01x02 - Devil's Three-way

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Difficult People". Aired: August 2015 to September 2017.*
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"Difficult People" revolves around two 30-something aspiring comics living and working in New York City who continue to struggle with careers and relationships, getting more bitter by the day.
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01x02 - Devil's Three-way

Post by bunniefuu »

So we're in LA and we're in an elevator.

In one of those condos that people rent out for pilot season.

Yeah, the ones where the bathrooms are basically coated so it's easier to wash off su1c1de blood.

And all of a sudden we hear, "Hold the door!" and into the elevator runs these three rats in Swarovski crystal collars.

Chihuahuas.

And then, as if summoned by some higher power, the dark silhouette of their owner enters the frame.

And it's Katharine McPhee.

(man coughing)

From "Smash."

"American Idol"?

Hour two of us stuck in an elevator... with Katharine McPhee.

Yes.

We've eaten all of Katharine McPhee's food.

The end.

Thank you.

Okay, great, thanks, guys.

(scattered applause)

Right on, right on, good stuff.

Guys, the next story teller coming to the stage is a favorite here at The Caterpillar.

Welcome Andrea Mumford!

(applause, cheering)

Thank you.

(cheering)

When my uncle molested me the first time, I thought he was joking.

Most people bring flowers to their mother's funeral, I brought a lifetime of bad choices.

She got applause before she even started.

We were up there for 17 minutes and nothing.

Maybe we should rethink this whole story telling thing.

No, we're gonna cr*ck it.

Julie, we've tried three stories here and every time, nothing.

It's like my d*ck with women.

At this point I'd be okay if they even booed us.

Yeah, like my d*ck with women.

Shh.

Ohh, excuse me!

The show's over there!

The show's in the other direction.

Who have you been stuck in the elevator with?

Nobody!

And that is when I learned to accept my HIV and my AIDS.

Thank you.

(applause, cheering)

I mean, she's-- she's fine.

She knows what she's doing.



Where's Billy?

Hello, Mom.

And Mom's breasts.

This is why I wanted Billy.

Gay men understand the value of a makeover.

That very well may be, but he's at an audition right now.

Must be nice.

Well, how are you gonna carry all this stuff out?

Well, I guess I could call Arthur, but he has arms like Lincoln Logs.

And of course your father, he's at a convention in Houston.

I swear he plans his trips just to avoid my crises.

Can I carry this off?

Mom, what's going on?

I wasn't asked to speak at the psych convention this year.

They said this year they're looking for fresh voices.

Oh, I'm sorry, Mom.

f*ck them.

Don't be crude.

But thank you.

And yes, f*ck them!

I just feel I need to do something to make myself seem younger.

And I refuse to look like those "Real Housewives" with all that crazy plastic surgery.

Oh, why can't women age gracefully, like Jane Fonda or Jessica Lange?

I hate to break it to you, Mom, but those women have probably had as much surgery as the Real Housewives, it's just better work.

Well, still, I'm not gonna cut my face up just for the approval of society.

Look at you, all feminist.

Now, those Housewives skanks, they deserve to look crazy.

It's their punishment for being such needy whores.

And there's the mom I have.

All right, carry as much as you can.

I gotta clean this place up before my seven o'clock.

She's a compulsive spender, I don't want this to be a trigger.

Oh hey, are those my high school journals?

I don't know, they were holding up my shoe caddy.

Oh, Brian Walsh.

You mean that alcoholic from the Eagles?

It's this kid I was in love with in high school and he ignored me and that made me more obsessed with him.

God, I guess even back then I was chasing approval from someone I'd never get it from.

I have been blessed with a figure that can wear anything.



Okay, so, Billy?

Yes, Epstein.

I know, a Jew in comedy.

How will I ever defy the odds and make it?

That's hilarious.

So, we're remaking "Vice Versa."

Father and son switch bodies.

For this scene, you're playing a grown man with the mind of a 13-year-old boy.

Oh wow, imagine being a Comedy Central executive and being like that every day.

That's hilarious.

So, you feel ready?

Oh yeah, sure.

Let's do it.

Okay, great, let's read.

Hey Dad, watch this layup.

Oh, damn it, see?

I'm never gonna make the team.

Chin up, kiddo, just keep practicing.

Here, watch me.

I'll never be a basketball player like you, I'll never make the team.

Okay, thank you. Have a good day.

Sorry, do you want me to do it differently?

No, thank you. It was nice meeting you.

I gotta do it one more time, just one more time.

You know, I just--

Tell me what you want.

I just didn't believe you.

Didn't believe me doing what?

I didn't believe that you had an emotional connection with your father.

Well, my dad's dead.

(laughs) That's funny.

No, he really is dead.

But, you know, that's not why I didn't have an emotional connection.

I mean, you can have an emotional connection to a dead person, it's just that sometimes dads and sons, they don't play basketball.

Listen, why don't you go home and take a few days to research what it's like to have a father and come back and I'll see you again.

Oh, that would be great.

I'd love it.

Okay.

My dad d*ed and I got a callback.

Finally paid off.

It's all who you know and if you're lucky, they're dead.

Hey, isn't that the truth? Meh!

Oh boy, somebody loves pickles.

It's a Vlasic!

You're like the stork.

God, I wish, can I tell you the trouble I've had trying to get pregnant?

My womb's like the desert.



You took me to a bowling alley to observe fathers and sons interacting for your "Vice Versa" callback?

Yes, I know, it's stupid, but, I don't know, isn't that a thing people do?

Teach their kids to bowl?

No, look around, it's, like, prostitutes and people about to become prostitutes.

There's not a single child here.

I don't know what to do, Julie.

I can't tap into memories of my dad because we didn't do things like work on cars or build tree houses or any of that Berenstain Bears sh*t.

Those Jewish bears did the best they could living in that stupid tree, okay?

Either way, I have to say, I'm very proud of you for demanding a second chance at your audition.

Well, thank you.

I'm very proud of myself too.

My life is going very well, I'm at a bowling alley about to sit down on a napkin.

I keep thinking about Brian Walsh.

I wish I could demand a second chance from him.

Well, you should. He's your very own James Spader in "Pretty In Pink."

Or in "Secretary," do you remember when he circled all of Maggie Gyllenhaal's typos with a Sharpie and then bent her over his desk and jerked off on her back?

That's like a candlelit bubble bath to me.

Look Brian up, I bet he's fat and bald now.

Like James Spader on "The Blacklist."

Billy, I would hit Spader at any age and you should know that by now.

Straight girls love James Spader.

I know.

I think that's disgusting.

Thank you.

Well, as long as we're here, we should probably bowl for Columbine.

Hmm.



Are you all right, Lava Lamp?

You're never on the internet this long unless you're raging against some comedy world injustice.

No, just come to accept that it's Charlyne Yi's year.

What are you looking at?

I found this guy I used to have a crush on in high school on Facebook.

Fun.

Kind of.

He never knew I was alive.

I find that impossible to believe.

Oh, Arthur.

Why don't you get together?

Really?

Sure, show him how great you're doing.

Are you sure you'd be cool with that?

Of course! It's not like it's a date.

It's not?

No, no, no.

Do it here.

Have him over for a glass of wine, I'll make quiche from scratch.

Okay, but if we do, you have to pretend I'm really, really super successful and I'm in an amazing relationship.

I mean, that's all true.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure, sure, but you know what I mean.

You have to be all over me, that way we can send him home feeling bad.

I love this plan.

Look, he's in a canoe.

Good news!

Matthew went up a whole size in a jazz shoe!

Thanks for the shopping spree, Mama D.

Did you get anything for me?

No, we didn't pass by the Salvation Army.

Ohh! Read him.

The library is open, diva!

Oh, is it open?

Library's open.

No.

No.

No. No.

What are you lookin' for, Mattie?

Something with Angela Lansbury or Ms. Kate Capshaw.

It's that kinda day.

Welcome back to "What Are You Going To Do?"

No, no, stop, stop!

I love this show.

Me too.

Why? It's a stupid, fake show.

Right? Like people would just walk past a breastfeeding woman getting fired?

Please!

Man, shut up, it's perfect.

In like half an hour, I'm gonna b*at you.

Hey, hey, hey!

Don't touch me!

Who is this? Do you know--

The only people who will stop and do the right thing are black men.

It's like they give us a new test every week and we keep winning.

Yeah, I saw someone in trouble and I decided to help.

You know, I saw this guy yelling at this girl--

I just like it 'cause it shows people walking past others in need.

(clang, glass breaking)

God dammit!

Again!

This place is falling apart, girl.

I'm not your girl, I'm your boss.

Nate, take your toolbox and go fix this light before it falls on someone's head and we get sued.

My hands are greasy.

Billy, will you...

No, I can't. I don't...

Big surprise.

Seriously. Open the toolbox and pick up the power drill.

Oh! Like in "Body Double."

Melanie Griffith in that movie was beyond.

Why don't you know how to use a power drill?

Because my father is dead and when he was alive, he was Jewish.

You know what?

I'm gonna teach you some fatherly sh*t.

Really?

(phone vibrating)

Hey!

Billy!

Brian Walsh is coming over.

Amazing!

I'm getting a new dad.

He's black.

Now, be careful with that, you can electrocute yourself.

I don't know how I'm gonna fix this.

I don't know either, but we gonna try.

Now, pick up that screwdriver--

This looks a little like Shirley MacLaine.

That right? All right, let's screw this in.

All right, I'm gonna screw it in.

Nate.

How many of those have you had?

None of 'em.

I need you to move the car.

So Billy'll do it, toss him the keys.

No, no, I don't know how to drive.

Or catch.

But I bet I can teach you both in an hour.

Can we make it 15 minutes?

I have my callback later.

Oh! That's something my dad taught me.

Haggling.



I read online you did Jessica Lange's neck.

Legally I'm not at liberty to discuss Jessica Lange's neck or Annette Benning's feet.

But I'm very good at what I do.

I want my old eyes back.

I know it's shallow.

I shouldn't even be here.

I could give you a laser lift right now.

Do you take Amex?



So, I said, "No, give that diversity scholarship to someone more diverse than me."

And that's how "Black-ish" happened.

Cool.

I don't watch much TV.

Oh no.

Neither do we, we're too busy making love.

How'd you ever resist her, Brian?

Well, to be fair, I didn't really have much of a figure in high school.

I kind of looked like that giant red monster from "Looney Tunes."

You know, with the two hair humps and the big sneakers.

But not anymore.

Man, she's really sexy, isn't she, Brian?

(kissing noises)

Nice curvy shape.

Arthur, I hate the word "curvy."

Don't say curvy.

Womanly.

Well, that makes me sound like Tyne Daly.

Pin up girl?

I hate that whole culture.

Kat Von D, like--

Okay, well, I just think you're really sexy.

I mean, isn't she, Brian?

Yeah.

Totally sexy.

Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

(stuttering)

That's my bad.

You kept saying how hot she was and grabbing her.

I figured you wanted a three-way.

What?

No!

Now, Arthur, let's not be hasty.


Tell me this was the upholstery it came with, not a choice you made.

Focus. All right, hands on 12 and 4.

12 and 4.

Or 11 and 3.

Or 10 and--

Know what? f*ck the clock.

Wherever your hands feel comfortable.

You know, instead of "Vice Versa,"

I wish this was an audition for Vice.

I don't know anything about dads and sons, but I could definitely grow some hipster beard and investigate the Green Party.

Arthur, this guy ignored me all through high school, and having sex with someone is the cure for being ignored.

And other slutty things performers say.

I am not okay with letting you have sex with another man in our bed.

Us! Us having sex with another man in our bed.

Have some more rosĂŠ.

Uh, I can leave if this is weird--

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

No, no, no, stay where you are.

Unless you wanna take a shower.

Do you wanna take a shower?

Am I the only one who's tense?

Let's massage each other.

Corn Cob.

Listen, Arthur, I know this wasn't planned, but how often do three-ways with this particular ratio come along, with two guys and a girl?

You mean a devil's three-way, that's what it's called, you know?

Listen, we're never gonna have a sexist three-way with two girls and one guy.

Because I strongly believe in my heart that men have enough privilege as it is in this society.

Oh, would you just stop being so h*m* about this?

You think I'm being h*m* because I don't wanna take turns f*cking you?

This is not a high traffic bakery, I shouldn't have to take a number.

Ooo! Nice headphones.

Oh, thanks, they're noise cancelling.

Nice.

See? You like him too!

Arthur, I love you.

This is important to me.

If it gets weird, can we stop?

Probably.

Brian!

We're ready.

All right.

You sure you wanna go through with this?

Are you sure you wanna go through with this?

Now, are you sure you wanna go through with this?

all: Yes.

(car engine starting)

Okay, great.

Now just keep up on the brake, you don't need to hit the gas for this.

Look at you.

I'm proud of you, man.

You took a risk and you're killin' it.

(sighs)

You okay?

I'm fine.

I just haven't heard somebody say he's proud of me in a while.

Sorry.

No, it's all right.

Be emotional.

You know, I think this remake of "Vice Versa" is reminding me of something very important.

I miss my dad.

I wish I would have met him.

Oh, he would have hated you.

(laughing)

Yo, yo, look out!

(crash, tires screeching)

What happened?

You got distracted and you hit something!

You gave me permission to be emotional.

Just get outta the van, man.

What?

Get out of the van!

Shhh. What the hell?

Oh my God!

Oh my-- oh my God!

What-- what is it? What is it?

Oh my God.

What is it, man?

It's bad, the bike is all smashed.

What? We hit a cyclist?

Not just any cyclist, we hit David Byrne, from The Talking Heads.

(groaning in pain)

I can't believe I hit David Byrne.

Who the hell is David Byrnes?

David Byrne!

He was the lead singer of The Talking Heads!

Is! Is the lead singer!

He's still alive.

Okay, that was my next question.

Yes. I think he's okay.

I mean, some of his recent stuff has been pretty pretentious, but he gets a lifetime pass for "Stop Making Sense."

I mean, he's one of those, like, ugly guys that ...Julie likes to f*ck.

Stop talking.

I need you to drive off before somebody gets my license plate.

What? This is a crime scene.

I don't care! I'm not gonna be the black man who k*lled David Byrnes.

Oh, really? What happened to, uh, black guys always do the right thing?

Like on "What Are You Going To Do?"

That is a TV show called "What Are You Going To Do?"

Oh, is that a TV show?

Oh really? Oh, I thought it was real life.

This is a show on real life called "What I'm Gonna Do Right Now."

And you say he's okay?

Can you believe that?

Seriously?

I need you to put your foot on the gas.

Well, I am sure glad Dr. Cornel West isn't around to see this.

Hey! You just can't drive off, man!

This is not right.

You are not the boss of me.

Oh really?

I'm shocked and disappointed.

Oh, are you, Dad?

Oh my God, oh my God!

We're vice-versaing!

This is it. Yes.

This is what I wanted to do. Judge Reinhold, Fred Savage, we're doing it!

Yes, dad and son! It's all happening.

Oh sh*t, I have my callback in 15 minutes.

f*ck David Byrne, I gotta act.



Should we get started or...

I thought we did start.

(clears throat)

Brian, did you get enough quiche?

Yes, everything was delicious, thanks.

I used French butter.

(clears throat)

Ow, ow, my leg.

Sorry.

It's okay, it's okay, it's just my leg.

Come here.

(dogs barking)

Shut up, Senator Jelly Beans!

Shut up, Greg!

Put a sock in it!

(barking stops)

So...

I have a pitch.

Hi. Billy Epstein.

Am I late for my audition?

Almost, I have to be at my fertility doctor in 25 minutes and she's in Syosset.

Okay, well, I spent the day with an amazing father figure and I have this role figured out.

Oh, thanks.

There he is.

That's the guy who hit David Byrnes.

That's the guy who hit what now?

No, officer, it was my fault.

Absolutely not. This is your guy.

Step outside with me for a minute, son.

No, no, no, officer, please.

No, he was fine.

Outside.

I saw the man get up.

Let's go.

No, please, I just-- please!

Can I come back tomorrow?

No way.

You're either in a family film or you're a criminal.

You got the part, let's go.

I learned that on "A Dolphin's Tale" and I'm not making that f*cking mistake again.

Please, this is ridiculous!

I teach improv!

Noodles, that was perfect.

Brilliant idea.

I'm glad you approve.

Brian? Any notes?

You guys both did great.

You seem to take care of your bodies.

Do we seem like nice people?

Totally.

Hey, why did you ignore me in high school?

'Cause I was high all the time.

You feel better, Noodles?

You know, I actually do.

(crunching)

I'm sorry, are you eating potato chips?

Yeah.

(telephone ringing)

It's my mom, calling late.

Somebody's probably dead.

God, I hope it's my Aunt Bonnie.

Hey, Mom?

Oh, Julie, oh!

What's wrong?

Mom.

Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom!

Oh, Julie!

Oh, Julie, thank God you're here.

What happened to your eyes?

Oh, I got some kind of laser lift thing.

Oh, Marilyn, you're already so beautiful.

Shut up, Arthur.

Now that I'm blind I can smell your liquor breath even more.

Point me to the couch.

Okay, it's behind you.

Come on, here we go.

You have the wrong ins-- okay.

Why didn't you tell me about this?

I was embarrassed.

Now my eyes are all swollen, I'm gonna heal terribly.

I'm gonna end up looking like Marty f*cking Feldman.

If I look crazy, I deserve to.

Mom, there's no morality to this thing.

If you look your age, you're lazy.

If you've had noticeable plastic surgery, you're shallow.

Women over 20 can't win no matter what.

Mom, are you sleeping?

No.

No, my mind began to wander when you started to generalize and then I dozed off.

Oh...

I'm glad you came.

(telephone ringing)

What is this, the night of late night phone calls?

This better be Aunt Bonnie f*cking dead.

I hope tonight's the night.

It's Billy.

Hello?

What?

So David Byrne is okay?

Yes, David Byrne is fine.

Alive and well and ready to make music that reminds us he used to be good.

If you don't mind me saying so, this has been one crazy night.

Well, I'm sorry, did you or did you not have a three-way tonight?

Kind of. I mean, I didn't get spit-roasted or anything-- I know, perchance to dream.

Back on the bucket list it goes.

Did it help?

Eh, I still want approval from strangers.

Sorry you didn't get your part.

But on the bright side, maybe you have a new father figure.

Yeah, I'd rather have approval from strangers.



How are we gonna ask him to leave?

Just like that.

I couldn't believe he fell asleep.

Me neither.

What if he wants to do it again?

I think it was a one-and-done for me.

So we'll just deal with it in the morning?

I'm not making him breakfast.

Well, nothing fancier than a hot cereal and a French press.

Oh my God.

He robbed us.



Okay.

Did you guys have a devil's three-way in here?

What? No.

I'm sorry?

Excuse me?

Why would you even ask--

Okay, okay, let's just start from the beginning.

Okay.

I decided to track down a guy from high school that I always chased because he was so aloof.

Meanwhile, across town, a casting director was asking me very politely to leave the premises and I was positive David Byrne had d*ed.

But, I got the feedback I was after.

And back in the apartment, under the dreamy gaze of the former crush who robbed me blind, I looked over at my boyfriend and I realized, to appreciate the approval of the one who already chose you, sometimes you have to bring in an audience.

And other slutty things performers say.

(laughter, applause)

Thank you.

Thank you.

(whooping)

Well, that was fun.

Yeah.

But is it just me or did that room change?

Yeah, that story telling night used to be a lot cooler.

I know, now it's so lame.

We shouldn't do it anymore.

I was thinking that, we're too good for that.

I love how we can admit we're wrong now.

Totally.

I like new us.

I love new us.

...gonna have to let you go.

What? Let me go? For what reason?

Tonight on "What Are You Going To Do?"

There's no breastfeeding at work!

You're fired!

When you think no one's looking...

You can't fire me for breastfeeding at work!

...we are.

I'm not going anywhere!

This is my legal right!

You know what I want?

A grilled cheese.

Oh, I would love a cheeseburger.
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