Original subtitles

(waves sloshing)

(bus rumbling, car horns honking)

*

*

*

*

*

(door opens, closes)

Okay, Abrams.

Ayende.

Bernstein.

Buckley.

Cohen.

Thanks, Mr. Aaron.

Garcia.

MR. AARON: Hall.

(students conversing)

Take a seat, Lisa.

I just wanted to talk to you about your test

for a minute.

Sure. Now...

I know you had a little help.

A lot of people did.

Well, be that as it may...

I mean, I'll take it over again if you want,

but, like, what would be the point?

It's not like I'm ever gonna actually need

to know this stuff in my daily life.

Well, that's just not necessarily true, Lisa.

Haven't you ever developed an interest in something

that you didn't initially think

you were gonna develop an interest in?

Um, no.

Not really.

(chuckles): Okay...

Haven't you ever, uh, uh...

Haven't you ever been put in a new situation and found that,

after overcoming its difficulties,

you had developed a new set of skills,

new experiences along the way?

No, I really haven't.

Anyway, it was open book, so what's the big

(school bell ringing) difference between using a book

and, like, I don't know, using somebody else's mind

who's, like, really good at math?

I mean, it's not like this person

did the whole test for me.

Oh, no?

No, I did some of it.

Well, next time,

I'd appreciate it if you did it all.

Okay?

You are so fair.

BOY: Hey, Lisa!

What did he say to you?

Nothing.

Mr. Aaron and I have an understanding

about my math problem.

MAN: So, the President of the United States,

William B. McKinley, authorizes the use

of private detectives to break the strike.

And they went out there and shot them down.

Just like they did in Virginia,

just like they did in Pennsylvania.

Because they didn't care.

They did not care.

And that's basically it.

That's basically all there is to say.

All right? Go ahead.

Uh, Becky.

Well, Mr. Klein, I mean, was there ever, like,

a good President of the United States?

(students chuckle) I don't know, Becky.

I think that's a good question.

What do you think?

Um... you, Lionel, what do you think?

Did we ever have a good President?

Um, I don't know.

I guess, most of them have just been, like, totally corrupt.

Uh, Lisa.

Can I just say that I'm not necessarily, like,

a big fan of all the Presidents of the United States,

especially the current one, but I still don't think

it's necessarily all that useful to categorize every president

as universally corrupt, because that just seems

really general to me.

Especially if you're gonna judge them by the standard

of whatever they're supposed to traditionally be like

in some mythical version of America

that probably never existed to begin with.

Lisa has raised a salient point.

(students chuckle)

Tell him to be polite, tell him to answer the questions,

and I'll arrange for his bail in the morning.

Yes.

Hey, how'd you do?

Hey, Darren. It was fine.

Thank you so much.

So he didn't give you a hard time or anything?

No, he knows I'm not planning to, like,

go into mathematics or anything.

He was totally cool about it.

He is so cool.

Oh, yeah, everybody loves Mr. Aaron.

What's that supposed to mean?

Nothing. The man is very lovable.

What are you doing now?

I was gonna go look for a cowboy hat.

Why...

would you want to buy a cowboy hat?

Because my dad is supposed to take me and my brother

to this ranch in New Mexico to go horseback riding,

and I don't think it would be right to appear on horseback

in New Mexico without the appropriate

equestrian paraphernalia, Darren.

You wouldn't understand these things.

That is a definite possibility.

Anyway, thanks again.

Well, before you venture forth on your bizarre quest

for a cowboy hat...

Yes, Darren?

What are you up to later?

Like, tonight.

I don't know.

Do you want to go to a movie?

What, you mean, like, on a date?

No.

Not on a date.

Just go to a movie.

I don't know if it's a fucking date.

All right, calm down. (chuckles)

What do you want to see?

I don't know.

I don't even know what's playing.

I don't know if it's a date.

Let's just forget about it.

I hate the fucking movies, anyway.

They're just bullshit, they're all bullshit.

Okay, take it easy. I'm sorry.

I was just asking.

What if it was a date, anyway?

Would that be so horrendous?

Oh, my God.

Are you, like, are you asking me out?

Are you?

Hello! Earth to Darren!

I don't know!

I-I, I don't know. Are you?

Yeah.

I mean, I feel like we're already really close.

Oh, my God.

And I think we'd be a really good match.

What?

Nothing. This is... Nothing.

So... yeah. I would.

I mean, yes, I am. Yes, I am.

Well, I would definitely have to think about this.

Absolutely. Give it some thought.

Okay, I will.

Okay.

Why do you look like that?

Like what?

What do you want from me? Not a thing.

All right.

I'll see you later.

All right.

(jazz music playing quietly)

Hello?

Hi.

Is Mom home?

She went to the store.

(playing scales)

Hey.

BECKY: What are you doing tonight?

Nothing. Darren wants me to go to the movies with him.

Oh, my God.

You wanna come?

What's that about?

(chuckles): Dude, I have no idea.

LISA: Becky, there is not a cowboy hat to be found

in the entire Upper West Side.

And I am very depressed about it.

BECKY: Dude, the Upper West Side is saving you from yourself,

because no one wants to see you in that hat.

(card reader beeping)

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Where'd you get...

How you doing?

...your hat?!

What?

Where'd you get your cowboy hat?

What?

What are you, cra...?

Hi.

Where'd you get the cowboy hat?

My hat? Yeah, your cowboy hat!

You like my cowboy hat? Really?

Yeah! Where'd you get it?

(thumping) (screaming)

(tires screech)

(engine stops)

(gasping softly)

(low, indistinct talking)

(woman sobs) MAN: Call 911.

Somebody call an ambulance. Call an ambulance.

Everybody, just step back.

I'm calling one right now. Can you hear me?

Get an ambulance! Someone's calling one.

Ma'am, can you hear me? Can you hear me?

I don't know. Where am I?

You're on Broadway and 75th Street in New York.

Broadway between 75th and 74th Street.

Who are you? My name is Lisa.

What do you mean? Am I dead?

No, you're not dead.

You were in a traffic accident, but you're gonna be okay.

I don't have a direct address. She's out in the street.

What do you mean? What happened?!

You were run over by a bus.

You gotta be kidding me. A bus?

Yeah. Is there a doctor?

Is there a doctor anywhere?

An ambulance is on its way. WOMAN: Is it still happening?

LISA: No, no, I mean yes, the accident's over,

but I think you're a little confused.

I'll say I'm confused.

Here, here, let me try to see if-- No!

Ma'am! No! Don't!

Don't let go of me!

Don't let go of me! I won't.

I'm not. I'm not gonna let go.

Thank you. Thank you.

She needs a tourniquet or she's gonna die.

Okay, let me just...

(squirting sound, crowd gasps)

Christ!

MAN: Look, she's...

What's happening to me?!

I'm sorry. I'm just trying, we're trying to put...

Ma'am, we need to put a tourniquet on you.

Do you have a belt? You can use your belt. I just can't see why...

LISA: You're gonna be all right. So just hang on, okay?

Thank you, honey. Just don't let go of me.

I won't. I'm not gonna let go.

They just want to put a tourniquet on you.

What do you mean? Are they doctors?

No, no, they're not doctors. Who are they?

They were just passing by.

Get 'em the fuck away from me!

Ma'am, we're only trying to help you.

Never mind that. Just try putting it around...

You want to do it? You know how to do it? You want to do it?

Are you kidding me?!

I can't see anything.

Are my eyes open or closed?

(horn blaring)

They're open.

(horn blaring)

What do you mean?

(horns blaring)

You were in a terrible accident.

You're gonna be fine, so just hang on, okay?

MAN: There's no place to put it. I can't even find it.

Will somebody call the fucking ambulance?!

Calm down! We already called them. Just calm down.

Well, they're obviously not coming fast enough

so maybe you should call them again!

Why not call them again?!

You're gonna... you're gonna be okay.

Somebody, could somebody call my daughter?

Sure, we can call her.

What's her name?

Just tell me her name and give me her number.

It's Lisa.

No, no, that's my name.

Is that your daughter's name?

What? What are you talking about?

I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be confusing.

My name is Lisa. Is that your daughter's name?

Oh, Jesus Christ, just call her!

Would you call her?!

I can't call her

if you don't give me the number!

I got it.

I got it.

Ma'am,

you're gonna be okay.

You're gonna be okay.

What's your daughter's number?

Sweetie...

I don't think I'm gonna make it.

(sobbing): Oh, no! No, please hang on!

The ambulance is gonna be here any minute!

No, just hang on, okay?

Please? MAN: Okay,

(Lisa sobbing) It's okay. She's gone.

No! No!

(sirens approaching) She's gone.

Please let go of me. Please let go of me.

Please let go of me. Please let go of me.

Just hang on. They're gonna be here any minute, okay?

So just... just hang on.

Just hang on.

Just hang on, okay?

(sobbing)

(sirens approaching)

You were going the speed limit?

Yeah.

MAN: Lisa?

Okay, Lisa. Lisa, I just want to ask you a few questions, okay?

Okay, sure.

Now just tell me everything you saw...

I'm sorry, sir, the light was what color?

The light was, uh, yellow.

Did somebody call my mother?

No, we already called your mom,

but I'm gonna have them put in a call

to your mother right now, okay? I know this is hard for you.

We got to get this while it's still fresh in your mind, okay?

I know some of these questions might seem

like they don't make a lot of sense to you...

They do make sense! Just ask me!

Okay, that's what I'm doing, all right?

So now I'm gonna ask you, from where you were standing,

could you see the traffic light?

Could you tell me

if it was red, yellow, green?

What color was the light?

(sobs)

I...

I-I... I guess it was green.

Green.

I think it was just an accident.

(door opens)

(weapons firing on video game)

What happened to you?

Nothing.

JOAN: Hello?

(door slams)

(pigeons cooing, fluttering in distance)

Good one, Lisa.

*

*

(no voice)

(shower running in distance)

I don't know if I'm gonna be able to get these clean.

Just throw them out.

Well, let me see if I can get them clean.

*

*

So, does anybody know who she was?

I don't know.

I guess she lived around here.

She had all these Fairway grocery bags.

What'd they do with her leg?

I have no fucking idea! Hey...

(knocking)

(door opens)

JOAN: Lisa, are you sure

you don't want me to call in?

Uh, no, thanks.

I mean, thank you. That's really sweet,

but I'm supposed to go see Becky anyway,

and I don't really want to sit here

thinking about it all night.

Go to work.

I'll be all right.

Hey.

Darren.

Hey.

(applause)

(knocking) WOMAN: Joan?

Yeah?

You got some flowers.

Can you bring 'em in?

JOAN: Yeah, I just kind of want to get home.

Yeah, yeah, she's fine. I just, she'll be fine.

I just, um...

So how's your... how are your boys?

It's so long since I've seen them.

They don't even know me anymore.

Hey, are you coming out?

Um, I don't know. I'm not sure. Come on.

Well, maybe I will.

I don't know if I'm going to,

but I might. Okay, see you. Bye.

Bye.

Good night. Oh, see you later.

Hi, are... are you Ramon?

Yes.

Hello. You were wonderful again.

Oh, you're so sweet.

And thank you for the beautiful flowers.

You're very welcome.

And you've seen the show before?

Yes, two times.

Gosh, that's very... That's a lot.

Oh, it's a beautiful performance.

I'm sure you will have a big success.

Well, right now we're just trying

to focus on what we're doing.

I don't know if you're busy,

but would you allow me to buy you a drink?

There's a nice place right down the street.

If you'd like to ask your friends...

Oh, no, I'm sorry, I can't.

I'm just on my way home.

Okay, that's no problem.

Tomorrow I'm going to London for a few days.

Perhaps when I come back.

Um... well...

If it's not convenient.

No, no, it's okay.

Um... sh... yeah.

Okay.

Um, I'm sorry. I really have to go.

Okay, that's no problem.

Anyway, thanks again for the beautiful flowers.

It's a privilege to meet you.

It's nice to meet you, too.

Good night.

Good night.

Hey.

I thought you were at the movies.

Yeah, it wasn't very good.

(mimics Bobcat Goldthwait): I...

I was doing a show in Detroit,

and this woman came backstage and says,

"You want to go to my place and do some cocaine?"

I was, like, "Yeah..."

"Why are you in my apartment at 4:00 in the morning?"

(normal voice): Get us thrown out.

Oh, oh, do the Shirley Temple.

Come on, do the Shirley Temple.

Okay, go. You have to.

Okay, all right. Um,

* On the good ship Lollypop

* It's a sweet trip to the candy shop *

* And there you are

* Happy landing on a chocolate bar *

* If you eat too much, oh-oh, you'll... *

(all laughing) Keep going.

That's awesome.

Wait. What's that one? Do the, do the, do the baby.

Oh, no. No, that's too strange. No, no, I know, it's...

It's very strange. No, no, no, you have to do it.

Gotta do it. Gotta do it. It's very strange. All right.

(clears throat)

(mimics baby crying)

(all laughing)

So disturbing.

I know. It's too weird.

No, it's not.

Have another drink.

I think you can tell I've had enough.

(all laughing)

*

*

*

Matthew, if you would read the role of "France,"

and Anthony, why don't you read "Burgundy"?

Ah. Burgundy.

And I guess I'm gonna hog the part of Lear again.

Okay, Anthony.

Yeah, uh...

Royal Majesty, I crave no more than what Your Highness offered,

nor will you tender less.

Right Noble Burgundy,

when she was dear to us, we did hold her so,

but now, her price has fallen.

OLDER WOMAN: ...but he is a very nice person.

I know. He's wonderful.

He drives down to meet her every Saturday.

And it's a very long drive. Wow.

Do you know that he has three sisters?

The two oldest ones don't speak.

They haven't spoken to each other for 14 years.

You don't say!

The whole family is crazy.

14 years?

She has a dog.

It used to belong to her father.

Such an ugly face.

But does she love that dog.

When I saw the dog, I told her, I said,

"I never saw such an ugly dog!"

(phone ringing) Know what she said?

"Good! Then nobody's gonna steal him."

Who wants to steal him?

Good point.

What kind of dog is it?

I think it's a bull terrier.

No, I mean what's the name of the dog?

How do I know?

You want to give me the sweetener?

Here. Now, I'm telling you

I've always wanted a dog so bad.

Oh, no, I did.

I never had a pet.

No, well, I'll do that.

But now I'll get a dog.

But a dog in an apartment house is nice.

Did you know about Esther LaSalle?

(women continue conversing)

Um... I've been thinking about your suggestion.

Mm-hmm?

I guess...

(whispering): I don't think it's a very good idea.

WOMAN: ...her grandson was just accepted to Cambridge.

Why not?

I guess... I don't feel that way about you.

But those... kinds of feelings can develop.

I definitely feel like there's a connection there.

I know there is.

I think you're just scared.

I think you've been hurt

by other relationships you've had in the past,

and I think what it would feel like to have a real feeling

is really terrifying to you.

(various indistinct, overlapping conversations in diner continue)

What's the matter?

WOMAN: ...and family and two sons in Brooklyn.

Hey, what's the matter?

(various indistinct conversations continue)

MAN: Fuck it. Okay.

(sniffling)

WOMAN: You look very thin to me.

(applause)

(indistinct conversations)

MAN: My family are from Colombia.

My father work in the diplomatic service.

Really. Wow.

I grew up five years in Panama

and nine years in Paris.

And what do you do, Ramon?

I have a company.

We design computer software to help companies

in South American countries

that use an incompatible software,

so the computers can talk to each other.

It's a big problem in South America,

where there is not so much coordination

in computer communication.

Right now is a lot of opportunity for us

because for the big software companies,

we are still the backwoods.

That's changing, uh, quite fast.

(thunder rumbles)

Can I give you a lift?

Oh, no, thank you.

I'm just gonna grab a cab. But thanks.

I call you sometime?

Okay. Sure.

That'd be great.

May I have your telephone number?

Oh, my God! I'm sorry. Of course.

Duh. Uh...

Hold on a second.

Do you have a pen?

What's your number?

Oh, um... 212... 555... 0157.

(latch clicks)

(moans quietly)

(breathing passionately)

(panting)

(shuddering)

(panting)

Mom?

Just a minute! Just a second, please!

Hold on.

Come in?

Can I talk to you?

Sure. What's up?

(siren wailing)

MAN: I don't know.

I-I have not heard a thing.

Odds are probably good, I mean,

same crap happened last time he was with her.

Last time he was seeing her, he-he disappeared...

WOMAN: Larry, I didn't want to ask her about it

in the middle of dinner.

LARRY: I didn't expect you to!

It just galls me that they put us in this position...

I really don't want to shout from room to room.

I'll be ready in five minutes.

You can tell me everything I did wrong last night,

and then maybe I'll give you a little preview

of everything I'm gonna do wrong tonight.

LARRY: You know what? Fuck it. I'll just...

LISA: ...and I guess I was kind of waving back,

because I was trying to get him to stop, like...

I'm supposed to go back to the police,

to confirm my statement, like,

the day after tomorrow.

So what do you think I should do?

(sighs heavily)

Well...

(sighs)

It doesn't sound like it was anybody's fault.

But don't you think

I should say something to them now?

Well, I don't know, sweetie, I mean...

that bus driver probably has a family to support and...

he could probably lose his job, so...

I think you should really think about it

before you say anything.

Okay.

TEACHER: Think of the implications

of what you're saying.

I'm saying what is the frame of reference

for the average Arab on the street?

Angie.

Yeah, my mother's family's from Syria.

They're not exactly in love with the current regime,

and I definitely don't agree

with a lot of their religious views,

especially when it comes

to the oppression of women,

but I just want to say that Americans have no idea

how much people hate them all over the world, okay?

GIRL: Uh, we don't.

ANGIE: And all my relatives in Syria

think that what we did in Afghanistan

was terrorism, okay? TEACHER 2: Anthony?

Not to mention Iraq.

Syria's a theocratic military dictatorship.

Um, no, it's not. Sorry.

Syria's not a theocratic military dictatorship?

LISA: Um, I think we have a pretty good idea

how much people hate us, now, actually, Angie.

No, we don't. They blew up our city, okay?

I think we have a pretty good idea,

and personally, I don't give a shit

because the people who blew up the World Trade Center

were a bunch of sick monsters.

ANGIE: Oh, they were monsters?

Why? Because they're Arabs?

No, because they killed 3,000 people for no reason.

Maybe they think they had a reason! Okay, one at a time.

(both yelling at once) Hey, hey, hey...

(both yelling at once)

GIRL: Iraq declared war on us!

ANGIE: No, they didn't!

Iraq didn't declare war on anybody!

They didn't do anything to us!

TEACHER 2: So, come on, guys, one at a time.

Anthony? They did have a reason.

Thank you.

They want to establish a medieval Islamic caliphate

in the Middle East and destroy Western civilization.

Where did you read that?

It's on their Web site.

Okay, forget it. Forget it.

Go ahead with what you were saying.

No! Why should I?

But why are you defending someone

who murdered 3,000 people? I'm not!

Why are you defending a country

that unilaterally invaded two Muslim countries

and supports the Israeli occupation of Palestine?

Oh, give me a break!

And drops bombs on women and children,

and then calls other people terrorists

for doing the exact same thing!

Because it's not the same thing!

Yes, it is! TEACHER 2: Come on, guys.

TEACHER: Lionel, go ahead.

Yeah, I just wanted to ask, like,

why is it okay to drop bombs on men,

but it's not okay to drop bombs on women and children?

I mean, isn't that just, like, reverse sexism?

TEACHER: I don't know.

I agree it's a bullshit term.

This is totally stupid.

TEACHER: Ah... Monica.

Um, I think the whole class

should apologize to Angie, actually,

'cause all she did was express her opinion

about what her relatives in Syria think Thank you.

and everyone started screaming at her

like she was defending the Ku Klux Klan.

They are the Ku Klux Klan.

They, like, throw acid in women's faces. Who, Afghanistans?

Then why don't you drop bombs on the Ku Klux Klan?

Because they're white? There were six people

with their hands raised before you, Lisa.

Okay, but I'm not even saying that I disagree with you.

I'm just saying I think it's pathetic

the way people in this class treated Angie

for saying something they didn't happen to agree with.

Because that's censorship, right?

Right?

It's not censorship. Right on.

This class is not the government.

It's censorship.

Oh, my God! No, it's not!

(trumpet player practicing in distance)

Ready?

MAN: He's been with this other woman for 12 years.

They have a four-year-old daughter,

and every year he says he's gonna tell his wife he's gonna leave her.

He never tells her. Never tells her anything.

She has no idea what's going on.

Finally, woman calls up and says,

"I'd like you to know that your husband

has another wife and another daughter on Staten Island."

This is, like, an ordinary guy.

We work at, uh, Highway 1, out in the Bronx.

Uh-huh. Near the, uh, Bronx Zoo.

Ah. Okay.

You know, for this situation-- hey, how you doing?--

but for something like this we usually find a local precinct,

or an apartment, you know?

Whatever will expediate the situation most effectively.

Have a seat wherever you want.

Just pull up a chair.

According to the statement, the light was green

when the bus passed through the intersection?

Yes.

So you're saying she walked against the light?

(very quietly): Yeah.

It's true.

Two years of college, two years at the magazine,

two years with you.

I'm kind of a two-year gal!

What's funny about that?

What did you think of the play?

It was okay.

Well, thank you, honey.

(birds screeching)

(phone ringing)

Hello?

LISA (over phone): Hi, Dad.

Yeah, hi!

How are you?

I'm okay, I'm fine.

I'm just sitting here, looking at the ocean,

trying to do a little work,

listening to some music.

Uh...

how are you? I'm okay.

Are you practicing your horseback riding?

Oh, yeah. I've really been riding a lot.

I'm getting these really bad saddle sores.

Are you?

No, I'm-I'm... I'm kidding.

Oh. Um, yeah.

Well, do... do you know

Claremont Stables on 89th,

between Columbus and Amsterdam?

Yeah.

Well, it might really be worth your while

to go over there and maybe sign up for a couple lessons.

No, I'm... I'd be very happy to...

I'm sorry. What?

I was just saying I'd be very happy to spring for it,

if you want to take a couple of lessons.

I think it would really pay off in the end.

You know, I actually may take you up on that, Dad.

Yeah, just let me know.

I'd appreciate that.

So how's, uh, how's school?

School's okay.

Um... I'm kind of fucking up in geometry.

But I assume you're not torpedoing your scholarship

or anything like that.

Nope. Scholarship's fine.

Okay, good. Good.

Math was never my strong suit either, so...

Well, I guess I'm following in your footsteps in that regard.

Well, I'm... I'm proud to hear it.

So, um, so how are you?

Um, I'm okay.

Uh, things are okay.

They're a little slow, um, and a little frustrating but...

there's one or two projects we're going after

that seem to look promising,

and I don't know, I-I think it's okay.

It's... um... Okay.

How's the boyfriend situation?

Oh... the same.

Nobody, uh... They're all kind of the same.

No fascinating young men knocking at your door?

Yeah, very few fascinating young men at my school.

Well... I know this is not going to go anywhere,

but, uh, Annette's workshop is comprised, for the most part,

of strapping young men about 17 years old, who,

for some peculiar reason,

are interested in using their brains

to get on with their lives.

Nobody really understand why or how this happened,

but if you're interested in meeting any of them

when you come out next time.

Dad, I mean, I don't really go

for that California type, but thanks.

Well, I... I don't either, per se.

It depends on the person, obviously.

Hard to argue with.

I think I'll stop generalizing now.

Well, that's, uh, yeah, that's about it on my end, sweetie.

I'm, uh... I'll give you a call in a week or two and...

um, so, give my love to Curtis...

Okay, I can't wait for our trip.

Yeah. I think it's gonna be really fun. I really do.

I think you're going to have a really, really good time.

Okay, well... I love you.

And I... I love you, too.

Bye.

Okay. Bye, Dad.

Okay. Take care. Bye.

(phone beeps off)

You do know I have two kids, right?

Yes. I would like to meet them.

You are really smooth.

I would love to meet your kids.

I have two boys myself.

I'm not smooth.

Would you like to have a nightcap?

I just...

I feel like we used to be really close.

Like... like up until a few days ago,

and I'm really not getting that from you anymore.

Look, will you give me a break?

MAN NEXT DOOR: Why are you mad at me?

I can't hear what you said.

(scoffs)

I can't believe you just said that to me.

(snorts)

(rock music plays)

Now you want to do the other nostril

because you always want to be symmetrical--

very important.

(snorts)

You're so funny.

(snorting)

Symmetry.

So, what do we do now?

Now we make out.

Paul, what about your girlfriend?

I'm sorry, it just sounded

like you asked me about my girlfriend.

Well... if you don't mind.

You're not serious.

Uh...no.

(indistinct conversations)

I don't know, man. I don't really--

I don't want to get into it.

(hip-hop plays)

(indistinct conversations)

Hey.

You know I really love you, right?

Not really.

* Y'all don't want no problems *

* I'll take you to someone that'll solve 'em... *

I guess I'm not very consistent.

I don't mind.

I got to go home.

I'm just gonna head out, too, so...

Need a little help, I think?

Need some help?

Okay.

Okay.

(horns honking)

(knock at door)

RAMON: Joan, are you all right?

Yes, fine. I-I'll be out in a sec.

(horns honking)

Okay, we're gonna start with a few simple stretches.

And I want you all to watch me first, and then you'll follow.

All right, so left arm goes up,

and then all the way over to the side.

You're gonna feel a long, long stretch alongside of your body.

And then up.

Right arm up,

and a long, nice stretch at the other side.

MR. AARON: All right.

Mr. Aaron?

Yes, Becky? Uh, Lisa.

Are you still mad at me about the test?

What's going on, Lisa?

LISA: Because maybe the bus driver

is completely devastated as it is,

and I'm just gonna be this little rich girl who calls up

the cops to ease her conscience...

What does your being rich have to do with anything?

Well, you know what I mean. No, I don't.

Look, I don't mean literally rich.

I mean rich compared to the bus driver.

Lionel, I'm gonna need five minutes.

I just thought you wanted to know

that there's, like, a lot of people out here

and it's getting kind of hard to breathe.

You better close that door now, Lionel.

I'm sorry, I got to let these guys in.

Um... I don't want to leave you hanging.

Look if you're... if you're hurting, I...

we could, you know, get a cup of coffee after school.

I'd do that.

(horns honking)

(indistinct conversations)

(TV plays indistinctly)

Hey, does this dress make me look fat?

Um, a little.

Well...

there's nothing I can do about it.

Where are you going?

The opera.

Why are you going to the opera?

Turns out he's a really big opera fan.

Anyway, don't you think it sounds kind of fun?

We should all go sometime.

Uh, no, thanks. Why not?

I bet you'd like it. I don't like that kind of singing.

What? You like classical music.

Yes, that's true, but I don't like opera singing. But when have you ever...

It's like their entire reason for existing

is to prove how loud they can be.

I don't really find that all that interesting.

Yeah, I know what you mean, but it's not all like that.

You like The Magic Flute.

Okay, I guess I'm wrong.

I guess I do like opera singing.

I just didn't realize it.

What is the matter with you?

Nothing at all! Why are you pushing this?

I don't want to go to the opera. Yes, okay.

It's called an invitation.

I'm not pushing anything. All you have to say is,

"No, thanks." I did, and then you were like "Why not?"

So then I told you and then you started, like, debating me,

like you assumed that I've never thought this through for myself,

which I have, many times. Okay, well,

that was a really contemptuous assumption on my part.

I don't actually like the opera that much myself,

but I'm trying to expand my mind. Maybe that's wrong.

(sighs) I'm sorry.

I guess I'm a little nervous about you guys meeting Ramon.

Why? What's the big deal? Why are you so influenced

by what Curtis and me-- what Curtis and I-- think?

Hey, why does everything I say annoy you?

Jesus Christ, I'm just sitting here. Here.

You be me and say anything and I'll respond to you the way

you've been responding to me this whole conversation. No.

Go ahead, you say something to me and I'll say...

No, I'm not gonna do that. Why not? Why not?

Because it's dumb and horrible. I get your point. Uh, okay.

Whatever.

Was that supposed to be an imitation of me?

Hmm. Okay, withdrawn.

Are you coming to my opening night?

I will if I have to.

You're a little cunt, you know that?

Yes, you're a big cunt. Okay, let's not start talking

to each other that way. You just called me a cunt, Mom.

Okay, I'm sorry I said that, but if... Why? It's refreshing.

If you're really saying that you're not aware

that you've been really annoyed with me

or really irritable with me and it doesn't matter if I express it

exactly accurately, because you know what I'm trying to say...

Not really. If you're really saying that you're completely

unaware of that, then I have to say

I don't think you're being honest about it.

Now, maybe I'm doing something really horrible to you without

being aware of it, but I have a show opening in two weeks.

I'm really nervous about it. I'm seeing a new person,

and I'm obviously anxious about you and Curtis liking him.

You were involved with this horrible, traumatic accident.

You're going on this crazy

horseback-riding trip with your father, Oh, my God!

which sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

And on top of everything else, Lisa, ever since I told you

about Ramon, you have been treating me like I'm insane.

Um, I think you're exaggerating slightly. Now, what am I

supposed to do? What am I supposed to do? Just...

Oh, just stop whining about everything!

It doesn't matter. None of it matters at all.

You've been in a million plays.

You always get freaked out because of what some dumb critic

is gonna say about your dumb play. I don't frankly give

a shit about Ramon or who you're going out with this week.

I never go out with anyone. Don't talk to me like that. Great. I don't care!

I barely had a date for the last two years.

Yeah, but I don't care about any of it.

It doesn't matter. Your boyfriend doesn't matter.

Your play doesn't matter, except to you.

I don't care about New Mexico, because to tell you

the truth, I'm probably not even going.

Wait, what do you mean? And you want to know something else, Mom?

There are more important problems

in the world than our relationship.

There is a whole city out there full of people

who are dying, so who gives a shit

if I like your fucking boyfriend?!

It is so trivial.

Why are you bothering me with all this?

It doesn't matter!

(doorbell buzzes)

Well...

Should I have him come up now, or sh...

should I have him just wait downstairs?

Do whatever you want. I don't care.

Lisa, I don't even know what we're talking about.

I know you don't. And that's the problem.

Oh, give me a break.

Everything is all right?

Oh, yeah, oh...

I'm so excited to be going to the opera.

I don't think I've really gone more than one or two times.

I wish it wasn't Norma, but still is fun to go.

(dramatic classical music playing)

*

* Casta

* Diva

* Casta Diva

* Che inargenti

* Queste

* Sacre

* Queste sacre, queste sacre

* Antiche piante

* A noi volgi

* Il bel sembiante

* A noi volgi, a noi volgi

It's beautiful.

Shh!

(singer holding high note)

*

* Il bel sembiante

* Senza nube e senza vel...

(music fades)

(car horns honking)

(TV playing indistinctly)

(phone rings)

Yo.

LISA: Hey, Paul. Hey.

It's Lisa Cohen.

Yeah, how's it going?

Okay. What have you been up to?

Uh, seeing some questionable movies,

and not deciding where to go to college.

Sounds good.

So, I was just thinking...

This is gonna sound really queer, but...

by any chance would-would you want to meet somewhere

and, like, take away my virginity?

Um... all right.

Really? God, I'm so flattered.

To what do I owe this inconceivable honor?

Actually, it's because of

my deep, passionate feelings for you, Paul.

That's pretty much what I figured.

(honky tonk jazz playing)

(line ringing)

(phone ringing)

Hello.

Hey, what are you up to?

Hey. Nothing.

Writing my King Lear paper.

Really? That's impressive.

Not really.

So what did you do tonight?

Actually, Darren,

I don't really feel like talking right now.

Okay.

Okay?

Yeah. I'll talk to you later.

Okay.

Okay, bye.

Bye.

(sobbing)

(doorbell buzzes)

Hey. Hey.

Come in.

I think I just alienated one of your neighbors

by smoking in the elevator.

Oh, really? What'd they say?

She basically said there was no smoking in the elevator.

That's original.

So this is the living room.

Very livable. We like it.

My mom hasn't read any of these books, by the way.

Have you?

Some of them.

Not all of them.

This book is a very cool book.

Yeah, I think The Third Reich

may be a little bit too much for me right now.

It's pretty hard to put down once you get started.

Do you want anything to drink?

I'd take a beer.

Okay, that's in the kitchen.

Okay.

I have no idea where the bottle opener is.

Let me help.

Thanks.

Mm-hmm.

Oops. I think I just permanently damaged your kitchen counter. Sorry.

Oh, that's okay. Don't worry about it.

Won't your mother be upset?

How come everything you say always sounds so ironic?

You don't even have to do anything,

and it just comes out sounding like...

totally ironic and funny.

It's just a gift.

So...

do you want to see my room?

Sure.

This is my room.

* Ta-da.

Very nice.

And these are my stuffed animals.

Oh. Always important to meet the stuffed animals.

These are some drawings I did.

Not that I should be showing them to you,

because I know you're, like, a really good artist, right?

Uh, I would like to be a really good artist.

At this point, I think it would be more accurate to say

I'm good at drawing.

Yeah. I just do it for fun,

but I've always really liked it.

So can I ask you something?

Yes.

This is probably gonna sound very immature,

but how can you be so relaxed, knowing what we're about to do?

Or is it just, like, no big deal to you?

Okay. That was a really stupid question,

and I'm, like, totally embarrassed right now.

I'm actually more embarrassed than I've ever been in my life.

And if you want to go home now, it's totally okay.

Easy there. Don't be embarrassed.

It's basically, like, the world's greatest activity,

but it's not actually worth getting nervous about.

Yeah.

I don't usually get nervous because I think it's worth it,

I-I usually get nervous because I can't help the way I feel.

There is that philosophy.

You're so funny.

Um, do you have an ashtray?

Oh, you can, you can just chuck it out the window.

How would one just chuck it out the window?

Oh, you just slide the little door with the white...

(window opens)

(pattering)

Like that?

Yes.

And am I supposed to go really fast at the end or something?

Uh, yeah, yeah.

But we're gonna, we're gonna move on before that.

Here.

Oh, you-you don't have to do that.

I know. I want to.

D-Don't...

Don't do that, okay?

I'm-I'm just embarrassed.

Let me do it to you.

All right.

Uh... um...

any general guidelines?

Just-Just be careful.

Okay.

This is a little tricky.

It's probably gonna hurt a little at first,

but then it's gonna get better.

Just be patient.

There are certain technical difficulties of mine

that have to be addressed or it's not gonna happen.

Okay. (chuckles): You sound insane.

Okay, ready?

Yeah.

Okay?

Mm-hmm.

Okay, hang on. Ow.

Okay, there we go.

Does it hurt now?

Kind of, yeah.

Okay, just try to relax.

It'll get better in a second.

Did you bring a condom?

Uh-huh.

Shouldn't you put it on?

I will in a second.

This is really kind of hurting.

Okay, one second.

I love you.

What?

Nothing.

Okay, hold on.

Shit.

What? Okay, one second.

Oh! Sorry.

Sorry.

(panting)

(sighs)

Sorry about that.

(panting)

Kind of got away from me.

Did any of it get inside me?

I don't know.

Yeah. It definitely did.

Honest to God, it's probably okay.

The odds are overwhelmingly that it's okay.

(doorbell rings)

It's my little brother.

Hey, Curtis.

Hi.

(indistinct voices on TV)

Thanks.

I'm actually kind of mad at you.

Why?

Why?

Because we didn't use birth control?

I guess so.

It was at the ready.

Well, I don't really want to get AIDS, you know?

And I really don't want to have an abortion

because I know when you have one at my age,

it can be really hard to get pregnant later on,

and I definitely want to have children some day.

Try to listen to me.

You're not going to get AIDS because I don't have AIDS.

How do you know? Have you been tested?

No, but I'm pretty sure I don't have it

because of my demographic, and the odds are

you're probably not going to have to have an abortion, either.

And since this was your first time,

it might as well be a basically happy memory

instead of a shitty one.

I'm sorry.

I'm...not completely in control of my emotions.

Anyway,

thank you for deflowering me.

You're welcome.

Did it freak you out that I said I love you?

Nope.

Didn't freak me out.

You don't have to say it back

because I know you probably have, like,

no feelings at all for me.

I think I just proved I have some feelings for you.

You should probably go now.

Pass my sweatshirt?

Yeah.

Which way's the door?

That the front door? Yeah.

No problem.

I'll walk you out.

You'll have to wait.

(indistinct voices on TV)

(cheering)

Brava!

Bravi! Bravi!

Bravi!

Bravi!

JOAN: Oh, I loved it. It was so exciting.

But how about those people yelling "bravi" and "brava"?

"Bravi." Why can't they just say "Bravo"?

Well, it's the plural.

No, I know, I know it's correct.

But don't you think there's just something

a little pretentious about some of those people?

Pretentious?

Well, I don't mean they didn't really enjoy it,

but you know how you can really be enjoying something,

but you're also kind of looking around out of

the corner of your eye, because you know people are

watching you enjoy it?

Yes. But I wouldn't say that it was pretentious.

In Italian, you say "bravo" for the men

and "brava" for the woman and "bravi" for the whole company.

Uh-huh. Okay, I see what you mean.

You... you use the masculine

for the male singer,

and the feminine for the female singer.

Yeah. Anyway, I really enjoyed it.

Thank you.

Placer. We'll have to go again.

It was so glamorous.

(chuckles)

(piano plays)

Cue 36. Go.

Oh, man of--

MAN: Okay, hold up a second.

Okay, we're going to do that one more time, please.

Let's back it up, please.

Now, I know there's been a lot of shit going on

between a lot of the people in this room.

But I want to tell you something.

You've worked too fucking hard

for this show to be derailed now

by the kind of bullshit that I know

has been going on around here.

Now, I bet you there's not one person working on this show

who hasn't got somebody they want to say something to,

including me, so I'm gonna start.

Matthew.

By "Matthew" I assume you mean me.

Yes, I mean you.

Do you want me to sit on that little box?

Yes. (laughter)

GIRL (sobbing): But it's like I was so jealous of you

that I wasn't even there for you

when the whole thing happened with that woman.

And I'm really sorry if I hurt you.

I didn't mean to.

Darren.

I know that I'm not who you want me to be to you,

and I know how much I've hurt you.

But I still can't believe

it means we can't be friends anymore.

So much has been happening to me this semester,

and it's like I can't even talk to you about it

because I hurt you so bad.

Yes, you can. You can. Of course you can.

You can talk to me about anything.

I don't love anybody more than I love you.

You're practically my best friend.

I love you, too. I really do.

Okay, guys. Great. Very good.

Leslie.

Can I just say, I think this show is, like,

two-and-a-half seconds away from being fucking amazing.

And if we can all just work together

instead of being at each other all the time,

I think we could all just be incredible.

(applause)

Angie.

Yeah.

I'm gonna say it.

I feel really fucked over

by some of the people in this room.

And I'm not saying I'm not gonna do my job,

but for some reason, a lot of the actors in this show

seem to think that this whole show is about them.

And I think I speak for a lot of the techies

when I say I feel really unappreciated

and basically fucked over.

And I don't know if I can get over it.

I don't. That's it.

Okay.

Paul. Yeah.

I'm just playing in the band, you know.

This is high school, you know.

I don't really feel a deep need

to all be on the same team with everybody.

(laughter)

I just wanna show up to rehearsals, do the show,

go up on the roof, smoke some pot, like, go on home.

I don't really want to cry and hug anybody.

You wanna hug me a little, don't you, Paul?

Okay, Gary, man, I'll give you a little hug.

I'll give you a hug. No kissing, though.

Come on.

(applause)

(phone rings)

MITCHELL (over phone): Accident investigation. Detective Mitchell.

Hi. My name is Lisa Cohen.

I was a witness in a bus accident case a few weeks ago.

Yeah, yeah. Hi, Lisa. What can I do for you?

Well, this is probably going to sound a little weird,

but are you allowed to tell me

how to get in touch with that woman's family?

I really wanted to send some flowers or something.

Or is that, like, classified information?

No, no, no, no. Family's been notified.

Uh, let me see, uh, let me see what I got.

She mentioned she had a daughter.

Hold on a second.

How you doing?

Okay? I'm okay.

All right, let me just, uh...

Okay, uh, I don't have anything for a daughter.

The only contact I have is a cousin.

Abigail Berwitz.

Uh, I got a phone number in Arizona.

Okay.

Mm-hmm.

(dialing)

Oh, fuck me.

(dialing)

(line ringing)

WOMAN: Hello.

Yes. I'm trying to reach Abigail Berwitz.

This is Abigail.

Hi.

My name is Lisa Cohen.

You don't know me. I...

Yes?

Sorry. Hello?

Yeah.

I'm actually calling about your cousin, Monica Patterson.

Okay.

Um...

I was actually there when she had...

during the accident.

I didn't know her,

but I was sort of holding her hand at the time.

Yes? What can I do for you?

(piano playing scales faintly)

Um... okay, well...

I-I saw her obituary in the paper, but--

oh, can you hold one second?

Can you shut up for five fucking minutes?!

CURTIS: What am I supposed to do?!

I have to practice! I don't give a shit!

Sorry.

Um... Mm-hmm?

But I didn't see anything about a funeral,

and I assumed they had one...

No. As far as I know,

they're doing something or other next week, but...

I-I'm sorry, I was also wondering...

She said something about her daughter,

and she wanted someone to get in touch with her. Sorry.

No. Her daughter-- no. Her daughter is not alive.

She passed away quite a long time ago.

Oh, my God.

Was it... was she sick or was it...

She had leukemia.

Oh, my gosh.

Mm-hmm.

And do you mind if I ask...

Was her name Lisa?

Yes.

Okay, see, that explains it.

You see, I think that she thought...

Could I just interrupt? How did you get this number?

Oh. The police. I...

They really shouldn't be giving out my number.

This is harassment!

I'm sorry. I'm not trying to harass you, I just...

I have been getting calls about this for three weeks.

And I got to tell you people, I haven't-- I didn't have

any kind of relationship with Monica whatsoever,

unless you want to count the fact

that she held up my children's inheritance for 15 years.

I guess we're supposed to forget about all that now.

I'm sorry. I didn't...

The person you should be calling is Emily Morrison,

who was Monica's friend and is the person

who's been dealing with all this in New York.

But it has nothing to do with me.

Now, I can give you her number,

but I would very much appreciate it if the calls would stop.

Yeah, can...

C-Can you hold on while I get a pen?

Yes. All right.

Um, okay.

Uh-huh.

Thank you so much. I am so sorry for bothering you.

No problem. Bye.

(melody playing over ice cream truck, kids chattering)

(indistinct crowd chatter)

Hi. Are you Lisa?

Yes. I'm Emily.

Well...

thank you all for coming.

WOMAN #1: Thank you for doing this, Emily.

WOMAN #2: Thank you.

As most of you know,

Monica was not a religious woman.

Anybody who ever had to sit through a wedding or a funeral

with her knows how she felt about formal occasions.

So Harry, Elise, and I--

we were talking about this,

decided we would just have everyone over

and let anyone who wanted

to talk about Monica just talk about her.

Maybe share some remembrances.

Some of us know each other, and some of us don't.

But we're all here...

we're all here because we loved Monica

and because we want to pay tribute to her

in a way that might conceivably not enrage her.

(laughter)

(sighs)

Now I don't want to tell anyone what to think or how to feel,

and don't want to kid myself

about this stupid, meaningless way that she died,

because that would really make her throw up.

But I don't want it to become the summation of her life,

because it's not.

When her Lisa died...

When her Lisa died, I said to her,

"How can you stand it?"

And she said, "First of all, I can't,

"but I don't want to take away the 12 years she did have

and turn them all into leukemia, because they weren't."

And so, I do think it's important to remember

that despite the fact that...

that she got ripped off,

she was the most fully-developed person

I personally have ever known.

(sighs)

She was also impossible to get along with.

(laughter)

But that's another story.

So,

now I've said my little piece,

and I want to talk a little bit

about the first time we ever met.

(sighs)

She was...

She was 21.

WOMAN: It's okay, Emily.

I know.

I was 19,

even though I realize it's impossible

for my children to believe I was ever that young.

LISA: Hi. Yes, I'm trying to get some information

on one of your bus drivers.

Uh...I'm sorry.

His name's Gerald Maretti.

He drives the 104, I believe.

I...

No.

It's kind of a private-- private matter.

I'm sorry.

It's not possible for you to confirm the phone number?

Okay.

M-a-r-e-t-t-i.

OPERATOR: I show nothing for that name in Manhattan.

What about Brooklyn?

I show a listing for a Gerald Maretti.

You do?

(dialing)

(line ringing)

Hi, Dad.

Yeah, hi, hi. Uh, how you doing?

Okay. How are you?

I'm okay. I'm, uh... I'm just, uh,

sitting here listening to some music,

uh, having a delicious glass of beer.

That sounds pleasant.

Yeah, yeah. How's everything going?

How's the, uh... how's the boyfriend situation?

Well, there's this one guy

I sort of had something going with,

but he kind of has a girlfriend, so...

Uh-huh.

I realize I'm incredibly enthralling.

You are. You're very lucky.

You're a very beautiful girl, and you got brains.

That makes you a little dangerous.

Uh, don't forget mature.

Well, I hope you're not too mature.

No, no, don't worry.

Okay, good. That was a very good answer.

Anyway, I do think it's a pretty longstanding relationship.

Say, well, you know what then? You just do nothing.

Just do absolutely nothing, and I guarantee you, uh,

one of two things will happen.

Either you're going to, uh, get the guy

to start doing back flips to get your attention,

or you're gonna send him a crystal clear

signal that if he doesn't do back flips,

he's not gonna get your attention, okay?

I think he--

If you just suddenly give him nothing,

I guarantee you, the guy is going to go berserk,

unless he's just not interested,

in which case, you just got to take your lumps,

which is tough, but...

Okay, thanks, Dad. I'll be sure

to try out the technique next time I see him.

So, uh, well, everything's okay here.

Things are... Actually...

...a little slow, but... Dad?

Yeah?

I actually have something kind of serious

I want to ask you about.

Okay.

I'm kind of soliciting

people I respect for their views on this.

Okay.

What's up?

(whistling, dog barking)

LISA: So...

do you think I should go back to the police or what?

Well... first of all,

I'm very glad you told me about this.

Second of all,

I want you to let me call my friend who's a lawyer

just so we can find out what some of the ramifications would be.

Uh, maybe the three of us

could talk on the phone and possibly... Hey.

Hi, babe. Actually, Dad, please don't call anybody.

Did you get my message?

I appreciate-- I got a message.

Hello? About the flowers for my mother?

Sorry. Uh... Just one second. Um, just Annette

just walked in. I'm sorry. That's okay.

LISA: Anyway... Who are you talking to?

I guess I would just like to know later

that I would have done the right thing by myself,

if you see what I mean,

because I don't think I have so far.

Uh-huh. LISA: Not that I'm trying to make

this woman's horrible death

into my own personal moral gymnasium.

Right.

Well, that-that Shaw quote, right?

What? KARL: The Shaw quote.

That great Shaw quote.

That quote... George...

Uh... "The Englishman

"sees the world as expressly designed

to be his own personal moral gymnasium."

I think it's in one of those wonderful prefaces.

I-I don't know where I read it.

Oh. Who's that?

It's Lisa. Good. Will you please ask her...?

I... Anyway... Uh...

Hold on. Hold on, Lisa.

Just... I'm sorry.

Can you hold one second?

Yes?

Please ask if there's anything

that she won't eat for the trip,

because I have to call the ranch because

they do all the meals ahead of time.

Okay, I will. I really will.

We're just in the middle of something.

I was supposed to call them last week,

If I hear about this fucking ranch one more time,

I'm gonna blow my brains out. I called her, and then she didn't call me back.

Um, I'm just in the middle of something.

I don't... What do you want me to do?

Fine, but if they put anything

in the baskets that she can't eat, well,

she's not gonna have anything to eat. I will ask her.

The last time she came out here, we went

to three different restaurants, and she... I will ask her.

I just... We're right in the middle of something, okay?

Okay. Please?

Tell her I said hi.

I will. Okay.

Hello?

Yes, hi.

Mom?

(sniffles)

(liquid running)

Monica?!

(gasps)

(sighs)

(woman singing opera)

(doorbell buzzes)

(child yells)

CHILD: Stop!

There's, uh, somebody here to see you.

Hi.

I'm really sorry to bother you.

We never met. I'm Lisa Cohen.

Yeah.

What can I do for you?

Well, do you remember me from the bus accident?

I don't know. What's this about?

Well, would it be okay if I talked to you for a minute?

What do you want to talk about?

I-I don't... I don't understand.

I just want to talk

about the accident for a minute.

I don't want anything,

and I'm not here to do anything bad.

I just wanted to talk to you about it.

I was gonna call first, but...

It would have been better if you had.

We're about to sit down.

I don't know what this is. Uh...

(chatter of children)

Yeah, all right. Let's go outside.

I'm sorry. Could I use your bathroom?

Uh, no. Let's just go outside.

Jerry, let her use the bathroom.

I don't want her to use the bathroom.

I don't understand what this is.

It's right down the hall.

Hey, will you kids settle down, please?!

CHILD: Mom! I'm not kidding!

What's the matter with you? Who is she?

Nothing's the matter with me. Let her use the bathroom.

She's just some-some girl that was at the accident.

I don't know who she is. Who is she?

(children shouting)

Honey, just do me a favor. Wait inside.

No, I want to hear what this is.

If it's okay, I'd rather talk to Mr. Maretti in private.

No, it's not okay.

Look, we're just...

Okay. What?

Okay...

I hope this isn't going to insult you too much.

Insult me?

I was just wondering

if you felt bad at all about what happened.

About the accident?

Yeah.

You know, honey, are you just...

are you just upset about the accident?

Yes, I'm upset about the accident!

I'm very upset about the accident,

and I wanted to talk to you about it for a minute.

Why is that so strange? Why don't we all go inside?

Could I please talk to you alone?

Okay. What is going on here?

Nothing's going on here,

so why don't you calm down? (children yelling)

Look, go ahead inside, let me find out what this is.

In the meantime, why don't you make sure

those kids aren't killing each other, all right?

(children yelling) All right.

Oh, you know what?

Let 'em kill each other.

Give us all a rest!

All right, Lisa, what?

I-I just...

Well...

Yes. What? Speak...

I-I just want you to know...

Well, you-you probably already know, obviously,

that I told the police on the police report

that I thought the whole thing was an accident.

Uh-huh, right, because it was an accident.

Well, I mean,

I know you didn't do it on purpose.

On purpose?

But it wasn't like...

What? Speak. What?

Well, I mean...

we were looking at each other.

Who was looking at each other, you-you and me?

Well... yeah.

I mean, not like romantically or-or anything.

Ro-Romantically? Okay, scratch that,

'cause that's not even relevant.

Look, you're not coming through very clearly.

If you could just let me...

From my point of view,

I was out that day trying to buy a cowboy hat,

so I was waving at you because you were wearing one,

and you were kind of... waving back,

and...

I know I was distracting you, but...

I did see the bus go through the red light,

and that's when it hit that woman.

(exhales)

(chuckles): Okay...

I'm getting a little confused here.

Only nobody said that to them, and I just wanted to, like,

I don't know what to do. acknowledge with you that that's what happened.

I don't really know what you mean by "waving" at you.

What, were you, like, trying to catch the bus? No.

Y-Yes, but I wanted to ask you about your cowboy hat. Well, maybe

I was waving at you like waving at you to say,

I don't know, "step away from the bus,"

because if the bus was in motion, then I would've been

waving you away for your own safety,

but that's all that would be.

You don't remember

looking at me and waving at me?

No, not really, no.

Your brother's on the phone.

Tell him I'll call him back.

I'm not trying to get you in trouble.

I know you're not-- because you can't,

because I didn't do anything wrong. All right,

there was no criminality found.

That-that's it, the report is, you know, final, that's it.

So you're just gonna leave it? I'm gonna leave it because that's all that it was.

If something else would've happened,

then I'd take that to whatever that was, okay?

It was tragic, it's a tragedy,

but there's only a certain speed

that those brakes can react.

That's the physical limitation of the machine.

I-I don't know what else to tell you.

It's a shock. It's a shock. But that's it.

You can't bring her back.

You cannot bring her back. I'm not talking

about bringing her back, I'm talking about telling

the accident investigators what really happened.

But you already talked to them.

I know that, but I lied. You lied?

Yes, and I can understand if you don't want to get in any trouble,

but I can't... So then why didn't you say that right then?

Because when they were asking me what happened,

it seemed like you were kind of looking at me,

like we were saying to each other:

"Let's not say anything about what happened."

now I really don't know what you're talking about.

I can't prove that you were doing that.

Okay, what, did I say something to you?

Did-did I... did I threaten you in any way? No, and I am not

blaming you for any of this. All I'm saying is that

I didn't really tell the cops what happened,

and I didn't want to go back without having spoken to you first.

But you told them what you saw!

You told them what you saw, and so did I!

Only I'm the one driving the bus!

I'm the one behind the wheel. Jerry, take it easy.

No, you know what? Leave it alone.

What do you, you want to ruin my life?

Gonna start telling 'em about looks and you waved at me

and I had my cowboy hat on? Go ahead.

But you're gonna go home and you're

gonna do your homework and I'm gonna lose my job!

And who's gonna take care of my family? You?

Are you gonna do it?

And for what?

She's dead, okay? She's dead, and there's

nothing that I can do to bring her back!

I just want to say what really happened!

You do whatever you fuckin' want, lady,

but those cops are gonna laugh in your fuckin' face,

because this is not my fault!

It was both our fault. What did you say to me?

It was both our faults! Don't ever say that again

unless you got a fuckin' lawyer.

What's your phone number?

Why? Give me your number.

No. Why do you want it?

What, you wanna show up at my house

like some anonymous person I can't get in touch with?

What's your fuckin' phone number, Lisa Cohen?

All right, Jerry, take it easy! Fine, i-it's 212-

5... Hold on!

Go on.

555... (beeping)

0157. Why do you need it?

You do whatever you're gonna do.

I hope you get a good lawyer.

Why are you being like this?

You know, this is very traumatic for him.

Yeah, it's almost as bad as getting your leg cut off!

I don't understand.

I guess I was afraid.

I... I didn't know what to do.

You didn't know what to do?

I know it doesn't sound very impressive.

Impressive?!

(sniffles)

Okay, I know you're trying to do the right thing now.

What does your mother say?

My mother hasn't really been that helpful.

What do you mean? I mean, she's got a lot going on right now,

and she just hasn't been that interested, I guess.

What could she possibly have going on?

Her show's opening. What do you mean, her show?

What show?

She's in a play.

Okay. Okay.

I'm gonna talk to a friend of mine who's a lawyer,

and you're gonna go talk to the police-- do you want me

to go with you?

No, thanks.

Do you think maybe you should

ask your mother to go with you?

I think I can handle this part myself.

MAN: Well, she's been so suspicious lately.

I don't know how to get her into the office without...

Now, what do you think?

Hey, let me tell you something, Elliot.

(applause)

You want to fire me, go ahead and fire me,

only don't tiptoe around me like some kind of deranged ballerina

every time I see you in the fucking hall.

Now, do you have anything to say to me, Elliot?

Um...

you're not fired?

(laughter)

Oh. (clears throat)

So... what are you guys talking about?

(laughter)

You happy now?

Hey, what do I care what they say in the papers?

(applause)

"But it is the frankly extraordinary Joan Caplan

"who transforms the savage wit

"of David Holmes' acid comedy drama

into something approaching sheer luminosity."

Get out!

"But don't be misled by her feather-light timing

and expert comedic touch, the canny brav..."

Bravura.

NEWSMAN: ...female suicide bomber

attempted to set off a blast

Wednesday in Jerusalem...

JOAN: No. Lisa read it to me.

No. No, I never read them

unless I know for sure there's nothing bad in them.

(newsman continues) Well, thank you.

And I'm ashamed of myself for giving a shit,

but I'm very relieved. (laughing)

(turns up volume) Victor, I wish you wouldn't talk that way to me.

You know I... ...buses in Jerusalem's French Hill neighbor...

JOHN: Spring and Fall to a Young Child

by Gerard Manley Hopkins.

"Margaret, are you grieving

"Over Goldengrove unleaving?

"Leaves, like the things of man, you

"With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?

"Ah! as the heart grows older

"It will come to such sights colder

"By and by,

"nor spare a sigh

"Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;

"And yet you will weep

"and know why.

"Now no matter, child, the name:

"Sorrow's springs are the same.

"Nor mouth had,

"no nor mind, expressed

"What heart heard of,

"ghost guessed:

"It is the blight man was born for,

It is Margaret you mourn for."

Any thoughts?

Lisa?

Can I help you?

Um, yeah.

Is Detective Mitchell here?

No, he's not. Oh.

Um, I talked to him on Monday,

and he said he'd be here after 3:00.

Yeah, he's not back yet.

Could I help you with something?

Um...

well, do you know when... you expect him?

What's this about?

I was involved in an accident a few weeks ago,

and I filled out a report with Detective Mitchell,

but I wanted to amend the report... What do you mean

you want to amend it? How do you want to amend it?

Well, there was something I didn't tell him,

and I wanted to tell him... Wait, I don't understand.

You want to change your statement? Yes.

Yes, I want to change my statement.

Yeah.

Well, you'd usually have to talk

to the investigating detective on the case.

Yes, I know. That's why I asked to see Detective Mitchell,

who said he'd be here now but he's not, so...

Do you remember the case number?

No. Sorry. Uh, it was that woman,

Monica Patterson, who got...

run over by the bus on Broadway.

It was in a lot of the newspapers. Okay, yeah, sure, okay.

Sit down, sit down. Thank you. I...

You know, the case is closed.

I assumed it was, but part of the reason it's closed

is because of my statement, and... Because of your statement?

Yes. What do you mean it was closed because of your statement?

I mean, I was the... The D.A.'s Office closes the case.

You don't close the case.

The D.A.'s Office closes the case.

I'm sure it does.

I obviously didn't mean I personally closed it,

like legally-- I meant what I said was probably

instrumental in getting the case closed... What's your name, honey?

Lisa Cohen.

Okay... Don't call me "honey," okay?

Okay.

(laughs) Are you not gonna help me

now that I've said that?

Look, what's your name? Lisa Cohen.

Okay, Lisa, first thing, you're gonna calm down.

I'm calm right now. Okay, just checking.

Second thing-- oh, here he is.

Your knight in shining armor.

This guy giving you a hard time? No.

So now you're saying he ran the light?

Yes. He wasn't even looking at the road,

and... I was definitely trying to get his attention.

No, no. I get the picture.

So you're flirting with this guy.

He's waving at you, he runs a light, hits the decedent.

The both of youse lied to me on both your statements,

and then, somewheres in there,

you turn around and decide the guy belongs in jail.

Is that right?

Is that about right?

I don't have any control over if he goes to jail or not.

And what do you think I should do with you?

Do whatever you want.

I know what I did.

Okay. Well, before we do anything, Lisa,

anybody will tell you that just because

he ran a red light is not a criminal offense.

Even if he kills someone? Even if he caused an accidental death.

That's right.

For this to be a criminal offense,

the law says you need two aggravating circumstances,

like he ran a red light and he was speeding.

Or he ran a red light... So he's not liable to be prosecuted for...

manslaughter or second-degree murder?

No. He could be charged with reckless driving

or filling out a false police report,

which that's no joke, believe me... That's unbelievable!

What does he have to do, kill her on purpose?! Yes.

Because that's the definition of murder:

killing someone on purpose.

Now, you're not saying that he ran her over on purpose...

are you?

Are you?

No.

Okay, look.

Why don't we, uh, take another statement...

and, uh, and I'll look into it, okay?

I'll talk it over with my sergeant,

probably pull this guy in again,

put a little pressure on him.

We'll see what he says.

MAN: ...fucking cousin stole that shit.

(laughs) Because the Central Park Conservatory,

or whatever it's called, put up about 500 miles' worth

of these cheap shitty-looking fences all over the park,

which is totally antithetical

to what the park was originally designed for.

We are so gonna miss the game. (laughs)

Oh, my God, it's John. John. Hi, John.

Hi, John.

You want some? (both laughing)

Come on, guys.

Come on, you can't be smoking a J

on your way to a school soccer game.

(laughter continues)

Now, come on!

We're really sorry. We're really sorry.

(laughter continues)

(laughter continues, indistinct talking)

"Smoking a J."

(laughter continues) You've both been smoking a J.

(indistinct talking)

He's smoking a J. A J.

(laughter, indistinct talking)

Hi, Mr. Aaron.

Lisa, how are you?

Pretty damn good. How are you?

I'm all right, I'm all right.

Hey, tell me something, whatever happened

with that, uh, situation? Oh, I'm working on it.

I'll tell you all about it sometime.

Hey, what kind of bike is that?

It's a Trek.

I'm supposed to take a horseback riding trip

with my father over Christmas break,

and I was just wondering, does it bear any resemblance

to riding a bicycle?

As far as I know, no.

I don't know.

But you must have ridden a lot of horses.

What makes you say that? Well, aren't you from Texas or Wyoming

or someplace like that?

Someplace like what?

You know, not New York.

I'm actually from Indiana,

but don't let me overwhelm you with superfluous details.

God, so what are you doing at a New York private school

teaching geometry to a bunch of over-privileged, liberal Jews?

Uh... well, I...

I came-- I wanted to be a teacher,

and that's what I did.

I came here, and I'm a teacher.

Well, uh...

Before you go, can I--

I'm actually thinking about getting one of these.

Can I try it, just for one second?

All right.

Thanks.

Um, here, I'll adjust the seat for you.

Thank you.

Watch my bag?

Yeah.

Do you know how to...

Whoa, whoa. Whoa! All right, off.

Can I just ask you,

how is it possible that I am totally in love with you

and you have almost no interest in me whatsoever?

Can I have my bike back, please?

I can tell you like me.

It's not like I'm a virgin or anything,

if that's what you're worried about. Not even close.

I shouldn't even be having this conversation with you.

Hey, it's not my fault if I revere you as a god.

I made you laugh. I am so happy right now.

I'll see you in class.

JOAN: Someone named Emily called.

And Detective Mitchell called

from the Accident Investigation Squad.

Is that that one we met?

What's going on?

Did you ever go back and see him?

I'd rather not talk about it

when you have one foot out the door.

I'll talk to you later, if that's okay.

Of course it is.

(sobbing)

(door opens)

- Hello. - Hello.

Congratulations on the show.

Oh, thanks.

That was such a wonderful review.

And I read somewhere it was going to Broadway.

Yeah, supposedly, in March.

God, it's exciting.

Yeah, it's going very well, knock wood.

Good.

- Lisa. - Hey.

Dave. Dave, Lisa.

Hi. How are you?

So...

Lisa, Dave is one of my best friends.

He's a terrific lawyer.

And if he doesn't know what to do himself,

he'll certainly know someone we can talk to.

Okay, great.

When someone is killed,

it's what's called a wrongful death suit,

which is just a statutory case,

which just means there's a statute passed by a legislature

which gives you the right to bring the case.

As opposed to what?

As opposed to common law,

which is law passed by judges,

which is why the damages are limited.

I don't understand.

Look, just skip that part.

We don't care about that.

I thought we were trying

to get the police to arrest this guy.

Uh, no, the police are not gonna...

They told me they were gonna look into it again.

Well, I'm just telling you that even if they do,

there's no way in this world the police are gonna

recommend to the D.A. that they charge this guy.

I'm thinking... So what can we do?

Well, I'm just getting to that. Sorry.

That's okay. It's okay, honey.

Okay, I'm just getting to that.

You can't do anything unless you're a relative or...

She didn't have any relatives,

except for those idiots in Arizona.

H-Hang on a minute.

Or unless you're the executor of her estate.

I am the executor of her estate.

Which is Emily, I know.

So good.

Yes, this is good.

Because the executor of her estate

can bring a wrongful death suit,

but the beneficiary has to be a relative.

S-So let me explain about that.

In a wrongful death suit,

you can sue for pain and suffering,

loss of support or services,

also what's called care, comfort and society.

It's like, um, advice or counseling of the parent

that the kids aren't gonna get anymore...

So I-I don't understand.

Uh, who are we suing? The bus driver?

Well, no, because the bus driver wouldn't have any money.

You basically sue everybody and hope something sticks.

The person who pays will probably be

the MTA's insurance company.

But do you think the driver would get fired?

No, not necessarily.

But how much could they be liable for?

How badly do you think we could...

It depends. If she was alive...

If she was alive and in a lot of pain

for an extended period of time,

they give more money for that.

I'd say she was alive for ten minutes.

And I gather in a lot of pain?

But was she conscious?

Was she awake the whole time?

I'm sorry, Emily.

Yeah.

Awake.

It's okay.

Well, if she was in a lot of pain for that long...

I don't know.

Maybe 300,000 to half a million dollars

to get a sustainable verdict.

A brain-damaged baby would be three million.

But... But the truth is, Lisa,

when all is said and done, it's not a very good case.

Why not?

Because it's your word against his

and because you already lied on your first deposition.

A red light case is a 50/50 proposition already.

And with only one eyewitness

with two conflicting statements...

I wouldn't take that case.

Nobody really cares about getting a lot of money here.

I understand that, but it's...

We just want this prick to suffer,

and we want the bus company to take responsibility

for hiring this guy.

Can't I explain why I lied the first time?

It's not like I'm trying to get any money for myself.

That's true, that's true.

She has no financial interest.

She can't be impeached for bias.

Impeached for what?

She can't have her credibility attacked on financial grounds,

because the jury knows you're not gonna get any money if you win.

So that's something, isn't it?

But do you really think we know what that means?

I'm sorry, that's just what it's called.

But who are you talking to?

You know we don't know what that means.

It's like you're not really concentrating.

You're not concentrating.

I don't know.

I am concentrating.

I'm just thinking out loud.

Okay.

All right.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Okay.

All right.

He wasn't always a lawyer, you know.

He used to be a very nice little boy.

(laughs)

Anyway...

Anyway,

the whole point of this is to get...

To fucking get this guy.

It was to get him out from behind the wheel of a bus.

Did she know she was dying?

I only ask because the terror of knowing you're dying

raises the damages.

I think she had a pretty good idea.

WAITRESS: Here you go.

If she had lived for a couple more days,

it'd make the case better. Thank you.

I know that sounds horrible,

but that's what it comes down to.

We know, Dave.

It's okay.

I would just like somebody

to take responsibility for what happened.

I understand that, Emily, but no matter how you slice it,

the fact that Lisa lied on her first statement

is a disaster for your lawyer.

JOHN: "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods.

They kill us for their sport."

"As flies

"to wanton boys are we to the gods.

They kill us for their sport."

What do you make of that?

Lisa? Lisa!

I don't know.

You know what, Lisa? That's not good enough.

That's just not good enough.

Shakespeare wrote something, what's your response?

And don't tell me you don't have one, 'cause I don't buy it.

I don't really have a lot to say.

It seems pretty self-evident

to me.

Matthew.

I think it is self-evident.

I think he's saying that human beings don't mean

any more to the gods than flies do to little boys

who like to torture them for fun.

Like, as far as the gods are concerned, we're just ants.

Nothing. Darren?

(deep voice): Thank you, Matthew.

(laughter)

Yeah, I agree.

Only, it's not Shakespeare saying it.

It's Gloucester.

Maybe another character

would have a different point of view.

Okay, okay. That's a valid point.

Just because Shakespeare

has one of his characters

say something, doesn't mean

he personally agrees with it.

Yes, David.

Yeah. Maybe Shakespeare isn't saying

the gods don't care about us.

Maybe he's saying there's a higher consciousness

that we can't see.

That the gods' perception of reality is so much more

developed than ours that, compared to their perception,

our perceptions are like comparing flies to boys.

Okay, I really, I really don't think

that that's what he's getting at.

What I think he's getting at here

is a very dark view

of the arbitrary nature of human suffering.

But maybe he's not. Maybe he's comparing

human consciousness to divine consciousness

and that, even though it seems to us

that human suffering is just arbitrary,

that's just because we're limited by our viewpoint.

Okay. I, uh...

I still don't think that that's what he's saying.

No, like, if you say they kill us for their sport

when our perception of the gods is so meager

that we can't even tell what they're doing,

then how can we be so arrogant as to think

that they would even bother to kill us for their sport?

I don't know.

(sighs) Uh, Monica.

I don't think that's what he's saying at all.

I think he's saying that the gods

don't give a shit about human beings

and that they just like to kill

and torture us for fun.

But if the gods' consciousness

is so much more developed than ours

that we seem like flies to them,

then how can we be sure what they have in mind for us

or why they do anything?

Okay, David.

I think you've made your point.

But that's not what Shakespeare meant.

Scholarly opinion is pretty consistent

that he's trying to say something...

"Scholarly opinion"?

...about human suffering here.

But what are you saying?

1,000 Frenchmen can't be wrong?

No, I'm not saying that, but I would like to move on.

Well, I think he is saying that because he's comparing

human consciousness to flies, and he's saying that

we can't see the truth around us

because our consciousness is undeveloped.

No, David.

You're wrong.

That's not what Shakespeare meant.

He says it somewhere else in the play,

but I don't want to get hung up on this

because that's not what Shakespeare meant!

(clears throat)

I would really like

to move on.

"Poor Tom's a-cold..."

(phone ringing)

Detective Mitchell.

Oh, hi. It's Lisa Cohen calling.

Yeah, hi, Lisa. What can I do for you?

Well, I was just wondering whatever happened,

if anything, with the case.

You said you might reinterview the bus driver.

Yes, we did. We-We brought him back in.

You did? What happened?

Well, he basically stuck by his original representation,

and, uh, that's pretty much it.

So, uh, there's really, uh,

not a lot more we can do at this point.

Well, I'm not trying to tell you how to do your job,

but how did you ask the questions?

Excuse me?

He's obviously not gonna change his statement

if you just ask him, like, really politely.

Why would he?

We already know he's a liar.

Hey, you know, in the old days, Lisa,

we'd just throw him in the back room with a rubber hose

and get whatever answer we want out of him.

But unfortunately, we don't do that anymore.

Yeah, not to white people.

Excuse me?

You don't do it to white people.

Anyway, I'm not saying that you're...

Whoa, whoa, whoa. We don't do it to who?

Oh, my God. Hey, shh!

Well, first of all, I don't understand

why you bring this guy's race into it.

You know, there's 40,000 cops in this city.

Yes...

And yes, and I hate to disillusion you,

but most of them

are pretty good guys just trying to do their job.

Now, the bottom line is,

the D.A. is not gonna take this case.

Now, you could take it up with my sergeant

if you want to, but he's...

Yes, I would.

Well, I will patch you through, then.

But the original decision was based on false information.

So what's the point of even bringing him in...

So there's no way to appeal?

But how do you know Detective Mitchell

interrogated him aggressively enough if you weren't there?

What's going on?

It's funny. It's the same show,

but now they've all read how great it is,

we get these big standing ovations every night,

and it's the exact same show it was before.

But why do you put yourself down?

It's a wonderful show

and a wonderful performance.

No, no, it's not...

No, I'm not putting myself down.

It's just the audience always reacts differently

once they've been told it's good.

A lot of actors have that experience.

Hmm.

I love this view.

Ramon, this may sound very stupid to you,

but do you ever worry that we don't have very much in common?

What do you mean?

Well, I don't mean to sound dissatisfied or disgruntled,

but it seem like we're always misunderstanding each other.

Do you ever feel that way at all,

or am I just completely off the beam?

I don't think we should talk about that, Joan.

You don't?

Well, I feel it's kind of important,

or I wouldn't have brought it up.

Joan, I like you very much,

but let's not talk about what you are like or what I am like.

That never makes a good result.

Talk about it with your friends.

My friends?

Yes.

May I show you some pictures of my boys?

Sure.

That's a little place we used to go on holiday,

two hours outside of Cartagena.

My family is all there still,

but Rodrigo is studying in London,

and... Hector is in Geneva.

Uh-huh.

I'm sure they will go back eventually because

they would like to do something for their country.

But it's a worry. It's very bad there now.

Yeah? I haven't really been following it.

It's a big mess.

Last year I helped to found an organization

to work with children whose families have been killed

or the parents have been kidnapped.

We try to find them homes, preferably in Colombia,

because if we lose our young people, that's it.

That's the future.

We have raised a lot of money,

but it's hard to see the solution.

Yeah.

Gosh, I wish I knew more about it.

I just feel kind of ignorant about your whole world.

You think it should be better

if we knew about all the same things?

Not really, not exclusively.

It's just unusual.

Don't you think it's unusual?

Not for me.

I guess you travel a lot.

I've only been out of the country a few times

in my whole life.

You should travel more.

Yeah, I know.

I've always wanted to travel.

But it's difficult with two kids and no husband.

My ex-husband... Karl.

Yes. You remembered. Very good.

Karl is very generous with the kids when he can be,

but he's struggling, too.

He's a director. He directs commercials.

And now he's trying to produce them, too.

Anyhow, I'm not ignorant because I like it.

I don't say you're ignorant.

You think Lisa would be interested in acting?

No. I don't.

I think she has a lot of contempt for it, actually.

Anyway, maybe it's the age.

She would prefer the world with no plays?

No films?

Oh. Who knows?

Would you like to see a picture of my mother?

Sure.

These are all my aunts and uncles.

See? Big family.

Mmm.

(Woman singing opera)

So after I talked to you guys the other day,

I called this P.I. I know to see if he could...

You called a what? A what?

Private investigator,

to see if he could find anything out about your bus driver.

- Really? - Yeah. So he said--

Dave, I can't believe you called...

Wait, let me tell you what he said.

So this guy calls someone he knows

who used to work as a cop at the MTA.

And you know the MTA have their own police?

The MTA police?

They have their own uniforms.

Yeah? Yeah, yeah.

Just a minute!

Jesus Christ!

What the fuck do we care

about the MTA police and their uniforms?

Okay, so this guy gets a look at your guy's file,

and it turns out that he's had two previous accidents

less than two years apart.

What? But that he's never been disciplined or cited,

just moved around to different shifts.

Are you kidding me? Why does this not shock me?

Because, surprise, surprise, his brother-in-law

is some very big muckety-muck in the transit workers union.

And if you read the papers, you'll know that

they're going through a protracted labor dispute

at the MTA right now.

And according to my P.I.,

management doesn't want to aggravate the situation

by firing this guy.

This is making me sick.

I know, but what it means, Lisa, is that we have a case.

We do? What it means, in fact,

is that we have a very good case

because we can now sue

for what's called "negligent retention,"

which just means that they should have known this guy was a bad risk,

and they negligently retained him

until, finally, he killed somebody.

And you can prove that?

Sure, because we can just subpoena

their personnel records,

which we already know contain damaging information.

But you wouldn't be our lawyer, right?

No. Why not?

I'm not a personal injury litigator.

It's not his area. I don't know enough about it.

I would lose.

But you could recommend someone?

Sure.

Sure.

Uh, I know a very good guy.

His name is Russel Deutsch. He's not a sleazebag.

Very, very experienced.

You gotta get that crazy cousin on board.

She's gonna be your beneficiary.

She's not gonna want to come to New York.

I can tell you that right now.

If you win,

she stands to get anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000.

She's coming to New York.

You're awesome!

LISA: What's with Monica and her cousin?

Oh. Monica's father left some money to Abigail's kids,

and he made Monica the executor of the estate

because he didn't want Abigail and her idiot husband

to get their hands on the money before the kids were grown up.

For which Abigail rewarded her

by badgering her about it on the phone for 15 years.

Always trying to borrow money against the estate,

accusing her of making lousy investments with it,

nasty phone calls,

nasty letters every month for 15 years,

until Abigail's daughter turned 21 and got married.

Then Monica goes to the wedding in fucking Arizona,

and Abigail, literally, won't speak to her.

She's a dream.

So that's who we're getting the money for?

It's not who we're getting it for,

it's who we're getting it from.

First thing we do

is we file a summons and a complaint against the MTA.

They get 20 days to respond,

and when they do, we can make our discovery requests.

Accident reports, personnel records, et cetera.

Now, you gotta realize, this is going to take some time.

The law says you have to have a court date within one year.

Usually it takes around six, depending.

Six years?

Yes, depending.

Now, I mentioned to Dave,

I have a friend who writes for the Metro section of The Times.

Yes, now this, if it could really happen,

this changes everything in our favor.

If they think there's gonna be adverse publicity,

especially in The New York Times,

they're gonna want to settle right away

as soon as possible and as quietly as possible.

So they'd make it a condition that we didn't...

It usually works, you get the money,

but you can't talk about it. Nobody knows the terms.

So what good does that do?

You get the money.

Is that bad?

This is how our society punishes people

for doing bad things.

By getting money

from their employers' insurance companies?

Yes. It's called "punitive damages."

Could we insist they fire the driver

as part of the settlement?

Yes. Sure, why not?

But is that something people do?

Sure. It's one of your conditions.

Great.

And

you think we're gonna win?

They're gonna settle?

Oh, they're gonna settle.

Oh. Hi.

I want to talk to you.

I take it that's my report card?

It sure is.

Hi. I'm Joan. It's nice to meet you.

EMILY: Nice to meet you, too.

Come on in.

Hi, Emily.

I had a friend who used to live on this block, at 202?

Oh?

Oh, that's so nice. Thank you.

Yeah, I don't know if you know her.

Cheryl Rowan? She's a physiotherapist?

No, I don't know her.

I think about 1,000 people must...

What?

Nothing.

Lisa says you're in a play, Joan?

Oh, yeah.

You should go see it. It's really good.

Well, the play is great, and we have this really nice cast.

She's just being modest.

She's gonna win every award in New York.

Oh, all that stuff's a long way off.

EMILY: I don't go to the theater very much.

No, it's just nice,

because you can work a long time in the theater

and play a lot of really great parts

and not get a lot of recognition.

And even though you don't necessarily do it

for that as your primary motive,

it is nice when people do notice something you've done.

Mm-hmm.

I was on a television show a few years ago.

I'd been doing theater all my life,

and suddenly all my relatives started calling me up

to congratulate me because they thought I'd finally made it.

All it was was this dumb show

that paid the bills for a while.

That show was so stupid.

Well, it wasn't that bad.

Anyway, I realize this is horribly embarrassing for Lisa,

but I just really wanted to meet you, Emily,

because, uh, you know,

you've frankly become such a big part of Lisa's life,

and I don't want to be intrusive,

but this whole court case

seems to suddenly be dominating everything,

and I can't get Lisa to tell me anything about it.

That's not true.

Well, I can't.

And I want you to know, Lisa,

I'm very, very proud of you

for pursuing this the way that you have.

But I can't let you pursue it

to the point where it's taking over your life

or interfering with your schoolwork.

See, it's really come down to a question of homework.

Lisa's on a half scholarship at her school.

And I know she feels a real sense of responsibility

about what happened.

Yeah. I do.

I know you do. I know you do.

But you can't not do your homework,

and you can't throw away your scholarship because of it.

I'm not. My grades slipped a little.

They'll get better.

Anyone can do their homework.

You just sit down and do it.

I've been distracted. I'll stop.

All right.

We didn't need to have a big conference about it.

No, it's not a big conference.

I just wanted to know what was going on.

And I wanted to meet you, Emily.

And I know it's a little awkward.

Lisa, do you think Emily would like to come see the play?

I thought you could both come,

and then we could maybe go out afterwards.

All right. Let me ask her.

Okay.

Dig in, everybody.

I was thinking about spending next year with Dad.

Oh?

Yeah.

You're all worried about my grades.

They have really good public schools in Santa Monica,

and if I officially lived with him,

you wouldn't have to worry about my scholarship.

Have you talked to him about this?

We've had some general discussions.

Do you want to go, too?

Me? Yeah. Do you want to move to L.A., too?

No.

Well, just let me know if you do.

Why are you being like this?

Why am I being like what?

Why are you about to start crying?

Because it's your intention to make me start crying!

No, it's not.

You want to move to L.A., move to L.A.

Why can't this even be mentioned

without you taking it personally?

I'm just introducing a possibility.

Oh! Here's a possibility,

that you can make your own fucking dinner!

Here's a possibility, that you can do whatever you want to do.

Jesus Christ! What is with you? I don't care anymore,

you heartless little fucking bitch!

Fine! Keep it up! This really makes me want to stay here!

You think you're so fucking perfect?

No!

Nice one.

Shut up!

Okay, okay, so Ground Zero,

and then we'll meet you guys at the theater.

Okay. All right. Bye.

(doorman blows whistle)

(elevator bell dings)

DUETSCH: How would you describe the relationship overall?

Did you talk on the phone a lot?

Were there a lot of visits?

I would say we talked on the phone

a couple times a month at least.

Sometimes more than that.

I would call her, she would call me.

And what were the nature of the conversations?

Oh, family stuff, mostly.

Her family, my kids.

She'd give you advice

about your family, that kind of thing?

Oh, I would say so.

Yes.

Do you have any phone records, or...?

I have all my phone bills if that's what you mean.

I didn't record the actual conversations.

No, no.

You'll see we talked

on the phone quite frequently.

(laughing): Okay. Terrific.

I see you came prepared.

Well, I wanted to bring everything.

Now,

when they take your deposition,

you're gonna say the same thing you just told me.

Just talk about the relationship.

Uh-huh.

Kind of advice she used to give.

Okay.

Now, Emily, where did you find this lawyer?

He was recommended by my friend.

I'm asking because my husband

knows a real good New York lawyer,

and I'm not entirely comfortable

with someone no one's every heard of.

My friend's heard of him.

He says he's very good.

Well, I'm sure he is,

but I have a responsibility in this situation,

and I would feel a whole lot more comfortable

with someone who didn't just

drop in out of the clear blue sky.

He didn't drop in out of the clear blue sky.

But, Abigail, even if we switched lawyers,

we would still have to pay him.

But it all comes out of the settlement,

so it's really up to you.

No, if you all think he's good...

I don't know whether he is or not.

My friend thinks he is.

All right.

Now, Lisa,

what's your involvement in all this?

What's your angle?

I was just there.

Oh, my God.

Is that you?

That's me.

And that's you and Monica, obviously.

Mm-hmm.

My God, is that her daughter?

Mm-hmm.

God.

So, how old was she when she died?

Twelve.

God, I can't even imagine.

Neither could we.

Do you know Monica asked about her when she was dying?

No, I didn't.

Yeah. I think she was confused.

Like, I think she thought I was her daughter for a minute.

And then, she was asking me to call her,

like, to tell her what happened, you know?

Like, she didn't remember she was dead.

But then it got confusing

because I said, "Sure. What's her name?"

And she said her name was Lisa,

and I said, "No, that's my name,"

because it took me a minute,

I didn't realize we had the same name.

But then when I found out her daughter was dead,

ever since then, I've had this really strange feeling

that some way, for those last five minutes,

I kind of was her daughter.

You know, like, in some weird way,

this obviously amazing woman

got to be with her daughter again

for a few minutes right before she died.

I see.

And is she still inhabiting your body,

or did she go right back

to the spirit world after it was over?

I didn't mean she was literally inhabiting my body.

I don't believe in all that stuff at all.

I don't give a fuck what you believe in.

Oh, my God.

Why are you so mad at me?

Because this is not an opera.

What?! I said, this is not an opera!

You think I think this is an opera?! Yes!

You think I think this is dramatic?!

I think you're very young.

What does that have to do with anything?

If anything, I think it means I care more

than someone who's older,

because this kind of thing has never happened to me before!

No, it means you care more easily.

There's a big difference.

Only it's not you that it's happening to!

Yes, it is.

I know I'm not the one who was run over by a bus...

That's right, you weren't, and you're not the one

who died of leukemia, and you're not the one

who just died in an earthquake in Algeria.

But you will be, you understand me?

You will be,

and it's not dramatic and it's not enough.

I'm well aware of that! And this first

blush, phony deepness of yours

is worth nothing.

Oh, wow. Do you understand?

It's not worth anything!

Because it will all be troweled over in a month or two,

and then when you get older,

and you don't have a big reaction

every time a dog is run over,

then we'll find out what kind of person you are.

I'm sorry, but I didn't start this conversation,

and I don't play these games.

I'm not playing games!

And don't look so outraged.

You have every right to falsify your own life,

but you have no right to falsify anybody else's.

It's what makes people into Nazis.

And I'm sorry, but it's just a little bit suspicious

that you're making such a big fuss about this

when you didn't even know her,

and you're having troubles with your own mother.

Oh, my God! But this is my life

that we're talking about, much more than it is yours.

Because it's my real friend

who got killed, who I'm never going to see again,

really.

Who I've known since I was 19 years old myself.

And I don't want that sucked in to some

adolescent self-dramatization.

I'm not fucking dramatizing anything!

I was there, and you weren't,

and if I happen to express myself

a little hyperbolically, Emily, that's just the way I talk.

I can't help it if my mother's an actress.

Why are you being so fucking strident?!

Strident?

Yeah. Okay.

You should leave.

Why? Because I called you strident?

Yeah, strident.

You should leave.

Okay, I will.

Now! Okay, let me get my bag.

Does this, does this mean

we're dropping the whole inquiry?

It means you're leaving.

I don't know what else it means.

All I meant by saying that you were strident

is that you were being emphatic.

I obviously misused the word.

Look it up when you get home.

Jesus Christ, you're amazing.

Yes, mm-hmm, I'm amazing.

Why are you doing this?

Lisa, I'm not doing anything.

I'm a human being.

Monica was a human being.

So was her daughter, and so is your mother.

We are not supporting characters

in the fascinating story of your life.

I never said or thought you were,

and I really didn't mean to call you strident.

I totally misused the word.

I feel so bad about what happened,

and I'm trying so hard to do something about it,

and I don't understand why, if I say something wrong,

you can't just give me a break,

but I'm not trying to dramatize anything, Emily.

I really do know about that trend,

and I really don't think I've been doing that.

(sniffles)

Thanks for letting me come over.

I know you don't want me here.

MR. AARON: No, it's not that, it's...

But I didn't have anyone else to talk to.

You've always been very sympathetic to my craziness,

and I know I may not show it all the time,

but I actually really appreciate it.

It's no problem.

So...

what's been going on?

I just need to talk to somebody

who doesn't completely misunderstand who am I,

or-or not even who I am,

but what's going on inside me,

or all around me.

Sound confused enough?

Well, no.

Anyway, for whatever reason...

I always felt like

we understood each other on some level,

even though I'm, like, this mass of conflicting impulses,

and you're basically the most grown-up, rational man I know.

I doubt that's actually true, but... well, thank you.

Seem pretty fucking rational to me.

Like, that seems to be your leading feature.

I mean, you obviously have a lot

of pretty deep feelings.

So, when you're rational,

just, just to finish my thought,

it's like this really interesting way

of governing yourself.

And you don't have to get all uncomfortable again.

I'm not talking about what you think I'm talking about

because I know that subject's off-limits.

I'm... I'm talking about your soul,

I guess, and how you feel

you have to keep it in check all the time

by being sensible.

Do you know what I'm saying

at all?

Well...

everybody has feelings.

Yeah, I happen to believe that who you are comes out

of how you deal with those feelings,

so, somebody makes you mad,

you don't just pick up a gun and shoot them,

or if you do, then that says something about who you are,

how you've been raised.

Well, I don't want to disillusion you,

but we happen to be living in a world

where that is what people do more often than not.

No, I don't believe that's true.

I'm sad to think you see it that way.

There are seven billion people in the world.

You think they don't all want

to kill someone once in a while?

But they don't,

most of them.

Or they meet some person...

Yeah, I think that people do try

to be civilized by some standard,

even if that's a standard that you and I don't agree with.

No, no, I get it.

That's actually the most helpful thing

anybody has said to me for a long time.

I don't know why I take such a dire view of things,

I really don't.

Just a little hot.

A little warm.

Is this all right?

Yeah.

Do you allow smoking in your apartment?

You can smoke.

I like your apartment.

Thanks. It's a sublet, actually.

Yeah.

Sorry.

No, it's okay.

This is terrible.

What is?

What...? I, I just like you so much.

Sorry. I'm a moron.

Hey, Lisa, Lisa.

I'm your friend.

That's not gonna change.

It's not gonna change.

Thank you.

Okay, Lisa...

Please just let me for a second.

I like you so much.

I like you so, so much.

(sighs)

(both sigh)

What's it like in Indiana?

It's okay.

(both breathing heavily)

Okay, okay, look...

Please just let me, don't stop me yet.

(sighs)

I really wasn't expecting anything like this to happen.

I'm really not sure how to react.

Don't worry.

I'm not gonna tell anybody,

if that's what you're worried about.

I totally initiated the whole thing.

Anyway, it's just sex.

You're acting like a little kid.

I'll see you in school.

Yeah, you're a fucking idiot.

I think that teenagers should definitely

rule the world, because teenagers aren't corrupted

by adult life yet,

and they're idealistic, and they care.

And I know a lot of people feel that

teenagers are really naive--

which they are, many of them,

but they still haven't had a chance to get burned out

by the disappointments and harsh realities of

learning how to play the game,

so, yes.

I would vote yes.

All right. Lisa?

And I'm not even gonna comment on the fact

that you just compared a 19-year-old Palestinian

to a member of the Hitler youth, which I...

That's right, because they both like to kill Jews.

It's not because they've been occupied and humiliated

and bombed out of their homes for the last 50 years?

Yes, that's partly why they like it. Hey, come on.

It's not like killing civilians is their last resort.

Hey, one at a time! It's their first resort

because it's easy and they like it.

They're just bad people, and they like it?

Yes, there are bad people in the world.

I think they liked blowing up the World Trade Center.

They kill their own sisters when they get raped.

It's called barbarism.

Practically all people do is kill each other.

If they didn't like it, they wouldn't do it!

You guys aren't the only ones in the class!

You're not even Jewish, Lisa.

The next goddamn person who opens their mouth--

I'm fucking half Jewish, and who cares what I am?

I'm anti-murder, not pro-Israel. Lisa!

You can leave. Fine.

Thank you.

*

*

And I guess I lost my cool a little, but...

Who's running these discussions?

LISA: ...there is such a thing as...

But, Lisa, you have to remember,

it's always easy for the dominant side

to be content with the status quo.

Hmm.

How do you mean, Ramon?

RAMON: I mean, the oppressor

is always in favor of law and order

because he's, he's law and he's order.

He uses violence

to maintain his position and calls it the rule of law.

But when the person underfoot

uses violence to change his status,

he is called a criminal and a terrorist.

In Colombia... EMILY: I see.

And what would you like them to do?

"They" meaning?

The Jew oppressors.

What would you like them to do?

I didn't use that expression.

No, you didn't. But since you asked...

I just spent the whole day arguing about this.

I didn't really mean to bring it up again.

Don't handle me.

I'm not handling you.

What did you think of the play?

Don't bother, Mom.

And I think it's ironic

that the victims of Nazis find it essential...

If the Israelis were like Nazis,

there wouldn't be any Arabs left.

That's what I've been saying. And I'm leaving.

JOAN: That seems excessive, Emily.

I'm leaving. That's the response.

That's the Jewish response.

It's the what?

It's the Jewish response.

You don't like what I'm saying or what I do, so...

That's my Jewish response.

(groans) Oh, my God.

It's all right. That's all right.

It's a perfect little encapsule.

It's the Jewish response.

RAMON: Joan, I won't defend myself.

All what I meant was that was the typical response

you will get from someone who will take

that position that woman was taking.

If I would have said the word "Israeli"

instead of the word "Jewish,"

I don't think there would be a problem.

But if you want to break up with me

because I used the wrong adjective, what I'm going to do?

I'm not going to beg you.

(hammering)

(line ringing)

(phone ringing)

Hello.

Um, yeah, it's Dad.

Hi, Dad. How are you?

I'm really looking forward to our horseback riding trip.

Yeah, that's why I'm calling.

I don't think it's going to happen.

Really, what's the matter?

Nothing's the matter. Nobody really seems to want to go,

and I don't really feel like spending 3,000 bucks

on something nobody seems to have the slightest interest in, okay?

So I think it'd be just better, obviously,

for everyone if we just canceled it.

I never said I didn't want to go.

Well, I can't seem to get a straight answer

from anybody about what they want to eat.

Annette is-- says that you called--

she's called you four times and you haven't called her back.

The ranch seems to be putting some kind of

intolerable pressure on her to choose five lunches

for a five-day trip that we're not taking

for a month and a half.

I talk to Curtis about it,

and all I get is monosyllables.

So what is the point?

I think he's really looking forward to it.

I don't think anybody's looking forward to it.

Okay?

I don't want to go.

And I, I also think, Lisa, that it would be a good idea

if we just tabled the notion

of you coming out here next year.

Things, things look like they're gonna start picking up for me

a little bit in the fall, and, uh, that means

I'm not gonna be around the house all that much.

And since you and Annette detest each other,

I honestly don't think that's what I want

to come home to after a 14-hour day.

We don't detest each other.

Well, it doesn't really strike me

as something you seem all that serious about.

Um, uh, uh, just--

we'll just forget it. Let's just forget it.

Okay.

Um, so just

tell Curtis that New Mexico's off,

and I'll talk to you whenever.

Okay. All right.

(hammering)

(man singing in Spanish)

What's wrong?

*

DEUTSCH: Dr. Berger, Dr. Berger,

excuse me, the man is not experiencing discomfort.

He's in pain.

Well, I use the real word.

Uh-huh, his other knee is 87 years old, too, okay?

So I'm not exactly bowled over by your diagnosis.

(beeping)

Okay, I'm gonna have

to call you back.

Ladies, come in, I'm sorry.

EMILY: Russell.

Hey, Lisa. Hi.

Well, they want to settle.

They do?

ABIGAIL: Mr. Deutsch?

DEUTSCH: I'm right here.

ABIGAIL: Mr. Deutsch?

ROB: Mr. Deutsch, I had the thought,

if they're willing to settle so quickly,

maybe we're better off waiting a little bit,

you know, maybe rattling the saber a little bit more.

What you got to realize... EMILY: Abigail, Russell doesn't...

- I'm sorry. - No, no, go ahead.

ABIGAIL: But if they responded

so strongly based on one story...

ROB: Maybe we're cutting our own throats here.

They are responding to the story in the paper.

ABIGAIL: That's just common sense.

But what you got to understand is, they're making the offer

to settle right now because they want

to get the story out of the paper.

The main point's not to jack up the price.

ABIGAIL: I'm sorry?

ROB: We didn't hear that last bit.

Ladies, let me just... Uh, Rob, Abigail,

if I could just finish my thought.

They are jumping at the bait right now,

but if another six months goes by, we run a serious risk

of losing our momentum.

That's why I wanted all of us together on the phone,

so we could talk about your other terms,

besides the damages.

I promise you, I am gonna be very, very aggressive.

ABIGAIL: Well, what other terms would there be?

ROB: What do you mean, like some kind of a fund?

A wha... a what?

ROB: Some kind of fund for the kids?

I don't understand what you mean by fund.

ABIGAIL: Mr. Deutsch, do you mean some kind of trust fund?

A fund that would be set up

by the bus company for our kids for tax purposes?

What fucking fund? I have no idea.

ABIGAIL: Because I have to tell you,

we have just lived through that nightmare

with Monica and our children,

and it was not a pleasant experience.

We just want a clean, straight...

Damages is fine.

We're talking about the driver--

getting the driver fired

as part of the conditions.

ABIGAIL: Oh, yes, absolutely,

if you think he's at fault.

ROB: Just as long as they don't think

they can buy us off just by getting rid of this guy.

You see what I mean? Absolutely.

ABIGAIL: Absolutely-- if they're so quick

to agree to a settlement on this basis...

ROB: But you see what I mean?

I mean, what we're most concerned about here

is the amount.

Yes, we're getting that, Rob.

Lisa, I'm really proud of you. Thank you.

Really, really proud. Thank you.

So, so what happens now?

They have to figure out the terms. Uh-huh.

(phone ringing)

Hello.

Yes.

What do you mean?

What's the matter?

Yes.

Yes.

Ramon's had a heart attack.

What? Is he gonna be okay? Quiet!

Yes, uh, um,

le-let me write this down.

(horns honking)

(indistinct crowd chatter)

LISA: Do you know any of these people?

JOAN: No, I never met any of his friends.

I don't know who they are.

Okay, I'm really not trying to be funny,

but isn't this a Jewish funeral?

I guess they do both.

Excuse me? Joan?

Yes.

Oh, you must be Rodrigo.

Oh, my God.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Rodrigo, this is...

I want to tell you, Joan,

my dad talked about you all the time.

He did?

Yes.

The night he met you, he called me in England

and woke me to tell me about it.

He was so excited.

I haven't heard him talk about anyone like that

since my mother died.

Really?

I-I don't know if this is appropriate...

No, it's okay.

...but... he went out a lot.

But the last time I spoke to him,

he told me,

from the moment he met you,

he knew he wanted to marry you,

because for the first time since he lost my mother,

he finally met a woman he could really connect with.

Well... he was... he was a very sweet man,

and I know he loved you and your brother very much.

Yeah, I know he did.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

(indistinct chatter)

(woman sobbing)

(typing)

Thanks for coming with me today.

I really appreciate it.

Oh, you're welcome.

I don't want to be macabre,

but Ramon and I were supposed to go hear The Tales of Hoffman

the week after next, and I still have the tickets.

Would you be interested in going,

or should I give them away?

Um, I'll go.

Okay.

It's Monday night.

We can dress up.

Okay.

What did you make of that?

(typing)

People don't relate to each other, Mom.

They're totally disconnected.

That's what I make of it.

Well...

I think that's kind of unfortunate that you think that

because I feel like you and I used to relate

to each other really well.

I'm not trying to hurt your feelings.

It's just a general observation.

(typing)

Okay.

(sighs)

Hey, can I get a hug?

Sure.

(crying): I... I just feel totally at sea.

(crying)

(sniffles)

(sniffles)

(sighs)

Okay, what do you want to do? What do you mean?

Aren't you going to tell me what you to do?

It's your body, it's your baby.

Baby? Yes.

Now, who's the father?

It, it could be a lot of people.

Honey...

Who?

I'm never gonna tell you, Mom, it's against my principles...

No, no, but you want to send that bus driver to jail

for running a red light,

and you won't tell me about these boys?!

WOMAN (over P.A.): Dr. Peyton.

Dr. Peyton, please.

(laughter and indistinct chatter)

(indistinct chatter)

MAN: Uh, he was here, I'm not sure...

WOMAN: Okay, um, when he comes back,

you need to have him come find me,

and if he doesn't come back

in the next five minutes,

I need you come find me and tell me.

MAN: Okay.

(indistinct chatter)

Mrs. Cohen?

She's right here.

Mm-hmm.

Hi.

Hi, honey.

I'm sorry, Mom.

Let's talk about it later.

(indistinct announcement over P.A.)

*

*

ROB: Hi, Emily. Hi, Lisa.

ABIGAIL: Hello.

- LISA: Hi. - EMILY: Hello.

I am very pleased to be able

to inform you all that I had a long meeting

with the lawyer from the bus company,

and they have agreed

to settle out of court for $350,000.

- ABIGAIL: What? Fantastic. - ROB: That is just great.

Now, I assume this is agreeable with everybody.

- ABIGAIL: Yes. Fantastic. - ROB: It's just fantastic.

But of course, I got to...

Obviously, I got to bring the offer to you

and get your approval.

ROB: Uh, Mr. Deutsch?

Now, I know there was a concern

after our last call that we were jumping the gun a little bit.

ROB: That's okay. ABIGAIL: We're only...

Abigail, Rob, could we just listen

to what Russell has to say and then talk about it

once he's told us the whole story

and given us his recommendation?

ROB: Yeah. Yes. Sorry.

Fire away.

I was gonna say, I know there was a concern

after our last call that we were jumping the gun a little bit.

ROB: Well, that's okay. ABIGAIL: We were...

Would you let him talk, please?

It's okay. ABIGAIL: We're sorry.

ROB: Sorry. I want to tell you

that I think it's a very good offer.

I think they're very anxious to settle.

But I also do think that at this moment

they are under the maximum amount of pressure

that we can really bring to bear,

and I don't believe they're gonna come up any higher.

ABIGAIL: Hey, $350,000.

ROB: Okay, now, just... Let me...

ABIGAIL: That's nothing to sneeze at.

ROB: Just one minute. Just a thought...

ABIGAIL: Can you all hear me?

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yo! Was that everybody? Okay. Emily, what do you think?

I think it sounds like we should do it, but I'd like to just...

ABIGAIL: Hey, if that's the vote...

ROB: Unless you think there's something to be gained

from holding out for more.

I think that would be a big mistake.

ABIGAIL: Robbie, what do you think?

ROB (whispering): It sounds pretty darn good.

ABIGAIL (whispering): I know it does.

ROB: I think we should go for it.

BOTH: Okay.

(in normal voices): Sold.

Okay.

Now, the only downside to this as it stands--

and the reason I asked Lisa and Emily to be here is because

I know this may be a serious wrinkle for all of you--

is that the bus company will absolutely not discuss

the removal of the driver.

What?! What? What do you mean?

ROB: The driver? Then just tell them to forget it.

They won't discuss the removal of the driver? ROB: Whoa, whoa. Hello?

Please, ladies, let me finish what I was saying.

ABIGAIL: It's just a blast in our ears.

Let him finish.

Finish what? Forget it.

Thank you.

Lisa, I want you to understand.

I pressed them very, very hard on this,

but they will not discuss disciplining a company employee

as part of the settlement, because it

could be seen as an admission of guilt on the part of the MTA.

What does giving us $300,000 mean?

Settling out of court

does not imply an admission of guilt.

It simply does not carry

the same stigma. On top of that,

you may not know, Lisa,

that they're currently involved in a very

tricky labor dispute right now.

Yeah, we know all about that.

Just tell them to forget it.

I know that's your reaction. It's the only reason we're here.

ROB: Can I jump in here?

Russell? It's really not your decision.

It's Emily's decision! No!

No. It's not?

ROB: Are you still with us?

It's Abigail's decision,

because she's the next of kin.

But she didn't even know about it! That doesn't matter.

ABIGAIL: Could we get back in this conversation, please?

Yes. I'm sorry.

Obviously, there's some strong emotions

going either way here.

ABIGAIL: Listen, Emily, I don't know what

you're thinking, but Rob and I are thinking

we should take Russell's recommendation while we can.

Because if they won't fire the guy,

they're not gonna fire him,

and in six months or a year from now,

we're gonna be in a situation where we're begging them

for half this much. The entire point of the lawsuit was to get the guy fired

so he doesn't kill somebody else.

Let me just clarify... It was not to get you $350,000

you didn't know you were entitled to

for somebody you didn't even like!

And the only reason you're getting the money at all

is because I started this whole fucking thing in motion!

I'm sorry for swearing,

but you should be willing to trade in

all the money for getting this guy off the street! For getting him, Abigail!

ABIGAIL: Well, I'm sorry, but I have a responsibility

to Monica, and I take that responsibility very seriously.

And rather than being abused over the telephone

and cursed at for having the courtesy

to involve you in these discussions, Lisa,

I would hope you would be guided by our judgment--

unless I'm wrong about that. None of that matters!

Unless I'm wrong about that!

Just what is your interest in this?

Because I'm the one who killed her!

I'm the one who killed her!

But at least I know I did it!

And that guy has no idea, and he is wandering around

blaming everybody else, and all I want

is for somebody to let him know that what he did was wrong!

And if they don't fire him and all you want is the money

and the police won't do anything, then how is he

gonna know he's wrong?

You can't take the deal, Abigail!

It wasn't to get you any money,

it was because we wanted to get him fired!

Well, it may not matter to you, but where I come from,

$350,000 is an awful lot of money.

In my mind, it's a positive result

of all this tragedy, and not just negative,

not just getting someone fired for one mistake,

no matter how bad it was. Oh, shove it up your ass!

Lisa! Lisa!

You sleazy fucking lawyer,

and you're a moralistic cunt!

*

(man singing opera)

*

(indistinct chatter)

Hey.

Lisa, what's up?

Hey, did you guys know I had an abortion last week?

No, I didn't know that.

Yeah, it cost $400.

Do you want to tell us about it?

Yeah, I do.

Okay.

Go ahead.

Well...

Go ahead.

Do your parents know about this, Lisa?

Yes.

Have you told the father, honey?

No, there... there's a couple of people it could be.

Well, I think you better tell them, whoever they are.

No.

No, n-never mind. I mean, I'm sure he's sorry,

whichever one he is.

I don't see that it makes any difference at all

if he's sorry. That doesn't matter.

It's okay. I...

I-I got to go. It... doesn't matter about the father

because the whole thing was my fault, so...

Sorry.

I-I'm sorry, I'm really embarrassed.

Please, sorry.

What was that?

Mom's looking for you.

What for? She thinks you're going out with her tonight.

Where are we going?

I don't know.

(orchestra members warming up)

(horn honks) Don't get run over!

Wait. What?

I want to see if it's him.

*

That's him, Mom.

That's the one.

(people laughing nearby)

Come on, sweetheart.

*

(low, indistinct talking)

Hey.

Oh, well, so far it's not the greatest opera I ever heard.

What do you mean? It's okay.

(low, indistinct talking)

*

*

(low, indistinct chatter)

*

(applause grows louder)

(gentle music begins)

*

(woman coughs)

*

*

(music grows quieter)

(woman singing "Barcarolle: Belle Nuit")

(singing duet with woman)

*

(duet continues)

*

*

(singers holding last note)

(music ends)

(guitar playing gentle classical music)

*

*

*

*

*