03x06 - Season 3, Episode 6

Episode transcripts for the TV show "The Affair". Series Aired: October 2014 to November 2019*
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"The Affair" is about the psychological effects of an affair between a married waitress at a Hamptons diner and a teacher who spends his summer at his in-laws' estate on the island.
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03x06 - Season 3, Episode 6

Post by bunniefuu »

Helen: Previously on The Affair...

Just because he was convicted doesn't mean he's guilty.

The only person who doesn't think he did it is you.

Helen: This isn't a relationship.

We live completely separate lives.

My place, your place. My bed, your bed.

My kids, your... your... your cactus.

Vik: Home sweet home.

Helen: Come and say good-bye to your father.

His advisor wants to have a parent/teacher conference next week.

I think you should be there.

Okay, I'll try.

Noah?

(GAGS)

I'm here.

Noah: I'm sorry to have scared you.

Juliette: Honestly, I wasn't scared. I was angry.

I was hoping that this wouldn't be so complicated.

(CHUCKLES)

Noah: I don't want the house.

Dad left it to you.

I'm never going back there, Nina.

He was trying to apologize.

Noah: My mother d*ed there.

She was sick for a long time, and she told me that she decided to die.

You don't remember me, do you?

John Gunther. I'm from Bloomsburg.

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania?

(LOUD CRASH)

(♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC ♪)

f*ck.

(CAR HORN HONKS)

(CAR HORN BLARES)

♪ I was screaming into the canyon ♪
♪ At the moment of my death ♪
♪ The echo I created ♪
♪ Outlasted my last breath ♪
♪ My voice it made an avalanche ♪
♪ And buried a man I never knew ♪
♪ And when he d*ed his widowed bride ♪
♪ Met your daddy and they made you ♪
♪ I have only one thing to do and that's ♪
♪ Be the wave that I am and then ♪
♪ Sink back into the ocean ♪
♪ I have only one thing to do and that's ♪
♪ Be the wave that I am and then ♪
♪ Sink back into the ocean ♪
♪ I have only one thing to do and that's ♪
♪ Be the wave that I am and then ♪
♪ Sink back into the ocean ♪
♪ Sink back into the ocean ♪
♪ Sink back into the o ♪
♪ Sink back into the ocean ♪
♪ Sink back into the o ♪
♪ Sink back into the ocean ♪
♪ Sink back into the ocean ♪


(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Are you sure she's gonna make it?

Yeah, she's just running late.

Vik: How long have you been dating this woman?

On and off for a while now.

How come you've never mentioned her?

Well, I know how sensitive you are, darling.

I wouldn't want you to be heartbroken if it didn't work out between us.

So what's she like?

You know, she's... a lot like you.

Like me?

Ta-da.

Hello, darling.

Mom?

Surprise.

Okay, what is happening here?

We're back together.

(CHUCKLES)

(LAUGHTER)

Bruce: Well, it's... it's really great to finally meet you, Vik.

We've heard so much about you.

Margaret: I haven't heard about him.

Well, neither have I, really, but, uh, he seems great.

Well, I'm happy to meet you guys, too.

I mean, it's taken long enough.

Congrats on your remarriage.

Okay, you're not actually getting remarried, are you?

Well, we never really finalized the divorce.

Okay, well, when did you even start talking?

Let's not discuss the details.

Ina left me, and, uh, I went back to your mom.

Aren't you happy for us, Helen?

Oh, sure, yeah. I'm thrilled.

Margaret: Well, I'm thrilled for you, darling.

This fella's quite a catch.

I don't understand why you kept him hidden all this time.

He's wonderful... handsome, polite, a doctor.

And at your age, Helen...

See, she's not really thinking about the words before she says them.

It's just pure stream of consciousness, what you're hearing right now.

I like it.

Margaret: (LAUGHS) Of course.

Anyone would be an improvement after your first husband.

Bruce: (CHUCKLES) So how is Noah?

Do they know who stabbed him?

No, they don't.

I wish I'd thought of that myself years ago.

Could've saved my family a lot of heartache.

(LAUGHTER)

Dad. Hey, hey.

Margaret: (LAUGHING) He's kidding.

I don't care if he's kidding.

You can't say things like that.

He's the father of your grandchildren.

Well, he hasn't really seen very much of them recently, has he?

Doesn't make much of a difference to them if he's locked away in jail or if he's dead.

Helen: Of course it makes a difference.

He's still very much involved in their lives.

As a matter of fact, he's coming to Martin's school tomorrow to meet with his advisor.

Bruce: Oh, Christ.

Margaret: That's a dreadful idea.

You're trying to impress them, not terrify them.

You should take Vik.

I'd be happy to go.

Can we please change the subject?

Bruce: Good idea. This is supposed to be a happy occasion, and as usual, Noah Solloway is ruining it.

So how is married life treating you guys, huh?

Margaret: It's wonderful.

Vik: That's so sweet.

Margaret: We realized we couldn't live without each other, right, dear?

Bruce: That's right.

The truth is, at the end of the day, your mother just knows me... better than anyone else ever will.

Vik: That's beautiful.

(GAGGING)

(GROANS)

(COUGHS) Ooh.

Your parents are insane.

I told you.

But they're entertaining.

And it's great they're back together.

Vik, my father walked out on my mother with a student and completely ruined her life, and now she's just taking him back and pretending that none of it ever happened.

It's not great. It's pathetic.

And, oh, my God, all that bullshit about second chances... and how they know each other?

You know what? The only thing they know about each other is that they hate each other.

I'm still glad you introduced us.

It feels like a big step.

Hey...

I have an idea.

What?

A joint wedding.

(LAUGHS) Excuse me?

Yeah, your parents renew their vows, and we get hitched.

I'll bet your dad would even pay for it.

Think of all the money we'd save.

You are joking, right?

Of course I'm joking, Helen.

Don't have a heart att*ck.

You're hilarious, you know that?

Did you ever think about giving up surgery, going into stand-up comedy?

Yes, I have.

(LAUGHS)

He's coming. He knows how important the meeting is.

He's not coming.

Yeah, I'm sure he's coming.

He's definitely not coming.

Headmaster: Well, unfortunately, the period is now half over.

We must have our discussion with or without Mr. Solloway.

Um... yeah, okay, I-I understand. Go ahead.

Headmaster: Well, as a matter of fact, Mr. Solloway's absence provides us with a bit of a segue into the dilemma we face.

A segue?

Headmaster: Yes.

You see, our problem is that Martin, far too frequently, chooses not to come to school.

What do you mean he chooses not to come to school?

Have you been cutting class?

Headmaster: We give the seniors a heavy workload to prepare them for what they'll face in college.

Now, at this rate, Martin's chances of finishing the required courses and successfully graduating in the spring, well, they're rapidly diminishing.

But he's... I mean, he... he had to leave public school.

This is his second senior year.

I mean, he's 19 years old. He can't repeat again.

Well, precisely. This is his last chance.

I don't... What... what is going on here?

Where have you even been going?

I'm... listen, obviously, this is unacceptable, and I won't tolerate it, but I just... I do...

Um...

I just want you to understand what's been going on with Martin.

He's had a very difficult few years.

He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, which is why he had to leave public school.

He was legitimately very sick.

So is that what's going on, Mr. Solloway?

Hmm? You feeling too sick to come to school?

Answer him.

I feel okay.

You know what? You and I are gonna talk this through tonight, and you are gonna give me some answers, okay?

I mean it.

I don't know how much you know about... about his father.

Don't bring him into this.

But it's been a very difficult time for the entire family.

I'm aware.

And my husband is... he's innocent.

Ex-husband.

My ex-husband is completely innocent.

I have to go to lunch.

Well, we're not done here.

Headmaster: Well, I would say we are.

You know, Martin should go to lunch, and as you promised, Mrs., um...

Solloway. It's still Solloway.

Well, as you said, the two of you will discuss this at home.

And, Martin, I trust you understand how high the stakes are for you.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

What is the matter with you?

I mean, seriously?

I can't believe you actually thought he was gonna show up.

Look, he wanted to be here, Martin... I know that he did.

No, he didn't.

He just got released from the hospital.

I don't know. Maybe there were some complications.

Maybe he's... I don't.

I don't care.

I don't f*cking care!

You shouldn't have even told him about this meeting.

He shouldn't be in our lives anymore.

He k*lled someone, Mom!

Why can't you just admit that?

I got to go.

(♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


God damn it, Noah, pick up your f*cking phone!

♪ ♪

Helen.

Uh, what are you doing here?

I was in the neighborhood, and I thought I'd stop by.

Oh.

Oh, this neighborhood?

Yeah, well, nearby. Can I come in?

Yeah, I'm... Yeah, sorry. I'm just... putting away some groceries and stuff.

Uh, sorry. You... you want a drink or...?

Uh, is Noah here?

No. No, he isn't.

You know where he is?

(GROANS) Livingston, I assume?

No, I don't think so, because I've been calling him and calling him, and his phone is turned off.

It's been turned off all day, and there was a meeting today at Martin's school, and it was an important meeting, and he didn't show up, so I'm just... I'm...

Do you think something happened to him?

What time was the meeting?

Noon. Why?

Well, noon?

Noon in the city, and... you made your way out to New Jersey hours later?

You okay, Helen?

Yeah, I'm just... He... you know, he...

I'm concerned about him because he was stabbed, and now he's MIA.

Can I ask you a question?

Yeah.

Why does he still matter so much to you?

Because he's the father of my children, and he's blowing his last chance to have any semblance of a relationship with them.

I get that. I do. I-I really do.

I understand about the kids, but maybe... maybe it's best for all of you just to... let him go.

What?

My brother's f*cked up, you know.

He always has been.

No, that's not true.

He wasn't f*cked up when I met him.

(SCOFFS)

You never saw it. Right.

After all those years together...

(LAUGHS) Yet... wow.

Yet what?

It's... it's actually... it's funny.

It really is. I could never figure out if you were purposely ignoring who he actually was or you were just so narcissistic that you weren't paying attention.

Excuse me?

My brother was shattered when you met him.

Our mother had just d*ed, and I don't know if you know, but...

You know, maybe he hid it really well from you.

I knew he was grieving, Nina.

It's one of the things that drew me to him.

I'm a caretaker. That's my archetype.

Helen, okay, look, I know you thought you found a diamond in the rough that you were just gonna polish and shape and place on your dainty fingers and...

What? What?

You know, like he was some lost deer, and somehow you rescued him from obscurity and transplanted him into your... your little fancy life.

Let me tell you what actually was going on.

Noah was using you.

He was using you to get the f*ck away from us, and he knew the fastest way to do that was to marry some control-freak rich girl.

What is wrong with you?

What is wrong with you?

Didn't you find it odd how Noah didn't... didn't mind at all spending every holiday with your family, never once taking a vacation with us?

Because it was difficult for him to be with Arthur.

Why?

Because your father wasn't very nice to him, Nina.

Oh, why not?

I don't know.

Because he's an assh*le.

No! Actually, he wasn't!

He wasn't to me!

Well...

I'd... something must have happened between them.

Yes!

Yes, something happened, and you have no idea what it is, and I find that... I find that so un-f*cking-believable.

Okay, w-what... what was it?

It's not my place.

Oh, my God.

f*ck you, Nina! f*ck you!

My brother has been in pain, in pain for years, and you did not see it.

You know, I certainly didn't come here to get all this resentment heaped on me.

I'm sorry you're carrying around so much anger, but I have to go.

Hey, Helen.

Who was driving the car that k*lled Scott Lockhart?

(♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC ♪)

As far as I know, Noah was.

♪ ♪

And you believe that?

He confessed.

Hmm. Kind of crazy, though, huh?

No evidence to convict him.

He basically stood up in that court, and he... volunteered to go to prison.

♪ ♪

Maybe he felt guilty.

Where were you that night?

I was at home asleep.

Thanks for your help. Take care.

♪ ♪

(EXHALING DEEPLY)

♪ ♪

Hi. Hello, it's me.

Helen Solloway.

Oh. Okay.

Ha ha.

I'm good. Actually, I'm in your neighborhood, and I thought maybe I would stop by.

I mean, if it's a bad time or if it's inconvenient or you have company...

Okay.

Okay, great. Uh, I'll... I'll see you soon.

Max: Helen the felon.

Is that really you?

Hi, Max.

I can't believe it. So just... what, you decided to...

I mean, I was in the neighborhood, and I-I just... I remembered that you lived here, so I thought I would just take a chance, say hi.

I'm glad you did.

Uh, let me take your stuff.

Can I get you glass of wine?

Um... no, I really shouldn't.

I mean, the kids are home, and it's a school night, and I-I just was gonna come by for a minute and say hi.

Yeah, I'm just gonna pour you a glass of wine.

(CHUCKLES) Okay.

Are you moving?

Tuesday. Not far, Brooklyn Heights.

Brooklyn Heights?

Isn't that a little suburban for your taste?

(CHUCKLES)

What inspired that?

You ready for this?

Ready for what?

I'm getting married.

Cheers.

Wow. Holy sh*t.

I know, I know.

(CHUCKLES)

Her name's Danielle.

Uh-huh.

Met her at the gym.

What is she, your trainer?

Actually, no. She's an editor.

Really? What kind of editor?

Magazines. She works for Vogue.

Wow, fancy.

She's smarter than me, more successful, much better looking.

I'd say between the two of us, I'm winning.

Between me and you?

No. No, me and her.

Me and her?

Yeah, right.

No, right, I'm sorry.

Hmm. Big changes.

A lot can happen in three years.

Yep. (EXHALES DEEPLY)

I thought of you recently while we were looking at venues.

Of me?

We checked out Gedney Farms.

Oh, damn. I mean, you're not gonna get married in...

No, no, no. Danielle decided on the city... Ace Hotel.

Gedney looked nice, though. You know, a little faded, but...

Mm-hmm.

What was that, 22 years ago? Twenty-three?

Twenty-five.

Exactly, uh... yesterday.

Jesus.

Mm.

Is that possible?

Yep.

Quarter of a century.

Yep.

We're that old? (CHUCKLES)

(♪ SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


Is this her?

Yeah, that's her.

Hmm.

♪ ♪

I guess I'm not the love of your life anymore.

What?

♪ ♪

Will you kiss me?

Helen, I can't.

Why not?

I knew you first.

♪ ♪

(INHALES DEEPLY)

(EXHALES DEEPLY) Oh.

(GROANS)

♪ ♪

(ZIPPER OPENS)

(GROANS)

Oh, f*ck, what are we doing? What are we doing?

(MOANS)

(GROANING)

♪ ♪

(GRUNTING)

Um... you still with that guy, Vik?

Yeah.

Cool.

Just checking.

Hey.

(SIGHS)

You okay? What's going on?

Helen, come on, talk to me.

Was Noah f*cked up when I met him?

What, in college?

Yeah, freshman year.

Um... yeah, he was totally f*cked up.

I mean, his mom had just d*ed.

I know, but he didn't... talk about it.

No, no, but you could just sense it.

(SNIFFLES) Do you think Noah was using me?

Using you?

For what?

I don't know, money... access, entry into some kind of world. I...

Helen, I think he... I think he loved you.

But, yeah, also, I think...

I mean, he knew who he was marrying Well, what? What is that?

It's bullshit.

What?

It's just bullshit.

What's bullshit?

I don't know... all of a sudden, everyone's trying to convince me that I didn't know this man, my husband, the father of my children.

Hey, hey, you brought it up.

I spent 25 years with him.

Just because things went wrong and... doesn't mean the whole story has to change.

I did know him. I knew him better than anyone did, probably better than anyone ever will know him.

All right, you know what?

What?

You're right, it is.

This is bullshit.

What are you doing?

I have... um...

I made a terrible mistake.

You need to go.

Fine.

I cannot believe I fell for this sh*t again.

I mean, I thought maybe... maybe this time it was about us, but it's never about us, because it's always about him.

You know what? Can I just...

What?

I just want to... can I just ask you one question?

What is it?

Did Noah ever cheat on me in college?

Please get the f*ck out of here.

Please go.

(♪ SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


(CAR HORN HONKS)

(DOOR OPENS, KEYS JINGLE)

Hi.

Oh, hey.

You're so late. Everybody's in bed.

What are you reading?

Oh.

Your dad's book.

Why?

I want to get to know him better.

Why would you want to do that?

I thought we were trying to establish a rapport.

Isn't that why we had dinner with them?

That's the last thing I want to do.

Okay.

Hey, where were you? You're never home this late.

I was showing an apartment. It took forever.

People don't know what they want.

Well... it's nice to see you.

Hey, what time did Martin get home?

Martin? Uh, he's not home yet.

(HANDS SLAP ON LEGS)

He's not home yet?

I thought maybe he was with you.

Well, did you think to check, Vik?

He's 19 years old, Helen. I'm sure he's fine.

Did you call him?

No.

All right, I'm going upstairs.

(SCOFFS) Can't I even get a kiss?

I need to call my son.

Is he back yet?

No.

f*ck it, I'm calling the police.

Hey, Helen.

Vik!

You need to calm down.

Now, Martin will be home any minute.

Nothing is wrong. Don't be like your mom.

My mom? What do you know about my mom?

Just that she tends to overreact.

Isn't that what you told me?

You know what?

You don't know anything about me or my family, Vik.

How long have you been in my life? What, two years?

Well, four, but who's counting?

You don't know anything about my parents, and you barely know my kids, and sometimes I feel like you're just a stranger living in my house!

Really?

Yeah.

I don't know your kids?

I'm not here with them every day?

You know, running lines with Trevor, helping Martin with his chem, picking Stacey up from f*cking art class?

Tell me, Helen.

(DOOR OPENS)

Tell me, how have I failed you?

(DOOR CLOSES)

Martin. Martin!

Where have you been?

Hey, we were worried about you, buddy.

You should've called.

f*ck off. You're not my dad.

(DOOR CLOSES)

He's right. You're not.

I'm going out.

I need a drink.
Martin: Come in.

Where were you?

I was with Dad.

What?

Where?

At the lake house.

At Grandpa's house in... in Pennsylvania?

Look, Ma, I'm really tired.

Let's just talk about this tomorrow.

No, no. I'm... I don't understand.

So you...

Um... you managed to get yourself to Pennsylvania and Dad was there?

Yes, that's what I said.

(♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC ♪)

What was he doing there?

I can't tell you.

It's between me and him.

♪ ♪

Look, I'm going to bed.

I'll go to school tomorrow, I promise.

♪ ♪

(KEYS JINGLE)

♪ ♪

(GRUNTS)

♪ ♪

Hi, Trish. Uh, I'm not, uh, feeling so well today, so I don't think I'm gonna be able to make the open house.

Um, if you need me, call my cell.

(CELL PHONE BEEPS)

♪ ♪

Noah?

Noah? Noah?

♪ ♪

Noah!

Noah: Martin, stop! Don't!

♪ ♪

Noah: Stop!

Noah?

Noah: Stop! Martin! Stop!

Stop!

Noah! Noah!

♪ ♪

Down here. Thanks.

Oh, no.

(DOG BARKING IN THE DISTANCE)

(GROANS)

(TOW TRUCK WHIRRING)

I'll pay for it, whatever the insurance doesn't cover.

Really? With what?

The car belongs to the university.

You'll have to work it out with them.

(SIGHS)

I did love that car.

I'm so sorry.

I'm just happy you're all right.

The police came here again, you know.

They did?

Oh, yes.

They're very curious about why I happened to be there just after you were stabbed.

f*ck.

I'm sorry. I...

So you're wishing you never met me right now, right?

It's late.

Where are you going to stay tonight?

I-I don't know.

You can't go back to your apartment.

It's a crime scene.

Have you spoken to the detectives?

Uh, yeah, this morning.

Do they have any other leads besides me?

Not that I know of.

Brilliant.

You're not worried, are you?

About me? No.

I'm a little worried about you, but I promised myself I wouldn't ask you any questions, so...

Why not?

Because... this is not... a relationship.

This is, uh...

Une aventure.

You don't owe me information. I don't owe you information.

Oh.

This bed it terrible. (LAUGHS)

It's fine.

It's fine.

Well, you're welcome to sleep with me.

(LAUGHS) Can I ask you a question?

Yes.

You're married, right?

Yes.

So you have, uh... some kind of arrangement with your husband when you're away?

Mm.

My husband suffers from Alzheimer's.

Sorry.

Oh, so am I. (SCOFFS)

(SIGHS)

But we don't have an arrangement, as you say.

Half the time he doesn't even remember he has a wife.

Or he thinks I'm his first wife... whom he loved better.

Sorry you asked?

A little.

(GROANS)

(DRAWER CLATTERING, OPENS)

Before I forget, you left these here when you took off last time.

(SIGHS)

I want you to tie me up.

What?

You wrote about it in your book.

I've never done anything like that.

I think I'd enjoy it.

Juliette, I'm... I'm...

I'm sorry. I...

Maybe I should get some rest.

Merde. I really picked the wrong man to have an aventure with, didn't I?

If you leave early, don't wake me.

(♪ SOMBER MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


(SIGHS)

♪ ♪

(SIGHS)

♪ ♪

(SIGHS)

♪ ♪

(♪ OMINOUS MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


(BUS BRAKES HISS, ENGINE RUMBLING)

(BRAKES HISS)

(♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


(KEYS JINGLE)

♪ ♪

(LOCK OPENS, DOOR CREAKS)

♪ ♪

(GROANING)

♪ ♪

(DOOR CREAKING)

♪ ♪

(CHUCKLES)

(TRAIN HORN BLARES OUTSIDE)

(TRAIN RATTLING)

(GLASS CLINKING)

(♪ SOFT MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Help you?

No, I'm fine.

Holy sh*t, Solloway.

Jesus, Grant. Is it you?

Yeah, it's me.

Wow.

What are you doing in the boonies?

Oh, you're here to sell your dad's house.

That's gonna be tough. You know, it's hard.

Nobody wants to buy around here now.

We've been trying to sell our place for, like, a year.

Um, condolences, by the way.

Yeah, thanks.

Oh, I saw Nina a couple times when he was sick.

Really?

She looks good.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, Nina's doing great.

(CHUCKLES)

What's it been? It's, like, 20 years...

Whoa.

Since I saw you.

More like 30. (LAUGHS)

sh*t. You look exactly the same.

Ah, don't know about that.

How are you, man? You... you okay?

You're working here, yeah?

Yeah. I mean, you know, it's temporary.

You know, it's... the coal plant closed.

I got kids, so...

How old are your kids?

Uh, Lila's 17. Nate's 11.

You got kids, right?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I do.

I-I don't... I don't see 'em so much, so...

Yeah, I heard... you know, that you did some time.

How do you know? Did Nina tell you that?

No, it was in the paper.

You're kind of famous around here.

I mean, not everybody from this neck of the woods makes it into The New York Times.

You know, plenty go to jail, though, so, you know, you're sticking close to your roots in that regard.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

Well, I better pay for these.

Yeah. Oh, uh, so you out here by yourself?

Yeah, I am, yeah.

You should come for dinner.

No. It's okay.

Come. Meet the kids.

Come around to that other one, over here.

(SIGHS)

Lucy'd love to see you.

I-I married Lucy Corry.

I know, she wouldn't even look at me back then, right?

(LAUGHS)

She came around.

We're on Lake Road, uh, just...

You could walk there from your dad's.

That'd be nice. Thanks...

(VEHICLE APPROACHING)

(CAR DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)

(♪ SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


(DOOR OPENS)

f*ck you!

What the f*ck?

Jeez!

Dad?

Martin, what...

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

What are you doing?

Aren't you supposed to be in school?

(SCOFFS)

Well, aren't you?

Yeah. I was at school... for the meeting with the headmaster.

Oh, sh*t.

Where the hell were you?

I'm sorry, man, I'm sorry.

Yeah, yeah.

I'm sorry.

(ITEMS CLATTER)

You f*cking hate this place! Why are you here?

Your grandfather left it to me.

To you? Not to Nina?

To me.

I came here to be alone.

Grandpa said that whenever I wanted to, I could come here.

Now I have to f*cking deal with you!

Martin.

Martin!

Martin.

I'm sleeping in here tonight.

Okay.

Is there any food in this house? I'm starving.

No, not... not really.

I'm gonna go to Denny's, then.

No, listen, I...

A friend of mine's invited me to dinner tonight.

You want to... maybe we go together?

A friend?

Yeah, he's an old neighbor. I ran into him in town, and...

And he still talks to you?

Okay, fine, I just... It's just an idea.

What are you doing?

Clearing this place out.

You getting rid of everything?

Most of it.

Look, you see anything you want, it's yours.

I don't want any of this.

How about this?

What is it?

Open it. It's his... medals from Korea.

I actually think he'd have wanted you to have it.

(♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


What was that?

♪ ♪

It's nothing. It's just some old letters.

♪ ♪

I hate school.

♪ ♪

What did you say?

I said I hate school.

♪ ♪

I want to join the Army.

Why would you want to do that?

'Cause I want to be like Grandpa.

♪ ♪

(GROANS)

Dad, are you okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

(SIGHS)

♪ ♪

Hey! Welcome. Welcome.

Hey, Grant.

Who's this?

This is my son Martin.

Your son? I thought you said you were here by yourself?

Yeah, we kind of ran into each other.

Hi.

That's great.

Nice to meet you, Martin. Come on in, meet my family.

Thanks.

Lucy?

Lucy: Yeah?

Noah's here. He brought his kid with him.

Hey. Noah, remember me?

Lucy Corry, of course.

Yeah, well, Lucy Finley now.

Hi. (LAUGHS)

Hi.

Hi. How old are you?

Nineteen.

Oh. Lila's 17, our daughter.

Lila, come on down, meet our guests.

Yeah, we have a son, too. I don't know where he is.

You want something to drink?

Uh, you want soda? We have Coke.

Yeah, sure.

Yeah?

Honey, will you get that? I'm gonna check on the roast.

Yeah.

Lila, get down here!

Oh, hey, you want a beer?

No, I shouldn't drink. I'm on medication.

(LAUGHS) Just like high school.

Your dad was such a loser. He never drank.

He never went to parties. He was afraid to talk to girls.

Lila.

Hey.

Meet my old buddy Noah.

Hi.

Hi.

Nice to meet you.

You too.

This is his son Martin.

Lila: Hey.

Hi.

Your kid's so much like you were.

I can't get over it.

You think so?

Yeah.

I can't really tell.

We kind of drifted apart.

(LAUGHING) Solloway! Holy Christ.

(LAUGHS) Long time no see.

You don't remember me.

Stevie Johnson.

Stevie, yeah. How are you, man?

(LAUGHS)

Good to see you.

I told Stevie you were in town.

He invited himself over for dinner.

Wasn't gonna miss this.

What's it been, 25 years, 30?

Yeah.

You disappeared, brother.

But I read your book.

Noah: You did?

(LAUGHS)

We all did.

Stevie: (LAUGHING) You're filthy.

Grant: Where'd that chick come from?

It was like Fifty Shades of f*cking Solloway.

(LAUGHS)

This is delicious.

Oh, thanks, sweetheart. It's Grant's mom's recipe.

Noah: Your mother always was a good cook.

She was. You were always eating out of our fridge.

Okay, buddy. You want to see pictures of your old man?

Sure.

Oh. Here he is, winning All-State, '85.

I think you broke some state records in that meet, didn't you?

I don't remember.

I'm pretty sure you did. Eh...

Oh, here we are at the prom. We were all wasted.

You can't tell in the picture, though.

You can absolutely tell.

Stevie: Which prom was that?

Uh, junior, I think.

Oh. That makes sense.

Before, all Solloway cared about was getting into his rich-kid college.

Grant: Stevie, college is important.

Lila's going to college, right?

If I get in.

Grant: You'll get in.

I don't know how we'll pay for it, but you'll get in.

So, Solloway, what exactly happened to your neck?

Oh, I, uh... I had a mole removed.

Stevie: Oh.

How about you? You... you got b*rned?

expl*si*n at the plant.

That's terrible.

I don't need your pity.

Noah: I wasn't...

At least I didn't get locked up.

Stevie: I just can't see it, you in the slammer.

(LAUGHS) It's hilarious.

All right, Stevie, lay off.

Stevie: You should've seen your dad at the end of high school, kid, studying like he was gonna be the next Albert Einstein... barely left his house senior year except to go to school.

All right, you know what? His mom was sick, Stevie.

Oh, come on, that had nothing to do with it.

Truth is Solloway always thought he was better.

But, well, look how it all turned out.

Turns out he's trash just like the rest of us.

Well, isn't this a real nice evening we're having?

Why don't you give him some credit?

(STEVIE GROANS)

You know, most people... they never get out of this town.

Your dad really did.

He did good.

Lila: Mom, I'm finished. Can I go?

Grant: Go where?

To Amber's, she's having a party.

Lucy: I told her she could go.

Are you done with all your homework?

Yes, Dad.

Do you want to come?

You should go, Martin. Go on, it'll be fun.

No, that's okay.

No, come on, kid. Don't be a loser like your old man.

I'm done, too. Can I be excused?

Lucy: Sure, sweetheart.

Thank you for dinner.

Anytime.

(SCOFFS) Jesus, Stevie!

Why do you always have to be such a d*ck?

(♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


Either of you remember a-a guy named Gunther?

John Gunther?

I think he lived in, um, Bloomsburg, went to East Side.

Yeah, his folks own that hunting store off 76.

Yeah, yeah, Gunther's, uh, Hunting and sh**ting.

I passed it on the way in.

Grant: What about him?

Uh, what was he like? Do you remember?

We didn't know him personally, Solloway.

Not if he went to East Side.

(SWALLOWS HARD, GROANS)

Lucy: Here you go.

♪ ♪

(ECHOING) You okay, Noah?

(♪ OMINOUS MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


Lucy, echoing: You don't look so good.

♪ ♪

(GROANS)

(GLASS SHATTERS)

(GROANING)

♪ ♪

(SIZZLING)

(GROANING)

Oh. Ow! Motherfuck! Ah!

Ow! f*cking... (GROANING)

(GROANING)

(THUD)

Martin, echoing: Dad? Dad!

Dad, wake up.

(SLAP)

Dad!

Dad, get up, come on.

(SLAPPING)

(GROANS) Stop. Stop.

(GROANING)

Oh, God. (SIGHS)

Hey, uh...

Hey.

How was the party?

It was fun.

Oh, yeah. Hey, help me up.

(GROANS)

Here.

Oh, thanks.

Oh, that's good.

That's great.

(GROANS)

Let me help you.

That's okay.

Let me do it, come on.

Give it to me.

Yeah.

Dad.

What the f*ck is wrong with you?

Why are you such a f*cking mess?

(DOOR SLAMS)

(PILLS RATTLE)

(GROANS)

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

Can I come in?

f*ck off.

What is it?

Read it.

(PAPER RUSTLING)

What is it?

It's the note your grandmother left the night she d*ed.

What, like a su1c1de note?

This looks like your handwriting.

It is.

Why?

Because... because I-I wrote it for her.

She was too sick to hold the pen, so...

I had to.

I...

I helped her die, Martin.

She was in so much pain, she just wanted a way out, and, uh... and I helped her.

Why are you telling me this?

I just...

Your grandfather and I, we... we... we didn't really talk about anything.

And I know I've let you down.

I know I've let you down... severely.

And you may never be able to forgive me.

But I love you... more than you can possibly imagine.

(♪ PENSIVE MUSIC ♪)

You won't really know till you have your own.

♪ ♪

I just... I just wanted you to understand a little about me so that...

♪ ♪

One day when I die and you're clearing out my house, you won't be rehearsing conversations that...

♪ ♪

You know you'll never have.

♪ ♪

(SIGHS)

(HAND SLAPS KNEE)

(SNIFFLES)

You got to go to school tomorrow morning.

Please?

Please go, for your mother.

♪ ♪

Just let her see you graduate, and then after that, you can do whatever the f*ck you want with your life.

Okay?

Yeah, okay.

♪ ♪

(HAND SLAPS KNEE)

(TRAIN HORN BLARES OUTSIDE)

(TRAIN RATTLING)

(GROANS SOFTLY)

(SIGHS)

Martin, get up.

(WATER SPLASHING)

(♪ OMINOUS MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪


Noah: Martin?

Martin! Stop!

♪ ♪

Martin, stop! Stop!

♪ ♪

(ECHOING) Martin!

♪ ♪

(♪ SOMBER MUSIC ♪)

♪ ♪
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