY
STEALS IT AWAY.

OH, ISAAC.

PLEASE DON'’T.

SHH, IT'’S OKAY.

- I WONDER WHAT
THEY'’LL DO TO ME.
- I ASKED YOU, PLEASE DON'’T--

SHH, IT'’S OKAY.

ARE YOU MAKING
THIS UP?

OR DO YOU HAVE TO
WEAR THEM BOTH?

- NOTHIN'’.
- PLEASE TAKE
THEM OFF NOW.

DO YOU THINK
MAYBE THEY

PINCH A NERVE
IN YOUR FOOT

OR STIMULATE
SOMETHING?

NOW YOU KNOW.

WHAT?

IF YOU CAN JUST
TOSS ME MY SHOES,
I CAN DRY OFF HERE.

IT'’S THE WORST--

HANDLING MY OWN
WET LEGS.

IT'’S LIKE TRYING
TO NAIL JELL-O
TO THE CEILING.

HEY.

COME ON.

ARE YOU GONNA
MAKE ME CRAWL?

I THOUGHT
IT WOULD GO AWAY
WHEN I MET YOU,

BUT IT DIDN'’T.

AND THEN WHEN I SAW
THAT YOU WEREN'’T
PARALYZED

AND YOU WERE SO HAPPY

IT MADE ME WANT
TO BE HAPPY WALKING.

AND I ALMOST WAS.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN,
I TRIED.

- I REALLY DID, I TRIED.
- CAN YOU JUST TOSS ME
MY SHOES?

I WILL...

AFTER YOU
HELP ME BECOME
A T12 PARAPLEGIC.

LIKE YOU'’RE ORDERING
OFF A MENU.

IT'’S IMPORTANT TO BE
AN AUTHENTIC PERSON

IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

PARALYZE YOURSELF.

NO, IT HAS TO BE YOU.

WHY DOES IT
HAVE TO BE ME?

"WHY FIONA
WANTS TO BE PARALYZED
BY ISAAC KNOTT."

OKAY?

- WAIT.
- SO DO WE HAVE
A DEAL?

[ grunting ]

[ door slams ]

Isaac:
WHY WOULD SOMEONE WANT
TO BE PARALYZED WHO ISN'’T?

I CAN'’T ANSWER THAT.

YOU THINK I CHOOSE
TO BE THIS WAY?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA
HOW MANY PEOPLE
IN MY LIFE

I'’VE LOST BECAUSE
I REVEALED MYSELF
TO THEM?

I'’LL TELL YOU WHY

AS SOON AS YOU TELL ME
WHERE THOSE PEOPLE WENT.

I NEED TO FIND
GINGER JAKE.

WHY WOULDYOU NEED
GINGER JAKE?

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS
FOR A FRIEND.

GINGER JAKE'’S
EFFECTIVENESS
IS VARIABLE.

LOOK,
IT'’S NOT ME ASKING,

SO LET'’S SAY
IT'’S NOT YOU TELLING.

I JUST NEED TO KNOW
WHERE TO FIND HER.

[ laughs ]

"I CAN'’T EAT.

I CAN'’T TALK.

BEEN DRINKING
MEAN JAKE, LORD,
NOW I CAN'’T WALK.

AIN'’T GOT NOTHING
LEFT TO LOSE,

A JAKE-WALKING PAPA
WITH THE JAKE WALK BLUES."

♪ ...I CAN'’T EAT,
I CAN'’T TALK ♪

♪ BEEN DRINKING
MEAN JAKE, LORD,
NOW I CAN'’T WALK ♪

♪ AIN'’T GOT
NOTHING NOW TO LOSE ♪

♪ '’CAUSE I'M
A JAKE-WALKING PAPA
WITH THE JAKE WALK BLUES... ♪

Isaac'’s voice:
A TRUE WANNABE KNOWS
EVERY POSSIBLE WAY

TO BECOME PARALYZED.

AUTO ACCIDENTS
ARE THOUGHT TO BE
TOO UNPREDICTABLE.

THERE ARE DRUGS
TO RENDER YOUR BONES
SO BRITTLE

THAT A WRONG TWIST
GETTING OUT OF YOUR CHAIR
WILL DO THE TRICK.

OR YOU CAN PUNCTURE
YOUR VERTEBRAE

WITH A FOUR-INCH
SPINAL NEEDLE.

BUT THERE'’S ONE PATH
TO PARALYSIS

THAT EXCITES
A WANNABE'’S IMAGINATION
ABOVE ALL OTHERS.

IT'’S CALLED
TRIORTHOCRESYL
PHOSPHATE.

THEY USE IT
TO SOFTEN PLASTIC.

THIS IS
GINGER JAKE.

IT'’LL PARALYZE
YOUR LEGS, YOUR ARMS.

IF YOU WANNA
FUCK YOURSELF UP,
YOU BE MY GUEST.

OKAY, I'’M NOT
BEING A BITCH,

BUT I WILL GIVE YOU
BACK YOUR SHOES

IN LITTLE CUT-UP
PIECES OF LEATHER
IF YOU DON'’T HELP ME.

- I'’M NOT HELPING YOU.
- YOU WILL.

COME TO MY APARTMENT.
WE'’LL DO IT THERE
TOGETHER.

FIONA, WHATEVER
FUCKED-UP THING
HAPPENED TO YOU,

YOU DON'’T DESERVE
TO BE PARALYZED.

OH, BUT YOU DO?

YOU STILL HAVE
NO IDEA, DO YOU?

Fiona on tape:
I never talked
about this.

[ fast forwarding ]

Isaac:
So why do you think

someone would want
to be paralyzed?

Give me your
working theory.

- Fiona: I can'’t believe
I'’m talking to you.
- About this?

Fiona: No. Yes.
No, it'’s you.

[ rewinds ]

No. Yes. No.
You know, it'’s you.

[ rewinds ]

...it'’s you, right?
I mean--

[ turns off recorder ]

Isaac'’s voice:
DRIVING BY THE TULIP FARMS.

THE FLOWERS ARE RED.
THE POMPOMS ARE...

RED AND WHITE.

WAKE UP.

- [ overlapping conversations ]
- [ phones ringing quietly ]

[ mouths ]

YOU SAID
YOU KNEW A GUY

WHO COULD GET ANYTHING
ON ANYBODY, RIGHT?

YEAH. ME.

LOOK, I NEED TO KNOW
IF FIONA ANKANY

IS THE GIRL WHO CRASHED
INTO MY PARENTS'’ CAR

18 YEARS AGO.

THE RECORDS
WERE SEALED.

WELL, DID YOU
ASK HER?

I DON'’T THINK
SHE'’D TELL ME.

- WHAT DID SHE TELL YOU?
- I DIDN'’T ASK HER
ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

WELL, YOU KNOW,
I DON'’T WANT TO
LECTURE HERE,

BUT IT'’S KIND OF
QUESTION-AND-ANSWER.

YOU KNOW,
YOU HAVE TO
ASK THE QUESTIONS,

UNLESS YOU REALLY
DON'’T WANT TO KNOW
THE ANSWER.

ARE YOU OKAY?

YOU THINK
I'’M FUCKED
IN THE HEAD.

NO, I THINK
YOU'’RE GANGBANGED
IN THE HEAD.

OKAY, YOU ARE WIGGING.

YOU HURT ME

AND I HURT YOU--
THAT'’S WHAT THIS
IS ABOUT.

I'’VE TRIED TO IMAGINE
WHAT IT MUST HAVE
LOOKED LIKE

TO YOU
IN THE BACK SEAT.

AT THE POLICE STATION
MY MOTHER TOLD ME
YOU HAD SURVIVED.

SHE SAID THAT
YOU'’D BE STUCK
IN A WHEELCHAIR

THE REST
OF YOUR LIFE.

BUT I WAS GLAD,
BECAUSE WHEN I LEFT YOU,

YOU WERE
LYING ON THE ROAD
AND I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD.

YOU KEEP THE SHOES.

- YOU'’RE HYSTERICAL.
- I'’M ABOUT TO BE
HILARIOUS.

HYSTERICAL BLINDNESS,
HYSTERICAL PREGNANCY--

YOU HAVE HYSTERICAL
PARALYSIS.

ISAAC, HOW MANY DOCTORS
HAVE YOU LET EXAMINE YOU
IN YOUR LIFE?

WHAT MAKES A PERSON
WANT TO BE PARALYZED

WHO ISN'’T?

[ rain pattering ]

[ panting ]

I USED TO THINK
IF ALIENS LANDED

AND THEY SAW ALL
THE ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE

AND THEN THEY
SAW THE PEOPLE
ON THEIR WHEELCHAIRS,

THEY WOULD SAY
THAT THOSE MUST BE

THE KINGS AND QUEENS

BECAUSE THEY HAVE
SPECIAL RAMPS

AND THEY NEVER
HAVE TO GET UP.

I HAVE THIS FANTASY
THAT MAYBE SOMEDAY

AFTER WE HAVEN'’T
SEEN EACH OTHER
IN SOME TIME...

I'’LL HEAR YOU SAY
THAT YOU FORGIVE ME...

- [ grunts ]
- ...LIKE,

ON THE RADIO--

YOU KNOW,
SAY MY NAME

MAYBE.

[ inhales ]

[ exhales ]

THAT WAS
THE LAST TIME
I SAW HER.

I WENT BACK
TO HER APARTMENT,

BUT SHE'’D MOVED OUT
ALMOST OVERNIGHT.

THERE WAS
NO FORWARDING ADDRESS.

I KNOW A GUY
WHO CAN FIND
ANYTHING ON ANYBODY,

AND EVEN HE
DOESN'’T KNOW
WHERE SHE WENT.

HER MOTHER
DOESN'’T KNOW EITHER.

I WENT TO SEE HER
AND WE TALKED ABOUT
THAT DAY,

THE MORNING
IT HAPPENED.

"DO YOU FEEL
ANY RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE CRASH?"

SHE JUST
STARES OFF,

CONTEMPLATING
THE FAIRNESS
OF A QUESTION

SHE WILL
NEVER ANSWER.

NOW IT'’S NOVEMBER,
TWO MONTHS SINCE
I'’VE SEEN HER.

THIS IS
THE SECOND TIME
IN MY LIFE

SHE'’S CRASHED INTO ME
AND THEN VANISHED.

I FIND MYSELF
GOING BACK TO PLACES
WE'’D BEEN TOGETHER--

NOT IN THE WAY
YOU DO WHEN YOU CAN'’T
GET OVER SOMEONE,

I JUST GO
TO THINK ABOUT HER

AND TO FEEL...

RESTORED.

ISAAC KNOTT,

PUBLIC RADIO
NEW YORK.

[ instrumental music
playing ]