From Embers (2024)

[bunniefuu]

[boy] You couldn't live

on either of them.

They can't support life.

Well, I'd still pick Pluto.

It's my favorite planet.

Pluto isn't a planet, Dad.

It's a trans-Neptunian object.

It'll always be a planet to me.

[somber music plays]

Housekeeping.

Housekeeping.

What the hell?

Don't you see

the disturb time on the door?

I'm-- I'm sorry, sir.

I knocked several times.

Check your records.

I said, "one o'clock,

late check out."

-It's three o'clock now.

-Whoa.

I-- I'll leave

when I'm ready to leave.

By the way,

there's no bath towel

in the closet that's promised

in the brochure.

Can you just

do your job right, huh?

But maybe you want to join me

in the bathroom

We could clean each other, huh?

[school bell rings]

Hey, those fingers taste good?

My dad's gonna be

here in a second.

You want a ride home?

My mom will be here soon.

I got a good grade

on my math test.

My dad's gonna

get me a new phone.

You got a 67 in math.

That's almost failing.

Almost failing is still passing.

Want to hang out next week?

-We're moving to Cliftonburg.

-Really?

Cliftonburg sucks.

I don't think

my mom will let me go there.

See you, Kevin.

Hope you don't get m*rder*d

in Cliftonburg.

Hey, that kind of rhymes.

[somber music]

Hey, bud. Sorry I'm late.

Ready?

How'd it go today?

-Hi.

-Hi.

May I? Please.

So you used to work at a bank?

Uh, yes,

Spring Glen Community Bank.

And you're okay

with the odd hours?

The website said early mornings.

Right, like starting

around four.

-4:00 a.m.?

-Yes.

So it looks like

you haven't had

a job in a while.

Do you think you can adapt

to having a job again?

Um, well, some of my strengths,

I've been a full-time mom

to an autistic child

for the past eight years.

No weekends,

no holidays, no friends,

no colleagues, no reward system

to motivate me.

It's not on my resume,

but I am more capable

of high-intensity work

than you can imagine.

The more demanding, the better.

[sighs] I need this job.

Thanks. We'll...

we'll take all that

under consideration.

Thank you. That's all I ask.

I appreciate you coming in.

Thanks.

[man] Next, please!

[phone ringing]

Hey, Cory. Uh, I know.

I'm sorry. I'm running behind.

I'll be right there.

[sighs]

[phone chimes]

[Kevin fussing]

Oh! I'm sorry I'm late!

Are you okay?

Are you okay? Oh, God.

I'm sorry.

I'm home. I'm home. I'm home.

I'm home. I'm home. I'm home.

Mommy's sorry.

It's okay, it's okay!

It's okay, it's okay, it's okay!

It's okay, it's okay.

I'm home,

everything's gonna be okay.

Everything's gonna be okay.

[indistinct]

[groans]

No, no, I'll be there.

I'll be there.

-Mom!

-[indistinct]

Are you okay?

I'll be there.

Mom! You have a fever!

Kevin?

-Is that you?

-Yes, it's me.

You have a bunch of missed calls

from the school and the motel.

All right, all right.

All right. Okay.

Yeah, let's, uh...

[sighs] Okay, let's go.

Well, here's our new home.

Come on.

Simon says Cliftonburg sucks.

Well, Simon doesn't know

what he's talking about.

I'm sorry, bud.

It is what it is.

[Kevin] It doesn't feel

the same without Dad.

Kevin?

Do you know where

the insurance papers are?

Kevin?

Kevin?

Kevin!

You can't play with fire!

I'm not playing.

I know what I'm doing.

Were you trying to

burn yourself?

Yes.

Why?

Because I wanted to see

what Dad felt.

[sighs]

[muffled "The Jaguar"

by Stonepeople playing]

All the means,

all the means

Meantime, I'm over here

tickling the goddess

She gets me, she gives me

everything I am...

[sighs]

Is I am, and you are,

all here

You're all here

But all this is

a revolution

Run like The Jaguar,

make your peace

Can't bear

to see what you've done

Do you know what time it is?

Do you know what time it is?

I just moved in next door

and your music is so loud

I can't even hear myself think.

Oh, think, think, think.

I-- I... [groans]

Look, I am working.

It's for my job.

Is your job

to keep your neighbors up?

No, and I don't care.

You-- you think--

I-- I am-- I am here,

I am creating.

I paid for this space,

so let me create!

Okay, well,

people are trying to sleep

and this is really rude.

Okay, is this how you greet

all your new neighbors?

A-- aren't you supposed

to be, like,

baking me up a pie or something?

Uh, actually, you're supposed

to bring me a pie or something.

[man scoffs]

Bye.

History will play

a part of the fantasy

A fallacy

You were duped by The Pearl

In a Steinbeck novel

eternity is yesterday

Yesterday's Cassius Clay

[somber music]

Honey?

It's been over a year

and you haven't settled

my husband's policy.

Oh, it's complicated.

Um...

Okay, where did I put that file?

We moved from our family home

in a good school district

to a smaller place

and I can't even afford that.

I don't want to have

to get a lawyer, but--

Oh, no, no, no,

no need to get a lawyer.

Oh, it's right here,

right where it should have been,

you know?

[laughs] You know,

that's not-- it's never--

things are

never where they should be.

Okay, so, um...

Oh.

This is where the problem is.

Um, your husband's policy

has been sent upstairs

for review.

Not l-- not literally upstairs,

but figuratively up to,

you know, the people

that do this sort of thing.

What sort of thing?

Well, deal with irregularities.

What kind of irregularities?

Oh, well, you know,

the kind that, um...

[chuckles nervously]

Uh, I, uh, I really can't say.

Mr. Kale...

my husband died

in a lab expl*si*n.

He paid premiums

to you people for years,

so that his family

would be taken care of.

[sighs] I guess

the jury's out on this one.

What are you talking about?

Do you think he k*lled himself?

It's just that they have

to clear certain exclusions

before they approve the payout.

Exclusions?

Yeah, you know, suicide and...

substance abuse and, you know,

ill*gal activity.

[sighs]

[man groans]

[sighs]

Hey, neighbor. Need any help?

All right.

If you need some help

with those higher ones,

I used to play basketball

in high school.

I can-- I can jump pretty high.

I can't dunk or anything,

but, you know,

I can at least touch the net.

All right?

These plants

look a little droopy.

Usually means overwatering.

It's like when the...

the roots lose

their oxygen and then, uh...

-Rebecca.

-Hi.

Look who decided to show up.

-Hi, guys.

-I knew it.

-Ow.

-I told you she'd come.

You happen to bring

any of those spare ribs

you always brought for Ron?

Oh. Sorry, Ed.

I didn't.

All right.

Hey, guys, look.

Lily brought us a pizza.

Here's one.

All right. Thank you.

[Rebecca] You got it.

I should probably do

small bites of this.

Come here. I got it.

-Here you go.

-All right.

All right. Thank you.

You got it.

Timeout.

Something like this

is still good.

[all laugh]

I know this is

a tough situation.

It'll get better soon.

You do enough.

You paid for all this

by selling your house.

We're all very grateful.

I had to sell that house anyway.

Ron gave his life

trying to save us.

Yeah.

He kept me going, too.

What happened that night?

There's something fishy

going on there.

I'm just saying.

Police, detectives,

they all came and talked to us.

We told them what we think.

Fire doesn't move

that way normally.

Someone was behind it.

[scoffs] They had the CSI people

come and look at the scene.

It was a faulty cylinder.

Even the equipment

company confirmed it.

I know what I saw.

All right, now.

Just because

you don't trust anybody

doesn't mean

you're smarter than everyone.

I'm going to figure it out.

I am.

I promise you.

Oh, Mrs. Xu,

uh, your husband's case

has been closed.

It's nothing we didn't expect.

The cylinder was defective

and the fire spread too rapidly.

[chuckles] Detective Callava,

the insurance company said

it's still under review.

I don't know anything about

your insurance company.

We are not involved

in their process.

You need to tell them

it's closed.

They're still investigating

for suicide

and ill*gal activity.

They have the right to conduct

their own investigation.

-This is ridiculous.

-Lily, please.

Why-- why are there

even two investigations?

I mean, this was

supposed to be simple.

Did you even look through

everything properly?

Trust me,

when someone passes away

in a situation like this,

there is always due diligence.

The fire marshal did

a thorough investigation.

We talked to everybody.

We went to the scene

and looked at everything.

Then if you're so sure about it,

you need to tell them.

Tell them that my husband

didn't k*ll himself.

I could, but I can't make them

give you that money.

You'll have to take it to court.

Do you think I can afford

a lawyer right now?

I'm sorry, there's nothing else

that I can do.

I'll do this myself.

You'll be hearing from me.

Kevin, do you remember

your dad's password?

Kevin, do you hear me?

"Plutoisaplanet9".

All in one word

with Pluto capitalized

and nine as in numerical nine.

Thanks, buddy.

[keys clacking]

All right.

You know, there's also

a meteor shower we could see

really clear

if we head out to the desert.

It's starting in two weeks.

Maybe we can go check it out?

Mom, if we don't see them now,

we'll never see them.

[knocking on door]

Sorry.

Was I too loud?

[chuckles] Listen, I think

we got off to a bad start.

I'm Marty.

Um...

I brought you a pie.

You might have to take

the sticker off of it, though.

It's...

[chuckles] Um, listen, uh...

[exhales sharply] ...I, um,

I'm sorry for being such a jerk.

I, um, I had

a little too much that night,

and really wasn't acting myself.

So, uh, yeah, sorry.

I'm Lily.

Good night, Lily.

[woman over phone] I'm sorry,

but there's no record

of the patent application

you're asking about.

Are you sure?

It would have been filed

in May of last year.

If it's not under Xu Medical,

it could be under Dr. Ronald Xu.

[woman] I'm sorry, ma'am.

According to our records,

nothing was filed.

Well, what about

Pastmore Laboratories?

Can you check under that?

[woman] Give me a moment.

-Ma'am?

-Yes, yes, yes, I'm here.

The last patent filing

for Pastmore

was on May 15th of last year.

Can I get

a copy of that application?

[woman] Are you Dr. Sean Morgan?

Dr. Sean Morgan is the contact.

-No.

-[woman] Are you with Pastmore?

Technically not.

[woman] Well, you must be

a party to the filing

to request a copy,

or wait two months

from the date of acceptance

when it's made public.

Okay.

Um, thank you for your help.

[woman] Thank you for contacting

the United States

Patent Office.

Have a nice day.

-Hello?

-[heavy breathing over phone]

I'm so sorry to bother you,

but I had to take a call outside

because my aunt had a stroke,

and when I came back,

I couldn't find him anywhere.

Can you come home right now?

I'm not really sure

what happened.



-Kevin!

-[footsteps approaching]

Kevin!

[Lily sighs]

Oh, my gosh.

Dad's flower is gone.

I got a flower

for him last week,

and now it's gone.

Remember, darling,

don't fall

for your dad's stories.

Don't let them affect you.

You're still young,

and he's not our kind of people.

Mom, how many times

do you have to say that?

You know, in my heart,

he's a very good dad.

Okay?

You're so annoying.

[doorbell rings]

[man] I got it.

[birds chirping]

Marty.

How are you?

I'm doing solid.

[clicks tongue]

You, uh, want to come in?

No, I think

I'm-- I'm good right here.

All right, well,

Chloe should be down any second.

Hey...

our pool shed

needs a new paint job.

I got other people

that I'm talking to,

but you are on the list,

my friend.

Well, thank you,

but I'm actually a lot busier

than you think right now.

How's the little

music thing going?

It's going great, man.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

Yeah, just doing a score

for an independent film.

It's a rom-com and, uh, um,

a Viagra commercial,

of all things.

Good for you, buddy.

Good for you.

Um, listen, I'm just gonna

hang out by the trucks.

-[woman] Hey!

-[Marty] Hey!

-You're early.

-Well, can't I be early?

[man chuckles]

[sighs] Listen, ever since

we started with visitations,

she has got a weird attitude.

Okay, that's not true.

I mean, she's just a teenager.

Why are you always looking at me

like I'm a bad influence?

Just have her home by 8:00.

[softly] And no drinks.

[softly]

Oh, thank you for the reminder.

[scoffs] At least I'm not

the one who's too busy for her.

-Hey, baby girl.

-I'm not a baby.

Yeah.

At least I got it half-right.

[chuckles]

-Come on.

-8:00 p.m., got it?

And clean up your damn truck.

[sighs] Every time I come here,

I remember why I left.

Not you, not you.

[both laughing]

[groans] There you go.

Oh, I'm sorry, baby.

Let me get that.

-Still not a baby.

-Hey, yes.

Get up there.

Watch your head.

Still not a baby,

I'm sure, yeah.

[bright music]

You hungry?

-A little.

-Yeah.

I got us some burgers.

Thanks, Dad.

You know what I like.

[Marty chuckles]

Oh, I brought your scooter, too.

Whoa, I can fly now.

Absolutely, I'm sure you will.

-[engine revving starts]

-[rock music over speakers]

Let's fly. Oh, yeah.

-Remember this?

-I love this song.

Yeah.



[bright music]

Hey, hey.

You having fun?

Yeah.

Yeah, you were flying

on that thing.

It goes so fast.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-It's my favorite.

-I know.

Hmm.

-[laughs] This is great.

-How's school?

It's good.

I got a family tree

that I'm working on.

-When is it due?

-Not for another month.

Ah.

I like hanging out.

I want to spend

more time with you.

-But Mom--

-Yeah, yeah.

Look, I'm really trying to

find some time to...

see you more.

Are you still drinking?

[Marty sighs]

Why don't you quit?

Uh, I'm trying.

You don't have to lie.

N-- not to me.

I'm sorry

for letting you down, sweetie.

You're not letting me down.

Just don't give up so easily.

You've got this.

You're a big man.

-Come on.

-[Marty laughs]

So smart.

-This is really good.

-So good.

[man]

I'm sorry about your husband.

Labs can be

very dangerous places.

We're very careful

here for that,

just for that very reason.

So, Mrs. Xu,

what can I help you with today?

I had a couple of questions

regarding your burn treatment.

-Ignisidine.

-Mm-hmm.

-You have a patent for it?

-Yes, we do.

I heard about it from some of

Ron's former patients.

Hmm.

It seems like...

it was really similar

to what Ron was working on.

It's likely the same thing.

Um, you know, there's probably

over 100 patent applications

for every drug,

and we all know each other.

Sadly, it's the...

[clicks tongue]

...nature of the business.

I was wondering

if I could get a copy

of that patent application.

I'm trying to get

my husband's affairs in order,

and that drug was

a really big part of his life

before he passed.

You don't have

a copy of his application?

Most of his documents

were at the lab.

I see.

Mrs. Xu, I'm sure

you understand that

these things

are very confidential.

Perhaps you should speak with

who managed his application.

[knocking on door]

Sorry to interrupt.

Jordan Labs has the report

they need you to sign.

Uh, thanks, David.

I am, um...

I'm going to have to get going,

but a-- again,

I am very sorry

about what happened to Ron.

Thank you.

David will see you out.

Hi, Angela, it's Lily,

Ron's wife.

I know it's been a while,

but I really need to

talk to you,

so you can call me back

on this number, okay?

Thank you.

[plays bright melody]

-[Chloe] Boo!

-Oh, sh*t!

Oh, God, you scared me.

-Oh. [laughs]

-You said "sh*t."

Yeah, I did. Sorry.

You know what Mom would say?

Hmm.

This is pretty cool, huh?

Ah, it's nice to see me

not all covered in paint.

[sighs] Listen, uh...

-What's this?

-It's for your rent.

I can't use it anyways.

Sweetie, no.

No, no, I-- I--

I-- I can't take this.

Hey, this is your allowance.

You buy something

that you want, okay?

I want a tablet...

but they're really expensive.

And besides,

Mom wouldn't let me have one

because...

it would be

too distracting for me.

And she wants me to focus on

my academic classes.

What kind of tablet?

It's a drawing tablet

for illustrating.

I want you to remember

something for me.

Whatever you want

in this life...

you go for it.

Okay?

Just apply yourself

and just be you,

but be the most awesome

version of you.

-Okay?

-[Chloe chuckles]

-Yeah.

-[softly] Okay.

Um, you wanted to show me

your school project, right?

Oh, yeah.

So...

I still need to work

on this speech,

and so basically,

I already wrote down

all of the things I know about

my parents' ancestry.

But for this part,

I don't know who they are,

but I found this.

Wow. [gasps]

It's your grandmother.

Carol Ann?

[softly] Yeah.

[in normal voice]

Oh, this is incredible.

I love this.

Yeah.

Hey, Mom?

[Lily] Yeah, buddy?

Can I get a telescope?

Uh, don't you already have one?

I have a microscope.

I don't know if we can swing

a telescope, buddy.

What about a corgi?

They're very cute puppies.

They have big butts.

We can name it Dollar.

I know it's not possible.

But I wanted to ask.

Ron was a wonderful person.

I know it must have been

very difficult to lose him.

I helped him

with several patents

over the last couple of years.

I just wish

we had gotten together

over different circumstances.

I appreciate

you meeting with me.

[sighs] It's just...

something about that night...

nothing about the fire

makes sense.

I understand it's very difficult

to deal with a death...

especially an accident

like that.

But that's the thing.

I don't think

it was an accident.

-Oh?

-[Lily sighs]

I don't have any hard evidence,

but I remember he...

just seemed really off

the night he died.

And I know Pastmore

was competing for a patent,

and I thought maybe

I could find some clues there.

Well, it makes complete sense.

Wow.

Oh, I'm sorry.

This is a lot, isn't it?

No, no, no, I-- I understand.

You-- you know,

you need to talk about it.

You know, I-- I do have

some of Ron's

archive documents in my storage.

Maybe I could get them,

bring them over?

Maybe that would help somehow.

[sighs]

I'd appreciate that.

Losing someone is really awful.

Better days are ahead, Lily.

I promise.

[Marty] I-- I just hope

you'll consider me.

I'm-- I'm a good guy, you know?

Uh, you won't hear me

come and go a lot.

I'm like a ninja. [chuckles]

A cat ninja.

Really quiet.

You know, it's hard to believe

because it's the end

of the night,

but I-- I-- I swear,

I'm usually very quiet,

pretty quiet.

Um, and I can-- I can help out

a lot, you know?

Um, I fix up stuff.

Free of charge, of course.

Totally free.

And obviously you won't have to

worry about your son at all.

I can pick him up

from school even, you know?

How about we start

with babysitting

for one week

and see how it goes?

Sure, yeah. That...

sounds great. [chuckles]

-He's a great kid.

-Cool.

He's autistic, just so you know.

But he's really mature

for his age.

-How old is he?

-He just turned nine.

Wow, nine. [chuckles]

I have, uh,

I have a 13-year-old.

-A teenager?

-Yeah.

I didn't know you had a kid.

Well, she lives with her mother,

but I have her every other week.

[sighs]

I-- I hope that's okay if...

you know...

Oh, uh...

yeah, yeah, I don't see why not.

Great.

Tomorrow's my day off,

so you can start on Thursday.

Copy that.

I really hope this works out.

I have a good feeling about it.

Okay.

Kevin!

[knocking on door]

Hi. Good morning.

Hi.

[sighs] What's the matter?

You seem...

Oh, no, uh, I'm fine.

I'm just...

-ah, I'm just tired.

-Hmm.

So, shall we sit down and talk?

Yes, yes, please.

So the patent

was never actually filed?

No, I think he was worried about

filing it and having it stolen.

I think he thought

if he held on to it,

he might have a better chance

at getting it through

at a later time.

Uh, but...

[sighs] ...but

that doesn't make any sense.

He was so excited about it,

about all of it,

about getting it all done.

I think

he was really just worried

that someone

was going to steal it.

I can keep looking.

Hey, buddy.

This is Angela, Dad's, uh--

uh, Mom's friend.

[Angela chuckles]

I got something for you.

Come on.

Careful.

-It's the galaxy, Mom.

-Wow.

-What do you say?

-Thank you.

[Angela] It also glows.

[Lily] Wow.

[softly] He loves space.

How did you know?

[softly] Ron.

[Lily] Go play.

[in normal voice]

He is such a-- a cute kid.

Yeah. Thanks.

There's also this.

You said that things

were getting tough.

Oh. I can't take this.

Listen, there's been

times in my past

when people have helped me out.

Now it's my turn

to pay it forward.

Reimburse the universe.

[Lily sighs]

[softly] Thank you.

-[applause]

-Thank you very much.

Uh, this next song

is probably one of my favorites.

It's a song that I wrote

a long time ago

when my little baby girl was...

just a little baby. [laughs]

Uh, this is

for my daughter Chloe.

[guitar strumming]

There is a place

A place I go with you

But only you and I

can get lost there

I see you there

There in that place

Where cares drift away

And mistakes somehow soften

I see it all

From the setting sun

to a rising one

Until the nightfall

Here in this place

In our panorama

Till the daylight comes

And we rise

Again

[crowd applauding]

[Marty] Thank you very much.

Oh, whoa, whoa!

Too kind, brother.

Thank you, man.

This panorama

Until the daylight comes

Here you go.

And we rise again

-How much did you make?

-Hmm. Enough.

Hey, I wanted to say something.

Um...

don't let anyone ever tell you

you can't follow your dreams.

Even your mother,

even though she means well.

This panorama

Till the daylight comes

And we rise

Again

What is it now?

[chuckles nervously] So, um,

I got the powers that be

to agree to offer you...

$20,000.

The policy limit is $5 million.

Policy limit?

You-- you sound like

a lawyer now.

Which, of course, you're not.

-Neither are you.

-Okay,

uh, Mrs. Xu, look,

your case is a loser.

All it's gonna do

is make you spend money.

And if you take the money now,

you know, you could, um...

you could avoid

some heartache, and,

you know, I could just show you

that I am--

I'm such a good friend,

and I'm always gonna be

there for you.

I'm gonna go back to my bosses,

and I'm gonna ask them

to give you...

$25,000.

You know, it's-- it's, uh,

it's just a small amount, but...

what do you say?

I'll take my chances

with the judge.

[footsteps departing]

[ominous music plays]

Hey! Hey!

-[engine revving]

-[tires screeching]

And golden brown, pop.

-Not so bad, is it?

-Nope.

[chuckles] I'll show you

waffles tomorrow.

-Hi, boys.

-Hey. [chuckles]

Mom, I had a weird dream.

Um, there's

some bagels right there

if you can't stay for pancakes.

What was, uh,

your dream about, bud?

This giant bird

flew into our house.

Really? Wow.

It was

a bunch of different colors.

Mmm.

It flew into it

and laid an egg and took off.

Uh, but the house

was totally safe.

Everyone's okay.

Mmm, well,

that's all that matters.

I love you, Kev.

I'll see you guys later.

Hey, uh, I made you

a couple things for lunch.

Thanks.

Okay, number eight.

You never would have thought.

Who would have known?

-Let's see if it works.

-Well, let's see.

Hey!

-Wow, good job!

-All right!

You are the stars, my sky

The fields, my light

You are, you are

You are the moon, the night,

the dreams...

You call yourself a detective?

This is ridiculous!

You are, are

You are, are

Oh, he made

a new friend at school?

Ooh, ooh, ooh,

ooh, ooh, ooh

Hey, you got a minute?

Okay, listen.

The wife is becoming a problem.

She keeps coming here.

You need to do something.

We had a deal.

Okay? This isn't my sh*t

to deal with.

Take care of this

before the fire spreads to me.

Wow. Uh...

you-- you look...

a-- amazing.

Oh, um, I can order pizza.

Okay, good, good girl. [laughs]

Um...

shall we?

-Yeah.

-Okay.

All right, no ill*gal

card games or dog fights, okay?

Okay.

He passed away a year ago.

There was a fire.

Oh, man.

Sometimes it's really hard...

not to feel alone.

That sounds like a lot.

[laughs]

Uh, enough about my baggage.

Um, what about you?

-What about me?

-Hmm.

You mean,

where did it all go wrong?

[both laugh]

Um, I don't know.

Uh, typical story.

Uh, she got pregnant with Chloe.

I didn't even

really know her that well.

Didn't take long

to realize that...

it was all a big mistake.

Even now, you know, we're still

fighting over joint custody.

Well, at least you have Chloe.

Some of the time, anyway.

Yeah.

[chuckles]

She's a good girl.

Yeah.

So...

you are a musician.

[laughs] I'm trying to be.

I went to music school, and, um,

even though my parents hated it,

I'm glad I did.

It was... [inhales audibly]

it was good.

It was-- you know, I used to

busk on the streets for fun.

Oh!

[smacks lips] Full disclosure,

I actually did it again

very recently,

like two days ago.

But, um--

and it was still fun, you know.

I-- I-- I-- it made me happy.

And-- and that's what

I want for Chloe, you know.

Like, to show her

that life can be fun,

not just-- not just so heavy.

Mm-hmm.

I think that's one

of the main reasons why

I got back into music.

Is everything okay?

Hmm?

You here?

Yeah. Yeah.

Sorry. Yeah, I'm fine.

Who wouldn't like

the handsome musician

who also happens

to be great with my son?

You're just

a leather jacket away

from being the man of my dreams.

Wow.

I guess I'll have to go out

and get myself a leather jacket.

[both chuckling]

Salud.

[glass clinking]

[romantic music playing]

Your dad is nice.

You're lucky you have him.

I'm sorry about your dad.

Really.

I'm making this for him.

Wherever he is,

it must be a beautiful place.

So he should have a beautiful

new office to work in.

He can look up

and over the town from it.

I think it looks really nice.

Thank you.

[heartfelt music playing]

-You're sure you don't want any?

-No.

[engine rumbling]

Whoa. Everything okay?

Uh, yeah, yeah.

[sighs] I don't want you

to think I'm crazy,

but I keep seeing the same car.

It wasn't that one,

uh, but one like it.

A black sedan

with a dent in the door.

I think

it might be following me.

Why would someone

be following you?

It all started

when I was looking

into the whole thing

with Pastmore Labs.

This car drove right up to me

and almost hit me one time.

Pastmore, that's your

husband's competition?

Yeah.

-[sighs] I sound paranoid.

-No, no.

I mean, you are under

so much stress right now and--

and there are

a lot of cars with dents

in Los Angeles.

-True.

-[Marty chuckles]

Besides, um, I just wanted you

to have this

stress-free evening tonight.

Hey.

I had

a really great time tonight.

Me too.

[romantic music playing]

Mm.

[indistinct]

[both laughing]

Hey. So I need a favor.

Can I please have Sunday off?

I got Delilah to cover for me.

It's gonna be tough.

We're short-staffed.

I need you both.

It's important.

It's Mother's Day.

Listen, Lily.

The owner's not gonna be happy,

uh, when I tell him

you left us short-staffed.

Yeah?

He's also not going to be happy

when I send him a video of you

taking towels and toilet paper

home from here every week.

Fine.

-But only this once.

-Thank you.

Oh, and by the way...

if you ever touch me again,

I'll break your arm.

[heartfelt music playing]

[Marty chuckles]

[keyboard clacking]

Yeah, no,

I'm sorry I got sidetracked.

I'm just...

[sighs] You mind finishing

the rest of that wall for me?

Oh, thanks, Bear.

Yeah, man,

I really appreciate it.

Bye, man.

I'll talk to you later. Okay.

What the--

What the hell's wrong

with you, man?

You're right in the middle

of the sidewalk.

-I'm sorry. My bad. I just--

-You drunk? Is that what it is?

Wait, I know you.

That's tough when you find out

your-- your girl ain't exactly

who you think she is.

[chuckles] Uh,

I think you got the wrong guy.

I don't think you know me.

Uh, your lady

ain't who you think she is.

I'm telling you.

Let-- let's just say...

I'm one of her

favorite customers, man.

She always leaves me

so satisfied, like, whoa.

[laughs] Take it easy.

[dramatic music playing]

Crazy.

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

[somber music playing]

[door shuts closed]

[Marty sighs]

-[phone ringing]

-[sighs]

Come on. [sighing]

[grunts] No.

[man] I'm one of her favorite

customers, so... [laughs]

I mean, she always

leaves me super satisfied.

[all laughing]

I think he likes it.

I think he likes it. Oh.

[coughs]

[sniffles] Hmm.

[guitar music playing]

[door clicks open]

Hi.

[Marty sighs]

[guitar music playing]

Play something nice for me.

[Marty sighs]

What's wrong?

-Called you at lunch.

-I know.

I know.

I'm sorry.

[Marty laughs]

Um, Kevin's asleep.

I'm gonna go home.

I got an early job tomorrow.

Really?

It's Mother's Day tomorrow.

We still have plans, right?

Family time?

[Marty laughs]

Family time.

No, I don't--

I don't know about that.

-Hey.

-Leave me alone!

[somber music playing]

[Marty shivers]

No, I don't want

any part of this.

Whatever you got going on.

I'm sorry I didn't answer, okay?

I-- I had-- I had

to visit some friends.

Yeah. Yeah, that's what I heard.

What?

Is that how you make your money?

What are you talking about?

[Marty] Uh, this guy

on the street outside,

he said he was one of

your most special customers.

-What does that mean?

-What are you talking about?

-[phone ringing]

-[Chloe] Hi, this is Chloe.

Please leave a message.

Thank you.

[indistinct shouting]

[dramatic music playing]

I can't believe

what you're saying.

-[indistinct].

-Hey!

-Get out!

-I'm going.

You're drunk! Get the-- get out!

-I'm out of here!

-Get out of my house!

How dare you

speak to me like that?

[door shuts closed]

[sighs]

Thank you.

Dad?

What the hell

are you doing here?

Something's up with Kevin.

There's something's up

with this whole damn family.

Jus-- Here. Come on.

Get in the car.

-Come with me. Let's go.

-No. Something's wrong.

Dad!

Where are you going?

-[engine rumbling]

-[sighs]

[Lily] Chloe?

What are you doing here?

What happened?

[somber music playing]

[Chloe sighs]

[dramatic music playing]

Kevin's gone.

I think he tried to call me,

but I missed it.

-What?

-[Chloe groans]

Chloe!

I have to find Kevin!

[Lily] Chloe!

Kevin!

[Lily panting]

I'm so sorry to bother you.

Have you seen a little boy?

He's, uh, about this tall,

maybe in pajamas?

No. Sorry.

[Lily panting]

Kevin!

Chloe?

Angela, Kevin is gone.

I need your help. Can you come?

[rain pattering]

[Kevin] Dad?

I wrote a lot of letters to you.

I had a dream.

They all went to the moon.

The moon with all my letters,

you know.

They're waiting for you.

I think about you all the time.

I miss you so much.

-[Kevin sobbing]

-[Chloe panting]

Kevin.

Hey.

Your mom's worried about you.

[thunder rumbling]

We-- we have

to get you back home.

But I don't want to go back.

Hey. It's okay.

We can talk about it later.

Just get on my back.

It's okay.

[thunder rumbling]

Lily, get in.

[engine revving]

[door clicks open]

[Lily] Kevin!

Oh, my gosh. Hey.

He was at the cemetery.

Wow.

-[Lily sighs]

-He's okay.

-He's home now.

-Oh.

-Chloe, you're bleeding!

-I'm fine. I'm fine.

[Chloe sighs]

Let me help you

take care of this.

Angela.

Angela, can you take Kevin?

Buddy. Buddy, [indistinct].

I'll be right back.

[indistinct].

Chloe, come with me

to the kitchen.

Let's take care of this. [sighs]

Ready?

[Chloe inhales sharply]

-[Chloe sighs]

-Okay. Okay.

How'd you get here, Chloe?

An Uber.

Uh, I missed Kevin's call.

Do you know

what happened with my dad?

Um...

we had a misunderstanding.

I hope you guys work it out.

He really is

a good person, and...

with a good heart.

I'm sorry.

We were both just...

frustrated.

[sighs] He's still angry.

[car horn honking]

-Thank you, but I have to go.

-Yeah, go. Go.

[heartfelt music playing]

You okay?

Yeah?

Poor kids.

[sighs]

[somber music playing]

No one can ever

take the place of your dad.

You know that, right?

[sniffles] I'm a crappy mom.

No.

You're not.

It-- it's just different.

We don't spend

as much time as we did before.

I made a bunch

of letters to dad.

That's why I went

to the cemetery.

I'm sorry.

It's all my fault.

[sniffles] We always ignore...

the people closest to us.

Just give me another chance.

Kevin, I know it's hard to

imagine life without your dad...

but your mom loves you.

Everything's gonna be fine.

I'm gonna make

all your wishes come true.

[Lily sighs]

Thank you for being there for me

when I need you.

[key jangling]

Come over any time.

You're family now.

[chuckles]

[Lily sighs in relief]

Hey, I'm, uh...

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry about, uh,

the way I acted earlier.

I...

[sighs]

You know what?

I'm so proud of you.

No, seriously, what-- what

you did for Kevin back there,

that was-- that was amazing.

-[Marty chuckles]

-I always say I'm proud of you.

Maybe next time I can record it.

[Marty laughs]

Sure, why not?

Ah.

-I love you, Dad.

-I love you.

[heartfelt music playing]

Fix things with Lily, okay?

[dramatic music playing]

[gentle music playing]

[washing machine whirring]

[phone ringing]

[man]

Davies Specialty Insurance.

How may I direct your call?

Hi, this is Lily Xu.

-I was wondering if I could--

-[phone beeping]

Hello?

Hello?

[phone ringing]

[automatic voice]

Your phone number

cannot connect to this line.

Please try again later.

[phone beeping]

[road din]

[phone ringing]

[man] Hello,

Davies Specialty Insurance.

This is Lily Xu.

Don't you dare hang up on me--

[steady beeping]

Did you already pack

the speakers?

[sighs] They're sold.

-Why?

-[Marty chuckles]

Where's the keyboard?

Needed to go.

You sold that too?

That was my favorite.

Well, you can do a lot more

with a tablet

than I can do with those.

-A tablet?

-[Marty chuckles]

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

Are you sure

you want to move away?

[sighs]

I found a much better place.

The truth is I need it.

For you.

What about Lily? Kevin?

[clears throat]

I definitely owe her an apology.

You know,

she's-- she's a great lady,

but the truth is we, uh--

well, we don't even know

each other that well.

Probably...

rushed things a little too fast.

[guitar music playing]

-Remember this?

-[Marty chuckles]

-Do you remember the words?

-Yeah.

You remember this?

You were like five years old.

Of course I remember it.

There is a place

A place I go with you

[Marty laughs]

Only you

Oh.

And I can't get lost too

I see you there

There in that place

Cares drift away

Mistakes somehow soften

There is a feeling

I only get with you

-[Lily] Kevin?

-Yeah?

Think about your smile

[indistinct lyrics]

[indistinct lyrics]

To build...

-Mom?

-Yeah?

I lied.

The meteor shower

was over weeks ago.

Maybe we'll get a sh**ting star,

but there's no more

meteor shower.

I just wanted

some time with you.

No rushing school or work.

Just us hanging out.

[fire crackling]

[gentle music playing]

There's too much light here.

I'm gonna get away

from the fire.

Look!

Maybe it's a sign.

Dad is watching us.

-Can I tell you something?

-Of course.

Right now,

I know why the meteor shower

is so beautiful.

Because it's filled

with your tears.

[Lily chuckles]

What's that?

It's the observatory.

Dad said he was going to take me

to the thing at the observatory.

There was

a special presentation.

He said it would make me think.

Sorry you didn't get to go.

Maybe if we went,

dad would still be alive.

What do you mean?

We were supposed to go

the night he died.

Don't you remember?

[suspenseful music playing]

[sighs] I was out of town.

That night

he got called in to work.

Wait.

Wh-- what do you mean?

Dad was at work the entire day.

He was at home.

And someone called.

Said it was an emergency.

What? Who?

I don't remember.

Here you go.

[indistinct] the gate.

[car horn honking]

[keys jangling]

-Hey, hold on.

-[Kevin] What?

[ominous music playing]

[door creaks open]

Stay close to me.

[Lily panting]

Angela. Angela, my house.

-[Angela] What?

-My house. We've been robbed.

[Angela] Call the police

and come to my place right now.

I'm-- I'm--

yeah, I'm going to do it now.

I'm going to do it now.

Okay.

[Lily sobbing]

-[phone chiming]

-[Lily sighs]

[knocking on window]

[Lily sighs]

I'm-- I'm so sorry.

I-- I didn't mean to scare you.

[clears throat]

What do you want, Marty?

I-- I-- I want to apologize.

For-- for the other night, I...

I-- I-- I know

you're going through a lot,

and-- and me acting

like a stupid jerk

doesn't help.

[engine humming]

I-- I messed up.

I messed up. I...

And we-- we don't have

to go out or whatever, but...

I would like to be your friend.

-Okay.

-[Marty sighs in relief]

[Marty chuckles]

Okay.

[heartfelt music playing]

[engine rumbling]

[birds chirping]

Do you think they'll let us look

through the 100-inch telescope?

I don't know.

I think that's reserved for

the cosmetologist.

Cosmologist.

Cosmetologist work

on makeup and stuff.

[laughs] Well,

two very important jobs.

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

-You look great.

-Thank you. I feel great.

We're going to

the observatory today.

-Can you come with us?

-No, sorry, but I can't.

I have some very important

business to take care of today.

Lily, are you going

to take that settlement?

No.

As a matter of fact, I'm going

to head to Pastmore Labs.

I'm going to get a copy of

that patent filing,

and then I'm going to sue them.

Look--

I'm not waiting anymore for

somebody to do the right thing.

Lily.

[suspenseful music playing]

Eat your breakfast.

Lily, I really think

you need to reconsider this.

They could hurt you

or, God forbid, Kevin.

If they're half as bad

as you say they are,

you don't want

to mess with them.

I've already spoken to

a lawyer this morning.

She agreed

to take my case on contingency.

She's putting

Pastmore on notice.

And she's also going to talk

to the district attorney

about investigating them.

I doubt that will scare them.

Everybody is going to know

what they did.

-Don't worry about me.

-I'm really worried.

Bye, Kev.

I'll see you later, okay?

Bye, Mom. Have a good day.

I'm going to have

a great day.

-Good morning. Can I help you?

-Yes.

Is there a problem

with your bathroom?

I don't know what you mean.

I don't want to be

too descriptive,

but there is water

and everything else

leaking all over the place.

Hmm. Really?

Yeah. It's pretty terrible.

Just got these new shoes.

They almost got ruined.

I'll go take a look real quick.

-I'll be right back.

-Thank you.

[suspenseful music playing]

[Lily breathing heavily] Okay.

[mouse clicking]

[keyboard clacking]

[printer whirring]

[paper rustling]

[Dr. Morgan] Wait.

Mrs. Xu.

-[panting] Oh, my gosh. Okay.

-That is my property.

-Mrs. Xu.

-Okay.

-This is theft.

-Come on. Come on.

-Come on. I just had this fixed.

-[Dr. Morgan] Call the police.

-Come on.

-Open this door.

-Good, good, good. Good. Good.

-Mrs. Xu.

-Give me-- Open this door.

-Okay.

-Okay. We're going.

-Mrs. Xu. Mrs. Xu.

-We're going. We're going.

-[Dr. Morgan] Stop.

-Okay.

-[Dr. Morgan] Mrs. Xu.

Mrs. Xu.



[phone ringing]

Hello, Dr. Morgan.

[Dr. Morgan]

She stole the documents.

She came into the building

and took them.

What the hell

is going on, Angela?

I tried to dissuade her,

but I swear I didn't know--

I didn't know

what else she was going to do.

[Dr. Morgan]

Angela, you need to stop her.

I don't care how you do it.

If I hear

one more thing about Lily Xu,

you can forget

about your salary,

and you can forget

about your house!

[Lily sighs]

Hi, Angela. It's me again.

I need to talk to you.

Can you please call me back?

[sighs deeply]

[Kevin] We were supposed

to go the night he died.

Don't you remember?

That night

he got called in to work.

He was at home.

And someone called.

Said it was an emergency.

[suspenseful music playing]

[breathing heavily]

[stutters]

[sighs]

[somber music playing]

Hey, um--

Hey, listen, I can--

I can't talk right now.

-I-- I-- Yeah.

-What-- what's going on?

[sighs] Kevin's in trouble.

He's with Angela and she

used to work for Pastmore.

I think she had my husband

go to the lab

on the night he died,

and I don't know

what that means,

but she has my son.

Okay, wait, you-- you need

to call the police or something.

I don't want her

to do something crazy.

If she sees the police,

I just don't know

what she's going to do.

I just need to talk to her,

but she's not

answering her phone!

[Angela sighs]

Did you know

if you stacked up French fries

one on top of the other,

it would take 4.5 billion fries

to reach the moon?

Wow.

That's really interesting.

It's a quarter of

a million miles away.

That's a lot of French fries.

[phone buzzing]

[Kevin] You get a lot of calls.

I'm popular.

Would you call me

if I had a phone?

I would definitely call you.

All the time.

[suspenseful music playing]

It was you.

I don't understand.

You were supposed to have set

the patent application in

a month ago.

Damn it, Angela!

This is my life's work!

You called

the night my dad died.

It must have been someone else.

No.

I remember he said your name.

He said, "Damn it, Angela."

Uh...

you know

I'm a good person, right, Kev?

You know

I would never do anything

to hurt someone on purpose.

Right?

[Angela chuckles nervously]

Do you like me, Kev?

Yes.

I like you.

Good. I like you, too.

[phone buzzing]

-Let's go, Kevin.

-I'm still eating.

Let's--

let's go.

Come on.

We can get more food later.

Come on. [indistinct].

[tense music playing]

-[gasps] That's her car.

-Okay. Let's go find them.

I think we need to go this way.

I don't think

we're supposed to go up there.

No, I-- I know

where-- where I'm going.

Come on. You're wrong.

[Kevin]

We're not supposed to be here.

But this is the best view.

[Marty groans]

-[both panting]

-They could be anywhere.

Hey. Hey, hey, hey, calm down.

Her car is still here.

We're gonna find them, okay?

Let's-- let's split up.

You go that way.

-Okay.

-Okay.



But it says restricted area.

Never mind that.

Come on. This is the best one.

Ow, that hurts.

Why are we here?

I don't know why.

I don't know why, Kevin.

I don't know why.

I don't know what I've done.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

Excuse me, excuse me.

Have you seen a woman

with blonde hair with a boy?

He's nine.

No? Okay.

Angela! Angela, stop!

-Stop! Stop!

-Mom!

-Mom!

-Angela. [panting]

Please. We can talk about this.

[breathing heavily]

I didn't mean to hurt him.

I didn't mean to hurt him.

Morgan and his people

wouldn't stop pushing me.

-Okay.

-I was about to lose everything.

I didn't think

he was gonna find out.

[sobbing] I'm sorry.

It was an accident!

I'm sorry!

It was an accident!

Pastmore filed a week ago.

How is that possible?

This happens all the time.

You knew they were working

on the same thing.

That's why we needed to get

our application in first.

I'm sorry.

-I forgot.

-They were a year behind us.

How could they have beaten us?

It's impossible.

[dramatic music playing]

Did you have anything

to do with this, Angela?

No.

No, Ron.

-What do you mean?

-You didn't get the filing in.

[laughs] What?

-I told you. I just forgot.

-Did you help them?

-I mean, someone here must have.

-No!

No, Ron, no. [panting]

Ron, calm down.

If it doesn't work out

with this drug,

then we can--

you can always do another one.

Everything went into this one.

Don't you understand?

This took all my money,

and money I don't even have.

Don't you see what you've done?

How could you do this?

-How could you do this?

-Ron!

-[thudding]

-[Ron grunting]

Oh. Ron.

Ron.

Ron.

No.

Ron.

Ron.

No.

[dramatic music playing]

No. [shivers]

No. No.

No. No.

No. No. No.

[breathing heavily]

[gas hissing]

[fire crackling]

[flames whooshing]

[boom of expl*si*n]

[siren wailing]

You just wouldn't back off.

With everything that I did

to try to get you to stop,

you just wouldn't back off.

Angela, don't. Please, please.

Don't hurt my son.

He's-- he doesn't have anything

to do with all of this, okay?

We can figure this out.

Just-- just come back.

I don't think I can come back.

Hey, hey, easy there.

Easy there.

Mom, please.

You can forgive her.

I know she's sorry.

She said it with her face.

I saw it. I saw it.

-[Lily] Angela.

-Thank you, sweetheart.

-Thank you.

-[Lily] Angela.

He's all I have left.

[Angela panting]

Are you okay? Are you okay?

[Lily panting]



[Lily sniffles]

As we've stated before,

neither Dr. Morgan

nor anyone affiliated

with Pastmore Laboratories LLC.

admits to any wrongdoing.

However, in a goodwill gesture

to settle this case,

Dr. Morgan and Pastmore

agreed to add Dr. Roland Xu

to the patent application

for Ignisidine.

Additionally,

Dr. Morgan

and Pastmore Laboratories LLC.

agreed to pay Mrs. Xu

the following amount.

Thank you. We accept your offer.

[gentle music playing]

Hi, I'd like to see

if 442 Hurst Street

is on the market.

Mm-hmm.

That's right.

Thank you.

[Marty]

How do you change the color?

Just press this.

-Really that simple.

-[Marty] That's pretty amazing.

I love this program.

It's easy to use.

And guess what?

Yeah?

I'm 30 days sober.

-30 days?

-Today. [chuckles]

I knew you could do it!

See, it doesn't hurt to try.

Thank you.

I appreciate that. I...

It's a beautiful night outside.

Want to take a walk?

Yeah, let's do it.

Grab your guitar. Come on.

[guitar music playing]

Hey, Chlo.

You know I love you, right?

What's up?

I know I haven't been the...

perfect father.

I know I haven't been

showing up for you.

And...

[Marty sighs]

I want to get better for you.

And I'm trying.

I'm trying so hard.

[Marty grunts]

I know [indistinct].

I do.

[sighs] Thank you.

[Marty sobs]

[gentle music playing]

Mom, thank you

for getting the house back.

I love you so much.

I wish Dad was here to see this.

I think he is.

12 years

since I found your arms

Spring was blossoming

While I set warm tears

on your blue shirt

You wrote down your days

and time flew by

Verses changed deep inside

Shield and strengthen

a kind heart

Always the one

who will bring

Calm after the storm

After the storm

I wish you'd stay

Forever more

Share your golden

smiles everywhere

Hold me tight

Keep the rain away

Like sunsets hide

On mountain tops

Your love is here

even when I can't see

Maybe this is how

life should be

You're the love

that I can't lose

I'll be with you

rain or shine

Near or far

our bond will rise

Always the one

Unconditionally loved

How it should be

I wish you'd stay

Forever more

Share your golden

smiles everywhere

Hold me tight

Keep the rain away

Like sunsets hide

On mountain tops

Your love is here

even when I can't see

Maybe this is how

life should be

How life should be

How life should be