[ambient city sounds]
[gulls calling]
-[ball hitting court]
-[player grunting]
[fast-paced rock music]
[gasping]
Ah.
[announcer] Baseline drive.
Armstrong going to reject it?
Oh no!
Armstrong's in a pile.
Humanity on the floor.
He was strong.
It now feels wrong.
[relaxed guitar music]
[bell ringing on door]
Sorry, we're not open yet.
[woman]
Uh, the sign says 7, so...
Supposed to say 7:30.
Ugh, this place is going
to hell in a handbasket.
Don't even bother.
Excuse me.
Another
satisfied customer, Jack?
Something like that, Maria.
Ugh.
So, in other news,
how was your date last night?
-Tell me everything.
-I didn't go.
-You didn't go?
-Mm.
-He didn't move me.
-He didn't move you?
What's there to move?
You put your shoes on,
you get dressed, and you go.
Oh my god, I really
need more female friends.
So what was his problem
this time? No car?
No hair.
Oh God.
How old was he?
Young enough to be fun,
but old enough to know better.
No, no, no,
I need to know how old he was.
See, Mac and I have a bet.
I took the over 50.
I need to know how old he was.
Oh, so you guys are
taking bets on my dates now?
Yeah, we are.
-62, okay?
-Ugh, I knew it.
Well, no wonder he has no hair.
He hasn't produced testosterone
since the first
Bush administration.
Yeah, if only there was a bush.
I thought you said
you didn't meet this guy.
In person. I haven't met
this guy in person.
A geriatric sexter.
Thank you.
[bell ringing on door]
Mak, you're late.
Oh, I'm sorry,
but there are a lot of delays
on NJ Transit,
and then 30 minute delays
on the Metro North,
and then the Holland--
Okay, okay, it's okay.
You live two blocks away.
Well, have you ever heard of,
um, congruent congestion?
No, but if it lasts
more than four hours,
you should
definitely see a doctor.
I need you here
to help me open, Mak.
Yeah, well, I--
I brought, um, banana bread.
Do I look like a guy that can
be bought by an apology bread?
Okay, give it to me.
[bell ringing at door]
Maria.
Antonio.
Is Jack in?
I just came in for a...
Ant, my brother.
Looking dapper.
How are things?
Chilly, Jack, chilly.
Checks out. How do you want
your coffee this morning?
Iced, just like his heart.
Oh, so she does speak.
-I was talking to Jack.
-Okay, can you two relax?
Anyway, how's
the apartment search going?
Oh, God, in this economy?
Not a chance.
It's Casa de Washburn
from here on out.
It's real bad for
a pad you got there.
We have a pool, and a boat.
Who doesn't like a guy
with a pool and a boat?
Ah. You know, I wouldn't know.
It's $5.25.
You know what?
I think I left my
wallet in my other coat.
Can I hit you back later?
[Jack] It's like the third time
this week you've done that.
-You know I'm good for it.
-I know, I know.
-Get me tomorrow.
-Ah...
Thanks, bro.
That's all
I ever hear from him, is bro.
Bro, bro, bro, bro, bro.
You're lucky I'm your bro!
What can I get for you?
Uh, just
a black coffee, please.
-Black coffee? Okay.
-I got it.
Did-- did I say something wrong?
No, it's just we don't
get many people our age
ordering just a black coffee.
I don't know. When you start
messing around with it,
it's not really
coffee anymore, is it?
[speaking Spanish]
Oh, come on, Maria.
I just polished
the floors yesterday.
This never used to happen
with the old lids, I told you.
Sure, blame the lids.
[Maria] God damn it.
So, what brings
you to our humble abode?
Oh, I, uh, just
got a job at Washburn.
-[chuckling]
-What? What did I say now?
Oh, nothing. It's just,
it's our friend's dad's company.
He's been trying to
get us all to work there
since we were
in, like, eighth grade.
Good, good. I thought you were
going to say they were
bad to work for or mistreat
their employees or something.
Oh, they do.
We just don't tell Ant that.
Ant? Wait, you mean
the one that didn't pay?
I like this guy.
[Maria] So, tell me,
new kid on the block.
What's your deal outside
of being a Washburn stiff?
Uh, well I--
I graduated from Penn.
State?
No, like UPenn?
Oh, you had my interest,
now you have my attention.
And well, I start
at Washburn today,
so I guess it's
just first day jitters.
Well, here's one on the house.
Oh, thanks man. Um...
So, what about you guys?
Well, let me be the first
to properly introduce myself.
Hi, I'm Maria. I just graduated
from Princeton,
and I'm working on my memoir.
Oh, no way. You--
You went to Princeton. I, uh--
Did you know, um,
Jenny Chisholm?
Uh, she also went
to Princeton.
-I went to high school with her.
-Yeah, I know Jenny.
-You do?
-Right.
Yeah, I think she was in
my freshman year biology class.
Well, I'll have to
ask her if she remembers you
when I see her next time.
Oh, no, she--
she probably won't.
Oh, she won't?
Um...
You're not, um, Talented
Mr. Ripley-ing me, are you?
What?
Uh, you know the-- the movie?
Matt Damon was in it.
He pretended to go to Princeton.
That's your Mr. Ripley takeaway?
That he lied about Princeton?
Well, I'm not really
in the habit of asking
people that I just met
if they're going to m*rder me.
So, uh, yeah, in this particular
case, yeah, that's what I meant.
That was more of a...
Gwyneth Paltrow movie for me.
Two words. Jude Law.
I don't think any other
movie gives girls a better idea
of who they want
in their teens,
and a blueprint of
who to avoid in their 20s.
But to answer your question,
no, I'm not going to smother you
on some sort of
cruise ship or something.
You have to, uh,
forgive our friend here.
She gets a little degree-struck.
Um, what's that?
Oh, you know,
when you find someone cute,
and you learn they went
to an Ivy League school,
and then they start envisioning
what their future
beach house
looks like with you...
Okay, okay, okay,
anyways, enough about me.
Have you met Jack?
Uh, not formally,
but it's good to get a name.
How you doing?
You're telling me
you don't recognize him?
Sh-- should I?
-Uh, no.
-Do you watch basketball?
Uh, not-- not really.
And he doesn't watch sports.
Wait, you like girls, right?
Jack here was the star
of the St. Peter's
basketball team when they made
it to the Elite Eight.
You know,
in the NCAA tournament?
But you probably
know him better from this.
Humanity's only
goal is control...
Holy sh*t.
I-- I recognize that audio.
I hear it all the time.
-Maria? Can you stop?
-What?
This is
nothing to be ashamed of.
You've transcended sports.
You're internet famous.
Great. Does internet
famous pay the bills?
I can think of
a couple of ways...
-I'm not showing my feet!
-Okay.
Okay, what they're not
telling you is that Jack
tore his ACL on that play,
but now he's rehabbing it
so he can start his pro career.
Right, Jack?
-Yeah, something like that.
-Yes.
Wow, that's actually,
like, really impressive.
Okay. Yeah, but whatever.
I'm just here for
the next few months,
helping my family
run this place.
In my ideal world,
I'd run a coffee shop.
And I mean, honestly,
just-- one just like this.
Was this a...
Wait, was this a--
a mechanics garage?
My-- my dad
was actually a mechanic,
and, well, this was his garage.
But, um, he died,
like, seven years ago,
and my mom didn't really know
how to fix cars,
so we turned it
into a coffee shop.
I'm sorry for your loss.
But I'm sure he'd be really
proud to see what it's become.
Yeah, thank you. Um...
Loss, it's tough, I guess.
You know, it either
motivates you or buries you.
Oh, I almost forgot.
Here's a punch card.
Your tenth one's on the house.
Oh.
Thanks, man.
-[chuckling]
-Hey, have a good first day.
We'll see you tomorrow?
You know,
I think you just might.
-[Jack] All right.
-[Mak] Bye.
Bye, nice to meet you.
[customer] Bye.
[Ant] All right, see you.
Don't forget my money tomorrow.
[Ant grunting]
[sighing]
Anyway, Maria,
how'd you think that went?
Because it went terribly.
Did I say I wouldn't m*rder him?
Oh God, it's so embarrassing.
What's wrong with me?
[Jack]
Hey, happens to all of us.
-Does it, Jack? Does it?
-[bell ringing on door]
[Jack clearing throat]
[woman sighing]
What can I get for you?
Um, can I get a maple chai
tea latte with macadamia milk?
There's a $2 word
with a 50 cent return.
-What, macadamia?
-No, cha tea.
You mean chai tea,
that's two words.
My, how the tables have turned.
[woman sighing]
So, uh, you new around here?
Yeah, just a few months,
maybe more.
Well, that's a relief.
Why is that?
Might have a maple shortage.
That's funny.
Oh, you weren't kidding.
Apparently,
it does happen to everyone.
I don't get
asked for that too often.
-No, I know.
-That was painful.
I gotta go run an errand.
You mind holding down the shop?
-Uh, yeah, sure.
-Thank you.
Hey, wait, where are you going?
I was just kidding.
No, you're-- you're good.
I just gotta
go run a quick errand.
You're a terrible liar.
Do you want company?
Uh, not really.
What are you doing?
I said I had to go alone.
Yeah, that's how I know
that you need me
to come with you.
Let's go.
-[Jack] Fine.
-Come on.
You're going to see Vanessa,
aren't you?
No, I'm going to get
new baking sheets, actually--
Bullshit. I helped Mak
wash them yesterday.
They're pristine.
You washed dishes.
I mean, Mak was washing them,
and I was sitting there
on the computer, so,
yeah, we washed them.
But let's not get sidetracked.
You want to tell me
what's really going on?
Contrary to popular belief, it's
not easy running a business,
and you don't have to
know every little thing
I do to keep this place afloat.
What happened to you?
Maria, please,
don't do this, okay?
-Just-- just try, just--
-No, no, we're 22 years old.
It's the middle of the day,
and this isn't exactly
-what they promised us when...
-[both sighing]
More importantly, Jack, this
isn't what you should be doing.
I have responsibilities
at the shop.
I have to provide for my family.
How's my brother
supposed to get through college?
He's your mom's responsibility.
Well, she's already
working doubles at the hospital,
and I'm putting eight hours
a day in at the coffee shop.
-And what about this rehab?
-Yeah, what about it?
I've been going at night.
Have you?
-Sometimes.
-Oh, my God.
Your only way out of this
is through the rehab
and getting back on the court,
not slinging coffees.
What if I don't want it anymore?
What if you don't want what?
Playing in the NBA
is all you've ever talked
about since middle school.
What if I don't
want to hoop anymore?
I mean, even
before the tournament run,
I was getting burnt out.
I was neglecting
everyone and only focusing
on basketball for
the last four years.
And I'm pretty sure that's what
happened with Vanessa and I.
Well, Vanessa
didn't make time for you.
She put all of her chips
in the center of the table
when she thought
you were going to the NBA.
But when was the last
time she actually reached out?
-We-- we talk.
-You talk?
Yeah, we-- we DM
on Instagram and stuff.
Oh, my brother in Christ,
that is not a relationship.
How long was she in
Miami before coming back?
How does somebody
with no job afford that?
What are you trying to say?
I'm saying she's jet-setting
and you're not the pilot.
-Get out.
-What?
-I said get out!
-What? You wanted the truth.
No, I wanted the sound of
the radio and my own thoughts.
You want to know why I didn't
tell you where I was going?
Because I'm going to see her.
You happy?
Well, why didn't
she just come into the shop?
Do you really think
I want to get
officially broken up with at
my own coffee shop?
Oh, so you knew
everything I was telling you.
Of course I knew,
and I ignored it.
Now I'm back in
the coffee shop trying to
make enough money
for us all to get by.
It's a lot of pressure.
Look, we're
all rooting for you, Jock.
We're all in the same spot,
just trying to get
our lives to actually start.
But more importantly,
why didn't you tell me
that you're
feeling depressed?
Because I'm not
allowed to feel depressed.
Too many people
are counting on me.
Look, you're not alone.
We're all here for you.
But you have to put some work
in if you want to get better.
You know it's not that easy.
Do you remember freshman year?
You were being bullied,
and you built up
this-- this armor of sarcasm.
Everyone thought you were fine,
but I didn't.
I knew you,
I knew that you were going home
and you were sleeping, sleeping
for hours on end because
you couldn't physically move,
you couldn't mentally handle it.
You don't want
to be around anyone.
Well, that's
where I'm at right now.
Oh, God.
I can't believe I didn't see it.
Makes sense. I'm sorry, look,
I've just, I've been so
caught up and self-consumed
with trying to get a job
and trying to get
my own life started.
-It's just--
-Yeah, yeah, I'm-- you're--
I'm-- I'm sorry, it's okay,
I... freaked out on you.
I've really pushed
those days down to a place
where they don't even
feel like me anymore.
Look, I know
it might not seem like it now,
but getting Vanessa
out of your life
isn't a bad thing.
You're probably right.
I am.
Now can you please get out?
I'll catch
up with you later, okay?
-Are you serious?
-Yes, it's two minutes back.
You're serious.
Okay, getting out of
the car so that my so-called
best friend can leave
me stranded
on the side of the road.
Ha ha ha, very fun--
You're leaving me here?
He's leaving me here.
Oh my God,
he actually left me here.
Who needs enemies
when you have friends?
f*ck you, Jack!
Ugh! Oh, it's so cold.
[tense rock music]
Hi, what
can I get started for you?
Is Jack in?
No, um...
he stepped out, I think.
Is there something
I can help you with?
When he gets back, you tell him
to call his buddy Mr. Laslo.
[Mak]
You have to pay for that, sir.
You tell Mr. Armstrong Jr.
I was here.
See you soon.
[bell ringing on door]
[phone ringing]
Jack, it's Mak.
I know that.
I know, you know, when you call,
because your name
pops up on my phone.
Jack, it's not
the time for a shtick right now.
This guy named
Mr. Laslo came in earlier,
and he said
that he wanted to talk to you.
All right, all right, calm down.
What did he say?
I don't know,
he said something about, like,
needing you to call him,
and then he took a-- a bite
of a muffin and just
left it on the counter.
Is everything okay?
I-- I've been expecting
this for a while now.
Just stay calm, and I'll
be back in a little bit, okay?
Yeah, okay.
-And Mak?
-Yeah.
Let's just keep this
between me and you, okay?
No one has to know about this,
especially the rest of the g*ng.
-I'm a part of the g*ng?
-Of course you are.
I'll be back in 30.
-Okay.
-[line beeping]
Call Mom.
[phone ringing]
-Hey, Jackie. I'm--
-Hi, Mom.
I'm in the middle of
documenting.
Can I call
you when I go on break?
Uh, Mr. Laslo
just came in the shop.
He scared the hell out of Mak.
I thought we paid
the property tax
and we were all squared away.
I'll pay the last quarter,
and the next one
I'll handle on
Friday when I get paid.
Do not let him intimidate you.
He's been trying to
build condos here
since before I met your dad.
He's tried everything else.
What else could he do?
Sorry, Jack,
I'm being paged, I gotta go.
Can we talk about this later?
I'll be home at 8.
We'll talk then, honey, okay?
-Bye.
-[line beeping]
-Hey.
-Hey, baby.
Um, baby?
What's the matter?
You don't seem happy to see me.
We haven't had a conversation
in, what, weeks, months,
and I just walk in here,
and you're like,
hey, baby,
like nothing's wrong.
Well, then we have
a lot to catch up on.
-[server] Hi.
-Table for three, please.
Oh, yes, she's already here.
Who are we meeting? She?
Dara?
Jack?
Wait, how do
you two know each other?
Sorry, I'm early, aren't I?
[Jack]
Seems to be a pattern.
Can someone please explain to
me how you two know each other?
How do you know her?
You didn't
tell him why we're here?
-Ness, what's, what's going on?
-Ness?
Okay, I guess we don't
need to do icebreakers.
Jack, I'd like you to
meet Dara, my new friend.
Um, okay.
Over the past couple months,
I've had some time to think
about my options and,
you know, like, figure out
what it is I want
to do with my life.
-And this... is it.
-[Jack] Oh.
Oh.
What's it?
Sorry, this has gone way worse
than I thought it could go.
Um, Jack, let me just
get to the point, okay?
-Thanks so much.
-I want to buy your coffee shop.
What?
But wait, what
about the other thing?
What other thing?
Wait, that's why
you came in this morning?
You knew I didn't
serve maple chai tea lattes
or whatever
the f*ck you ordered.
Wait, wait, you made
her a maple chai tea latte?
I've been asking you to add that
to the menu for, like, years.
I may have done some homework
before coming in to see you.
Well, I can assure you, whatever
you think you know, you don't.
I know that your shop
is bleeding money.
I know that the property
tax went up again
and you can't afford it.
And I know that my
partners and I are prepared
to make you
a very generous offer.
-But what about the other news?
-What other news?
Jack, Dara and I are together.
No, we're not.
What do you mean?
But you said that...
-Van, one thing at a time.
-Van?
Please, have the past few
months meant nothing to you?
Past few months?
Van, maybe you don't
need to be so eager, okay?
Maybe this commitment
thing is something
you're just not ready for.
I was ready to blow up
my whole life for you,
and this is how you thank me?
Wait, wait, wait.
You're the Miami sugar daddy?
You know what?
I don't need this
from either of you.
I'm leaving.
Okay. All right.
-Can you move
-Okay, all right.
Uh, Vanessa, just in case
it wasn't clear, we're done.
No, I broke up with you.
Whatever
you need to tell yourself.
For the record,
I'm not a sugar mommy
or sugar daddy,
whatever you might call it.
I never gave that woman a dime.
She actually just stayed
with me
and my business partner
in Miami.
Well, you dodged a b*llet on
that one,
because before today,
I kind of thought
we were still dating
for some reason.
Really?
She's never mentioned you.
Doesn't surprise me
one bit, but whatever.
I've been preparing
for this day, so I'm over it.
Well, you're
handling it really well.
Very, very mature, to be honest.
-For my age, right?
-What?
Most women,
distinguished as yourself,
finish that sentence with,
you're very mature for your age.
Distinguished?
Just how old do you think I am?
I, uh-- 35?
-Check, please.
-Over, under?
Under, way under.
Okay? And-- and for the record,
a woman doesn't,
like, reveal her age.
You have to stalk her Instagram.
You have to find
her college graduation photos.
You have to take the year it is,
subtract it from
when she graduated,
and add that number by 22.
Jesus, if this is what
entering corporate America
does to you,
I want no part of it.
Mm, well, the-- the job
is actually the best part.
It's the part
that actually makes sense.
It's off the clock
that I can't really stand.
But on company time,
I help people,
like you, become wealthy.
So you are a walking lottery
ticket just handing out cash?
Yeah, I find
that very hard to believe.
So what's your motive?
Well, I put together
the calculations
from the business itself
and the real estate,
and my company is prepared
to offer you $3 million.
-Wait, what? I--
-It's a good offer.
It could change
your family's life.
Look at it like this,
like an insurance policy,
just in case you can't
make it back on the court.
You know the coffee shop
was my dad's old garage, right?
I'm not so keen on
someone trying to buy
his legacy for $3 million.
I didn't mean it like that.
No, no, no, of course
you didn't, but how could you?
It's not like
you're from around here.
It's not like
Google reviews
would tell you
my shop's history.
So let me ask you a question.
There's hundreds of
coffee shops around here,
and I'm sure they'd
all sell to you in a second.
So why mine?
And until
I figure out why that is,
we have nothing
left to discuss here.
Wait, wait, wait, wait,
please, please sit down.
I-- I'm sorry,
I don't like to get...
Listen, whatever you're about
to offer, double it
and then double it again
until you bankrupt
whoever authorized you to come
here in the first place, okay?
I-- Wait, I...
[keyboard clicking]
[clearing throat
[Ant humming, whistling]
Oh, no way.
If it isn't Mr. Ripley.
You're the new guy.
Is that gonna be my thing?
-It sure is. It sure is.
-Okay.
So you-- you know everybody
down at the coffee shop?
-Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
-Yeah.
-Jack and I go way back.
-Oh, cool.
Actually, when you left,
he texted me and told me
to take it easy on you,
but I told him, no promises.
Yeah.
Welcome to the family, though.
Uh, tha-- thank you.
You know, my dad
kind of runs this place.
A little bit of nepotism
never hurt nobody.
But, uh, yeah,
between me and you,
I-- I really don't
want to work here.
I'm just doing it to
get my family off my back.
Oh, um, okay.
Yeah, they're always on me.
Want me to run this company
into the future or whatever.
Told me as long as
I was in school
I didn't have to work here,
but I screwed around
and didn't get my application
into Georgetown Law in time,
so, yeah, I'm taking
a little bit of a gap year.
-Hmm.
-Hmm.
[door opening]
[woman]
Antonio, your dad's on line one.
Gotta go.
It was great
getting to know you.
Um, actually, did my dad send
you the new hire invitation?
He usually likes
to invite people
over for dinner, you know.
I didn't see,
I mean, I'll refresh it,
but I haven't seen
anything yet, but...
All right, well, check it later.
It's coming.
Good to see you, man.
See you around.
The heck was that?
[chuckling]
Um...
Hello, gorgeous.
Do not call me that.
Oh, what's the matter?
Can't you take a compliment?
Come on.
We should be celebrating.
Why is that?
Because we're about
to close in on Americano,
and you're finally free
of your commitments to me.
Do you mean that?
One last job and I never
have to see your face again?
I mean, we'll always
be in each other's lives,
until I don't
have the use for you.
And even then,
I'll probably pop up
from time to time,
just to keep you honest.
To keep me quiet.
You'll show up to keep
me quiet so I don't turn on you.
I have nothing to hide.
You, on the other hand,
have a lot to hide.
Jackie, or is it Dara?
You know I have
a tough time keeping track
of which identity
you're using these days.
I bring you the coffee shop,
and that's it.
We are finished.
Do you hear me?
Whatever you say.
[rock music playing]
So why does this one
mean so much to you, hmm?
Because this is the white whale
you wait your whole career for.
The degenerate who has a son
as his collateral.
That could be worth tens
of millions of dollars.
It's a unicorn.
So you're just
going to own this kid?
Then you'd be off
the hook for your deadbeat dad.
I thought you'd be happy.
You know what,
Jack has a real shot
at a long career if
he overcomes his injury.
It's not like the others.
He has agents,
managers, lawyers.
This type of extortion,
it's dangerous.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
That is a serious accusation.
I would never do
something ill*gal like that.
I'm a businessman,
not a criminal.
For now.
I'm not sure
how you're even going to
get your hooks into this kid.
What is the only
thing this kid has left
of his degenerate father?
-His memory.
-Hm.
And that memory, we are lucky to
be attached to a place of value.
So rather than trying
to sell the building,
they're going to try to
keep paying their property tax.
And what they don't know is,
I have an inside fix
at the town hall,
and it is guaranteed
it will go up until they break.
And so then what?
After you buy it,
you're going to negotiate
with him and put in
some bad faith language
into some sort of settlement?
Listen, I see this all the time.
Every time I present
the contract, they'll sign it,
because they don't
want to lose their property.
Mm-hmm.
All we have to do is
slip in a conservatorship clause
into the language of a deal,
citing the financial hardship
of the business.
You think you're so smart?
Well, here's the thing,
you and I both know
that the chances of him actually
getting that money
hinges on him rehabbing.
What are you saying?
I'm saying that we need
to finance his rehabbing
and his training under
the conservatorship.
You have to show that you're
actually protecting him.
Oh, no way.
If you're saying that
I should give them some money,
That is not happening.
I did this last time. No way.
So you're going to risk
your big score because
you don't want to throw a few
thousand to protect your bet?
So what would you do?
It's really simple.
Magically, someone will start
providing his rehab, training,
and anything he needs
one day out of the blue.
While he's appreciative of
everything he's not getting now,
we cement our position by
inputting a one-year
statute of limitations
in the contract.
You want your percentage?
You got to have
your chips on the table too.
Happy?
Good.
Now, please
stop following me, okay?
It's getting weird.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God, Maria, are you okay?
Oh, a shot, yeah, yeah, okay.
Water, Mal, water.
Then what am I going
to do with this tequila?
I didn't say
I didn't want the tequila.
God.
-Sorry, sorry.
-Is Jack back?
Um, no, but I'm not
supposed to talk about it.
Oh, come on,
the g*ng doesn't
keep secrets away
from each other.
You know,
that is the second time
one of you guys went out
of your way
to say that I'm in the g*ng.
Do I look sick?
Am I getting fired?
Nobody's getting fired, okay?
-Are you sure?
-Actually, I have no idea.
Jack doesn't tell
me anything anymore.
Otherwise,
I wouldn't have to be
asking you what the hell's
going on around here.
He said it was a family matter.
Okay, well, me and Jack are
technically like family, so...
[chuckling]
What's so funny?
I don't know,
this is like,
the most you've ever
talked to me before.
Mak, you and I
speak every single day.
Yeah, but not about,
like, real stuff.
Like, do you even know
where I went to college?
Didn't you go to Rutgers? Hm?
Okay, well, you cheated
because you have an Instagram.
What about, um,
what my parents' names are?
Are you kidding me?
Do you know my parents' names?
Yeah, George and Lucy.
Wow, how do you know that?
Um, well, they ordered
their anniversary cake
at Natalie's Bakery when
I worked there in high school.
And you remember that?
Of course,
that's what friends do.
I'm sorry, it's just,
I always thought you were...
Weird?
A little bit.
It's nothing personal.
Yeah, well, um,
I don't really understand
why people associate
being quiet and shy as weird.
It's not that you were quiet,
it's that you never hung out
with us outside of school.
I mean, we'd always invite you,
and you'd never come.
Well, my parents didn't let me.
Why not?
They knew who we were.
Well, I wanted to,
but between church and
my obligations with my parents,
I really didn't have time.
I mean, I wanted to, but...
I can't believe Jack
never told me anything.
I would have totally
helped you sneak out.
Yeah, I asked him
not to say anything.
He's good like that.
Yeah, he's
something else, isn't he?
Yeah.
You know, I always wondered
why you guys never dated.
He's not my type.
Not your type?
He is everyone's type.
Oh, how long has this
little crush been going on, huh?
Okay, it's not a crush,
it's just a fact.
Uh-uh, if it sounds
like a crush and
it looks like a crush,
it's a crush.
Okay, you're
changing the subject.
How come you guys never,
you know...
We came close to it once, okay?
P-Stop it.
-Hmm. Tell me more.
We got drunk and made out
at a party one time.
I was completely wasted,
and drunk me wanted to
hook up with him so bad.
But you want
to know what he did?
-What?
-Nothing.
I eventually
passed out on his couch
in his dorm,
and he put a blanket over me.
And then the next day,
he had a coconut water
and food waiting
for me by the couch.
Isn't that sweet?
Yeah. It does
sound like him, though.
So from that morning on,
I made a promise
to myself that I needed
to keep him in my life.
And if we dated,
the chances of that are slim.
Well, what if it worked out?
What if what worked out?
You and him,
and you could be happy.
And that...
sounds stupid, but that's
exactly what I'm afraid of.
Yeah, classic case of knowing
that the world is bigger
out there, but you wanting
to stay where you are
because you know that you're
loved and appreciated.
You have that here.
You're really lucky.
You have that here too.
Okay, I don't
mean like the caf.
I mean like, this town.
I definitely don't have
that in this town, you know?
College was the first
time I actually felt like
I was my own person,
and I felt smart and...
pretty.
Mak, you know you're
like the total package, right?
-No, no.
-Mm-hmm, yes.
You know, I would believe you,
except that I'm back
living with my parents again,
like I was in high school, so...
-Okay, you and me both.
-Yeah.
But look, don't mistake a lack
of privacy for not being seen.
You're so cute, Mak.
I need you to believe me.
I have not felt cute
since I was a little kid.
And I was like kid cute,
not like cute cute, you know?
Oh my god, people do
6-hour skincare routines
to look
like you look naturally.
And as far as your education,
you went to the school
that offered you
a full-ride scholarship.
If anybody's gonna make you feel
bad about that,
then they can shove
their privilege
right back where it came from.
Are we bonding?
Oh my gosh,
I think we're bonding.
I guess it just
took the quiet of
not always having
the boys around, right?
Mm, yeah.
Can you tell me what happened
between you and Antonio?
Oh my god. Do you have
some more of that tequila?
'Cause we're gonna need it.
-Oh yeah, I do, I do.
-It's a long story.
Okay.
[dog barking]
[insects chirping]
[glass ringing]
I'd like to make a toast.
Dad, there's like 5 of us here.
Why do we have to be so formal?
It's embarrassing.
Because we have a new
friend with us and
we have a new family member
who is joining the business.
Now I know you might
think it's a little sentimental,
but I think
a formal toast is in order.
To those who've come before
us at Washburn International
and to those who will
lead us to the future,
I'd like to say
welcome, and thank you
for your dedication
and your support.
Mm-hmm.
He really practiced this one.
It's so cute when
he's in the mirror,
tying his tie and
practicing his little speeches.
It's not practice.
Repetition breeds perfection,
and perfection breeds...
Success.
Is that why
you have 4 kids, Dad?
-[mother] Antonio.
-Please.
If perfection was the goal,
they could have
stopped after I was born.
[mother] Enough.
The both of you.
I'm so sorry.
It seems my babies
forgot that we have company.
No.
No, no, no, it's okay, ma'am.
I-- I can feel the warmth.
It's a joy to be here.
A joy? Wow.
Vernon, this
boy is really polished.
Don't screw it up.
He's a Penn man, like myself.
Comes with the territory.
You know, I've always
wanted my kids to go to Penn.
The day Antonio ran
into Penn Relays
was one of the greatest days
of my husband's life.
You-- you ran track?
400-meter champion, right here.
Yeah, tell Snyder
the good part of that story.
What? I won the race.
Yeah, and then you turned
down a Penn track scholarship.
Nearly broke Dad in two.
[mother] I was so proud of
you because
you made up your own mind,
and that day,
you became your own man.
But I still don't
understand why somebody would
turn down a scholarship to
an Ivy League school
to go and run track at Oregon.
We've been over
this a million times.
I wanted to win championships,
and maybe even
go to the Olympics.
-But then what happened?
-Uh, Vernon, that's enough.
No, no, no, no.
Son, look me in the eyes.
Tell me what happened.
I've told you a thousand times.
It was the lemon
poppy seed muffin I ate.
So Snyder,
what is it that you do?
We know that you came
highly recommended
from Professor Albright.
Well, um, I-- I grew up
in Wisconsin, and my dad
has worked for
MillerCoors since I was born.
Oh, Tom Long
is a good friend of mine.
Nobody knows who that is, Dad.
-Anyway...
-[Ant] Uh-huh...
what did your dad do at Miller?
Uh, well, he, uh, was--
started as a delivery man
while he was in high school,
and then he, you know,
worked his way up from
the floor to a manager,
and, uh, now he's a consultant
for their supply chain.
Doing the Lord's work.
Yeah. I mean,
that's one way to put it, yeah.
Um, he wasn't around a whole
lot when I was growing up,
um, mostly because, you know,
he had to work
a lot of nights and slept
a lot during the day.
Absentee father. [chuckling]
Sound familiar to anyone?
And what is it
that your mother does?
Uh, Mom's a secretary,
though she had to stay home
to take care of me,
at least until
my mom and dad split when
I was in high school.
[mother]
Housewives are so important.
We really are
the backbone to society.
Mom, what are you saying?
You did not
stay in the house with us.
You never give me credit.
I stayed home 5 years.
No, 6 months.
Listen, I had to go
back to our non-profit.
I wouldn't call that work.
Uh, wow, you have
a family non-profit?
Yes, Vernon and I, we want
to give back to the community.
Oh, that's, uh, so nice.
What does the non-profit do?
We have a scholarship
fund for students
from diverse backgrounds.
Don't be too impressed, they do
it for the tax write-off.
-Mm-hmm.
-You guys are so ungrateful.
When I was your age,
I never knew
where my next meal
was coming from.
And you had
to worry about nothing.
I can't believe you would
do this in front of guests.
Sometimes I wonder
why I even bother.
[phone vibrating]
I'm sorry, I have to take this.
-It was a pleasure meeting you.
-Yep.
I expect good things from you.
Go for Washburn.
[birds chirping]
And then he was
just, like, so annoying.
He would blow me off,
another text, another...
-Oh, my God.
-[Jack sighing]
You really got to
learn how to read a clock.
Am I early?
A society without
rules cannot stand.
Believe me,
I'm not here for the coffee.
It needed more
maple syrup, didn't it?
-Are you going to tell him?
-Tell me what?
That not all maple syrup
is, like, pure maple syrup.
I've been trying to tell
you to only serve black coffee.
No frills,
no syrup, no problems.
Wait, it says right here,
maple syrup.
No, you used maple
flavored syrup on a maple chai.
It's not the same thing.
Yeah, maple syrup.
Uh, okay, forget it.
I'll just have
it black and white.
What?
You know, black with a splash
of milk, black and white.
So just regular coffee?
You know,
enough with the jokes, okay?
You really
are in a lot of trouble.
Hey, hey, hey, wait.
You're not allowed to
deliver bad news before coffee.
Is nothing sacred
around here anymore?
We'll let it fly this time.
Go ahead.
Okay, so yesterday I was at
the Green Tavern for happy hour.
And she claims to have taste.
What is her issue?
Anyways, um,
there was this man there,
I think his name was Mr. Laslo,
and he confronted me at the bar,
and he was trying to convince
anyone that was listening,
including me,
to join in on his plot
to take this store
right out from under you.
Okay, so let me
get this straight.
This guy comes up to
you at a bar
that you've never met before.
He doesn't hit on you.
He skips
pleasantries entirely--
Well, after all that, of course.
You know, he was doing
it to everyone, like I said.
He'd definitely had a few,
it was happy hour.
So this drunk tries to
bring you in on his scheme.
Horny and greedy
is a terrible c*ck.
I feel like if you're
a criminal, you'd pick one.
Either you're
a predator or a thief,
but being both
sounds like a lie.
Let's give her the benefit
of a doubt for a second.
So that happens,
and then you come here.
Now, why would
you come here right away?
You're playing one of us,
or are you playing both of us?
Why would I lie?
I don't think you actually
want us to answer that.
And it just so happens
it's the day after you try
to buy my coffee shop,
so something's not adding up.
Yeah, the math
isn't really mathing.
Okay, does she need to be here?
Look, if you're
going to team up on me,
at least
should be two on two.
Hey, Jack, I think
that's where you're wrong.
Okay, all right, Maria.
Maybe someone does
have some sense in here.
Dara here thrives on
the physicality
of man to man, right?
You know, you can
belittle me all you want,
but I'm coming to
you honestly, okay?
He was talking about
how much debt this place has,
how easy it would
be to buy it
and make all this money.
I told him to get lost.
So the only thing
that doesn't make sense
to me is how does Laslo
even know who you are?
I'm telling you,
he was going up to everyone.
Everyone? Uh, no.
I have been to
that bar many times.
He was not going up to everyone.
You probably walked
in and looking all fine,
in your Chanel, looking cute,
and you stuck out
like a sore thumb or something.
You know, you can
believe what you want, okay?
I'm just here just telling
you what's coming down the pike.
Well, thanks for stopping by.
Here's your black coffee.
-Thank you.
-That'll be $9.
For a black coffee?
Uh, yah, inflation,
it's a b*tch.
Bye.
Um, excuse me,
you still owe me $4.
-[bell ringing on door]
-Excuse me!
Jack, is everything all right?
What does she mean
with this place being in debt?
Nothing, it's-- it's fine,
I just-- I need more time.
Oh, what's happening?
Nothing, why is
everybody so on my case today?
Geez, can I get a break?
All right, geez,
you didn't really hit a nerve.
Sorry, I just... what's up,
Ant, how are you, what's new?
Well, fetching
coffee for my boss,
who just happens to be
my dad, so that's great.
Don't know how this
is different than having chores
as a kid,
except now his money's taxable.
Yeah, and how's
everything at Casa de Washburn?
Well, that new guy at work,
ah, Snyder, I think his name is?
Yeah, he stopped by
for dinner last night.
Let me guess,
your dad gushed
about Penn and then
turned it on to you.
Ugh. How do you know?
How many times
have I seen this movie, Ant?
Antonio, are you okay?
Wait, who, me?
What, is there
another Antonio around here?
What, you look stressed,
is a girl
not supposed to feel concerned?
A girl's allowed
to feel concerned,
we just didn't
think it'd be this girl.
I'm doing great,
Maria, thank you for asking.
Okay, I gotta go, see you later.
-Where-- where are you going?
-I gotta go.
Maria, what?
[bell ringing on door]
You still got it.
I'm gonna marry
her or die trying.
It's your funeral, pal.
[door opening]
8:15?
Don't we open at 8:30?
Try 7:30.
Oh, you know, I think
my phone is on central time.
You never even left the state.
It's called
manifesting, Antonio.
-They're called manifesting.
-You ever heard of it?
Where you manifesting
a trip to, Chicago?
Uh, Austin, actually.
Wow, for vacation?
No, to live.
Then why is this the first
time I'm hearing of this?
Well, if you asked me,
then you'd know,
but you don't ask me.
Wait, if you're moving away
and Jack's going
wherever he needs
to go to play basketball,
then what's gonna
happen to this place?
I mean, this is our home!
Relax, no-- no one's
going anywhere just yet.
Good, because if I had
to buy coffee out anywhere else,
I'd never be able
to move out of Casa de Washburn.
Ant, if you had to buy coffee,
I'd be out of here
a lot quicker.
Well, I'll pay.
[snorting] Mak?
Huh?
When's the last time
our friend here paid
for a cup of coffee?
Um, let's see, it says...
Got the notebook.
Third of... never.
-[sighs]
-That's what I thought.
That, uh, yeah, check that book.
Check-- Check it.
-I just--
-The book never lies!
-I just checked the book, dude.
-[scoffs]
Yeah. [laughs]
[suspenseful music]
-[phone ringing]
-Hello?
[Dara] Hey, Maria, it's Dara,
from the coffee shop.
-Don't hang up.
-How'd you get my number?
[Dara] It's literally
on your website.
[sighs] Damn,
I really gotta change that.
You really have
some nerve calling me.
-What do you want?
-Jack really is in trouble.
I don't know what this
Mr. Laslo is capable of,
but I'm not risking
my life over this.
Well, that's a bit dramatic,
but look,
I don't really know you at all.
And I know we got off
on the wrong foot,
but what's in it for you?
Why Jack?
Why Americano?
Can I confess something to you?
[Maria] Yeah, if you want.
I mean, I'm not stopping you.
[sighs] When I first got here,
I did want to take
the shop, um...
and it was selfish,
and then I met Jack,
and I don't know,
he took my breath away.
The community he's building
here, his charm, just all of it.
You can't really buy that.
And you expect me
to confuse you wanting
to jump his bones for kindness?
[sighs] You don't need
to psychoanalyze my intentions.
What I do need is your help
showing Jack
that I'm not all that bad.
Oh my God, you are so
on your own with that one.
[Dara] Hear me out, okay?
I know that him and his family
are in a lot of trouble
with the garage and everything,
and I know that he still
hasn't properly
rehabbed from his-- his injury.
Well, I gotta hand it to you,
you're an unbelievable
private investigator.
I tried to tell him
the other day,
but I want to fund
his rehab and training.
Well, that's awfully generous,
but again, what's in it for you?
Nothing, I just want
to help someone
who's down on their luck.
Most agents would have set him
up with a life insurance policy,
a rehab center, a trainer,
a dietitian.
I have the means to do all that.
Hmm, so that's all you want,
just to help out?
Like some sort
of guardian angel?
That's it.
So, can you convince him
to let me help him?
[Maria] I'll run it by him,
but I can't make any promises.
Great, thanks.
Oh, and-- and for your efforts,
I heard you had
a manuscript that
you're trying to get published?
My college roommate actually
works at Harper Collins.
-Send it to me.
-Wait, really?
Oh, my God.
Hold on.
Do you have, like,
a God complex or something?
Is that, like, your thing?
I was your age once,
just starting out,
and no one helped me.
I'm just trying to pay
it forward.
Well, thank you so much.
I-- I really appreciate it.
[Dara] Oh, uh, is it done?
-What's done?
-[Dara] The manuscript.
Oh, yeah, of course, totally.
Great, um, send it my way,
I'll put you in touch
with my friend Constance,
and, uh, yeah,
-I'll talk to you later.
-Okay, will do.
Thank you so much.
-Bye.
-[phone beeps off]
[screams] Oh, my God.
[gasps] Oh, my God.
[sighs]
[bell on door jingles]
Hey, is, um, is Jack in?
You know, just once
it would be nice
if someone asked me
how I was doing.
Oh, I'm-- I'm sorry,
I don't know where my...
[laughs] I'm sorry,
that was not polite.
Uh, how are you, Mak?
Okay, well, I was driving in
this morning,
but then this car just ran
right in front of me,
and so then I had to swerve
to miss him,
which caused my coffee
that I made at home
to fall all over the front seat,
but I was like, you know what?
It's okay, it's worth it,
because I'm gonna get
in on time,
but then, you know what?
Jack was f*cking
with the sign again.
Wow, that's, uh, a lot.
[chuckles]
Yeah, well, a girl
can only take so much.
Have you thought about maybe
drinking less coffee every day?
[Mak] Um, I'm down
to three cups.
Three? Three?
Uh, wait, how many
were you at before that?
Uh...
well, I used to drink five,
but then my doctor said
it was, like, bad for my heart
or something, so...
Yeah, yeah, I'd say.
What would you say?
Uh, nothing, it's just,
like, a non-sequitur.
A non... what?
You know, it's sort of like when
there's nothing left to say,
but you have to say
something anyway.
Huh, you're anxious too, huh?
No. No--
-Ah!
-Maybe.
Uh, it's just this whole
first job thing
is just-- it's just a lot,
that's all.
Yeah, well, anxiety
is a real epidemic
of our time, so I get ya.
Were you trying to use
a non-sequitur there?
[Mak] Did I do it?
Mm, not quite, but nonetheless,
you do bring up a valid point.
Is "nonetheless"
a non-sequitur too?
No, I think that's a crutch.
Oh, well, what's the difference?
Caffeine, I think.
[Mak chuckles] You're funny.
Um, have you ever thought
about going to therapy?
[Snyder] Uh, I've been
in therapy since I was 12.
Whoa, 12?
Yeah, no, I know, I know,
I know.
My parents were going through
this, you know,
this whole divorce, and they
wanted me to be able to process
my emotions in a controlled
and unbiased space, so...
-Wow.
-Yeah.
That's amazing,
but also kinda terrifying.
-Why do you say that?
-Well, when was the last time
you had an unfiltered thought?
I think for myself all the time.
Mm, no, but when you
really think about it,
all of your innermost thoughts
have been molded
by a professional.
Yeah, but is it better or worse
to reach those conclusions,
you know, with the help
of a professional
or through watching your parents
go through their own trauma?
And, I mean, why worry
about it anyway?
Every thought is molded
by something, right?
I think about original
thought all the time.
If I'm not freely expressing
my own thoughts,
then how do I know
that my art is actually...
-mine?
-[laughs]
What kind of art do you do?
I paint.
That's so cool.
Well, I mean, I'd...
I'd love to see it sometime.
No, no, no, no.
I, uh, it's not ready
to be seen by the public.
-And why is that?
-[Mak] I don't know.
It-- I just don't really want
something that personal
to be seen by other people.
That response, right there,
is a crutch.
Oh. Well, you see why I had
to cut down on the coffee, huh?
[sighs] Look, I mean,
if-- if you're creating art,
and especially paintings,
then the whole point is to,
you know, interact with yourself
and others through the canvas.
Hmm. Hard disagree. No.
Art is... it's hope.
It's fear.
It is desire.
It's like our most
combustible thoughts coming out.
But if it's not interacting,
then it's not living.
It's not inspiring. It's not,
you know, moving the form
forward.
And that's why you get into it
in the first place, right?
Hmm, okay, well, see, this is
how I know you're not an artist,
because not-- the good ones
don't actually care about
moving the art forward.
Yeah.
But, but...
-[Mak groans]
-Um...
Hmm! If you create art,
and you are courageous enough
to put it out there,
in the world, and then it,
and every other piece like it
joins the greater conversation,
then that conversation
moves the world forward.
[Mak] Hmm. Wow.
You're really good. [laughs]
What do you do,
debate or something?
-Uh-huh. Yeah.
-Yeah.
Sounds like that kind
of manipulation.
Oh, the best kind.
Thank you.
Well, I mean, yeah,
I have been
in therapy since I was 12,
and I would be lying if I didn't
think that that helped me
find my debate group
in high school. So.
[chuckles] But that doesn't
mean I don't, you know,
still get... anxiety,
especially lately.
-Um...
-Hmm.
Yeah. I can't imagine how
tough it must have been for you
to just, like, pack up
your whole life, and start over.
Well, I'm just trying to be more
open to the world, you know,
and-- and that led me here,
to a bunch of strangers
who I'm hoping will
be fast friends.
Yeah, yeah, I know.
That's, like, the really nice
thing about this place is that,
you know, we're all alone,
just trying to figure out
what we're doing,
but then, we have this place
to just feel comfortable with
ourselves and our friends,
and it does really
feel like, um...
Home?
[Mak] Yeah, a home.
[chuckles] You know,
in the meantime,
we can just drown
ourselves in caffeine,
and mask our non-sequiturs
with, uh, crutches.
-[laughs] Something.
-Close enough.
-Yeah.
-[Mak laughs]
-Um, speaking of which...
-[Mak] Yeah?
Can I get a black coffee?
-Yeah.
-[laughs]
[both chuckling]
Uh, what's so funny?
Uh, n-- nothing. Nothing.
Um, yeah, hi.
What can I get you?
Oh, just my afternoon
pick-me-up.
Uh, yeah, got it.
Damn, you just know
his order like that?
Yeah, he gets the same thing,
like, every day.
Huh.
So, how are things going
on the job so far?
So far, so good.
Um, I-- I did actually
have one question
-for you, though, about--
-Actually, while I have
you here, this is super
embarrassing,
but my dad asked me
if you could help close out
the Cadero account this weekend.
This weekend? Uh, I had--
had plans this weekend.
Yeah, but we could really use
a team player on this one.
Yeah.
It'll pay off down the road.
Okay, I-- I could--
I guess I could cancel.
-Yeah.
-Whew! That'd be awesome.
I mean, you could use some
of that unlimited PTO
to do whatever you had to do,
during the week.
Yeah. Is Jack in?
[Mak] Um, no, I think
he stepped out.
Hmm.
All right, well,
I gotta get back to work.
-Thank you for the coffee.
-[Mak] Yeah.
And thank you for this
weekend, Snyder.
-We owe you one.
-Okay.
Bye.
That's how it starts.
What do you mean?
Well, Antonio is basically
a minion for his dad,
so whatever his dad
doesn't wanna do,
he drops onto Antonio's lap.
[scoffs] Well,
how do you know that?
Oh, yeah. It's been a slow,
gradual process.
I've just watched him evolve
ever since he lost
his track scholarship,
and then, slowly, he kinda
became a shell of himself.
Hmm.
You know, you--
you don't say much,
but, uh, I can always
tell that you're--
you're always observing,
and it feels like you know,
like, a little bit of something
about everybody here,
but they'd never know,
because you keep it to yourself.
Yeah.
It's safer that way.
Well, I think you should
speak up more.
I mean, you're funny,
and you're--
you're charming,
and, um...
yeah, uh, I-- I should
probably get going too, so.
Yeah. Yeah.
Bye.
[bell on door jingles]
-[phone buzzing]
-[sighs]
-Hey, Maria.
-Hey, where are you?
I went by the shop,
and I didn't see you.
Oh, I'm just running
a few errands,
just got some stuff to do.
What's-- what's up?
I had a really weird
phone conversation with Dara.
[Jack] Dara,
how'd she get your number?
-My website.
-You really gotta take that off.
I know, but then I went
on my website,
and my phone number
was nowhere to be found.
How else could she have
gotten your number, then?
That's what I'm saying,
but I'm gonna overlook it,
because she knows
somebody that could
help me get my book published!
Isn't that amazing?
Oh, wow, that is amazing.
All in one phone call.
Your elevator pitch
really must be something.
What elevator pitch?
Well, I'm assuming
she just didn't offer
to publish your book all in--
all in one phone call.
-[Maria] She did.
-[Jack] Wow.
Um, hey, by the way,
have you figured out
this whole rehab situation?
Oh, not yet.
I-- I keep looking,
but I haven't found a place.
Why do you ask?
Well, I may have a solution.
Um, there's this company
called "Helf."
Uh, uh, how--
how do you spell that?
-"Helf", H-L-F.
-[Jack] H-L-F, Health?
What, are we trying to confuse
people right off the bat?
Yeah, I mean, I don't know,
I didn't come up with it.
Anyways,
it's a subscription service,
kinda like an app,
and it's designed to help people
healing from significant
injuries.
[Jack] So instead of having
a physical therapist,
you just have an app?
Exactly. And what's super cool
is that they actually
link you up with rehab gyms,
and everything.
You can google them.
How'd you hear about them?
[Maria] A friend told me.
A friend told you
about a rehab app?
Maria, have you even
ever pulled a muscle before?
Yeah, I mean,
they know we're friends.
They're just trying to help.
It-- It's just weird.
First you start
this conversation
talking about how
you get a book deal,
and then you try to push this--
this rehab app down my throat.
I-- I don't know.
[Maria] You've become
so cynical lately.
What, it's just strange
that, you know,
this company would go
to a friend of a target
rather than going
to the target directly.
A target?
That's what you think you are,
a target?
You know what, forget it.
Just ignore me.
See if I care.
I gotta go. We'll talk later.
[phone beeps off]
[sighs] Oh, my God.
Hello?
Hello?
Okay. [sighs]
What is wrong with you?
You don't even have two
chapters of the book written,
and you're ready to sell out
your friend for something
you're not even sure you want?
How selfish could you be?
[bell on door jingles]
[Jack sighs]
[Mak] Jack, where have you been?
You left me here all alone.
[Jack] Not now Mak, okay?
No, you yell at me
all the time for being late,
and then you just disappear
on me, doing God knows what.
-Just drop it!
-No, I won't drop it,
because I'm getting
really sick of thi--
[Jack sighs]
Are you okay?
[sighs heavily]
Mak, uh...
do you ever just
get so frustrated
that you're just not making
any progress in life,
and everyone else around you
seems to be moving on
with their lives, and you just
sorta get left behind,
-and...
-[bell on door jingles]
you just, like,
feel alone, and...
I know you're feeling kind
of overwhelmed right now,
but you kinda
gotta wrap this up.
Blondie at 12.
Oh, hey.
Jeez, you look terrible.
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a rough day.
What-- What's up?
[Dara] I would come back,
but this can't wait.
-Go ahead.
-I found a company to pay you
to rehab and endorse them.
Let me guess, it's this "HLF",
or Health,
or what-- whatever you call it.
Listen, I'm--
I'm not interested.
Oh, uh, you heard of 'em?
Uh, uh, yeah,
Maria brought it up.
Uh, what's going on here?
Huh, I guess it's getting
more popular.
One of my business partners
owns it.
So, there's the catch.
No wonder Maria brought it up.
Did-- Did you offer her
a book deal?
She told you that I called her?
[scoffs] Figures.
Um, no, not a book deal,
just a friend to contact.
Well, why would you
go through a friend,
rather than just coming to me?
I don't know, I just felt
like one more thing
would have broken
the communication between us.
And then the rest of your scheme
would have fallen through.
[Dara] It's not a scheme.
Stay on the sidelines,
if you want.
I'm just genuinely
trying to help.
Yeah, I'm sure you are.
[Dara] I am, I feel really bad
about how everything went down.
Can I maybe make it up to you
over dinner?
[scoffs] And now she wants
to wine and dine me.
[laughs] I-- I'd prefer if you
were wining and dining me,
but I've f*cked this up
enough already.
Finally something
we can both agree upon.
So, I'll see you at seven,
same place as before?
-I guess so.
-Okay, great.
It's a date.
[bell on door jingles]
How did she end up
getting a date?
-What are you talking about?
-Mm, I'm pretty sure
you just agreed to going
on a date with her.
It's not a date. We're going
to dinner to talk about the...
[chuckles]
She just conned me into
going on a date with her.
Okay, Jack, look,
this is what we're gonna do.
You're gonna wear
a sweater, okay?
And then when she stretches,
and yawns, to try
to put her arm around you,
you excuse yourself,
and go to the bathroom.
[scoffs] Why do I feel like
you've given this talk before?
Oh, I've never given it,
but as the youngest,
I've heard it so many times,
I've memorized it.
Was it good for you?
-Not really.
-You?
Yeah.
-The power's intoxicating.
-[laughs]
I'm gonna go home.
I'll see you later.
Uh... hey, Mak?
-[Mak] Yeah?
-I, uh...
we're gonna miss you,
if-- if you move to Austin.
[birds chirping]
[bell on door jingles]
S-- Sorry, we're--
we're not open.
Are you kidding? Still having
trouble with the sign?
[scoffs]
What are you doing here?
It's been a while.
I wanted to see the place.
Remember some of the good times
me and your dad had here.
[sighs]
I remember the day we met.
[Jack chuckles softly]
Right over there, actually.
He slid out from under my car.
[laughs]
Oil all over his jumpsuit.
And that smile.
I miss him, Jack.
[Jack sighs]
You-- You stopped
coming here, though.
You know, you just
get tired of-- of feeling
like a-- a puddle
of tears, every day.
You know this, Jack.
I put myself into days
at the hospital
the way you put
yourself into basketball.
That's what happened
with my rehab, Mom.
I... I-- I can't deal
with the isolation anymore.
I-- I have to go to a place
of anger just to--
just to get through
the workouts,
and to just-- just to do it.
And when I come here,
where he used to be, this is,
I-- I don't know,
this is-- I've never felt
so close to him.
I've never felt so connected.
But I see you giving your youth
to this place just like he did.
The only difference is that
fixing cars was his dream.
Serving coffee is not yours.
What are you trying to tell me?
[Tammy sighs]
I don't know.
Maybe it's time.
Maybe it's time
we sell this place.
What? Uh, Ab-- Absolutely not.
I-- I've made this place
what it is,
and-- and you--
you wanna take it from me?
Jack, for you, this place
is just a distraction.
What you need to be doing
to make your dream come true
happens out there, not in here.
I'm not ready
to give his memory up.
Nobody said you had to.
Jack, this place is just...
four walls and a concrete slab.
There's grace in letting go,
and realizing that his memory
isn't in just one object
or one place.
S-- You sound
pretty set on this.
I think I am.
[sighs tearfully]
But ask me tomorrow.
My... my answer
may be different.
[Jack laughs softly]
-See you at home?
-Yeah, I'll be home in a few.
Okay.
Bye.
[somber music]
[door bangs]
[music turns tense]
[Laslo, over phone] I know you
and your mom can't afford
-the property tax next week.
-[Jack] Hey, f*ck you!
I came here to offer you
a way out.
Let me buy the shop
at market value.
You can still run the shop,
but you can just pay me
every month,
rather than the town
every few months.
And know that if you
don't agree to this,
I will buy the property
in a few weeks,
at the tax lien auction.
Got him.
Give me a chance
to look this over.
Laszlo is a real genius.
Genius.
Okay. All right, bye.
You might have more talent
and a better work ethic
than your old man, but boy,
you are just as gullible.
That Jackie? Excuse me,
you know her as Dara.
She works for me.
-Prove it.
-[Laslo] Prove what?
Where's the proof in all this?
I don't have to go into
any further detail
until you sign this.
What is this?
A Non-Disclosure Agreement,
meaning that--
I know what an NDA is,
you f*ck, okay?
Right.
I almost forgot,
you're an athlete.
You got a pen?
[paper rustles]
[Dara] Jack, don't sign that!
This is one hell of a scam
you got going here.
It's not an NDA,
it's a paperwork
to form a conservatorship.
-A what?
-You know, like Britney Spears,
or-- or the kid
from The Blind Side.
-Hey, give me that back!
-Or what?
You gonna call the cops?
Because they're on their way
for you right now.
What are you talking about?
There will always be more
powerful people than you.
[Dara] Huh!
Remember that.
-[handcuffs rattle]
-George Laslo,
you're under arrest
for fraud and extortion.
-[handcuffs click]
-You did this?
It may have taken me 15 years
and a brand new identity,
but at least I can rest now,
knowing that the man
who k*lled my father
is behind bars.
Enjoy trying to slice the garlic
so thin it melts in the pan.
-Did that make you feel good?
-Yeah.
Because you don't even know
the half of it!
The both of you, your fathers
were the real criminals,
and they deserved exactly
what they got!
-Bye.
-And the both of you
are going to f*cking hell,
you'll see!
f*ck! g*dd*mn,
you don't have to do it
too f*cking hard, all right?
-Hey, for what?
-[officer] Anything you say
can and will be used
against you...
[door bangs]
What the hell
was he talking about?
[sighs]
I've been running a scheme
to put that man away for years.
And how does this involve me?
Because George Laslo,
he's a con man.
And both of our fathers at one
point took a loan from him,
and they couldn't
pay it back, and...
he took their lives.
But he didn't stop there.
He tried to draw blood
from a stone.
He extorted me into working
for him for years,
doing his dirty work,
things like that,
and-- and then I saw you.
I saw an out.
I saw a scheme that would put
that man away
for a very long time.
And I'm...
I'm sorry that you ended up
as collateral damage.
And why should I believe you?
You're right, I-- I-- I did it
to free myself, yes.
And-- And I do, I
do really apologize, okay?
But I saved your a*s
from becoming his.
I needed to get him committing
fraud, and misrepresentation.
I needed to get it on camera,
so that this thing
would really stick.
And I-- listen,
I'm-- I'm sorry, Jack.
I'm sorry for putting you
on the brink
of giving up everything to him.
I am.
Excuse me.
[door bangs]
[phone line ringing]
[Maria] Hello?
Meet me at the shop.
[bell on door jingles]
Jack, what's going on?
You're scaring me.
I thought our friendship
meant something to you.
It does, it means the world.
[tense music]
Does it mean more than...
I don't know, a book deal?
Okay, no, hold on,
I could explain.
-That's not--
-[Jack] Save it.
I was nearly some combination
of m*rder*d,
arrested, and defrauded
tonight. Why?
Because my best friend sold me
out to advance her own life.
I'm gonna give you
one opportunity
to explain yourself. Why?
Why would you do
something like that?
Look, I'm sorry, I've never been
more scared in my whole life
about surviving
than I am right now.
-I'm sorry.
-So you put your best friend's
life on the line for what,
$20,000?
I don't even know how much
the book deal was worth,
or if it's even real.
I'm sorry, Jack.
-I always knew you were a snake.
-f*ck you.
I've been nothing but a good
friend to you, and you know it.
[Jack sighs]
You want to know why
we didn't hook up
that night you came
to St. Peter's?
Because I was drunk?
No, not because you were drunk.
Because the whole time
you were there,
all you were talking
about is how
you envision your life
once we were married,
and I was in the NBA.
Not to mention,
I was still with Vanessa then.
But you didn't care about that.
All you care about is yourself,
and what you want.
[Maria] What I want?
Jack, you've made this entire
friend group about yourself.
We always hang out
in your house,
we go to your games,
and look at us right now,
fighting in your coffee shop.
So don't you ever, ever tell me
that it's all about me,
when you haven't even looked
at yourself in the mirror.
[sighs shakily]
So, what about this book deal?
What are you gonna do?
I don't know.
I'll email with her.
It'll eventually fizzle out.
You'll go about your life,
and I'll be typical Maria,
wondering what could
have happened.
No. No, I don't think so.
You're gonna write this book.
I'm going to make sure
it gets published.
You're going to tell
the whole world what you did,
and how your own selfishness
and greed almost took
this sanctuary
from the rest of the world.
[sighs] Jack, please.
No. You wanna be famous?
Well, this is the price.
Jack.
[Jack] Goodbye, Maria.
[bell on door jingles]
f*ck! [sighs]
[sobbing quietly]
[energetic music]
I didn't know it yet, but that
was the last time
I would see Jack.
He eventually got back
on the court,
and while he wasn't drafted,
he was able to eventually
work out for an agent,
and signed with
the Miami Heat's G League team.
What's this?
[man] It's a little gift.
-The Heat?
-[man] Sioux Falls.
But it's a start.
[Maria] Not long after
Jack left town,
Antonio and Snyder somehow
put together enough money
to buy Americano
from Jack and his mom.
We're not sure how
they came up with the money,
but I think Dara's
somehow behind it.
Sure, Dara was behind it.
Two twenty-somethings,
one with student debt,
and the other with a trust fund,
find "money" to buy a business?
Please.
[Maria] As for Mak,
we're not really sure
what happened to her.
She left one day,
and never came back.
Every so often,
we'll get a postcard from her.
I'm pretty sure she sends them
just to let us know
she's all right.
As for me, well,
it turns out things with Dara
and her publisher
didn't pan out.
But I sit in the same one-time
garage-turned-coffee shop,
writing, and dreaming
about the future.
Thanks, babe.
That pen boy who came here
once upon a time,
he fell in love with this
novelist who thought
she didn't have time
to be a wife.
But she still talks to Dara,
who bested her karma,
and somehow ended up
with Jack for life.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Y'all-- Y'all notice
how she made me
a one-dimensional
character in this story?
Man, this is messed up.
I would've left you out
altogether if I could have.
Hey, hey, hey, nobody's leaving
anything or anyone out.
-At least not before coffee.
-[Antonio sighs]
-Okay?
-Fair.
He makes a great
antagonist, anyways.
[chuckles]
[bell on door jingles]
[Snyder] Sorry, we're not open.
[Jack] The sign says seven.
-It's supposed to say 7:30.
-[Jack] Outrageous.
The last guy that owned this
place would've never...
[all laugh]
[energetic music]
[gentle music]
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Americano (2025)
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