[orchestral music playing]
[breathing heavily]
[footsteps approaching]
PHARMACIST: Tess?
Tess?
Sorry about that,
I had to track down
the combination to the safe
to get these out.
You are on some very special
medication, my dear.
I'm sorry about the bother.
Oh, please, honey,
it's no bother.
It's your health.
Okay, so these
are gonna get you through
to your next appointment,
plus a few extra for safety.
Remember, you have to take one,
every four hours, even at night.
You have your alarm set?
Yes, ma'am.
Good. The more diligent
you can be, the better the odds
you keep baby in there
until your due date.
Understood.
Don't worry, my dad
had to pull a million strings
with his business buddies
to get me into this trial.
He reminds me
every chance he gets.
PHARMACIST:
You're lucky, you know.
We charge insurance $750 a pop
for these little guys.
He reminds me of that too.
[upbeat music plays]
TESS: Okay, so, sue me.
It's stressful
staying at the house.
Okay, fine.
Next time, I'll stay with you.
I promise.
My next appointment
is at the same time.
Two weeks from now.
Mm-hmm. Are you writing it down?
Okay, and can you let Dad know
so maybe he'll show up
for a meal sometime?
SARA: Hey.
Cute bag.
Right.
Okay, Mom, I gotta go,
I'm getting on the bus.
Oh, my God, please, stop.
Buses are not plebeian.
You can be
a [indistinct] sometimes.
All right. I love you.
I got it.
Is this seat taken?
It is now.
So, do you not like scenery,
or you just
want to be left alone?
Oh, neither, I just wanted
easy bathroom access.
I like your gloves.
I had elbow-length gloves
for my wedding and I loved them.
But now they just sit
in my top drawer,
bumming me out, 'cause
I never get to wear them.
I'm a germaphobe, so.
I'm sorry, that must be hard.
No, it's not so bad.
I get to wear nice gloves.
[upbeat music plays]
[baby cries]
Shh, shh, shh.
[woman clears throat]
Sorry.
It sounds like someone's hungry.
He actually just
finished two bottles,
I just need to-- Bottles?
You're not breastfeeding?
MOTHER: No, I am not.
- I don't know--
- You know, breastfeeding
is the best gift
that you can give a child.
MOTHER: That's great, but--
WOMAN: My children were all
very good travelers.
Never made a peep.
- Excuse me, ma'am.
- Yes?
Hi. Could you maybe
just give her a break?
Excuse me,
I'm only trying to help.
I'm sure you are, but this lady
is obviously doing
her best, okay?
Well.
[crying continues]
Your wedding sounds like
a real fairy tale.
Well, my dress
did have a full princess skirt.
Princess skirt for the princess.
My cousin also threw up
on the buffet, so.
Where did you have it?
Here in the city.
At the Marriott.
Sounds expensive.
Not really, I don't think.
My dad had a connection.
He's a lawyer.
He knows everybody.
Does he live up here?
Yeah, Mom and Dad.
And you?
I am way down
at the end of the line.
It's a little town called Boone.
Oh, that's my stop.
Oh, yeah? Do you live there too?
Just passing through.
Oh, well, I guess only,
like, six people live in Boone.
[laughs]
Not really. I mean, it is small.
I think it just feels
extra small because we're new.
We don't know anyone.
You and your fairy tale prince?
Right, Jack.
He's on the road
three days a week.
Sometimes more.
So, it doesn't really
matter where we live.
He picked a spot
where we can get
the best bang for our buck.
He picked?
Oh, no, well,
I guess Boone was his idea.
Yeah. But I do like it.
My big thing is, I just wanted
to get out of here.
Of course, I was thinking
more like Chicago or Denver,
or someplace that doesn't add
two hours to your travel time
just to get to the airport.
But it is nice
to have our own place.
Were you visiting your parents?
No, not this time.
I've got this dumb condition
that makes
my placenta really thin.
I'm sorry, is that
too much information?
No, not at all.
I have a daughter.
Oh, yeah? How old?
Um, she's 11.
That's a fun age.
She's just discovering herself,
figuring out
what she wants to be--
You were saying
about your placenta?
Right, I'm-- I'm at risk
of my placenta tearing
and little Krueger here
coming way too early.
So, I have to come up
every two weeks
and get a check-up
and get this trial medication
that I'm on.
It's supposed to,
I don't know,
like, thicken me up.
Krueger?
[laughs]
We're not finding out
the gender beforehand
and we needed a temp name.
Babies are always so ugly
when they first come out,
so I decided on Freddy Krueger.
My husband hates it.
Well, f*ck him.
That's what got me
into this mess.
Oh, okay, Krueger
just sat on my bladder.
Excuse me.
[soothing music plays]
BUS DRIVER:
Boone, end of the line.
[clears throat]
[whispers]
You're very odd, but I like you.
Have fun in Boone.
Hi. I'm not sure what you do
when someone falls asleep,
but she's a germaphobe,
so go easy.
[orchestral music plays]
- JACK: Hey.
- Hi.
Uh, I'm just heading
into a meeting.
Oh, sorry, I just
wanted to let you know
that I got home safe.
Already? I thought you were--
Mom said Dad has
some work things come up,
so we didn't do brunch,
which is fine by me.
Tess, you know I might need
another investment from him.
We need to put in
some more FaceTime.
Yeah, I know.
Maybe next trip
you stay with them.
- Yeah, maybe.
- You took the bus, right?
Yes. Although I think
I'd be just fine driving.
Tess, you almost fainted.
Yeah, when I was
in peak morning sickness
and it was
a million degrees outside
- and I wasn't even driving.
- Okay.
Is our baby's life
really worth the risk?
Of course not.
The doctor was good.
Oh, good.
sh*t, look,
I really have to run, babe,
this is kind of a big meeting.
- Oh yeah? With who?
- You know, just people.
It's sales stuff, it's boring.
Try me.
I'm so sorry, babe.
Look, I really,
I have to run, okay?
You'll be home tonight?
- Where else?
- Good.
I'll give you a call,
or you call me after 11.
Eleven?
Yeah, and if I don't pick up,
just try me
in the morning, okay?
-I love you. I gotta run.
-[phone beeps]
[somber music plays]
[Tess sighs]
Jesus,
why do I pack so much crap?
[Tess sighs]
Well, almost time
to feed your life sack.
Gotta thicken those walls.
All right, where did mommy
stick those pills?
[banging on door]
[ominous music playing]
[knock on door]
Well, hi there.
What are you doing here?
- You've got my bag.
- What?
My bag?
Oh, my gosh, did we?
I'm so sorry, I just grabbed
the first black one that I saw.
I-I guess items might shift.
Right. It's not a problem,
I just need it back.
Of course. Come in.
- No, we can just--
- Oh, no, look at you.
- You need a breather.
- Oh, no, I'm okay.
Please, just for a minute.
- Yeah, just for a minute.
- Good.
Please, sit down.
You know, I tried
waking you up on the bus
but you were really out.
Um...
- I had a late night.
- Ugh, that must be nice.
I don't remember the last time
I had a late anything.
Again, so sorry
about the mix-up.
I don't know
why I didn't double-check.
It's fine. No harm, right?
Is this your family?
Yeah, mine and Jack's.
Those ones are his side
and these ones are mine.
You segregate them?
I mean, not intentionally.
Everyone gets along, mostly.
- These are your parents?
- Yeah.
And they approve
of your Prince Charming?
He's good enough
for their little princess.
Uh, they get along pretty well
as far as spouses
and in-laws go.
I bet on your wedding day,
your dad took the groom aside
and told him
that he would k*ll him
if he ever hurt you.
I don't really know.
If he did, he didn't tell me.
What does he tell you?
What do you mean?
I just mean you look like
you know, daddy's little girl.
Thought maybe you two
share all of your secrets.
Um, no, sorry. No secrets.
I'm pretty boring.
What about you?
Are you married?
Um.
No, it's just me
and my little girl.
She's sick.
She has stage three leukemia
and she's undergoing
radiation right now.
But she needs
a stem cell transplant
and I can't afford it.
I mean, Medicaid helps,
but it's not enough.
She's lost all of her hair,
nausea, and insomnia.
I'm so sorry.
I-I can't even imagine.
It's fine.
Do you want some bourbon
in that lemonade?
No, thank you.
Um, I should get going.
Where's my bag?
Maybe you just
want to freshen up?
I told you I'm okay.
The bathroom at the bus station
is an actual w*r zone.
I do have to pee.
It's just through there.
I'll go get your bag.
No, I can-- I can get it.
Oh, please, I got it
all the way here, didn't I?
[breathing heavily]
Keep it together,
you soft bitch.
[shaky breathing]
Oh, no.
Nail polish expl*si*n?
Hey, I'm so sorry,
but it looks like--
[gasps]
SARA: Looks like what?
It looks like I'll--
I'll need your help
getting this down after all.
I-- I don't know what happened.
Suddenly, I just got so dizzy.
Well.
Maybe you should get
some rest, right?
Yeah, uh, that's...
totally.
[ominous music plays]
SARA: Coming?
I wonder what made you
so dizzy all of a sudden.
Yeah, it was weird.
I must be hungry.
Or maybe it's because
I'm a little late
taking my meds.
Oh, that's right.
I hope you don't mind,
I saw them
in your suitcase
when I thought it was mine.
No, that's fine.
Uh, thanks for reminding me.
I'm just really glad
that they're not lost.
Lose things often?
All the time.
Don't tell me,
you'd lose your head
if it wasn't attached, right?
[ominous music flourishes]
It was really nice meeting you.
See ya, Tess.
TESS: How did you...
It was on your pill bottle.
Tess McCarthy.
It's a great name.
Can't forget it.
Thank you for the lemonade.
Where is it?
Where is it?
Where the f*ck is it?
Lose something?
Yes.
Oh, my God, I was freaking out.
My husband would k*ll me
if I lost that thing.
Sounds like a real d*ck.
He has his moments.
Do you want to come
out here and get it?
You can just leave it there.
Oh, just leave it right here?
Yeah, thanks so much.
Okay.
[Sara grunts]
[sighs]
f*ck.
Of course,
you had to open it, didn't you?
Why don't you come out here?
Come on,
I'm not going to hurt you.
Tess, we have some things
to talk about.
Please go.
Not until you come
and talk to me.
No!
I'm not going anywhere, so.
My husband will be home
any minute.
Actually, no, he won't.
Yes, he will,
I can wait you out.
What about little Krueger?
Can she wait?
I'm not going anywhere.
And that's not good for you.
Look at you.
You can barely lift that thing.
Don't worry about me.
They say moms can summon
super strength if they need it.
Yeah,
that's after the baby is out.
So, you opened it.
We've established that.
- Did you get a good look?
- No.
Could you tell me
his hair color?
His eye color?
No, honestly, no.
Yeah, I just don't--
I just don't see
a way around this.
I think you're going to
have to help me
destroy the thing.
Help you what?
Dispose of him, the head,
the bag, the whole shebang.
Then we're both
responsible, right?
No.
Again, I really am sorry.
I'm not helping you do anything.
Yeah, you are.
You don't really have a choice.
What?
Come on,
it's not going to be that bad.
Just leave.
Please, God, just take
that awful thing and go.
You sure about that?
Might want to
think that one through.
I mean, your fingerprints
are all over it.
The zipper, the handle.
But, you know,
I guess I can drop it
at the bus station.
Leave an anonymous tip
for the cops.
That could work, right?
[sighs]
I really think
we'd both be better off
if we just destroy the thing.
Call it a day.
No evidence, no crime.
You can go back
to your fairytale life,
and I will sail off
into the sunset.
Clean and simple.
You're crazy.
No, I'm being proactive.
I won't help you.
I'll k*ll you first.
Then what?
Have two bodies
to explain to the cops?
Well, technically, 1.1,
a body and a head.
Yeah, I don't think so,
Princess.
We have to do this.
So what do we got?
Forest, lots of forest.
I guess we could just burn it
in your fireplace, but...
no.
Is there really
an abandoned chemical factory
at the end of this road?
Are you sure you're not
a secret serial k*ller?
Because, like,
this is super convenient.
It's all boarded up.
There's security cameras,
guards.
Oh, yeah?
This chemical factory
right here?
The one with all
the wide open spaces
and no people around.
Come on, Princess.
One day of work won't k*ll you.
I'm not a princess.
Are you sure?
Have you ever been scared?
Felt a real moment of pain?
Yes.
You don't know what pain is.
[screaming]
So, do you want to know
who he is?
[voice cracking]
No, please, God, I don't.
Relax, I'm not going to give you
his Social Security number.
I mean, do you want to know
who he was to me?
How his head
ended up in a suitcase?
Well, you already know
that I have a daughter.
Didn't mean to let
that one slip,
but here we are.
[sighs]
You know that I'm not married,
but her father is.
Or was, I guess.
I knew, of course, but, oh, man,
was he charming and powerful.
He'd walk into a room
and everyone would just shut up.
I guess I thought that was sexy
when I was young and stupid.
Anyway, a few months in,
knocked up.
What happened?
About what you'd expect.
I had the baby.
He offered me
under-the-table child support
if I promised
"not to tell" his real family.
Anyway, the payments
started off regular, generous.
But over the years, they just...
Then came last night.
[suspenseful music plays]
Hello, assh*le.
Hello, whore.
Whose cabin is this?
Don't worry about it.
Our daughter's almost done
with her radiation.
Three more days
and I can take her home.
I hope
your daughter feels better.
My daughter
is the picture of health.
I think
I'm actually going to miss
these little rendezvous.
That makes one of us.
You know this place is two miles
from the nearest
bus stop, right?
Boo-f*cking-hoo.
Don't you have
a country office around here?
Why couldn't we meet there?
Well, for one thing,
that's a lot of money.
Couldn't have anyone
asking questions.
What the f*ck?
This is less than half
of what we discussed.
It's my final offer.
I suggest you take it.
You f*cking kidding me?
We had a deal.
Yeah, well,
the deal can blow me.
See, the thing is,
I don't trust you.
You give a mouse a cookie,
you know what you get?
f*cked by a rodent.
I give you what you want.
What guarantee do I have
that you don't come back
for more?
That you keep
your smart little mouth shut?
Jesus f*cking Christ.
In 11 years,
have I ever given you
a reason not to trust me?
Have I said one f*cking thing
to your precious f*cking family?
To anyone?
You weren't desperate before.
A desperate woman
cannot be trusted.
She needs that money.
Or she'll die.
Stop being dramatic.
I didn't give her cancer.
Get me the rest of that money
or I tell everyone.
There it is.
You asked why we couldn't do
this in my office.
The other reason...
was in case you did
exactly what you just did.
[Bob sighs]
You drive
a hard bargain, Princess.
You know, these woods
are my favorite spot
to hunt elk.
The rangers never come around.
So if you bag one
or two over the limit,
no one says sh*t.
Okay, very funny.
[voice cracking] All right?
I want you to understand
that this was your choice,
not mine.
You left me
with no other option.
[music intensifies]
- [g*n cocks]
- [Sara gasps]
[g*nshots f*ring]
sh*t!
[dramatic music plays]
[Sara breathing heavily]
[heavy breathing continues]
[Sara coughing]
[Sara whimpering]
I'll make it quick.
[Bob groaning]
[Sara screaming]
[screaming continues]
[Sarah gasping]
[sobbing]
[sobbing continues]
[panting]
[sound distorting]
Bullshit.
You really think
I'd make something like that up?
You really expect me to believe
that you cut off
a man's head in self-defense?
Yeah.
I was worried the police
would see it that way, too.
For the record,
the first swing genuinely
was self-defense.
[screaming]
After that, I...
So then what happened?
[Sara breathing heavily]
[heavy breathing continues]
[cell phone rings]
[ringing continues]
You m*therf*cker.
I'm going to get caught.
They're gonna notice
when you don't show up.
Okay, talk to me, assh*le.
Huh?
How would a psycho
like you fix this?
[cell phone dings]
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[music continues]
That one.
TESS: So, maybe he'll show up
for a meal sometime?
SARA: Hey.
Cute bag.
Right.
I need one seat on that bus.
I got it.
[music intensifies]
[music stops]
You bitch.
Your plan to save your own ass
was to pin a m*rder
on a perfect stranger?
Yeah, sorry about that.
What's wrong with you?
Well, you try k*lling
the secret father of your child
and see what kind of
cover-up plan
you come up with on no sleep.
I know it sounds bad.
Okay, but you have to see it
where I'm coming from.
Someone is going to notice that
this man is missing
and then someone's going to
figure out about the cash.
The police are going to
start knocking on doors.
And the only way
that I could think of
to keep them from mine
was to give them
to someone else.
I know it's crazy, and--
and I know it's awful.
But, Tess...
if I go to prison...
my daughter dies.
All right, not maybe,
not perhaps, she actually dies
if I can't get her
that treatment.
Besides, once we started talking
on the bus and I realized
how annoyingly
f*cking nice you were.
I changed my mind.
I couldn't go through with it.
But then you fell asleep.
Yup.
But when I woke up
and I realized
what had happened,
I rushed over here
to try to stop you
from opening it.
But I did open it.
And so here we are.
[Sara sighs]
Why should I believe
a word that you're saying?
Well...
there's this.
Also, why would I come over here
if I wasn't telling you
the truth?
Right? Why wouldn't
I just let you take the fall?
Maybe you're crazy.
You do have a head in your bag.
You think I'm crazy?
I don't know.
Might be worse if you're sane.
Well...
either way, we're in this now.
So, you gonna help me?
What happens if I say no?
I'm not entirely sure.
But I do know one thing.
I still have your pills.
You're a mother.
You wouldn't put
my baby at risk.
I'm a mother.
And I'll do whatever
it takes to protect my child.
[serene music plays]
SARA: What an interesting town.
[bird chirping]
Is that a Steller's Jay
that I hear?
How the f*ck would I know?
Oh, testy Tessy. Cheer up.
We're almost done
with this hullabaloo.
Look at how much fun
we're having.
[Tess yelps & whimpers]
If you're not a fan
of the great outdoors,
then why, may I ask you,
do you live here?
I told you.
Ah. That's right.
Prince Charming and the desire
for a home of your own.
What does he do exactly?
He's an entrepreneur.
Of course he is.
What about you? Do you work?
I was an accountant.
Now, you're nothing.
The princess finds
her Prince Charming,
gets hitched,
quits her job immediately,
all to fulfill
her one-life dream
of being pregnant and barefoot
in a spotless country kitchen.
No offense.
You are nice,
so that's something.
You know, I married Jack
right out of college
because, um, because he asked
and because my parents approved.
His company helps
US manufacturers find cheaper,
less regulated part suppliers
in other countries.
Ew. Yeah, very ew.
The thing is,
it's not a half-bad idea
if you have no morals
and you want to get rich.
But in a surprise to no one,
Jack turned out to be
a really horrible salesman.
He couldn't find any investors.
So, we had to take a loan out
from my dad.
I hate my dad. He's a d*ck.
And now, even with all of
his sales trips,
Jack can't find
any g*dd*mn customers.
You know,
I offered to be his accountant,
but no, he insisted
that I quit my job
so we can move to this sh*thole
middle-of-nowhere town
that's literally downwind
from a toxic pit.
That's why my house
was so cheap.
It's the closest street
to a lake of cancer.
So, what do I do?
I plan to leave him.
I pack my bag, and I get ready
to vanish into the night.
And that's when I find out
I'm pregnant.
Yeah, so now I'm stuck
with my absentee husband
and my d*ck dad
with no friends
and my Pinterest projects.
Mm-hmm. And a cancer lake.
So f*ck you,
and f*ck your assumptions
about me
and my so-called
f*cking fairytale life.
You don't know anything
about me.
Just back off.
[scoffs]
Okay.
I like you more and more
all the time.
SARA:
Come on, we're almost there.
Let's go.
[suspenseful music playing]
You weren't kidding
about that cancer lake.
Hope you didn't breathe
that sh*t in,
it couldn't be good
for the baby.
[music continues playing]
SARA: Here.
SARA: Hey.
This isn't your fault.
You didn't do anything wrong.
You didn't have a choice.
Besides...
he had it coming.
TESS: Oh!
[Tess whimpering]
[Tess screaming and panting]
Oh, my God.
Okay, easy there, cowboy.
Just throw the rest in,
and we'll be done.
TESS: Okay, okay, okay,
okay, okay, okay, okay.
Okay, okay.
So long, assh*le.
Hey, did I see a diner in town?
What? Let's go have some pie.
My treat.
What the f*ck
are you talking about?
I mean, you must be famished.
I know I am.
No. Leave. Now.
I get it. It's been a long day.
Why don't you go shower,
and I'll buy you all the pie
you want after?
Okay?
[Sara hums]
How's it going in there?
[piano music playing]
You like the showers hot, huh?
You spent $27 on a candle?
Boom, who knew?
How many?
Just the two of us.
Sit where you like.
Thank you.
[Sara hums]
See, I--
I appreciate the opportunity
to pick my own table,
I do, but...
why put up a "wait here" sign
if you don't actually
want people to wait,
you know?
Maybe it gets busy.
You're an optimist. I like it.
Can I get something
started for you?
Yes, Rebecca,
I will have a black coffee
and a slice
of your favorite pie.
Surprise me.
And my friend here
will have the same,
only make hers a decaf
because she's expecting.
Oh, boy or girl?
Uh, I don't know.
Uh, we want it to be a surprise.
Well, I think it's a girl.
That's nice. Boys can be nasty.
I know, right?
Off with their heads.
So, why haven't you left
your husband yet?
I know, I know,
you got pregnant,
blah, blah, blah,
but it's not like
you got pregnant
in 1952, right?
Women have had
the right to vote,
own their your own property
for what?
A while now.
You have family,
why stick around?
Why are you still torturing me?
Jeez. Cool your jets, Princess.
I'm sorry, Tess.
Look, I-- I will leave, okay?
And you'll never see me again,
I promise.
But not until I have
a delicious piece of pie.
Speak of the goddess.
Well, I brought you all
one slice of boysenberry
and one slice of lemon meringue.
They're both my favorites
and I couldn't decide.
And why should you have to?
They look perfect. Thank you.
Are you celebrating something?
Actually, yes.
Fingers crossed,
but I think Tess here
just got away with m*rder.
Oh, yeah?
Did you make a good investment
or something?
No, actual m*rder.
Do you have any tips
you could share?
No, er, yeah, don't--
don't m*rder people.
It actually turns out
to be very stressful.
Fair enough.
I'll have to control myself.
Yes, please,
please do your best.
- Enjoy your pie.
- Thank you.
What?
Are you out of
your f*cking mind?
It's very possible.
Look, what's done is done, okay?
The past is in the past.
Can we please just enjoy
some pie?
Here.
[door creaks open]
- REBECCA: Hi.
- MAN: Hey.
Just the usual.
[ominous music playing]
Mm. Wow.
Mm.
It's good, right?
It is actually.
See?
And all is right with the world
once again.
[indistinct chatter]
I just need to run
to the restroom.
- Cool, I'll come with you.
- What, I can't be on my own?
- I'm sure you can,
- No, I--
but I have to pee too.
What was your plan there,
Sparky?
I just have to pee.
[suspenseful music playing]
I might be crazy, Tess,
but I'm not stupid.
Why lie?
Is that a trait you inherited
from your d*ck father?
Why not just yell out right now?
Go ahead.
Is it because maybe...
even now you don't know
what you'd say?
"Officer,
that woman made me throw a head
into a vat of chemicals."
"Who? That woman right there?
"That single mother
with a sick child,
and no criminal record?"
"Yes, her."
"Do you have any evidence?"
"Well, no, but--"
"Do you know whose head it is?"
"Well, no, b--"
Or maybe it's because
you still think
I might hurt you.
You think
that I wore these baggy pants
to conceal some g*n
that I've been carrying
this entire time in my pocket
nestled right next
to your pills?
Just in case you decided
to come at me
and risk your own child's life.
I mean, you didn't want her
after all, right?
She's the reason you're stuck
in this two-bit town
playing house
instead of gallivanting around
with your girlfriends in Chicago
or Denver.
Is that it, Tess?
Are you afraid
of this hypothetical Beretta
that I might have tucked away?
Do you?
No.
"Ma'am.
Do you have any history
of mental illness?"
"Well, no officers, but...
you know I did spend
that one summer in college
in a wellness facility
when my parents found out
about my little cutting habit."
- How did--
- "The doctors told me that
I was a model patient--
I mean, resident.
Besides, she stole my pills."
[suspenseful music playing]
"Those pills in front of you,
ma'am?"
"Yes, officer."
Well, ladies,
this one is on me.
Ah, that is so nice of you.
Thank you.
And I will do my best
to follow your advice.
Yes, please do.
No murdering
unless absolutely necessary.
Righto.
- Enjoy the rest of your day.
- You too.
Shall we?
Well, it's been fun.
Sorry.
I know it hasn't.
I really am sorry
for pulling you into this.
It's not your fault.
You didn't deserve any of it.
You know, I really wanted
to hate you to...
make all of this easier,
you know?
But, I have to admit.
You really grew on me, so.
It's almost four.
Don't forget your next pill.
Thanks.
When that baby is born,
she's going to become
your everything.
Do better than I did, okay?
[somber music playing]
[Tess crying]
[intense music playing]
TESS: Ow!
Work, work, oh, please.
CINDY: Levinworth and Johnson,
how may I help you?
Hi, Cindy, it's Tess.
Is my dad available?
I could really use
some legal advice.
Oh, um, hi Tess.
Actually, your dad
hasn't come in today.
Haha, Cindy, you're very funny.
This is kind of important.
I'm sorry, sweetie.
His car
is at the Elmsley office,
but no one knows where he is.
What?
I'll definitely
have him call you
as soon as we get ahold of him.
O-okay, thank you.
LUCY: Tess?
Mom, I just called dad's office
and they said that
they don't know where he is.
Well,
I didn't want to worry you.
Worry me?
What the f*ck is going on?
Well, your father went out
for a dinner meeting last night
and no one's heard
from him today,
but I don't want
to worry you though.
He does this sometimes,
you know?
Your dad has had more
than his share of misadventures,
I'm sorry to say,
but I swear
he's going to walk in that door
any second now
like nothing's happened,
you'll see.
SARA'S CHILD'S FATHER:
My daughter
is the picture of health.
[g*nsh*t]
You left me
with no other option.
LUCY: Tess, are you all right?
Tess?
[intense music playing]
[cell phone buzzes]
[cell phone dings]
[cell phone dings]
[Tess whimpering]
[dramatic music playing]
- [knock on door]
- [door clicking open]
Detective Crichton
will be in shortly.
Can I get you some coffee
or water?
LUCY: We're fine,
thank you so much.
[door clicking shut]
- LUCY: How's your back?
- What?
You're bigger than ever.
It's important to stretch
every day.
I don't know
why they're making us
go through all this.
Your father's fine.
He's fine.
When you were young,
he got on a hot streak
at a poker game in Dubai.
Didn't hear from him for a week.
He couldn't pick up the phone?
You know your father.
Yeah.
What if he's not coming back?
Oh, honey, don't say that.
I mean it.
You said
that he had misadventures.
And you were fine with it?
- That was the arrangement?
- Tessa!
What do you want me to say?
It's not a perfect marriage.
It never has been.
So, Dubai again?
You think?
Dubai, Paris, Macau.
He likes to travel.
Did Jack say
when he'd be joining us?
He's on the next flight out.
After his presentation.
[door clicks open]
[door clicks shut]
I'm so sorry for the wait.
Did someone offer you coffee?
- LUCY: Yes.
- Great.
Well, obviously
we don't want to jump
to any conclusions.
There's still
any number of explanations
for Mr. Levinworth's
whereabouts.
Did Mr. Levinworth, uh...
say anything to you
about trips he was planning?
People he was mad at?
People he owed money to?
No.
I mean, he does business
all over the world.
It's not uncommon for him
to make last-minute
arrangements.
What about you, Miss McCarthy?
You know anything about
your father's travel plans,
his business dealings?
Anything that can help us?
Anything at all?
[g*nshots]
No.
Okay, so,
what I'd like to do is...
walk you through our procedure.
Typically in a situation
like this, the first...
[string music playing]
[dramatic music playing]
[Tess panting]
JACK: Tess, do you know
where my keys are?
TESS: They're right here.
- Oh, good.
- I need them.
Don't worry,
I ordered you a car,
you'll make it to the airport
just fine.
Okay, what do you mean
you need them?
You can't be driving.
I thought
we just talked about this.
We did.
And I've decided that
not driving just because
I'm pregnant is arcane.
[car horn honking]
Sounds like your ride's here.
Tess, do you want me to stay?
No, I don't.
Okay.
[car horn honking]
Hey, I'll be right there!
Look, let's talk about this
when I get back.
Actually, um,
I'm not going to be here
when you get back.
What?
I'm gonna go stay at my mom's.
Oh, yeah, okay, I mean,
she could use
the company right now.
TESS: No, that's not
what I mean.
I'm leaving you.
What?
I'm not happy here.
Not when you're gone,
not when you come back.
I don't like this life
that we've built.
I don't understand.
If you don't like the house,
we can move back to the city.
No, it's not the house,
it's, um...
everything between us,
you know, it--
it looks right.
This looks like the--
the life that I wanted,
that we wanted.
But right under the surface...
I think I'm--
I'm going a little crazy.
[Jack whispering] Tess.
Tess.
What about the baby?
Don't you think
if we're going to split up,
it's better for her
if we just do it now?
Her?
- You-- you found out.
- No.
It's just a hunch.
What do I know?
[car horn honking]
You should go.
Have a good trip.
[somber music playing]
[swing creaking]
TESS: Fancy meeting you here.
Well, f*ck.
I've been living
in constant fear of this...
exact moment.
It sounds tiring.
You have no idea.
Don't I?
So, where are they?
TESS: Who?
The police.
No police, just pie.
- Hey, Mom.
- Hey.
- Did you see that last sh*t?
- No, I'm sorry.
- Hello.
- Hi. I'm Tess.
I'm an old friend of your mom's.
SARA'S DAUGHTER: Oh, cool.
Didn't know my mom
had any friends.
Do you want some pie?
I've got lemon meringue
and boysenberry.
Oh, yeah sure.
Mom, what gives?
Sorry, honey,
it's just almost dinner, okay?
Hey, do you see that little boy
sitting over there?
SARA'S DAUGHTER: Yeah.
TESS:
That's my little boy, Freddy.
Would you do me
just the hugest favor
and hang out with him
for a minute
while I catch up with your mom?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, sure.
TESS: Thank you.
Hey, if you push him
on the swings,
he'll love you forever.
[laughing]
SARA: You had a boy.
TESS: Like you didn't know that.
How often do you check
my Instagram?
SARA: You haven't been
updating it much.
You named him Freddy?
I had to.
Although he wasn't as gross
as I expected when he came out.
Hi.
I'm raising him
to be the opposite
of my ex-husband and father.
How did you find me?
Had to brush up on my forensic
accounting skills,
but I finally found
some semiregular
cash withdrawals
from one of my dad's
shell corps.
Only problem was,
he didn't keep a record
of where the money was going.
But going over your story
in my head,
how you talked about
him being powerful,
how everyone would shut up
in the room when he walked in.
Wasn't hard to guess
that you worked with him.
I looked back
at all of the women
that worked in the office
around the time
when you
would have gotten pregnant.
Took a lot of digging.
But eventually, I found you.
I honestly still can't believe
you stayed quiet.
What can I tell them?
He was a missing person.
No one suspected foul play.
And surprise, surprise,
you weren't the only woman
he was f*cking on the side.
My mom still thinks
that he ran off to Europe
with some French hussy
or Manila
with his Filipina masseuse.
I figured it was better
than the truth.
Now that it's been five years,
he's been declared legally dead,
and that's that.
So, what are you doing here?
Why me?
Now, I get
that you needed the evidence
to point another way, but...
why me?
Why hunt down my exact suitcase,
put my father's head in it,
and give it to me?
Don't tell me that you were
going to back out of it,
that you weren't going to
go through with it.
I don't give a sh*t about that.
TESS: Why?
SARA: I needed someone
connected to him.
Someone who could have
a possible motive
for wanting him dead.
But mostly I just...
I hated you.
I've been obsessed with you
for years.
You had everything.
Perfect home...
the perfect upbringing,
the perfect college,
the fairy tale wedding.
[somber music playing]
And a father who supported you.
That little girl,
She didn't get any of that.
All she got was cancer and...
a father who didn't give a f*ck
about her.
All she got was me and...
I know it isn't fair.
You didn't even know about us.
I hated you all the same.
She looks good now.
She cancer free?
SARA: Yeah.
Three years.
The stem cell transplant was...
awful.
But it worked.
TESS: There's another reason
why I never told the police
anything.
The more I thought
about your story
and I'm not sure how much of it
I actually believe,
but the more
I thought about it...
the more I remembered.
The bruises
my mom would cover up
with makeup.
I remembered when they found out
that I was cutting
and they checked me
into that wellness center.
He didn't say,
"I hope that you get better."
He said, "Don't embarrass us."
I remember him
slapping me so hard,
he burst my ear drum.
I'm not sorry
your daughter never knew him.
I'm not sorry he's gone.
I will always hate you.
I hate me too.
So now that Dad
has been declared legally dead,
his life insurance policy
paid out.
My mom gave me half.
I thought it was only fair
that his youngest daughter
got her equal share.
[gasping]
[whispering] Holy sh*t, Tess.
That's her money.
She deserves it.
[joyous music playing]
So, what now?
We go our separate ways.
But first...
pie.
And all is right in the world
once again, right?
Something like that.
[joyous music playing]
[string music playing]
Black Bags (2023)
Moderator: Maskath3