03x09 - Silence

[bunniefuu]

[Screeching]

That's enough, Mr. Lewicki.

Thank you.

Now, why do nails on a chalkboard sound so horrible?

I mean, it's just a sound wave, like any other.

Vibrations of air tickling our eardrums, turned into electric impulses in the cochlea and processed by the superior temporal gyrus.

The study of how our brains interpret sound is called Neuroacoustics.

Now, what can it tell us about why we love some sound waves and hate others?

One theory is that we dislike certain frequencies because they're close to the sounds made by a monkey's predators.

Another says that we hate frequencies in the same range as a baby's cries.

Which might explain how I feel when I hear Mr. Lewicki singing along to his Michael Jackson records.

[Laughter]

Donnie...

You never called me.

[Sighs] Look, Shelby...

Look, I'm engaged.

[Chuckles] Slow down, cowboy.

I'm not looking for a date.

I'm looking for an alderman.

Marty Holmes from the fifth ward has decided not to run for another term.

Interested in his seat?

Seriously?

You've got presence.

We've done some initial polling, and your numbers look good.

You've done polling.

Don't tell me you've never thought about a political career.

Sure, when I was a kid.

But I'm an assistant U.S. attorney.

Why would I want to sit on the city council?

Oh, come on. Donnie.

You're from Chicago.

You know how powerful an alderman is in this town.

An alderman might be just the first step... state house, congress, who knows?

Look what happened to the last junior senator from Chicago.

Hey.

15-minute coffee date. We got about 3 minutes left.

Sorry. Something came up.

Is everything okay?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I just got stuck on a call.

Well, I guess you'll have to think of a way to make it up to me, then.

[g*nshots]

[Screaming]

Everybody get down!

[g*nshots continue]

[Electricity crackles]

You think it's terrorism?

Maybe.

The w*apon, the distant vantage point, the clean escape... they're all signs of a trained sn*per.

But he wasn't a very good sh*t.

There's 12 shell casings and only one person was injured...

Agent Nina Curtis.

She's a good friend, actually.

We went through Quantico together.

I'm sorry. Is it serious?

She was hit in the shoulder, but they think she'll be okay.

Why leave the g*n behind?

That's pretty textbook, actually.

50 bucks says it's clean.

But this is why I wanted you to come down.

Numbers etched into the barrel.

Daniel: I'm gonna need to write this down.

Wilson, you got a pad?

Uh, sure thing.

Here you are.

Thank you.

[Muttering]

20...

Check out the stock.

Do you think it's a date? I mean, today's the 13th.

Could be.

Now look at this.

Some of the agents think it's sn*per calculations, but to me, it looks like Hypergraphia.

Do you think maybe the sh**t's mentally ill?

He might have Arithmomania.

An obsession with counting things, right? Type of O.C.D It's also associated with bipolar disorder and even Schizophrenia.

Look, there's more 13s.

Well, people with Arithmomania can fixate on certain numbers.

The sh**t's favorite might be 13.

Wh-where exactly was agent Curtis when she got sh*t?

Down in the lobby.

Nina was standing right here.

Luckily, her partner, Jeff, was next to her, so he stopped the bleeding.

One, two, three...

Daniel, what is it?

Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

This case trumps all current investigations.

We've got a t*rror1st out there who is targeting federal agents and employees.

The sh**t isn't targeting people.

Excuse me?

He was targeting the X-Ray machine.

Why would you think that?

Look, there were 12 shell casings in the sn*per's nest.

10 of those rounds ended up in the scanner.

I think he hit exactly what he was aiming for.

What he hit, Dr. Pierce, is one of our agents.

Yes, who was standing right in front of the machine.

Why would someone sh**t a security scanner?

Paranoid delusions about security devices are pretty common.

Ma-maybe he was afraid the machine was trying to hurt him.

Well, that's an interesting theory... the unsub has struck again.

Agent Jeff Hickman has been m*rder*d outside Hubbard memorial hospital.

He's Nina Curtis' partner.

Your theory is wrong, Dr. Pierce.

Obviously, the sh**t is targeting people.

Kate: Jeff Hickman was upstairs waiting for word on Nina when he came down for a smoke.

That's when he was sh*t.

The theory is the perp missed him at the federal building, so he came here to finish the job.

.357 a*t*matic.

It's a pretty unusual g*n.

And a completely different g*n than was used in the sn*per att*ck.

It had to be. The sh**t ditched the r*fle.

You wouldn't use a g*n that big in this location anyway.

So how do we know it's even the same sh**t?

Two F.B.I agents, partners, both sh*t within a few hours of each other?

I don't think it's a coincidence.

I just spoke with Nina's doctor.

She's out of surgery and doing well.

Unfortunately, now I have to go and tell her what happened to Jeff.

Sir, do you mind if I come with you?

I think it would be good for her to have a friend there when she hears the news.

Yeah.

I'm sorry, honey. He was a good man.

Do you have any idea who did this?

Tommy Cade.

The human-trafficking case you guys closed a few months ago?

Yeah.

Cade's out on bail, goes to trial next week.

He takes down Jeff and me, the case falls apart.

That scumbag k*lled Jeff.

Hey.

Hey, now. The doc doesn't want you getting worked up, okay?

Just nail the bastard.

Dig up everything you can on Tommy Cade... where he was, who he was with.

Let's get this guy back behind bars asap.

I'm on it.

It doesn't make sense.

Why would a human-trafficker sh**t an X-Ray machine?

99% of the time, I am on board with your theories, but maybe this time, you're letting your personal feelings cloud your vision?

What are you talking about?

You hate that X-Ray machine. You won't even walk through it.

Maybe that's influencing the way that you see the evidence.

Oh, that's ridiculous.

I have very good reasons for not using that scanner.

For one thing, X-Rays cause cancer.

I'd be better off smoking cigars a-and drinking high-fructose corn syrup than walking through that machine on a regular basis.

Maybe, but that doesn't mean that someone tried to sh**t it.

Jeff and Nina were standing right next to the scanner when she was hit.

Maybe the damage to the machine was incidental.

Incid... 10 sh*ts?

Doesn't seem right, does it?

I'm telling you... the key is in the numbers.

It's some kind of code.

All right. You work on the code.

I'll start on Tommy Cade.

Cade has an alibi.

He was at a funeral this morning.

At least 50 people saw him there.

But maybe he hired somebody else to do it.

Hate to say it, but I think I may have another angle.

Cyber just sent me all the contents to Jeff Hickman's cellphone.

Very interesting conversations between him and Nina.

What do you mean by "interesting"?

"R is working late."

"Usual place? Wanna see you."

You think they were sleeping together.

Wouldn't be the first time that partners have knocked boots.

Think the husband maybe knew about the affair?

Certainly would be strong motive for m*rder.

I think he's got m*llitary experience. sn*per training?

You wouldn't need any experience to sh**t Jeff Hickman point blank with a .357.

Randy, thank you for coming in.

I-I know it's not the best time.

I hope this won't take too long. I want to get back to Nina.

No. Definitely not.

We're just trying to paint a clear picture of Agent Hickman's movements this morning.

So, where were you when you found out that Nina had been sh*t?

I was in my car on my way to work.

So, you just, what, drove to the hospital as fast as you could...?

Of course I did.

And Agent Hickman was already there?

Yeah. He was with Nina.

They were just taking her into surgery.

Right. And what was he doing?

Comforting her, maybe holding her hand?

W-why does this matter?

Um...

There were these rumors around the office, and... rumors?

Yeah.

What kind of rumors?

You know what? Please forget that I said anything.

Please tell me. I want to know.

He was screwing her, wasn't he?

Is... That what you think?

[Chuckling] Is that what I think? No.

No, I know it.

You asked me what Jeff said to her before they took her into surgery.

The assh*le didn't say anything.

He kissed her.

And that's why you k*lled him.

What are you talking about?

You suspected that they were having an affair.

When you saw them together at the hospital, it confirmed your suspicions and you lost it.

You're just making stuff up now.

We've confirmed that your wife owns a .357 a*t*matic.

You used that g*n to k*ll Jeff Hickman.

We're gonna get a search warrant for your house, we're gonna find that g*n, and it's gonna be a ballistics match to the m*rder w*apon.

Am I right?

I want to talk to a lawyer.

Good job, Moretti. Book him on both sh**t.

Respectfully, sir, I don't think that Randy decided to k*ll Jeff until after he saw him all over his wife at the hospital.

Maybe Daniel's right.

Maybe there was another sh**t at the federal building.

No. We've got a good, solid case here.

I think Randy knew about the affair, tried to k*ll them both in the federal building, missed, finished the job in the hospital.

[Sighs]

Talk to the U.S. attorney.

See what he wants to do.

Impressive.

Shelby: The fifth ward's pretty conservative.

Your law-and-order background is gonna play great there.

Am I interrupting?

Hey, honey.

So, you're the future Mrs. Ryan.

Shelby Coulson.

I am a big fan of your fiancé's.

Kate, Shelby is with the Great Lakes leadership committee, and they want me to run for alderman.

Okay.

Would we have to postpone the wedding?

No way.

I wouldn't even consider it if we had to do that.

Kate, you come first.

If you don't want me to run, I won't.

Do you want to run?

I think I'd be good at it.

And I think I might be able to do some good things for this city.

Then I'm behind you.

So, what happens now?

There's a dinner on Thursday night, and that's when we'll announce my candidacy.

And you should meet with Shelby before then.

She wants to talk with you.

Who is this Shelby, anyway?

Because I don't remember you mentioning her.

You remember like six months ago, I went to the mayor's office to speak with that crime task force?

Well, she was there, and, I don't know.

She was impressed by me.

[Classical music plays]

Doc?

Huh?

Dean Haley's here.

Paul: Hey, Daniel.

I called you three hours ago.

Maybe I should have skipped the faculty meeting and blown off dinner with the chancellor and gotten here sooner.

You're the cultural anthropologist. What is this?

Wilt Chamberlain's Jersey number.

Yeah, th-this symbol was found at a crime scene today.

It means something.

Okay.

Um, well, the diamond is used in a lot of different cultures.

And in some native American tribes, it represents the four directions of the wind.

Okay, but... but... but 13 and a diamond.

What do... what do they mean together?

[Sighs] I-I don't know.

Maybe the person who drew the symbol made it up himself.

So, it means nothing to anyone but the perp.

That... how... how does that help me?

You're a little worked up about this, Daniel.

Maybe you should leave the catching of the bad guys to the F.B.I. this time.

Oh, the F.B.I. doesn't even know what they're looking for.

Are you sure you do?

You're right.

Maybe it's not about the symbol.

Did I say that?

Man: What's your 20?

My what?

What do you mean your what?

You got your ears on?

You got nightcrawler doing double nickels, Lincoln bound.

Hitting the Jake for an 8-44 at route 136.

Daniel...

Who's talking to me?

I am.

Do you mind? I have work to do.

Uh... You're welcome.

What's your 20?

What are you trying to say?

Oh, come on, now. You understand me.

Aren't you the super goose?

That was my C.B. handle when I was 10. Who are you?

Just a good buddy in his 12-Wheeler. 4-10?

12-Wheeler. You... you mean 18-Wheeler.

No, sir. 12. Three times the 4-Wheeler you drive.

I don't drive.

Of course. Of course.

This number's not 13. One plus three equals four.

There are four sides on a diamond.

All of these numbers are multiples of four.

10-4, good buddy.

These are the numbers that the sh**t etched into the barrel of his r*fle.

I-I-I couldn't cr*ck the code because I had his favorite number wrong.

It wasn't 13. It was 4.

Once I realized that, the code was easy.

Just divide by four.

The new numbers correspond with letters in the alphabet.

"E" is the 5th letter, "L" the 12th...

Man: "Elf g*n."

He wants to sh**t elves?

Yeah, no.

E.L.F. is an acronym for "extreme low frequency" radio waves.

The Navy used E.L.F. to communicate with submarines up till about 10 years ago.

But a lot of conspiracy theorists think the government is still using it for mind-control experiments.

So, how does all this prove that Randy Curtis wasn't the sn*per?

Because the sh**t was targeting the X-Ray machine.

That's why he called his r*fle E.L.F. g*n.

Hold on a second. E.L.F., X-Rays...

I'm no expert, but they sound like different things.

Right, right.

But in the sh**t's mind, they're connected.

People who hear voices in their heads want to ascribe them to outside sources.

Radio waves, X-Ray beams, extreme low frequency radiation... to the sh**t, they're versions of the same thing... unseen waves penetrating his brain.

If Dr. Pierce is right, the sn*per is someone who would have had past contact with the machine.

Most likely on a regular basis.

Probably someone who works in the building.

All right, let's have every agency in the building send up their personnel files, and we'll check disciplinary records, complaints, and disability claims.

[Sighs]

How about a custodian filed a complaint against security... said a guard stole his pocket Kn*fe.

Definite maybe.

Shelby: Agent Moretti?

Shelby.

I totally forgot.

Don't worry. I know that you're busy.

Can you just give me a few minutes?

I can give you 10. Could you take her to observation?

I'll be right in.

Who's the hottie?

She's working on Donnie's campaign.

What campaign?

I'll explain later.

Okay. So, what do I need to do?

Haircut, complete makeover?

Are you kidding? You're gorgeous.

I wish every candidate had a stunning better half like you.

[Chuckles]

I don't want any surprises coming out before the election.

So, I need to know about any skeletons in your closet.

Skeletons?

Drug issues, D.U.I.s...

I'm an F.B.I. agent.

I will take that as a "no."

How about ex-lovers? Anyone well-known?

None of your business.

Your significant other is about to submit his entire life to public scrutiny.

If you think this is bad, wait until the press gets a hold of you.

I am someone who interrogates people for a living, so I do think that I can handle whatever it is that the press throws at me.

Okay.

Then tell me about your first marriage.

What do you mean?

Well, you're about to re-marry a man you divorced only a year and a half ago.

That's kind of weird, right?

You want to explain it?

No, I don't.

Donnie told me about his affair.

He... he did what?

Actually, it's kind of great.

You forgave him, took him back.

Voters love forgiveness.

[Door opens]

I think I found him.

Data-entry clerk at the IRS filed four disability claims, all of them rejected.

It says he's suffering from radiation poisoning attributed to security procedures.

Name's Alex White.

Kate: So, is Alex a good tenant?

You know, Mr. White's real quiet.

Oh!

What on earth's he done?

He's not getting his security deposit back, Kate.

Yeah?

It's some kind of a code.

Well, not much of one, really.

He's just broken up regular English into four-letter groups.

Here's the last thing he wrote.

"I'm under att*ck by the U.S government.

Dr. Chandler is the only one who can help me."

Sounds like we better find this Dr. Chandler and make an appointment.

Yeah.

Dr. Chandler: I'm sure you understand, legally, I can't divulge any information about my patients.

Yes, of course, but this particular patient is severely delusional, and you're an internist, not a psychiatrist, so hypothetically, why would he think that you could solve his problems?

Well, hypothetically, Dr. Pierce, if somebody came to me complaining of the effects of exposure to E.L.F. waves, I wouldn't consider his complaints delusional.

I would treat him the same way I treat my other E.H.S. patients.

E.H.S.? What's that?

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Some people believe that exposure to things like cellphones and Wi-Fi units can cause migraines, fatigue, sleeplessness, dizziness, memory problems.

Is that even a real thing?

Officially, no.

But there aren't any good studies to prove it because the government's in bed with the communications industry and refuses to fund the research.

So, how do you treat these people?

I alleviate their symptoms with medication, and I help them find ways to minimize their exposure to radiation.

But Alex White isn't just another E.H.S. patient.

He believes the government's at w*r with his brain.

He fired a g*n into a crowd of people.

So, hypothetically, if a patient like that came to you and said that your treatments weren't working, what would you tell him to do?

Hypothetically?

I would tell him to eliminate his exposure to all electromagnetic sources.

Is that even possible?

There's one place in America you can do that.

It's called the Quiet Zone.

We think Alex White might have fled there.

It's 13,000 square miles in Virginia and West Virginia where electromagnetic radiation is highly restricted.

The Feds set it up in the '50s to protect the radio telescopes near Green Bank.

Protect them from what?

Even small amounts of electricity can interfere with the telescopes, so cellphone towers, radio stations, Wi-Fi devices... they've all virtually been eliminated.

Yeah, but even if White is there, he's a needle in a haystack.

Maybe not.

The most highly restrictive area is within a 10-mile radius of the telescopes.

That's where I'd go.

I'll issue a couple of travel vouchers.

We have to fly?

Couldn't you postpone the trip for a couple of days?

Donnie, this man is a dangerous fugitive.

Look, Kate, this dinner tomorrow is a huge deal.

It's really important that you be there.

Are you saying that your career is more important than mine?

That's not what I'm saying. But we're a team.

This could be really great for both of us.

No. This could be really great for you, because you want to be in the spotlight and have your picture in the paper, and I don't care about any of that stuff.

You think that this is all about my ego?

I thought you said you were behind me.

I said that I support your decision to run for office.

I never said that my career could take a back seat to yours.

Hey, I never...

And you know what?

I'm not gonna jump through hoops for your hot little campaign manager, either.

What's that supposed to mean?

You told her about your affair.

I thought that was private.

Wouldn't you rather she heard it from me than from some tabloid journalist?

I'm not gonna try to spin it for the press, I'm not gonna pretend that I have some secret oatmeal cookie recipe, and I'm probably gonna miss a lot more of your events because of my career, so if that's gonna be an issue for you, then I think we should reconsider this whole thing.

This whole thing?

I mean running for office.

Guy from Chicago won't last long out there.

Even the old timers have to come down for supplies.

And would one of these old timers recognize someone new on their turf?

Maybe, but a lot of city people have been coming here in the last few years.

The rumor is our town will cure them of one thing or another.

You believe that?

[Chuckles]

I think just getting out of the damn city makes them feel better.

People here actually talk to each other.

Kids read books.

If you want to know something, you go to the library and you look it up.

Sounds like your kind of place.

By the way, you need to turn your cellphones off.

Oh, I'm a federal agent, so I need my phone.

It's useless here.

You'd have to drive 50 miles before you even got a sniff of a signal, and cellphones interfere with the telescopes.

They're real sensitive.

Right.

Thanks for shutting down her phone, Ronnie.

I was getting a bit of a headache.

My pleasure, Mary.

I, uh... I couldn't help overhearing your conversation.

I might be able to help you find the guy you're looking for.

Do you know Alex White?

No, but I was on a run this morning and heard a*t*matic g*nf*re near the top of Charley Ridge.

Did you see anyone up there?

This man or this car?

Didn't see anybody.

Just heard "pop, pop, pop, pop" really loud.

I know the spot she's talking about.

I'll take you up there.

Great.

Oh, Daniel, you can't come.

What?

Hey, wait, I crammed myself into a flying death trap to get here and now you're sidelining me?

You're a Neuroscientist. You're not a cop.

We have a suspect who might have an a*t*matic w*apon.

When we get him in custody, then you can talk to him.

Well, I...

You're a long way from home, super goose.

Order the suds and mud... house specialty.

So, you're a Neuroscientist.

I saw a lot of different specialists... allergists, neurologists.

None of them could ever figure out what was wrong with me.

So, you suffer from E.H.S.?

Not since I moved to Green Bank.

[Chuckles]

Actually, I'm a living case study.

When did you start having symptoms?

Seven years ago.

I was a journalist in D.C.

Until the migraines and chronic fatigue got so bad I couldn't work anymore.

So, I came here, rented a house, and within weeks, I was a new woman.

That's why I wrote a book about it.

Well, less stress, clean air...

I mean, that might have something to do with it.

Then why did my head start pounding the minute your friend walked in with her smartphone?

[g*n cocks]

F.B.I.! Drop your w*apon!

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey.

I got a license for this g*n, lady.

Semi-a*t*matic, fully legal.

Tell her, sheriff.

I know him, Agent Moretti. Name's Gary Williams.

He comes down here from Charleston a couple times a month.

A man's got a right to his Second Amendment privileges.

Gary. You seen anybody up here today?

Uh, just that lady from D.C.

Mary Morrison?

Yeah. She was jogging, stopped by, said hi.

That's about it.

Mary knew that he wasn't Alex White.

She sent us on a wild goose chase.

Admit it, Dr. Pierce.

Don't you feel a little different since you've been in the quiet zone?

It's beautiful. It's beautiful, but I... if you're asking do I think it's gonna cure what ails me, I'd have to say no.

Well, even if you're not aware of it, I'm sure your body appreciates being here.

Human beings weren't designed to be bombarded by radiation.

Oh! My God. I'm sorry.

That's Alex White.

You know him.

He's bear bait. Go get him, smokey.

How am I supposed to do that?!

Grab her keys.

I don't drive.

Who are you talking to?

Buddy, this is a 10-33.

An emergency. I got to call Kate.

Cellphone-free zone, partner.

Hey!

[Grunts]

Dr. Pierce, this is my truck!

What are you waiting for? Drop the hammer on this guy.

I haven't done this in over 20 years.

No time for a 10-7, pal. Grow a pair.

Dr. Pierce, this is ridiculous. Somebody help me!

Get out right now!

Hey!

Come back here!

[Tires squeal]

How you gonna catch this fly-boy?

You're driving like a flatlander.

This was your asinine idea.

Not only have I lost Alex, I-I'm gonna get arrested for car theft.

Easy now. A good fisherman's got to think like a fish.

Okay. So, if I were paranoid with delusions of persecution...

You are paranoid with delusions of persecution.

And I had Arithmomania, where would I go?

Five...

Here we go.

That's your 99, buddy.

Wrong way. Where you going?

Back to get Kate.

[Sighs]

Negatory on the flip flop, buddy.

You ain't going anywhere now.

[g*n cocks] Alex: Don't move.

Okay.

Okay, now... now turn around.

Turn around!

Hello, Alex.

Be quiet!

Now walk.

You sent us up the mountain on false pretenses, Mary.

I want to know why.

More importantly, where's Dr. Pierce?

I don't know. He took my truck.

That's bullshit. He doesn't drive.

Her Wagoneer's not out front.

Somebody took it.

If Daniel Pierce got behind the wheel of a car, it would have to be a matter of life or death.

Or Alex White.

He was here, wasn't he?

I swear to God, if you don't tell me the truth right now, I will throw your ass in prison for lying to a federal agent and harboring a fugitive.

Now, you tell me everything you know about Alex White.

Alex read my book and started writing me months ago.

He was suffering.

So I told him to come here.

Last night, he just showed up.

Was he armed?

Not that I saw.

He was upset, scared, so I told him he should get some rest and that we'd meet here for breakfast.

When I overheard you were looking for him, I panicked.

So you sent us up the mountain to make sure we wouldn't run into him.

Alex is a good person, but he's sick.

I thought if he could just stay here for a little while, he would get better like I did.

Alex is psychotic and extremely dangerous.

What he needs is professional help, not fresh air.

Now, now.

Is he staying at your place, Mary?

No.

Up by Smith Hollow in one of those old cabins.

How did you find me?

It's, uh, cabin number four.

It's... it's your special number, isn't it?

Who told you that?

No one. No one. I just... you're monitoring my thoughts, using E.L.F. to track me.

No, no, no, no. Alex, I-I... you're a government agent. Admit it!

No.

Who do you work for? C.I.A.? N.S.A.?

The Trilateral Commission?

I'm a doctor, Alex.

I know Dr. Chandler.

You know... you know Dr. Chandler?

Yes. He's... he's very worried about you, and... and so am I.

That's... that's why I came here... to try to help you.

I don't believe you.

You work for them! You work for them!

You must have a transmitter. Turn around!

I-I-I-I don't have any technology.

Turn around!

I promise. A-a-and no... no weapons.

Don't move.

What's that?

Turn around. What is this?

Not a government agent, huh?

You're a liar!

You're a liar!

176, 704, 2,812.

No, no, you're wrong.

It's 16. 2,816.

52 divided by 4 is 13.

What?

You... you also like 13, right?

13 is perfect.

It's, um, one and three make four.

"M" is the thirteenth letter, and it's made of four lines.

It's like...

Look. So, it's magic.

It's a Morgan silver dollar.

"Morgan" starts with "M."

It's the only silver coin with 13 stars... 13.

1921.

That adds up to 13.

Yes.

You're very good at math, Alex.

I love numbers.

They don't lie.

But people do.

Yeah.

It's hard to know who you can trust.

You can trust me, Alex.

I promise.

I-I-I just want to help you.

Take the flank. Go on my signal.

Alex, this is the Pocahontas County sheriff.

You got no place to go.

Release Dr. Pierce and come out with your hands in the air.

Go.

[Indistinct talking]

[Indistinct shouting]

Move, move!

It's clear!

All right, check out back!

Where in the hell did they go?

255, 256, 257.

You sure?

257 purple flowers between here and the edge of the lake.

Now there are 256.

Four to the fourth power.

[As the count] Perfect.

One, one flower!

[Chuckles] The Count from "Sesame Street."

He was my favorite.

[As the count] Two, two flowers! A-ha-ha!

[Chuckles]

For what it's worth, I don't like the X-Ray machine in the federal building any more than you do.

It's not an X-Ray machine, it's a...

Actually, it is. It is an X-Ray machine, Alex.

But it's scary to get scanned by that thing.

Um, the first time I saw it, I wanted to run out of the building.

I know you weren't trying to hurt anyone when you sh*t at the machine.

You were just trying to stop the voices.

How do you know about the voices?

'Cause sometimes I hear voices, too.

A lot of the time, I think they're real.

But I've learned that it's really just my mind playing tricks.

Alex, do you still hear the voices now?

Yeah.

But we're in the Quiet Zone.

E.L.F. waves can't reach you here, so...

Where are they coming from?

Man: I've got a sh*t.

They're just talking. He's not threatening him.

Hold your fire.

Let's try to let Dr. Pierce handle this.

I know a lot about the brain, Alex.

And I know that yours and mine don't always work right.

But I can help you deal with the voices.

Will you let me do that?

Yeah.

Good.

Now, um... Why don't you... You give me the g*n?

He's gonna sh**t Dr. Pierce.

Take the sh*t.

[g*nsh*t]

No!

No!

Alex.

13 saved me.

Kate: Alex was incredibly lucky.

It's a miracle he's gonna be okay.

The delusion that almost got him k*lled saved his life.

I mean, do you understand the mathematical probability of that sh*t hitting that coin?

The... the diameter of the b*llet is... is 7.62 millimeters, traveling, what, 300 yards, at a very sharp angle at a speed of... of almost three thou...

[sighs]

Arithmomania seems to be a little contagious.

It is quiet here.

Uh-huh.

So why can't I just enjoy it?

Might have something to do with the mosquitoes and the chewing tobacco.

[Chuckles]

I keep thinking I should be at that dinner of Donnie's tonight, but the truth is I'm actually glad that I'm not there.

[Chuckles]

Is that terrible?

It's perfectly understandable that you don't want to spend the evening in the company of a bunch of sleazy politicos.

It's not even the sleazy politicos.

It's that campaign adviser in the tight skirt.

Kate, I-I don't think Donnie...

I know.

I just have all these awful thoughts in my head.

It's like a constant background noise telling me that Donnie's gonna cheat on me again.

Over the years, I've learned that I can't make my voices go away, but I can try to figure out if they're helping me or hurting me.

And if they're not helping, I try like hell not to listen to them.

Excuse me a minute?

Thank you so much. We'll see you again soon.

[Cellphone buzzing]

Donnie, I want you to meet Richard Dunn.

Richard is one of our biggest donors.

Richard, so good to meet you.

Hey, it's Donnie. I can't take your call. Please leave a message.

Um, hey, Don. It's me.

Uh, we're gonna be heading back pretty soon.

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about the way that I acted...

And wish you luck tonight.

But I know you're gonna be great, so...

I love you, okay?

Bye.

Daniel: Science tells us that noise is unhealthy.

Even low-level noise in our cities and offices increases anxiety and interferes with brain function.

Traffic, media chatter, chirping phones, and tweeting computers damage our ability to learn and focus, increases our heart rates, blood pressure, and aggression.

But imagine if the noise wasn't just on the outside, but it was even louder inside your head.

We need quiet... [chuckles]

Inside and out, to think clearly, to heal.

In our modern world, true quiet is as rare as a truly dark sky.

So when you find it, the silence reveals an unexpected beauty, just like the darkness reveals the milky way.

[Laughter]

Well, not if I have anything to do with it.

[Laughter]

Donnie: I know. I told them the same thing.

[Chuckling] You know what?

That's the best idea I've heard all night.

Excuse us, fellas.

You were amazing tonight.

Really?

You were completely charming.

All the donors loved you.

Oh.

You should feel great.

I know. I know.

I do. I just wish Kate were here.

Don't worry.

There will be plenty more opportunities for Kate to see you shine.

But right now, we should enjoy the moment...

Celebrate.

To the next alderman of the Fifth ward.

[Bottles clink]

Congratulations.

[Smooches]

[Chuckles]

Oops. [Chuckles] We can't have that.

[Chuckles]