04x08 - Art Like Love is Dedication

[bunniefuu]

You have a son.

Yeah. Will.

What about his mom?

She d*ed when he was three.

I'm sorry.

Are you m1ngo?

What can I do for ya?

You can start by apologizing for blowing up our bathroom.

Play you for it.

I guess what I'm saying is...

Both t*nk and I made mistakes.

If we're gonna get past this, I need you to know the truth and be okay with it.

I am this close to losing my kid to foster care.

And if I'm supposed to care...

I know you have it way worse.

What is it with your two? You think I give a rat's ass you have a kid waiting for you back at whatever pit you crawled out of?

I don't.

So whatever happened with t*nk?

I told the truth and they expelled him.

Payback's a bitch.

I heard that he had to move back home with his dad for the semester.

I'm just so ready for this whole mess to be over with...

t*nk, community service, all of it.

How many more days you got?

19, and then 97 more of probation and then I am a free woman.

(Cellphone ringing)

Lucky you.

Crap. It's my aunt. She's watching Sam.

Hey, is he okay?

What? You said you could watch him till 4:00.

No, I can't leave early.

Come on. Don't do this to me, please.

Kennish, get to work painting over that graffiti.

Whitewash is in the van.

Hey, Gordon, can I talk to you for a second?

Talk about what?

I'll clean up more dead rats.

I will weed for eight hours straight.

Just please don't make me paint over that.

Why not?

Because it's art.

(Scoffs) I don't care if it's the Mona Lisa.

I told you to paint over it.

Okay, could you just stop and... and look at it for a second and try to see it for what it really is?

An artist trying to make people see something differently.

Get it done, or I'm writing you up.

As a fellow street artist, I cannot, in good conscience, defile someone else's work.

News flash, young lady: You're not an artist, you're a convict.

Now get to it, or I'll make sure they add another hundred hours to your sentence!

I do not understand why you have to be such a jerk.

I have done everything that you have asked of me, and you go out of your way to be rude.

And by the way, I don't think you have any power to add...

(choking)

Are you okay?

What? Are you... oh!

Oh, you're choking. You're totally choking.

Okay. Okay. It's okay.

My sister taught me the Heimlich maneuver. Just... okay.

(Coughing)

Okay.

Okay. You... you okay?

Hey. Okay.

Okay, you're gonna be fine.

Get back to work!

Now!

What's going on?

19 more days.

(Theme music playing)

(Pop music playing)

♪ I got a beatbox in the heart ♪
♪ a little stutter from the start ♪

Very mature.

Just thought you'd like to know that I saved the Golden Gate from an alien att*ck.

Get out.

Wait. What?

He cleared level 10 of American Hero 7.

It's a video game.

Oh.

Only took me three straight days of excess rush and pizza... food of the gods.

Well, the Golden Gate is a miracle of modern engineering.

You couldn't let it go down without a fight.

Finally, a woman who understands me.

Lucky for you, the storm didn't knock out the dorm's power.

There was a storm?

Are you kidding?

Yes, he is.

So, I was thinking we should hang out.

♪ And since you came around ♪

♪ it's just a little thing I like to call... ♪

Yeah, totally.

If you're free tonight, I know about this party over at Campus View.

Sounds great.

Cool. I'll text you.

That is going to be a total waste of time.

What?

Coach Walsh wants to spend another practice watching film.

What those boys need are fielding fundamentals, not more sitting on their butts.

It's not easy going from player to coach.

(Knocks on door)

You okay?

No, it's fine. Come on.

Hey, did you do those cool-down exercises that I showed you?

Happy to help.

Uh-huh. Let's see what we can do here.

"Analyze the communist manifesto by Karl Marx.

In your essay, take a critical and well-informed position and argue a particular interpretation of the text."

Yeah. I would love to help, but communism and writing... not my...

Ah! But this fine lady is a literary genius.

(Clears throat)

(Scoffs)

Someone is trying to butter me up.

Would you mind reading one of Travis' school papers?

And maybe giving him some of your expertise?

I'd be happy to.

I save the guy's life, and he writes me up.

Unbelievable. You know, for the record, Gordon is a sexist, condescending ass-hat.

Which makes it all the more surprising that he recommended you be released early for good behavior.

He what?

Seems that saving his life did a number on his conscience.

Oh.

And based on my experience with you, I seconded the idea.

So, "released," what does that mean, exactly?

You won't have to finish your remaining 19 days.

Oh my god.

I also recommended to the judge that your remaining days of probation be rescinded.

So I'm free? I'm like totally free?

I can travel. I can go wherever I want?

Have at it.

Yes!

Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Just promise me your name won't ever cross my desk again.

Never. You have my word.

Oh, here, let me help.

Thanks.

Oh. Wow. What do you got in here?

My books.

You must be the best-read kid this side of the Mississippi.

Hey.

Morning.

Morning.

What's all this?

Going on a trip?

(Chuckles)

The roof's been leaking like a sieve since the storm.

We need to move to a motel while it gets fixed.

Which sucks.

Will. Language.

Well, how long you out for?

The estimate says two days, which probably means four.

Where's your backpack? Go back up and get it, please.

Can't you?

No, dude, you do it.

What's got into you today?

We've been in 19 motels since kindergarten.

19.

So?

So they're disgusting.

Will, enough.

You could stay with me.

Daphne is away at school, and you two could stay in her room.

Beats a motel room.

Yeah!

No. No, seriously.

We weren't fishing for an invite.

I know you weren't.

But I'd like to help.

Besides, it's just for a couple of nights.

Come on, dad. Please.

(Scoffs)

All right.

Great.

Hey.

Hey.

You have a sec?

Oh yeah, sure.

Everything okay?

I'm reading this paper that Travis wrote for school, and to be Frank, I can't believe how bad it is.

It's not uncommon for deaf kids.

Remember, English is his second language.

A.S.L. grammar has more in common with Chinese than English.

Well, how did Daphne manage?

'Cause I was on her. Every night before bed I made her read 20 pages.

And then, after school, the two of us would sit down with her homework and review every single word.

Nurturing and positive reinforcement, neither of which Travis had growing up.

Yeah.

Oh, wait, I'm sorry.

Um, you needed something?

Yes, I... invited my business partner and his son to stay with me for a few days while their roof is being repaired.

I hope it's okay.

Oh, yeah, of course.

It's your home too.

Um, actually, Eric and I are sort of involved.

Oh?

I know.

Good for you.

The invitation came out of my mouth before I'd even thought it through.

So?

Is it like we're playing house?

I hadn't gone there, but clearly you have.

I'm overthinking it.

What if he hates the way I look in the morning?

What if we drive each other nuts?

What if...

What if, what if.

(Chuckles) At least you'll know.

Right. Right.

Can you believe it? I'm finally free to go to L.A., and the timing could not be worse.

Have you spoken to Emmett since he's been gone?

No. I'm giving him space, and hopefully he'll figure things out, and then come to me when he's ready.

He loves you. He will.

Well, in the meantime, I get to decide what I'm gonna do with my newfound freedom.

Have you considered reapplying for art school?

Probably couldn't start until the fall.

What do you think? First date.

I would go a little more... vavoom.

What about getting a job job?

I just wish I could find a way for art to be my job.

What about that artist showcase you were up for a while back?

The one that I got disqualified from for having a criminal record?

Yeah, but the woman loved your work.

Maybe she has another showcase you could apply for.

Hm-mmm.

You know what? That is not a terrible idea.

How about this one?

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.

Nice digs. (Whistles)

(Chuckles) I live on this side of the driveway.

Oh, damn, because I was about to propose.

(Laughs)

Hey, need some help.

John Kennish, this is Eric Bishop and this is Will.

Hello, Will, Eric.

Hey, thanks for letting us stay here.

Oh, it's Regina you need to thank.

She know how grateful we are.

John: How old are you, Will?

Nine.

You're nine. Outstanding.

This looks like a nine-year-old backpack to me.

There you go.

(Men chuckle)

That your Porsche down the drive?

Yes, it is.

She's a beauty.

I was lucky enough to drive a Carrera G.T. once.

John: No kidding? Didn't they just make 1200 of those?

Eric: Yep, worked for a Porsche mechanic in San Fran.

A tech client had one, let me take it for a spin.

"A revolution happened and a new class appeared."

Right.

I know.

A.S.L. is, hands down, one of the coolest languages in the whole world, but you still have to learn how to read and write English fluently.

You have to write cover letters and résumés.

You don't know that! You have to keep your options open.

Any time you write anything to a hearing person... an email, a tweet, I don't care what it is, you are gonna sound uneducated if you use the wrong tense.

And you are never gonna learn if you have the attitude that it's stupid. Now come on.

Let's try another paragraph.

Okay. I'll see you on Thursday?

(Sighs)

Where's my room?

Our room.

First door on your right.

(Sighs) Well, I'll let you get settled in.

Thanks for your help.

Sure.

If you want, I can check on that engine light for you.

That would be great. Thank you.

All right.

Huh! I am impressed.

It took me three years to win over John Kennish, and you went from zero to 60 in 10 seconds.

(Chuckles)

Angelo?

Yeah.

You can ask me anything you want about him.

I'm good. That's in the past.

Okay, but to be honest, I wouldn't mind knowing a little bit more about your wife.

That's in the past, too.

I better check on Will.

Hm.

He said he'd text me. You heard him say that, right?

Maybe it's a late party?

I have officially become "that girl."

I'm waiting by my phone for some guy to text me.

(Sighs)

Do you think I should text him?

I'm no expert, but it's empowering to make the first move.

Do you know what? You're right.

I'll just text him to confirm our plans.

That's totally reasonable.

Also, you should make a typo to make it look like you don't care.

No way. I refuse to misspell.

(Clicking)

Hmm?

What?

It's just...

You might wanna lose the question mark, so you don't seem too desperate.

(Sighs)

Here goes.

(Whooshes)

Ah! This is ridiculous!

We are not just sitting here.

Come on, we're going out.

Where?

I don't know. A movie? Anywhere.

(Cellphone buzzes)

Oh!

(Sighs) It's not him.

He just posted a photo.

Does that mean...?

He went to the party without me.

So, since I'm finished paying my debt to society, I was hoping that you might have another showcase I could apply for.

I'm sorry. All of our installations are booked through the next calendar year.

What about a job here at the Kansas City Arts Alliance?

I could be an assistant to someone or an assistant to an assistant.

(Sighs)

We can barely afford the staff we already have.

I could intern.

We're not an employment agency.

(Sighs)

I've had to put art on the back burner for so long, and I just wanna find a way for it to be a part of my life again.

Full-time.

My advice?

Stop looking for opportunities and start making your own.

You're an artist. Create.

Ooh!

Hey, it is freezing out here.

No, we're okay.

Oh, come on, he's gonna catch a cold.

Stop 30 seconds.

(Sighs)

I got this.

Oh! Wait.

(Laughter)

We can do it. We can do it.

There! Better?

Yeah.

Okay.

Thanks.

Hey, what do you guys want for dinner?

I can do trout almondine or spaghetti and meatballs.

Meatballs.

I figured.

No, no, listen, you don't have to cater to us.

Whatever's easiest.

I'm happy to do it.

It'll be nice. We'll have dinner together.

All right, Coach.

All you.

Right, 'cause...

Hey, Red!

Hi.

Hey.

Vimla, m1ngo. m1ngo, Vimla.

Hi.

Missed you at the party last night.

Yeah?

Yeah, I waited for you like forever.

I was waiting for you to text me.

We said we'd meet there.

No, you said you'd text me, and when you didn't, I texted you, and you never replied.

Huh. There it is. I must've missed it.

It's fine.

How about we hang out tonight?

Catch a movie?

Come on, tell me you have something more fun planned.

What time?

I'll text you.

I'm kidding. 8:00, my room?

I'll see you then.

Yes, you will.

He's hot.

(Both laugh)

I don't know. Last night was supposed to be our first date, but... well, you heard. I just don't get it.

He acts like he wants to hang out, but it has taken him weeks to ask me out.

And when he finally does, he posts a photo of him blasted with two other girls.

Nobody dates in college.

That's not true.

One night stands or friends with benefits, those are your choices.

Ouch.

Why? Embrace it. It means that women are just as empowered as guys to have this time and space to focus on their future while still fulfilling our sexual needs.

So you and Josh...

He's number four.

My point is, if you are attracted to this guy, don't overthink it. Just relax, have fun. That's what he's doing.

Here's the hero.

Oh, come on.

Ear they released you.

They did.

So what are you doing back here?

I came to bring someone a heroin-laced turkey sandwich.

Not funny.

Sorry.

Actually, I wanted to return this to you.

Thanks.

And... I wanted to say hi.

See how you're doing.

Why?

(Scoffs) Really? You can't just be happy for me that I got out?

(Scoffs) Congratulations. Have a nice life.

Wow. Okay. Hey, you know what?

I actually thought we were friends, but it's pretty clear that you don't care about anyone but yourself.

You have got a ton of nerve.

You say we're friends, but you don't know the first thing about me.

All you do is moan and groan about your own life, so forgive me if I don't want to play a part in some big phony send-off.

So tell me.

You don't wanna know.

Yes, I do.

Fine. Yesterday when my aunt couldn't watch Sam anymore, I had to take him to work, this telemarketing gig in some dude's disgusting basement.

He said I couldn't bring Sam, I said I had no choice.

And so he fired me.

So good luck to me trying to find a new job with a criminal record.

I can barely afford Sam's medical bills, forget even thinking about any of the new treatments.

Whoa. Wait. What's wrong with Sam?

One of his heart valves is defective.

I am so sorry. I had no idea.

Yeah, well, now you do.

So, how long have you known?

Since he was born.

But how does it... what exactly does...

He has a failure to thrive, which basically means he's so puny he doesn't even make it onto the height and weight charts.

He doesn't eat much. He tires out real fast.

All of the other moms are complaining about their kids.

"I can't keep up with him. He's into everything."

Meanwhile I am begging Sam, "come on, honey, let's go to the park."

"Let's run."

And then he does... and I'm terrified he's gonna stop breathing.

I am so tired of worrying about him, and freaking out about his future.

Terrified of all the things he's not gonna be able to do.

Seriously, this kid is such a burden...

(Crying) and I love him so much.

Uh, need you back to work, Tess.

Yeah, coming.

(Sighs)

Well, what can you do, right?

So, did you have a movie in mind?

I'm a big horror fan.

Actually...

I was kinda thinking we'd watch one here instead.

Oh.

Sure.

Excellent.

(Both laugh)

A heart defect?

Yeah, he's on a bunch of different medications.

And Tess said that if he gets any worse, he's probably gonna have to have surgery.

Is there anything we can do to help?

I thought about buying her groceries, but I don't think she'd take them.

Can you think of anything?

It's such thankless work, the day in, day out of parenting.

Sometimes just the smallest acknowledgment from a person that you're doing a good job.

What do you mean?

I remember this one time, you were probably two, Toby was three, we were on the road to visit your dad in Chicago.

And we stopped at a rest stop, and you were on the changing table.

And you were kicking and screaming and crying, and Toby was whining about how his stomach hurt.

And I kept saying, "you're fine, you're fine."

And the second we got outside, he threw up all over everything. The poor thing.

And I felt like the worst mom on the whole planet.

And this woman was passing by and she said, "you're doing great."

And I don't know, that moment just lifted me.

So, just tell her she's doing a good job?

That's it?

May not seem like much, but it means a lot.

(Upbeat music)

♪ All right ♪

I've been wanting to do this ever since I saw you covered in mud.

Oh, really?

♪ It's chemistry ♪
♪ hey now, did the ground shake? ♪

Hm, you good with this?

♪ Electricity ♪

Yeah.

♪ Did you call my name? ♪
♪ Well, is this my time? ♪
♪ Oh! ♪
♪ My love is a b*mb ♪
♪we're running out of time ♪
♪ well, I'll make you mine ♪
♪ I'll make you mine ♪

Um, do you have anything?

Oh.

(Upbeat music continues)

Kathryn: John, we have a problem.

I just read Travis' rewrite of his paper.

That bad, huh?

Actually, it's really good.

And that is a problem why?

It's too good.

What do you want?

I hope size three's okay.

Who knew that diapers had sizes?

I don't need your charity.

It's not charity.

Um, hopefully it's more like a trade.

I need your help.

Sam's too.

Dude, move in, why don't you?

(Chuckles) It's fine, I love having his things around.

See?

(Clicks tongue) Eh.

Besides, I have to admit I'm a bit of a slob myself.

My daughter, Daphne, has put up with it for years.

But when my other daughter, Bay and I, live together we are like two peas in a very messy pod.

(Chuckles)

Regina's daughters were accidentally switched at the hospital when they were born.

So... she has two daughters.

And they both have two moms.

That's lucky.

What is? Having two moms?

I don't have any.

All right. (Sighs)

Come on, time for bed.

I'm not tired.

I don't care.

It's bedtime.

I'm not going to bed.

Will.

He can stay up for a few more minutes, can't he?

No. No, it's late.

Now. Teeth brushed, PJ's on.

I'll be in in a sec.

Good night.

I got this.

No, I'm not leaving this to you.

I realize it might be hard, but I think it would be good for Will to talk about his mom.

Uh-huh.

I know he's your kid, but children are curious about...

Drop it!

Why can't he talk about his mother?

Because.

My wife was no saint, okay?

There were a lot of bad times, and I don't think it'd be good for him to remember her.

But...

No buts.

We don't talk about her and that's final.

Sorry.

It's been a long day.

I'm gonna hit the sack.

Good night.

(Door closes)

So...

So...

I'm gonna get going, I think.

Mm, if you want, or you could stay.

Oh, okay.

Huh.

That's weird.

Um...

What?

Um...

The, uh... condom...

Isn't here.

Oh.

Uh...

Yeah.

I don't see it.

Uh...

It's gotta be somewhere.

Unless...

You don't think...

Well, I mean, it's somewhere.

Oh, god.

Thanks.

It shouldn't be too long.

It's cool. I got no place to be.

Oh, my sweet god.

What's wrong?

He, um...

(gags)

What?

Blood. I don't do blood.

(Breathes deeply)

(Laughs) m1ngo.

I fainted during Red Asphalt in tenth grade, okay?

The driver's ed movie?

I don't do sh*ts, or needles, or...

I mean, I see my own blood, it's over.

(Laughs) Oh, no.

I have fainted many, many times.

That's ridiculous. It's the human body.

I'm a wuss, what do you want from me?

(Laughs)

He's gone, you're safe.

(Sighs)

Whew.

(Daphne laughs)

Oh.

Huh.

What's up?

I can't seem to find my keys.

Any ideas where they might be?

(Chuckles)

This is not funny.

Oh, come on. It's kinda funny.

It's funny.

(Both chuckle)

Has anything like this ever happened to you before?

No. What do you think, this kind of thing just happens to me all the time?

To guys like you, maybe.

Guys like me? What's that supposed to mean?

Man sluts?

(Scoffs) I will have you know, that I had a girlfriend in high school for three and a half years.

Seriously?

What happened to her?

We went our separate ways.

Why?

Just wasn't meant to be.

I'm sorry.

Hmm.

I'm trying to picture you as this lovesick guy...

It's tough.

I was a serious mess for like, nine months.

I was weeping into my pillow. It was pathetic.

Mm.

Terrified of blood, needles, and prone to hysterical crying.

Turned on yet?

Yes.

'Cause there's so much more.

(Both chuckle)

Nurse: Daphne?

(Daphne laughs)

Oh.

Daphne?

Follow me.

Wish me luck.

Hope everything comes out okay.

(Chortles)

Stop it.

♪ Plans could bend and lines can change ♪
♪ save goodbye for a different day ♪
♪ and stay ♪
♪ I got a feeling you ♪
♪ you've got a feeling too ♪
♪ and baby, if you do ♪
♪ then stay a little bit longer ♪
♪ Say the words I want to hear ♪
♪ now baby whisper in my ear ♪
♪ that you'll stay ♪

This.

Did you write this?

Hey, answer me.

I... (Clears throat)

Travis.

Cheating?

No.

Sorry is not good enough.

Okay? Do you realize if you had handed that in, they could have expelled you.

Yeah, but what...

Guys, I need a minute here, please.

Thank you.

(Door closes)

Hey, hey.

What possible excuse could you have for cheating?

Who's to say that I'm not gonna kick you off the team right now?

(Sighs)

Number one: Cheating is never an option.

Do you understand me?

Okay, number two: You have to get your priorities straight, my friend.

Okay? Education comes first.

Then baseball.

Do you understand?

Okay, number three: I watched you, the way you push yourself out on the baseball field.

You have to bring that same drive and determination to your schoolwork. Okay?

You need to get your butt in a chair and work, my friend.

Hey.

Just focus on progress.

Not perfection.

What does Coach Walsh have to do with this?

Coach Walsh?

Hi.

Vasquez, what up?

What's goin' on?

Just coming back from the library.

Cool. We're just headed to lunch.

Oh, nice. That's my next stop, too.

I'm starving.

Hope it's edible, right?

(Giggles)

Yeah.

Okay. Catch you later.

Okay.

Oh, um...

I'm gonna go watch the game tonight at Stu's after dinner.

You wanna come over later?

After the game?

Uh, yeah. Sure.

Cool.

See ya.

Daphne's voice: He's just acting so weird.

When I ran into him, he acted like we barely knew each other.

And he didn't even introduce me to his friends.

So annoying.

That would annoy me.

The thing is, I think he likes me, but he's just afraid of being hurt again.

I guess he had a really bad breakup with his high school girlfriend.

He said that he was wrecked for months.

If he told you all that, he sounds pretty open.

He was when we were alone.

Ugh, I just wish I knew what he wanted.

I think that's the wrong question.

What do you mean?

I think you should be asking what do you want?

Hi.

Me too.

I was willing to tutor you for as long as you needed to get it.

And you were gonna get it.

You are gonna get it.

Future tense.

But you do.

You have a lot to say.

You are a deaf baseball player in your freshman year of college.

No one has your life experience.

And when you learn how to express yourself, it's gonna be a lot easier.

I promise.

Okay?

Can I talk to you?

I'm just finishing up a few things.

We need to talk.

Okay.

What's up?

What's up is...

I don't do secrets.

I kept one for 13 years.

It ate away at me.

And when it finally came out, it nearly destroyed my family.

All right. Well, hold up.

We just met. There's still a lot we don't know about each other.

I know that.

But if you're telling me that you are never gonna tell me what happened with your wife, if that's something that you are gonna keep to yourself forever, that's a deal breaker for me.

(Sighs)

I'll get there.

I'm not ready right now.

But I'll get there.

Okay.

I can take that.

Red.

Come in.

What's going on?

What do you mean?

I thought we had fun last night.

Yeah, we did.

And then I run into you with your friends, and you completely blow me off.

No, I didn't. I invited you to come hang out later.

You invited me for a booty call.

Is that bad?

No, it's just...

I want more than just that.

I liked hanging out at the health center.

You know, fooling around plus conversations outside the bedroom.

Yeah, I do know.

That's called a relationship.

Which I was just in for three years.

Which you know.

And that means you can never be in one again?

It means I don't want to do it right now.

Look, if I get involved, I stay involved.

I just want to have fun, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

You're right.

So...

Hopefully you're up for a couple rounds of American Heroes, a delivery of eggplant parmesan subs, and a little bit more hanging out.

I'm not, actually.

Oh.

I guess we just want different things.

It's totally fine.

I'll see you around.

Hey.

How'd it go with Coach Walsh?

Well, I told him he could either turn himself into the Dean, or I would do the honors.

So he did.

And he is no longer the coach.

Wow.

Who's gonna replace him?

(Chuckles)

I have been asked to be the interim head coach.

Oh, congratulations.

Thank you.

Now you can do things your way.

(Chuckles)

Yeah.

I guess so.

(Sam giggles)

Hey.

Hi, Sam.

All right, what'd you want to show me?

What's this?

The other day you called me a hero.

But, uh... I got nothing on you.

In my book, you're a hero everyday.

Look, that's nice and all but no one's gonna wanna look at that.

Tell that to the Kansas City Arts Alliance.

They just approved six more benches in East Riverside, each featuring a different everyday hero.

Seriously?

Yep.

They paying you?

Uh, no. But, they're covering supplies and giving me access.

Looks like you're back doing community service.

I guess so.

I put five coats of varnish on it so, if anyone tries to tag it, it has to be power washed off.

No more whitewashing.

Gordon will hate that.

Yeah, I know.

♪ You and me will hold it high ♪

Hey, buddy, look. Who's that?

Is that you?

That's us.

Isn't that so cool?

♪ Yes, bright like a light ♪
♪ like a light ♪
♪ bright like a light ♪
♪ like a light ♪