What We Find on the Road (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Well back in the day

I was just thinking

about the games we'd play

And all I remember

Is all the good times

And the long goodbyes

But I tried so hard

And I could not

relieve my soul

Tried so hard But the

devil wouldn't let me go

And the world

keeps on changing

And the truth is

all I've found

And the world keeps on lying

But the proof is all around

Well back on the yard

We were just dreaming

Of the things we want

All in it together

Nothing but time To

watch the world go by

But I tried so hard

And I could not

relieve my soul

Mom?

- Hi.

- You James Manse's kid?

Yeah.

You just turned 18?

Your old man wanted

me to give you this,

and this.

You can pick it up

at Billy's garage.

TJ, what the hell? You're

supposed to tell me this

- when it happens, okay?

- Excuse me.

- Not 12 hours late.

- Dude, watch out, watch.

It's fine. Okay, so what?

- He just shows up at

your house - Let's go.

Out of nowhere, a random guy?

- Sorry.

- Hey.

What? Yes, yes. And

he was massive too.

So what? Just a

key, key and a note?

Yeah. I was going to

walk over after my shift

unless, trying to

give me a ride?

Man, of course I'm trying

to give you a ride.

I want to see it now.

You can't just tell me

- a story like this.

- See what?

Oh, don't pay any

attention to him, Amber.

- Is this, ah? Oh! That for me?

- Is it your birthday?

Not quite.

So, no.

Cool. Yeah.

Aren't you leaving soon?

Uhh, I got a week left here

and then summer league

starts in a few weeks.

Word on any big plans?

Um no. Nothing yet.

Well, we should

hang out sometime.

Okay, cool. Sounds good.

Okay, bye.

Bye. Shut up, bro.

What? Okay, I see you, TJ.

You know, Amber's right though.

You really should have

some fun this summer

for like once in your life.

Well, I don't get an

allowance every week

like some people I know.

Right, right, right,

right. Okay, Hurry up.

I'm over it. I'll be outside.

That's, that does

cost money. Okay.

Hurry up, TJ.

Worst case scenario is I

feel like he just needs me

to do a favor for him

or some sh*t like that.

A favor?

Yeah. Be like, take this to

this address or some sh*t.

30, 30. And that's

32. The red.

This? This place?

This is it. Yeah.

Let's do it. Let's see

what this key's about.

I don't see what people see in the Mini

Cooper, you know what I mean, Jimmy?

- I don't like it.

- I agree.

Jeez. These are

complicated, these cars.

- Sir?

- Oh, hey.

- Excuse me.

- Hi.

- What can we do for you?

- How's it going?

Um, we're looking for Billy.

Looking for Billy.

You found him.

What's happening?

Hi. Um.

My father sent me here.

Who's your father?

J... James Manse.

Oh, right, right, right.

You're the Hammer's kid.

Jimmy, he's the Hammer's kid.

Oh, is he? Yeah. He looks

a little bit like him.

And who are you? You

the Hammer's kid too?

No, I'm not.

Don't be too surprised.

You didn't know the Hammer.

Anyway, so what

are you doing here?

Umm. Yeah, he sent,

he, I dunno he,

he sent me these keys

and your address and,

- You don't know what they're for?

- No.

I guess you are

the Hammer's kid.

All right. Let's go

resurrect the blue biscuit.

I'm going to need your help.

You're going to get dirty.

Jimmy, let's go.

Okay.

All right.

Don't expect much.

Swing it.

- There it is. What do you think?

- Look at that b*mber.

Okay, now don't rush this.

All right. Let's see what

we're working with here.

Don't say we didn't help.

Remember, this car

is 50 years old, man.

Even I looked better

50 years ago too.

- Nice color combo.

- It is.

Oh, there's the hubcaps. Yeah.

Dude, is this thing

a gift or a curse?

One, two, three. Here's

the good stuff. The 383.

- Probably nice when it was new.

- I know, man.

Not a bad looking car at all.

Excuse me guys, let

me slip in here.

You know, when this car

was new in 1968, right?

People were driving

this in Beverly Hills.

Okay. See if there's

any oil in this thing.

I mean, I think we

got more to work

with than we might have

thought originally.

How far do they have

to go with this thing?

Manifolds, no rusting.

It might go easier

than expected.

But this hose got to go.

Oh, we'll get an M34

Well get a new battery.

It doesn't look too bad.

Yeah. Okay. Here's

what we're going to do.

So, we're going to work on it.

Okay.

But not today. So

come back tomorrow.

We'll see where we're

at. We'll talk some more.

- Yeah, we need some time.

- All right. Thank you so much.

- Yeah, you're welcome.

- Thank you, seriously.

And I want you to do me a favor.

Start saving money for gas

because you're going to need it.

Yeah. Thank you.

It's a guzzler.

- Well did you tell her?

- She said I can't go.

She says I'm too young and

she says I can barely drive.

Okay. That last

part's a fair point.

Well did you tell her

the army enlists kids

our age to go to w*r?

Oh no. I forgot to

tell her that, dude.

I'll bring it up next

time. I mean, she's pissed,

she's pissed he got me a

car without asking her.

She's pissed it's old.

And she said it'll never

make it to California.

Okay. Many fair

points from your mom.

Yeah. She said he's

the same, selfish,

irresponsible adolescent

he always was.

And the drugs and the

drinking and the prison time

wiped out any

judgment he ever had.

She wants to think it over.

She wants to think

it over, dude.

- You're right.

- Yeah.

Peep this.

Drainage.

Dude, you're getting good.

Yeah.

You good to drop

me off at Billy's?

Yeah, sure. Why not?

Hurry up though.

I have places to

be, girls to see.

Billy.

- Hey, how you doing?

- What's going on?

Hey, TJ, how are

you? Hey, Jimmy.

We got an Interstate

65 on the rack?

Yeah, there should be

one on the bottom shelf.

Look, take this,

put this over there.

This is dead. It's heavy.

Okay.

It's gone. D-E-A-D, dead.

Any alternators come in?

I ordered that earlier.

Should be here this afternoon.

Okay. I'll believe

that when I see it.

Okay. Here's what happened.

We can't find a

radiator for the car

'cause it's 1968

ya know? I mean,

I was playing a

little league then.

So we're gonna recore it.

And what's this for?

You're kidding me?

You don't know what

a radiator does?

No, you don't know what that is?

No.

All right. Okay.

It cools the water,

the cooling system.

Keep the engine, gets

hot when it runs,

it's hot like you when you run

down the street, you get warm.

- Cools it off.

- Okay.

So, oh, you know,

what happened is Jimmy

found a cassette of the Hammer

in the glove box, right?

I did.

Yeah. Lost in Love.

Remember that one?

That was a classic,

Lost in Love.

That was beautiful.

Wow. How well do

you know my dad?

Well, I mean, everybody

knew him in the town.

I mean, he's a famous

guy. Rock and roll, man.

Probably the most famous

guy in the whole town.

Was he as bad as they say?

Bad? Come on. What's

bad? What is bad?

Jimmy, the kid wants to

know if the Hammer was bad.

Yeah, you know,

he made mistakes.

When you get caught

at making mistakes,

you end up smoking

Newports at Walpole.

Right, Jimmy?

I mean, Jimmy's made

a lot of mistakes.

He probably made

more mistakes than me

because he lived more

dangerously than me.

And the Hammer had a

lot of opportunity.

He was talented guy.

So he made a corresponding

amount of mistakes.

I haven't seen him one

time since he disappeared.

All I've gotten is a key

to this and an address.

He could have called

me or something.

I don't know.

It is what it is.

I mean, it could be

worse, right, Jimmy?

Could be coming at you with a tire iron

in the middle of the night sh*t faced.

That's right.

What does your mother think

about all this, the trip?

Well, she's not crazy

about my dad, so.

Yeah. Well, I know that. Yeah.

So, will this thing

make it to California?

Of course it'll make

it to California.

Well, you might have some

problems, but you can handle it.

Okay, so, get the alternator in.

Tomorrow, put it on the lift.

All right. Thanks, Billy.

- You bet.

- See you, Jimmy.

All of my life

just trying to

be like my father

All of my life

Up to the teat of my mama

It's cold down here,

it's cold down here

It's cold down here, it's cold down here

Rock bottom Rock bottom (bop-bop)

Rock bottom Rock

bottom (bop-bop)

All of my life

RJ12YC.Just trying

to make a dollar

Open up your mouth, my boy

- How's it going?

- Good. Is that it?

Yeah.

- All right.

- Have a good one.

(Hey) in the rock bottom

(Bop-bop, bop-bop)

- Alright, thank you.

- Oh good, for the manifold.

- Yeah.

- Yeah, yeah.

All of my life

Everybody roasting me

All of my life

Like I was a piece of meat

It's cold down here,

despite the heat

In the rock bottom

- Dont hit anything. Come on.

- (bop-bop)

Rock bottom (bop-bop)

All of my life

Oh, to be a king

All of my life

Oh, to be anything but

In the rock bottom

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

k*ll the motor.

(bop-bop)

Woo!

Rock bottom Rock

bottom (bop-bop)

Oh, hey, Billy.

- Hey. Nice work.

- Oh, thank you.

So, you ready for

the big getaway?

Uhh, yeah, I think so. Um.

It's going to be epic.

Yeah. Uhh, so, I know, I

know we're over budget. Um.

What's that? No.

- No.

- No, I...

Hey, no, no. Ya know, we're

not really too far over budget,

so don't worry about

it. We'll cover it.

No, you're going to need that.

You're going to need

that for the ride.

Okay?

- All right.

- We're square.

- You sure?

- Don't even think about it. Yeah.

Wish I put these

in order by number.

- Oh man.

- Billy.

Oh, hey, hey. Thank

you, thanks, TJ.

Thank you.

Jimmy.

Oh, hey, TJ.

- How are you?

- Hey. What's going on?

- Oh, thanks. Appreciate it.

- Here you are. Sure.

Yeah. Why don't

you grab the spare,

put that in the trunk.

Going to need it.

Yeah.

And here's your key.

All right, thanks.

Sure.

What have you got?

Huh. Hey, Billy.

What?

There's no room for

a spare in this car.

What the hell is that?

Anybody in there?

I mean, there's no seams.

Pretty nice welding

job, actually.

You want to cut it open?

Let's cut into that bad

boy. What do you think?

Yeah, I'll grab the torches.

Oh no, it's all

right. Thanks, Jimmy.

Only take a second.

No, no. Uhh, thank you.

I think I'm going to wait to see

What? You aren't curious

about what's in there?

- No, I'm curious

but - I mean,

you don't want to travel

with this big, heavy,

fat boy in the back of the car.

Yeah. Well, figured

I, I don't wanna,

we can just leave it

for now until I know.

Oh, no, no. Hey, okay.

Let's leave it for now.

All right, cool.

All right. Okay.

- Thanks guys.

- I bet there's something good in there.

- Your call.

- All right.

All right.

"You sure about this kid?

He's driving a long distance,

not knowing what

you got for cargo.

And the drugs and prison time.

I'd think you want to know

what's in the

trunk of that car."

"You didn't know the Hammer."

- Billy.

- What's up?

Um. So I was thinking

about it. Um.

- Yeah?

- I'd like you to have the car.

I don't, I don't get it. You

don't want to go on the trip?

Yeah. I don't think

it makes much sense.

I'm not going to drive

across the country, dude.

What's this about? This

isn't about the car.

This is about you.

I don't want to, I

don't want to want it.

Could you just

keep it? Is that...

Do I look like a guy

needs another car?

No, I want to help you out.

You see, there's a

blue cooler over there.

See that cooler?

Go over there, crack

open two frosties

and bring them back here.

Pull out that

chair, put it there.

I want to talk to

you. Go get that.

Okay.

I get it. I get

it. I do. I get it.

You know.

I mean, you've been challenged,

maybe even perversely

tested by your old man

to drive 3,000 miles

in a beat up old b*mber

to find your father

who hasn't exactly,

ya know, nailed the

fathering business.

But guys like us who grew up in

this town, these little towns,

you don't get

opportunities very often.

And so when they come,

you want to grab it,

you want to go for it.

Hmmmm, hmmmm

Mmmmm

Mmmmm

- So, today's the big day.

- Yes, it is.

Let the games begin. Huh?

So we left some music cassettes

in the glove box

that we found, okay?

- Okay.

- And you're going to need this.

Billy, are you serious?

Everybody needs a

light and a C-note.

Happy motoring.

Thank you.

- Yo.

- What's up?

What are you doing here?

Bro,

- What is this?

- What?

What? What are you doing here?

Dude, I'm coming with you.

You're going across the country

to make an a*s of yourself.

I want to see it. Okay.

sh*t, I want to film it.

Bro, your parents

will freak out.

It's fine. I told them.

Okay, I left a voicemail.

They're going to call

every 10 minutes.

It's fine, dude. I

blocked their calls.

All right. Get in.

- Okay, pop the trunk.

- Let's go.

No, just throw it

in the backseat.

Okay.

Wow. Okay.

Yeah.

He's ready. Let's go.

Okay.

Wait, have you ever driven

on a highway before?

Bro, just get in.

Okay. Scoot over.

Just because you don't have the

navigation skills to get us there.

- Oh, really?

- Yeah.

- Damn.

- All right.

Okay, well.

Good start.

Which way, which

way is California?

West. Let's go.

Which way is west?

Uh.

That way, 3,000 miles that way.

Okay.

Alright.

Dude, grab the

phone. You're nav.

- Oh sh*t, sorry.

- My God.

"I'm a better navigator.

That's why you're the driver."

What an as*h*le.

Okay. On our way out.

It's a right here.

I didn't miss it.

- Okay. Third exit?

- Third exit.

Gas is on your side.

It's not on mine.

Yeah, dude. You think

I didn't know that?

Oh, you saw it?

- Yeah, of course, I saw it.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- Yeah, nice.

Woo.

- Money.

- Cash.

Cash, I got you, bro.

Um. sh**t, it might

be in my jacket.

Okay, I got it.

All right.

Where's the gas?

The... yeah. What?

- Oh, sorry.

- Yeah, I checked.

Is it on my side?

No dude, I checked there.

Okay, so.

Why are you coming around? You

think I didn't check there?

I don't know, man.

That's really weird.

Hey.

How's it going?

Ah.

- Okay.

- Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Full service.

Fancy.

sh*t. It is hot in here.

- Yeah, it is.

- Okay, it's time to let the roof down.

No.

Bro, it's convertible. The whole

point is to let the roof down.

Nah, nah. I like the roof on.

And the windows up.

Okay. Well, it's

getting hot in here.

Your chariot doesn't have AC.

Okay, we're going

to roast in here.

No.

Is this about the bug thing?

- Bro. Yeah...

- No, hold it.

So you're trying to

drive across the country

with the window up and the roof

on because of the bug thing.

Do you want bugs

splattering your face

and getting in your

mouth while we drive?

- Does that sound fun to you?

- Dude,

that's why we have a

windscreen, you giant p*ssy.

- That's like the whole

point, - A windscreen?

It protects you from the bugs.

All right. It is

pretty hot in here.

So, I'm going to

go along with this.

Yeah.

But the minute one bug touches

my face, we lock it down.

- Deal? Okay.

- Okay, princess. Anything for you.

Hi, how much?

- Sixty bucks.

- Sixty bucks.

- Sixty bucks.

- Sixty bucks.

On the nose.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

All right, let's

get this thing off.

Got to be this.

- No way.

- What?

I was not expecting

that to work.

Yeah, it was much cooler

than I thought it would be.

This was a good

idea. You were right.

All right. Seat belts.

Seat belts.

- Yeah!

- Woo! Okay.

- Yeah, that was a close call.

- Nice!

Onward.

Yeah, onwards and upwards.

Tic-Tacs.

Tic-Tacs and that's my dad.

- So handsome man.

- Yeah, beautiful man.

Whoa, bro. Check that out.

- Oh my God.

- (Haaaaa)

It's the bit when

I'm near the end

Nothing hanging on from me

Turning 'round, I'll

be turning 'round

Falling down to the street

- Ooo.

- Bro, put that damn map away.

Okay? You're

blocking my mirrors.

Got you, got you, got you.

Thank you.

Now, nav on my phone,

bro. You have one job.

You are getting a

call from your dad.

Should I answer?

Come on. Do not answer that.

I got a plan. Do

you want to hear it?

Yeah.

Do you want to know

where we're going?

- Yeah.

- Uhh.

We're going to upstate New York,

Okay.

Which is where my

aunt and uncle live.

Well, my uncle

and his wife live.

- Cool.

- Um, and we'll stay the night.

It'll be nice. It's

pretty up there.

Okay.



Stretching out like a skydive

(Haaaaaa)

Stretching out

like a skydive

(Haaaaa)

Stretching out

like a skydive

You're going to call him

and tell them I'm coming?

No, because it's Uncle John.

- Do you remember the...

- Do I remember?

Dude, that's even more

reason to call them.

- They're family. It'll be fine.

- Yeah.

TJ.

Hey. Hey, John. How's it going?

What are you doing here?

Uhh, we're just... we're

just driving through and...

- Is your pop in the car?

- No.

- John.

- Jake.

- My buddy.

- Toby!

Toby!

- TJ?

- What's going on?

- Hey.

- It's so good to see you.

- Oh!

- So good to see you.

Look at you.

Hi.

- Toby.

- Handsome wingman, Jake.

- Hi.

- Nice to meet you.

- How you doing?

- Good.

I know. Surprise.

We uh, we were wondering

if we could stay the night?

Absolutely.

One.

We'll make it a good

night. Come sit.

Say, uh, you wouldn't

happen to know anything

about engines or motors or?

Yeah, I know a couple things.

Okay.

What brings you

to the Catskills?

Umm,

That! Uhh, my... my dad, he

sent me a key to that car

and, um, a address

in California.

And me and Jake are driving

it there to meet him.

- Wow. Road trip.

- Road trip.

And how's it sitting with you?

I'm happy to be here with you.

I'm, I feel... conflicted.

I left, I just

left my mom a note.

I did. I know.

No.

I didn't know how to tell her

really I was going to see him,

- Mm-hmm.

- Um, after everything, you know.

And I do feel like I'm betraying

her a bit, um, because of.

All the heavy sh*t?

Yeah. Yeah. But

it's complicated

because I was little

when I saw him last,

and I have all these

wonderful memories

with him of going to

his gigs in Boston and,

you know, him picking

me up from school, and

playing songs for me

and stuff like that.

I don't know how you balance,

I don't know how you

balance those things but,

- He's a charismatic guy.

- Yeah, yeah.

And, uhh, y'know,

maybe he's, trying.

I think it's good. I

think it's really good.

- Think it's good?

- Yeah.

- I'm so happy to see you.

- Ohhh.

Did you see my garden?

I did. I saw it.

It's beautiful.

You hungry?

- Is there stuff in there to eat?

- Let's do it.

Dude, I'm an artist. I

figured it out. I'm an artist.

- It's beautiful.

- Thank you.

sh*t. I need to charge this.

Okay. How are we doing this?

- Doing?

- Sleeping.

Oh, right. Well,

let's sees like,

okay, so we got

one couch. Right?

- So there's one couch.

- Mm-hmm

And I'm, yeah I'm

like, I'm on it.

- Yeah, okay. Floor it is.

- Yeah.

Floor? All right.

That's a good idea.

Okay.

Not exactly the welcome

party you anticipated.

Aunt Toby was very sweet.

I wasn't talking

about your aunt.

Hey, at least we're not

wasting money on a hotel.

Bro we couldn't pay for a

hotel even if we wanted.

That's true. That's

true. What'd you expect?

Youve know me my whole life.

Honestly, I don't know, TJ.

I don't think I really cared.

Well, that's nice.

Nice.

- Ah, uh.

- Get your feet out my face.

Jesus.

Well, it's so comfortable.

- I can't even take it, honestly.

- Shut up.

All right, well you have

to turn off the lights.

Okay.

Well, your uncle's a

man of his word, dude.

One night meant one night.

Not a moment longer.

At least he gave us breakfast.

Yeah, sure. As long as we ate

while driving off his land.

Yeah. Uhh, I think things

haven't gotten patched up

with old Uncle John

and my dad since...

Since he stole his car, his

wallet, his keys? Passport?

- Pretty ballsy move by my dad, got to say.

- Yeah, it is.

Any updates?

All right. I got one more

place we can take a crack at.

- Okay?

- Should be cheaper gas.

It's like a mile

up on the right.

Okay. That's not too bad.

Well, we'll grab that because

we are about to waste more gas

looking for cheap

prices. Okay?

Yeah.

Your dad texted.

Should I check it?

- Sure. Yeah. What's he say?

- I'll check.

He said to call him immediately

or he cuts your phone off.

He's bluffing. It

will never happen.

Okay, man.

Yes, dad, I'm fine.

Turn the car around right now.

No. What?

I will be back in a few days.

Okay? No, no, Dad, I'm

not turning around.

Okay. So it's my fault that

mom is freaking out? That's...

We have so many things

planned for the summer.

You know that.

Okay, well this is the last...

No, this is not

TJ's fault. Okay.

Dad, this is the last

summer before college,

and for once in my life

I want to do

something for myself.

Dad, I have to go. Okay.

He said that my mother's

had to take a sedative

every four hours

since I abandoned her.

Sounds a tad melodramatic.

Yeah, dude, of course,

it's a tad melodramatic.

Have you met my mother?

I mean, she's still laying

out socks for me every day.

You know, he also said

that I'm ruining my chances

- at getting a good start on college.

- Jake?

I mean, what is that

even supposed to mean?

It's summer.

- Yeah.

- The whole point

- is to have some, - Jake.

And it's the last summer

in my life as well.

- I'm just trying to

have a little fun - Bro.

- For once in my life.

- Jake? Jake?

- What, dude?

- Dude.

Look, dude,

there's smoke coming

out of the front.

- We got to pull over.

- sh*t.

- What the hell?

- f*ck.

Okay, um,

Billy said...

Billy said get the water.

He left it in the trunk and

put it in the radiator thing.

That should do it.

Okay. Oh. Okay.

Okay.

Thanks, man.

All right.

Um.

Cool. All right.

Billy said it'll take 15 minutes

for the radiator to cool down.

Hey, when I popped the

trunk to get the water...

It's not a big deal, dude.

Like he said, this would

happen on the road.

No, when I pop the trunk

to get the water...

What's the problem,

bro? Can we...

TJ?

- Bro, can we just not?

- TJ?

When I popped the

trunk to get the water,

I saw the steel box.

What? N... Nothing to say?

- What's going on, fellas?

- Hey officer, how's it going?

- What you guys up to?

- Uhh...

We're having some

engine issues right now

- and we're just waiting for it to cool off.

- Yeah.

You guys need a tow

truck or anything?

- No. Thanks.

- I think we'll be okay.

We've dealt with this

a few times before.

Well, your trunk's

popped open a little bit.

- Oh sh**t. Okay.

- Okay.

Yeah, we just got the water.

No uhh, dead bodies

are nothing. Right?

All right. Well y'all give us a

holler if y'all need anything?

- Okay.

- All right. Thank you.

Cool.

I mean, really couldn't have

been any nicer about it all,

but I'm just tired. Okay?

That guy scared the sh*t

out of me, honestly.

You know I can drive. Right?

I don't mind driving. I'm,

I got my license and everything.

Yeah, man. I know

you can drive.

Okay? I'm just scared as hell

when you're behind the wheel.

You hug this side of the road

like it's your mom's t*tties.

I'm just scared as sh*t

whenever you drive, honestly.

Okay.

I got to find us

a way out of here.

Your phone doesn't

have a signal.

What? Oh, you got

to be kidding, bro.

This is about ready.

All right.

Hit me.

Nice.

Oof! God, that's hot.

And, mmm,

it looks, uhh, it

looks like food.

It's beautiful.

Oh man. Mine when

fell apart already.

- Cheers.

- Cheers.

Oh. Oh.

- No, no?

- No.

I'm so sorry. I forgot

salt. It's a disaster.

I'm sorry.

I'll stick to the

graham crackers.

You good?

- Yeah.

- Yeah?

You think we'll make it?

I think we're off

to a good start.

And you'll think he'll be

there when we get there?

I don't know.

I know I've never been

in Arkansas before.

How very Zen of you.

Got a play them as their dealt.

Speaking of which.

Texas hold 'em?

You wake up in a place Where

you've been many times before

And you recognize

- Oh, alright. Thank you.

- the fernisgings

The colors from the

ceiling to the floor

The way that

she is acting up

Doesn't seem quite real

- We need to get on the I-71.

- It's as if she

could be someone else

The way she's giving

you those looks of steel

And you feel like a

Stranger from a strange land

Falling from the infinite

sky You feel like a

Stranger from a strange land

Contemplating

and wondering why

Yeah, this is like straight

out a horror movie.

Look at this.

The radiator might be

- too hot to touch right now.

- Yeah.

Oh, you good?

Yeah, I'm good.

- Turn it off?

- Yeah.

Oh God.

Okay.

I don't even want to

mess with that for now.

I feel like it's

just getting worse.

Let's just chill until

it cools off a bit.

I don't even want

to touch it for now.

You sure?

Yeah. I'm going to, we

got to give it a sec.

Okay.

Uh oh, we've got to

state-y back there.

Oh f*ck. Okay.

Dude don't look like that.

It's okay.

We haven't done

anything wrong, so

we should be okay.

Okay. Well you're going to get

the chance to tell him that.

Sheriff's office.

- Hey.

- How you guys doing?

Yeah, we're doing

good. Thank you.

What's the problem?

Oh, the radiator's

just overheating.

We're waiting for

it to cool down.

Okay. Where are you

guys coming from?

Massachusetts.

- Where y'all headed to?

- California.

What part of California?

- The Bay Area.

- Vallejo.

Okay. Who's the car belong to?

- This guy.

- It's mine.

Okay. See the license

and registration please?

Yes, sir.

There's that.

I'll be back in just a moment.

Okay. Thank you.

You boys just hold

tight. All right?

You guys have any

water or anything?

Oh yeah, we do. We

got some in the trunk.

Good. Yeah, let's

come back here.

- Oh no. That's all right.

- Oh no.

I got a... um. Yeah, okay.

Um. Yeah, I can handle it.

I've done this a few times.

Oh sh*t.

Um.

Hey, it's really nice of

you to stay and help us,

but I think we've

got it from here.

We've done this operation

a few times before.

Step over there.

We have a family dispute.

4280 South Road.

What's your location?

Disregard. 7851.

Officers on sight.

Carry on with your truck stop.

What's this?

Oh... oh, it just

came with the car.

Shots fired. Officer

assistance needed.

Are you guys headed

west on I-40?

- Yes, officer.

- All right.

Thank you.

He's coming back for us. Okay?

Soon as that code 130, whatever

bullishit has sorted out,

he's coming back for us.

Did you see him staring

at that damn steel box?

He's definitely

coming back for us.

"Where will you boys be? Huh?

What road exactly

can I find you on?"

f*cking a*s.

Does he even have a right

to look in our trunk?

Huh? Isn't that some kind of

a legal search or something?

Yeah, I think in Texas

they can do pretty much

whatever they want.

Yeah, that was rough.

But we got through it.

I mean, we literally

can't speed in this car,

so we should be all right.

What are you still

so freaked out about?

What am I freaked out about?

TJ, is it a f*cking mystery?

- Easy.

- Your father spot welded a metal coffin

to the floor of

this car's trunk.

Okay? He's a man who's spent years

in prison for drug distribution.

And after not speaking to

you for almost a decade,

he wants the car

brought to him, okay?

Across the country

with the coffin intact.

- Easy.

- In fact, the f*cking thing

doesn't even have

a way to be open.

What am I so freaked

about? You know what?

Let's play guess what's

in the coffin, huh?

Yeah, I think state-y's

got a real good idea.

Take it down a notch.

- Hey.

- Hey. Yo!

Okay, so I spoke to the

guy across the street

and he says that he

can take a look at it,

but he thinks he'll be

able to get it open.

Wait, take a look at what?

The box.

Oh. No, dude. I already

know how to open it.

Billy showed me

back at the garage.

But, so you knew how to

open it this whole time

and you still had me

driving around with it?

I mean, we got to get it open.

No, I don't want to.

Okay. Well, it doesn't really

matter what you want to do.

I mean, what are

you missing here?

We could be like carrying

ill*gal goods over state borders

or like, I don't know, dare

I say, just wild, wild thing,

but maybe smuggling

drugs for your dad?

I do have a choice.

It's my car. I'm not

going to open the box.

My dad asked me to drive that

car to him in California,

and that's what I'm going to

do. I'm going to trust him.

Trust him? TJ, are

you f*cking crazy?

It took me 20 minutes on Google

to find out that this guy has

what? Three arrest records?

Public intoxication,

drug distribution.

I mean, the list just goes on.

Look, the rock and

roll thing, super cool.

Okay. The music's

great, honestly.

But that's the only good

thing he's done for you

in 18 years as a father.

And you're going to f*ck

up my chances at college

because you trust him?

What? And your dad?

The insurance salesman who

makes his living scaring people

into spending money

they don't have,

who drinks a bottle

of wine every night

before passing out

in front of the TV.

But what? Because he makes

it to some baseball practices

and parent-teacher conferences,

that makes him a better father

than mine, a more inspiring one?

Yeah.

You have no idea what

you're talking about, Jake.

So what?

You're just not going

to open the box?

No.

You want to maybe just

think about it for a second,

put a little more

thought into it maybe?

I already have.

Do you have your phone on you?

- It's in the glove compartment.

- Can I use it?

Sure.

f*cking as*h*le.

It's nice of your dad

to get you a ticket.

Yeah, he's good about

things like that.

He said he'd get you one

too if you change your mind.

Tell him thanks,

but I'm all good.

Wish you luck, man. All

of the best of luck.

Hey, can you stop by my mom's

and let her know that I'm okay

and I'll call her

from California?

Thanks.

And thanks, thanks

for everything.

Hmmmmm

Uhhhhhhhh

Mmmmmm

Mmmmmm

sh*t. sh*t. sh*t, sh*t.

sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t.

The headlines say

The end is near

That we're okay

They're selling fear

So will you buy

Or turn around?

To find kindness

In this cruel town

The taxi cabs

will run you down

Each person grabs

for more unwound

I'm tied until today

I found some kindess

here in this cruel town

The subways grind The

lights don't change

The worlds decline And

friends are estranged

But I don't mind

'Cuz my mind's

been rearranged

Okay.

Uh.

f*ck you!

You all right? Do

you need a ride?

You're welcome to ride with us though

I don't know how far we're going.

I'm looking for a garage.

Thank you. Yes.

I'm TJ.

Maeve.

Hi.

Don't worry about Fionn.

He'll be no bother you at all.

You look like you're burning

up. Do you want some water?

- Yes, please.

- Sorry, it's not colder.

The truck doesn't have

any air conditioning.

Was that your car pulled

over a while back?

- Mm-hmm.

- The blue one.

Slower, you don't want

to get hyponatremia.

Sorry, I'm a nurse. Just

don't drink too fast.

Okay.

So what are you doing out here?

I was on my way to California.

Oh, funny. Me too. To LA.

Vallejo, near San Francisco.

LA's a long way. Right

now I just need a garage.

- Do you know anything about engines?

- A little.

This one sound okay to you?

Sure doesn't sound

healthy to me.

Oh, it looks like you

guys blew a radiator hose,

uh, overheated the motor, and

you've got coolant leaking out

between the cylinder head

and the cylinder block.

That's a blown head gasket.

Does that make sense to you?

Not much, sorry.

How far can I drive

on it like it is?

Oh, I wouldn't recommend

driving it at all.

You keep driving,

it's going to seize it

and then you'll need

a whole new motor.

God-damn him.

- Thank you. Um.

- You're welcome.

Just one second.

- All right. Thank you, man.

- Y'all take care.

Thank you?

For all we know he took me like

a babe in swaddling clothes.

Hey, at least the Polara

had time to cool down.

And that guy didn't rip you off.

He was a sweet guy.

He just.

- Are you sure?

- That car was on its way out.

Yeah, no, it's

going to be great.

Okay. I have to warn you, I've

been a bit of a bad luck of charm.

That's all going to change.

What do you think about Fionn

starting off as my navigator

and you can get some

sleep in the back?

How's that sound?

Great.

How long have I been out?

A few hours.

Any crashes, lightning strikes,

or visitations by angry aliens?

Not since the first battle

cruiser attack a few hours back.

Then we can safely assume

the curse has been broken.

Oh, yes. Good. I

need a new navigator.

Fionn has fallen asleep on me.

I'll bring my A-game.

There's a Holiday Inn for $79

a night up about 15 miles.

How much did you

get for the car?

$800, which makes the sum of

my life savings right now.

Almost $900.

Oh, well you're like Bill

Gates compared to me.

If we can find some change

lying around the floor,

I might have $100 to my

name and this car is...

It's brutal on gas.

It's k*lling me.

Um. Yeah, so a hotel is a

little too pricey for me.

I've been sleeping in

state parks and in the car.

Um, how do you feel about that?

Yeah. Everyone says America's

greatest invention is the park system.

All right.

In three days, you meet him.

If he shows up.

Seems like a lot of pressure.

My expectations are pretty low.

I mean, there were loads of times

I wished my dad would just go away,

but at least I always knew

what I was dealing with.

No one's going to steal

the food from you.

You can sneak up on it

as slow as you like.

And I always had my sisters.

And where are your sisters now?

Ahh. Two of them are

back home in Ireland,

one still lives

with my mom and dad,

and it's the other I'm

pushing to see in LA.

Four. That's crazy.

Four sisters.

- Yeah.

- I can't imagine.

Bridget's younger than me.

She's trying to

make it as a singer.

- Do you have siblings?

- No. No, it's just me.

I figured we should celebrate

after selling the truck and all,

- Ohh.

- But there are no glasses,

so we just have to share.

I'm so sorry. I

don't, I don't drink.

- Why not?

- My dad.

Fair enough. It's a

bad habit altogether.

Now that my luck's

all been changed

for the better by

my backseat ride,

I suppose I could give

it up anytime I like.

Hmm.

But not tonight.

Slinte.

That guitar is on the

backseat, do you play?

Not much.

But some?

Some, yeah.

Would you play a little for me?

It would cheer me up.

Yes. I'll play it for you.

My dad used to play for me

when I was a little girl.

It's one of my

earliest memories.

Yeah, my dad used

to play for me too.

All right.

Oh, that's where that is.

If you could watch this,

I'm going to get some water.

I can watch that.

Now that is a pretty

looking car you got there.

Classic beauty.

Not something you see every day.

I bet she gets awful hot to

drive on a day like this, right?

Does she get awful

hot to drive or what?

- How are you doing there pal?

- Hey.

Good.

All right. I've

got a new system

I'm going to go inside and pay.

See you later.

You look like you're a long

way from home there, bud.

- Where you going?

- California.

California?

Well, yeah, you're not

going to get there tonight.

You and your sister

need a place to stay or?

Um, no, we're staying at a

state park down the road.

Well, I know all the

state parks in Tonto.

If you need some inside

advice on where to camp,

I could let you know.

Where are you going?

Usually we just

decide last minute so.

Okay. Well, I wish

you the best of luck.

Relax young man,

nothing get hurt about.

He's just having some fun.

Let's go, Jeff.

Oh, tell your lady friend

that I said goodbye

because it was sure nice

talking to her. Okay.

Arse holes.

Okay. Your mom's

already inside,

so are you guys

ready to head in?

You know the Grand Canyon's

only a few miles north of here.

I sure do love you guys.

- I love you too dad.

- I've always wanted to see it,

but it will slow us up a bit.

TJ?

I'm sorry, what were you saying?

That I'd like to get off the highway

and head north to the Grand Canyon.

Does that mean we

skip staying in Tonto?

- I'm afraid so.

- Sounds good to me.

- We got a plot.

- All right.

Look what I scored.

- Wow!

- Didn't even want me

- Amazing.

- To pay him for them.

Uh, all right. Should

we spread them out?

- Let's do it.

- All right.

This really is a

very big country.

You know, we only have six national

parks in Ireland and several of them

are so small you could fit

them inside your car's boot.

The parks on Cape

Cod are pretty cool.

I think anywhere you can just hang

out and relax in nature is nice.

People are so wound

up in America.

Anything that can calm them

down a bit is a good thing.

When I first started

traveling across the States,

it was the first

thing that I noticed.

There's so much energy here,

but it's a frenetic energy.

People seem to have so much

and to be so worried it

will all be taken from them.

Things different in Ireland?

Back home there's

nothing to take from us.

I named him Fionn because Fionn mac

Cumhaill was a great Irish warrior.

When I got him my life in

Michigan felt like a w*r,

and in w*r everybody loses.

Why was Michigan so bad?

Michigan wasn't

really bad at all.

The man I was with

Michigan on the other hand.

You have to learn to listen

to us women with love,

but somehow you seem

to know that already.

- But you said you don't have sisters.

- No.

But my mom definitely

thinks my dad's the reason

for everything bad that's

ever happened to her.

Well, I know how she feels.

I think my ex is the

source of all evil too.

I guess I don't

really think that.

I just wish it were true.

Then I wouldn't be partially at fault

when I know damn well that I am.

The thing that pisses

me off about my dad

isn't the stuff my mom says.

What gets to me is that he

just left me back there.

He never came back to see me,

even after he got out of prison.

He didn't even call me.

He just didn't want me.

Why is everyone in such a rush?

It's in the American character.

We're always in a hurry,

especially when we don't

know where we're going.

And can we go a bit faster?

It'll feel better than having

everyone scream around us.

I know. I'm sorry,

this is about as fast as

this car is going to go.

Is your sister expecting

you at any particular time?

No, she doesn't know I'm coming.

I only decided last week.

That's when the divorce

was settled, so.

All I got was Fionn

and the truck.

I just decided to put

the truck to good use.

And whose big brain

got you the truck?

It got me from

Michigan to New Mexico.

That's not even halfway.

I had the chance to

hear some campfire music

from a musician too

scared to even sing.

No, not scared to

sing. Not too scared.

Just mysteriously reluctant.

- Oh.

- Yeah.

How does that work with

the girls back home?

Oh my God. Brings

them out in droves.

Absolute droves.

You have no idea.

NOFS?

- N-O-F-S?

- N-O-F-S?

- Yeah.

- What's that?

There was a sign

that just said NOFs.

Ahh. Oh, NOFs, right.

What does it mean?

- It's a kind of moose.

- Oh, no way.

Yeah. Yeah. It's like a moose

except they only have one...

- One antler?

- Yeah.

A unicorn moose?

They're lopsided and they

can only walk in circles.

Wait, are you joking?

- No.

- You're pulling my leg.

No, that's a NOF. You just

don't know about America.

That's enough. Enough

about the NOFs.

Yeah. I've never heard of it.

There's no such thing as NOFs.

Wait you are kidding?

Yeah. Of course, I'm

kidding. That'd be

a horrible design for an animal.

You've got this way of telling

jokes where it's so straight

I have no idea when

you're joking or not.

Nice. Good job, me.

Oh, wow.

Oh.

- Hey, pull in here. Pull in here.

- Yeah.

Wow. Wow.

Oh, my God.

It's huge.

I don't know why but I've

been dreaming of coming here

since I was six years old.

I think I know why.

Do you know you can see 2

billion years of Earth's history

in the geology revealed

in the canyon's walls?

Did you know that

Paul Thomas Anderson

watched The Treasure

of the Sierra Madre

every day leading up to

filming There Will Be Blood?

He did, I'm telling you.

We're in such a poetic landscape

and you're thinking about films.

What's more cinematic than this?

Okay. Fair.

- I really want to stop here.

- Why here?

Hell, I want to stop everywhere,

but you won't let me.

I got like one day until I'm

supposed to meet my father

and 600 miles to

go or something.

And you're nervous,

I understand.

Still, I think we

should learn something

about the history of

this amazing landscape.

I'm not nervous. Who

said I'm nervous?

I'm not nervous.

There's something so incredibly

romantic about Indian culture.

We don't call the Native

Americans Indians anymore.

We call them Native Americans.

I don't know where

Americans get this habit.

You're constantly changing

the words for things,

but not the issues

behind the words.

It's an Irish point of view.

Well, a Native

American point of view

is that they want to be

called Native Americans

and they should get to

decide, right? I mean,

they were here first

like the sign says.

Okay. Good point.

There's something incredibly romantic

about Native American culture.

I think it's the

sense of independence.

Maybe how close they

lived in nature.

There seems a beautiful

freedom in that.

Yeah, and America is a country

that cares a lot about freedom.

Maybe, uh, yeah. Maybe some of that

came from the Native Americans.

Pretty profound,

for a guy whose idea of deep

reading is movie trivia.

Hey, there you go judging again.

Everyone is their own path to follow

and mine is wherever PTA says it is.

You've made it to

California now.

Why don't you wander around

and get a sense of her?

It's wild, you drive 10

minutes off the highway

and the whole world

completely changes.

Do you know that California alone

is six times bigger than Ireland?

I did not know that.

I also don't know what

you got in that bag

because you won't tell me, but

I'm really hoping it's food,

a lot of a food.

Tonight's our last

night together.

Tomorrow you go your

way and I go mine,

so it's our version

of the Last Supper.

So we'll have the

great Irish delicacy

- of the crisp sandwich - Ah.

And brownies and for the cook

a little something to

wash it all down with.

Amazing.

So we got here, two pieces

of bread with the butter,

and then you are going

to put crisps on top.

- Crisps.

- Potato chips.

Potato chips. Yeah.

Okay.

There's that.

Oh, you do the honors and

then when you close it,

listen to the

crunch. It's fun.

Oh, whoa. Yeah.

You Irish girls really

know how to party.

Wow.

I mean, My Left Foot

isn't his best movie,

but I mean what he puts

himself through physically,

he plays a guy with cerebral palsy

and he has to sit in the wheelchair

and he stays sitting in it

even when they're not filming.

And he actually broke

two ribs during filming

because just from contorting

his body into that position.

I mean, It's insane what he puts

himself through for these roles

just to feel like these

people. It's really cool.

And There Will Be Blood, which

is, I mean, that's his best movie.

That's his best performance.

- That's a different kind...

- Are you anxious, TJ,

about tonight or tomorrow?

No. I just get really excited

when I talk about

Daniel Day Lewis.

- He's one of my big...

- I know,

you told me.

Tomorrow's going

to be all right.

But what if,

- what if, - What

if he doesn't come?

Well, the truth is,

you've been fine during all

the years he's been absent.

So, should something go wrong

tomorrow, you'll be fine.

And second, why on Earth would

he go to all of the trouble

to get you the car and

invite you to California

if he didn't intend to show

up to see you when you arrive?

I'm less scared

that he won't show

up, as I am at

what I'll discover if he does.

I want to show you something.

I'm sorry I didn't

tell you. Um.

I think it's time for dessert.

I can't believe how clear

the stars are out here.

I mean, back home there

are usually clouds.

So.

I swear the sky is

bigger out here.

Yeah, I feel that too.

You're sure they'll

let Fionn on the train?

I can easily take you to LA, three

hours there, three hours back.

You'll be late.

So what? I haven't seen

the guy in eight years.

What's one more day?

Do you feel ready to see him?

Yeah, I think so.

Then let's part here. It's

easier for me this way.

I'm not good goodbyes.

Okay.

Come on, buddy.

Come on. Good boy.

Close your eyes.

I have a present for you,

but I don't have any wrapping

paper. So close your eyes.

- Maeve, you did not-

- Close your eyes!

I'm going to miss your

commanding presence.

Now open them.

I found them in a vintage

store in Bakersfield.

If you're going to meet

your father, it's a big day.

You want to dress for it.

Even more than drink,

the Irish love books.

Twain is my favorite

American writer,

and this story has a tale you'll

find familiar of a young man

traveling across the

states to California

and adventuring along the way.

I left you a little

note in there,

my address in Venice and

back home in Ireland.

There's even my email and

my mobile written down

in case you decide to rejoin the

21st century and get a phone.

- Maeve, I don't...

- Until we meet again.

Now go. Stop wasting time.

Hey, Tommy.

Glad you made it.

You thought that I'd obey.

No, I thought maybe you'd

be ready to understand.

I understand that this

car is important to you.

I understand that you've

been a shitty father,

that you abandoned mom and me,

that you're a drunk drug

addict convict as*h*le,

that you never called

or visited

since I was 10.

I understand that you had me drag

this across the country for you,

never worrying about

whether I get busted for it.

You know there's two

sides to every story.

Look, Tommy, there's a

lot I need to tell you.

Be careful in there.

Tommy. Tommy, hold on.

Let me show you how to get

it. I got it. I got it.

Careful, it's going to be

hot where we just cut it.

Yeah.

Open it.

It's yours.

Happy birthday.

Best night of music I ever had.

Tom Petty gave it to me

when I was about your age,

I played back up for

him for about six weeks.

It might be out of tune,

here. It's been a while.

It's yours.

You must be pretty beat.

You hungry?

Probably should take my car.

I just found a lemon tree

It's a bad day

for my enemies

Yes, there's sugar

water in the breeze

And I'm ready, I'm ready

So someone play

guitar for me

I'm ready to leave my body

And oh, this could be rage

We're flying to the space

Between the lies we told

And find the good

in every soul is all

Connected energy

or how would I know

You were thinking

of me in the tree?

The sweetness is

around the seed

And I'm learning

to keep going

Just an itty-bitty

hit of weed

Got me ready to

leave my body

And oh, this could be rage

We're flying to the space

Between the lies we told

And find the good

in every soul is all

Connected energy

or how would I know

You were thinking of me?

When all of the

lights remain

This is all that

our time contains