02x10 - The Secret

[bunniefuu]

( Panting )

( Dog barking )

( Doorbell )

( Door opening )

( Nate ) Hey.

Hi, I need to sit down.

Oh, god, I'm so fat.

So, what papers do you need me to sign?

Now don't tell me I forgot them.

I'm forgetting everything.

It's because of the hormones.

Which, by the way, made me a complete freak the last time I saw you.

I'm sorry again for being so hostile.

Claire!

How are you doing?

It's so good to see you again.

Hey, Lisa, I didn't know you were in town.

What's new?

Doing the whole single mom routine.

Right, I can see that, good for you.

Are you taking pictures these days?

No, I took some photos with a friend's camera and...

I wanted to keep doing it, so I went on e-bay and I got my own.

It was really just because I was bored and...

It's kind of stupid.

But, um, I have to go to school.

So, I'll see you later.

( Door closing )

( Keith ) I'll be out in a second.

sh*t.

Okay, let's go.

Hey, do you think your chair seems right for that space?

You said you were kidding about me not bringing any of my ugly-ass furniture.

It's so big.

It's a really good chair for watching television.

I guess.

Maybe it is too big.

I think it is, it's too big.

You know, I'll put it in storage with the rest of my stuff.

Oh, sh*t, I gotta return "a great escape" today.

I'm gonna be f*cking late.

I'll return it, it's on my way.

I never get tired of watching Steve McQueen.

I think I've seen every one of his movies at least three times.

Yeah, some of them four times.

Wow, this is...

Since I want to put your name on the birth certificate, my lawyer says you need to sign away all custodial rights.

Oh, I thought...

What?

I thought we were just gonna be a little more casual about this.

It's a baby.

It's hard to be that casual about it.

Right.

Um, maybe I should have my lawyer look at this.

Nate, it's just a formality.

Cut the bullshit and just sign it.

Okay.

You know what's weird about dead people?

Um, everything?

How they look so perfect.

I just want to mess this woman's hair up a little bit.

Please, don't.

When I die, I want to be one big mess.

That's what life is, messy.

Nate, I'm not accusing you.

It's better this way, we both know that.

I mean, I can't lie.

Of course I would've loved to do this with someone who wanted to be a father.

I'm sorry.

I don't know what else to...

But then I think how perfect this baby is.

And everything somehow seems right.

Somehow it's just so funny.

And you know, actually, I'm proud in a weird way.

What do you mean?

I mean, I'm having a child with the last person in the world who would ever want a child.

( Door opening and closing )

( Knocking )

Why aren't you wearing your casts?

I take them off.

Is time for me to go.

But you're supposed to keep them on until next week.

I'm calling the doctor.

He say it's okay, look...

See?

Your left foot looks purple.

Is always like that.

Is from bad circulation, you know that.

I guess I forgot.

Okay, it's time to get this show on the road, yeah?

Uh...

I guess I could call a taxi, even though it's a total rip-off.

I can drive you!

It was a heart att*ck.

He d*ed just like that.

So, you want a traditional Thai Buddhist service?

If that's a problem we can go somewhere else.

There are very specific elements and if you can't do it...

Phil, please do not behave this way.

You'll have to excuse my son.

He and my husband hadn't spoken in months and...

Mom, please.

Not in front of this person.

Okay, Mr. Fisher, if you know the procedure, let's hear it.

Um, actually I've only been here for a year or so, and...

Although I did read

"zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance" in high school

( door opening ) And uh, that's probably my brother.

Hey, David?!

Sorry I'm late, I had to stop at "video west" and some f*cking idiot in front of me was writing a check.

I didn't even want to watch a movie last night, but Keith got his way, as usual.

David, this is...

Bette and Phil Srisai.

I'm David Fisher.

I spoke to you on the phone yesterday.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Thank you.

We were just discussing my father's service.

I assume the deceased will remain at the temple for three days before we have the service here?

And of course Fisher and sons will provide all the requisite supplies.

The Buddha, the altar, the carpet kneelers...

And you'll want some monks for chanting.

We prefer to use the ones from riverside, but if those aren't to your liking, we have some good ones over in eagle rock.

Nikolai, your apartment is so...

It's very...

It has a lot of charm.

Thank you.

I still don't know what your big rush was.

You could've stayed with me until...

It was time.

But how do we know you're safe here?

You could be hurt by these ruffians.

I spoke to Yuri.

I tell him that February is the biggest month for flowers.

He says he give me 30 days to come up with the money.

Are you gonna be able to do it?

Sure, of course.

Oh, well, that's nice.

Thank you for all the taking care of me.

You don't have to do that now.

You are done.

What about dinner?

You probably don't have any food and I was going to pack you lamb, but I forgot.

I'll go home and bring back the lamb.

No, I'll be fine.

I get take-out from eat-a-pita.

Okay.

Goodbye, Nikolai.

Goodbye, Ruthie.

( Flatulating )

I bet you Mr. Van kirk has sex with students in here after hours.

We should stake this place out later, okay?

Claire?

Oh, f*ck.

I think there was dust on the negative.

No one's gonna notice.

No, I want it to be perfect.

Claire, these are so sick.

Thanks.

I've taken sh*ts of almost every single person that's come through the house in the past three weeks.

They're amazing.

It's like each one is someone who's...

Lying in bed with you, telling you a little story before you go to sleep.

I'm putting them together for that thing for foster's class.

f*cking spoon river anthology paper?

Yeah.

I just thought that since each poem is from the perspective of a dead person, this would be an interesting way to like...

I don't know, show what the poems brought out in me.

Okay, that sounded really geeky.

No, that's genius.

You could really do something with this.

Yeah, right.

Claire, I have to tell you something.

I got into Yale.

I heard yesterday.

You don't feel jealous or hate me, right?

No.

You worked really hard for it, congratulations.

I know you didn't play the game the way I did, but I'm sure you'll get into UCLA, which is a really good school too.

Actually, no, I didn't make the cut.

But they sent me a list of community colleges I could go to and said to try again next year.

So, I'm looking at east valley.

Oh.

Hey, I'm gonna be a famous photographer, and make a gazillion dollars taking pictures of anorexic models and f*cked up actors.

So, maybe I don't even need to go to college, right?

It's a joke, I'm joking.

But you could.

You should just become a photographer.

Because truthfully, east valley is kind of a shitty school.

So, there was that one a month ago in the bookstore.

Then I met this other guy at the farmer's market.

That place has gotten so touristy.

And then there was this guy last week at the Rose cafe who, uh...

No, that doesn't count, that was an almost one.

What exactly do you hope to get out of therapy?

Uh... Melissa gave me your number because I guess I'm...

I don't know...

It's not that I'm unhappy, I'm not unhappy.

I'm really not.

But I know that what I'm doing is a little strange.

I mean, uh, most people who...

Are engaged to someone they really love don't have sex with strangers.

Or maybe they do.

Does that matter?

I think I like the euphoria I get from these encounters.

I'm just having a little trouble with anxiety.

What do you mean?

I don't know, it's like I'm coexisting in these two separate realities.

There's my Nate reality and then there's this other reality.

And I would like to not feel so anxious about it.

It's not guilt.

It's just edginess.

So, that's it.

I'd like to not feel edgy, that's why I'm here.

Okay, so, you would like to continue to have these encounters, as you call them, but you would like not to feel edgy.

Ideally.

I know what you're thinking.

You think that I'm afraid of intimacy so I'm trying to sabotage my relationship with my fiancé.

Is that what I'm thinking or is that what you're thinking?

No.

I just wanted to clarify that I don't necessarily think that what I'm doing is destructive.

It might even be healthy.

How so?

Maybe it's not good for me to totally lose myself in one person and this is a way for me to have a...

Completely separate private area that's...

My own.

Not his, not ours.

Maybe that's healthy for me.

Listen, I assume that Melissa told you one of my specialties is sexual addiction.

No.

I don't know how much you know of this issue, but obviously it involves the sublimation of emotions that are too painful to address.

It's the root of all addiction really...

( Brenda imagining ) ...I'm sorry, but I don't think I can help you because you don't need any help.

You've clearly evolved beyond the need for therapy.

I'm actually in awe of you because I'd be f*cking strangers like a truck stop whore on cr*ck if I wasn't so inhibited by my pathetic Judeo-Christian upbringing.

It's not down here.

We used to have a few Buddhas in here.

I can't believe I can't find one.

You know, I've read a lot of stuff about Buddhism, but it never stays with me.

I just know that everything is nothing.

Is that it, I thought it was nothing is everything.

That's the same thing, isn't it?

Hey, I found one.

He looks kind of girly, doesn't he?

Sort of.

He has water damage.

I'll get you some stuff to clean him off, okay?

His little hat is cute, it's so pointy.

I wonder if anyone ever poked their eyes out on one by accident.

Look at all these unclaimed cremains.

Can you imagine having a member of your family cremated and then not caring enough to pick up their ashes?

I think sometimes...

It's too hard for people to acknowledge that someone they loved is now just chunks of soot.

( Phone )

David Fisher.

Hey.

Yes, I returned the videos, didn't I say I would?

Um, sure, swordfish is fine, whatever.

Bye.

You hate swordfish.

I know.

It's funny, now that Keith and I are living together, I find myself trying to be so f*cking agreeable all the time.

Why?

Because if you aren't, things come up.

And you have no idea how big the thing's going to be.

It's like this constant negotiation, you can never just relax.

Is that just a phase or is it always going to be like that?

Don't ask me.

Look, I have no f*cking idea.

Maybe that's just what a relationship is.

Constantly doing things you have absolutely no desire to do.

Nate, Brenda, come on in!

We have so many details to go over before the bridal shower on Sunday.

Isn't it exciting?

It's all too much for me.

Oh, please, it's all for you.

I'd rather just cancel it.

Are you mad?

Lulu Smeigel canceled her weekend at Canyon Ranch just to be here.

Now, you must try one of these.

It's made from this incredible liqueur that comes from the most poverty-stricken village in Belize.

It's delicious.

Oh, right, your trip.

You look like you had a good time.

It was fabulous.

Your skin looks good, did you have some work done?

Not at all, it's just happiness.

You should try it sometime.

( Banging sounds )

Is Billy here?

No, no, when I got back, I found a note saying that he was staying with friends in Portland.

But he didn't leave a number.

Brenda, did he give it to you?

No, he didn't.

Oh, that's right.

He still has all that raging resentment towards you.

( Banging ) Okay mom, who are you hiding in the bedroom?

Oh, let me guess, another one of your young, south-American gigolos?

Not at all, darling.

He's an aging intellectual from the Bronx.

Brenda.

Nate.

Isn't this fabulous?

Bern and I are back and better than ever.

( Laughing )

So, I realized I'd made a terrible mistake, got on the next plane to Belize and begged your mother to take me back.

Come on, be honest, dear, the whore dumped you.

Because I was subconsciously pushing her away because I really love you.

The point is, the sex has been incredible.

Just like when we first met.

I'll never forget what you were wearing the first time you walked into my office.

The tight givenchy blue skirt with the slit that went right up to my wazoo.

I knew immediately I was gonna have some wildly inappropriate feelings for you.

And boy, was I right.

Mom was one of dad's patients.

It's actually kind of disgusting.

I was not a patient, I was in grad school.

I was an intern.

And the second I laid down, I knew I was never gonna get up off that couch.

We terminated therapy after a few months and waited the correct amount of time before embarking on a relationship.

At least that's what we tell everyone.

( Loud laughing )

I'll give you a hand with that.

Okay, what?

I can't believe you just took him back.

Are you that scared of being alone?

God, you're so f*cking depressing.

I love your father.

And I'm very happy you noticed it yourself.

Maybe that's what's upsetting you so much, that I'm so happy.

I'm sorry for whatever tensions this engagement is bringing up in you and Nate.

But my advice to you is get your sh*t together and don't blow it with this one.

Because you are a major handful.

Sorry.

I noticed a coffee stain on the couch.

I was trying to get it out.

Are you still mad at me about the swordfish?

You should have told me you didn't like it this afternoon, instead of waiting until I slaved over it.

You're right, I should've told you.

So, why didn't you?

Because you scare me.

Shut the f*ck up.

You want everything to be perfect.

All the time.

When it's not, you get upset.

I didn't get any sleep last night.

I'm too tired for this conversation.

Sometimes I feel like if I don't do or say exactly what you want, you might decide you don't want to be with me.

That's just stupid.

Thanks.

You know, when we were together the first time, it seemed like all our problems stemmed from my not coming out.

They did.

No, I think it was just easier for you to make us believe that.

If everything could be blamed on my not coming out, then nothing ever had to be your fault.

( Child laughing )

What's under that arm right here?

Hey, Nate.

Hey.

Say hello to Nate.

Hello.

( Laughing )

Alright.

Let's go.

Look, Vanessa's sister, she's got this publicist and the first thing she does is get her invited to some dumb spa thing in long beach.

So?

So, she took Vanessa and the baby now my sitter's sick, so here we are.

Mrs. Hirsch needs to be finished by one.

Nate, I have a kid.

Okay, these type of things happen.

Anyhow, I gave Mrs. Hirsch the once over.

She's a young breast cancer, piece of cake.

Hopefully, I'll get a sitter in time to do her.

That's not good enough.

My hands are tied here, okay?

Unless you want to take care of Julio while I do Mrs. Hirsch?

No...

Oh, c'mon, man, I don't see you doing anything.

I can't.

I have to clean a Buddha.

He looks like he's asleep.

He's not.

He's just blissed out because he has the secret to enlightenment.

What's enlightenment?

It's, uh...

I guess it's knowing everything.

My dad knows everything.

Well, he knows a lot.

He knows everything, how much do you know?

Not much.

( Loud TV )

( Knocking )

( Ruth ) Nikolai?

( TV shutting off )

Ruthie?

Did we have plans?

No.

Does that mean I have to go away?

I do not need my house to smell like fake lemons.

It smells good already.

No, it doesn't.

I like everything the way it is.

But I don't.

I thought I would...

Isn't this fun?

It's a surprise sleep-over.

Okay, let's do it, sure.

Then let's get started.

Okay.

First we have to get this place into shape so we can have a nice, cozy, clean evening.

We're going to wallpaper?

No, silly.

It's contact paper for the drawers.

Ruthie, why do I want little cherries in my drawers?

It's hard to explain.

You just do.

You failed me?

I'm sorry, Claire, but I asked for a literary analysis.

So, you didn't think they were any good?

That's not the point, this is an English class.

I wanted something in English.

Oh, so, you'd just prefer I download some stupid crap off the Internet than do something that's actually creative?

I don't have time for this.

Would you just do the make-over?

I was really happy with Mrs. Sibley.

"The secret of woman, the soil.

My secret: Under a mound that you shall never find."

Just so you know, I put a lot of myself into this.

I wasn't just slacking off.

Look, I don't want to fail you.

Just give me some kind of paper.

I assume you need to graduate.

You are going to college, right?

Yup, east valley.

Oh, really? I went there.

( Phone )

David Fisher...

( Keith ) Hey, it's me.

Oh, hi.

I'm calling to tell you we're having lunch with Taylor and Karla on Saturday.

You can't just schedule things without asking me first.

That's not what couples do.

How would you know what couples do?

I watch TV.

Or at least I used to, when I had a comfortable chair to sit in.

Listen, I was in the middle of five things at work, okay?

You know, not everyone can always act so perfect.

Yeah, I know that.

That's what I was trying to tell you last night.

You should check with me before you say yes to things.

Are you available?

Yes.

Then pretend I asked you first.

So, I went the one time, but I'm not going back to Dr. Michaelson.

Are you annoyed?

Why would I be annoyed?

You can do whatever you want.

I'm sure she's good, she's just not for me.

You didn't tell me she was so serious.

I didn't realize you were looking for laughs.

I can ask around for more names.

My friend Paula's been to 40 shrinks.

Although, I guess that's not the best endorsement for them.

I'm fine.

I think I'm the only one that can solve any of my problems.

Yeah, we are ultimately stuck with ourselves.

It's so f*cking puritanical, how we're conditioned to buy into the whole true love monogamy crap.

Hey, you're preaching to the choir.

So, I've been thinking the next time that I feel adventurous...

What if I include Nate?

That's not a bad idea.

You remember Terry from orange county I was telling you about?

Yes, you do, she has the lifestyle parties on the weekend.

Oh, right, right.

She and her husband have a committed relationship, they have sex with strangers once a week.

They're really happy.

Monogamy just isn't for everyone.

I know, look at my parents.

Actually, don't look at them, that's what they want.

So, maybe we could go to Terry's this weekend and check it out.

Whatever, I'll give you the address.

I hope you and Nate like it.

Oh, I don't want to bring Nate.

I mean, not yet.

First you and I should go see what it's like.

Okay...

What do you think?

It feels like a whole new place.

Yes.

It really does.

Who am I kidding?

I can't stay here.

I'll never be able to stay here.

It's too dank.

It will always be dank.

I'm only human, I can only do so much.

Nikolai, this is crazy.

Why aren't you moving into my house?

I don't know, it's...

Why are you acting like we talked about this?

We haven't, have we?

I guess it's just been on my mind.

I like how things have been for the past couple of months.

I like seeing you every night and morning.

I don't want to go backward, do you?

Ruthie...

Ruthie, I love you.

I wish you didn't sound so sad when you say that.

I wish I wanted to move in with you and be with you all the time.

I want to want that more than anything.

But...

But I don't.

Maybe I am the one with the problem.

Maybe I have been alone and cut off for so long that I no longer know how to do it.

Maybe I am not capable of it.

Can't we go on as we were before accident?

I think I should go home.

( Door closing )

Didn't mom leave any real food for dinner?

No, there was just a note saying she was gone for the night.

So, why aren't you two with your loved ones?

Late shift. Shiatsu appointment.

What's this?

Oh, give me that.

It's this thing for school.

I don't believe this.

David, look at these.

That's Mrs. Steiner.

Mr. Thomas.

The Harrisons.

Mr. Benson.

Mrs. Orozco.

God, Rico did an amazing job on her.

Do you think they're any good?

I think they f*cking suck!

Do you have any idea what kind of lawsuit this could bring us?

What kind of stupid, f*cked up child are you?!

I was just trying to do something I gave a sh*t about!

What's going on here?

Nate, I heard you yelling.

Someone please tell me what's going on.

Nothing.

I thought you were spending the night out.

Why are you back so soon?

That's none of your business.

Hey, got some change?

f*ck you, too!

You're not listening to me.

I said this shirt feels funny, it scratches my neck.

Too bad.

It's the only clean one you had and I can't take your uncle's bitching if he so much as sees one crummy little apple juice stain.

I want to go back and get my yellow one.

I said, no.

Turn around, now!

You don't tell me what to do.

Mom!

What are you doing?

We gotta get out of here.

( Parker ) I had no idea east valley was so close to the freeway.

It's very convenient.

That's the student center.

That's where your mailbox will be.

Great.

I can go there and get letters from people, begging me not to k*ll myself.

I bet you some famous people went here.

Someone like...

David spade.

Okay, there's way too many flyers with the word "baptist" on them.

Look, you can make extra money as a phone sex operator.

Yeah, baptist phone sex.

It says here they have a really good arts center.

Oh, no, it's under construction, it won't be open until 2004.

Oh.

That's okay.

I need to start being more connected to the real world.

I'm thinking about taking some business courses.

Mommy, we have to...

Just shut up.

I need to think.

Okay, nothing there.

I think nothing's there.

Where have I missed, where have I missed?

I don't want anyone to be able to find anything.

No, we don't. We have to tell the cops.

We just got to pray nobody saw us.

It wasn't my fault.

We can't help him now.

We have to tell somebody.

No, we don't!

God, I am so tired, I am so f*cking tired of this sh*t!

Why can't I ever have some f*cking peace?

Baby, we can't tell the cops, okay?

They'll take me away from you.

Do you want the cops to take me away from you?

No.

Then we don't tell the cops... okay?

This is our little secret, do you hear me?

Our little secret.

Say it.

It's our little secret.

Of course they're late.

And I've got a Turkey breast drying up.

( Loud yawning )

Oh, I'm sorry, am I boring you?

No, I didn't get any sleep last night because you were kicking me for hours.

You know what? I have nightmares!

( Doorbell ) Is that my fault too, like everything else?

You're 40 minutes late.

Sorry, something came up.

David!

Hey, little girl.

Well, f*ck, Bren, it's just that it's Saturday night and I thought we planned to on Saturday night...

Yeah, I know you have the shitty shower tomorrow.

Alright.

No, just stay at home and take care of yourself, alright?

Alright, bye.

Maybe you shouldn't jump so hard.

What if he catches us?

I don't care.

Taylor, that's enough.

My mom ran over somebody on Washington.

What?

It was an accident.

It was an old bald white guy.

But we're not going to tell anybody, it's a secret.

But secrets are so stupid.

People always find out about secrets.

Oh, my god.

I was just kidding.

I got you, I got you good.

Taylor, that's not funny.

Yes, it is.

( Music playing )

This is even more of a shitbox than I remembered.

Do you want to get out of here while there's still time to run?

Are you kidding? This is fantastic.

( Female ) Melissa, you made it!

Hey, Terry, look at you, girl.

Sex is so stupid.

This is like these parties my parents used to have when I was a kid.

There was always this really weird energy in the air, just like tonight.

Ah, yes, the heavy haze of expectancy.

Everyone would get really drunk, get all handsy.

Although, I don't think they were official sex parties like this one.

We should mingle.

This sh*t's amazing.

I found it in my kid's room and b*at the crap out of him.

Don't get me started on my kids.

They leave the house at all hours, I have no idea what they're up to.

If I think about it too hard, I could cry.

( Loud moaning )

Why are you getting so upset?!

I'm just saying, isn't it weird that Taylor would make up this kind of a story?

Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!

Because you were going on and on about that stupid coffee stain on your precious couch.

It was me, okay? I did it.

I'm sorry, it was me.

Now shut up already about the coffee stain.

Don't call her, let's just forget it.

It's just this weird thing Taylor said.

I'm not calling her, idiot.

( Door slamming )

Hello?

Hello...

Can I help you?

Hi, you k*lled me.

It was about seven years ago, remember?

You drove Lisa to have me k*lled.

Don't get me wrong.

I don't harbor any bad feelings or anything.

I'm pro-choice.

Well, at least I would be, if I were alive.

You k*lled me too.

Actually, I was miscarried by the girl who worked at that Starbucks on Fremont.

I don't think she was ever planning to tell you about me.

Yeah, yeah, mom was your first real girlfriend, then I came along.

You guys offed me and then broke up.

( Children laughing )

Excuse me.

Hi, daddy.

Hi.

Who wants cookies and milk?

I know the secret to everything.

But you'll never know it because you k*lled us.

Hit and run at Washington and third.

The vehicle's description matches Karla's car.

The old bald white guy was dead before he got to cedars.

Oh, my god.

What do we do?

What the hell do you think we do?

( Male ) Marly and I were fighting night and day.

And then we came to one of these parties.

It was like we rediscovered each other.

And things have been hot between us ever since.

That's such a heartwarming story.

Some people just need a little extra help to stay together.

There's nothing wrong with that.

( Male ) I'm for getting all the help I can get.

Oh, Marly, show the gals that thing I got you for your birthday.

Oh.

This has given us at least another five years.

Oh, this sounds good, should we guess what it is?

No, no, I'll tell you.

It's this little gizmo that he got on-line at a sex website.

And, well, you've just got to see it to believe it.

I can't wait.

I can.

I'm gonna get another drink.

I can't find it.

I'll just k*ll myself if I lost that.

Why do I lose everything?

You probably left it in your coat.

I think we left them in that room over there.

I'll just go help Marly for a second.

Or you could come with us, if you want.

Oh!

Sure, I'll help you.

I just saw Mr. Srisai's brother-in-law put 20 dollars in the casket.

It's traveling money for his journey.

Apparently, unlike the rest of us, Buddhists can take it with them.

Why am I giving Brenda napkin rings?

Because that's all I had in the gift closet.

Hey...

They're allowed to take pictures of the dead guy, but I'm not?

That's right, they're family.

Claire, we're going to be late.

I can't believe I have to go to this thing.

Alright, look, I'm sorry.

On the plus side, I'll bet it'll only take you two sips of Margaret's punch before you're completely wasted.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

More punch, anyone?

Yeah, sure, I'll take another hit.

That brat's over an hour late.

For the life of me, I don't know how she got so damn passive aggressive.

Isn't that just being aggressive?

Are you sick, dear?

Or are you always this deathly pale?

( Door opening )

I'm not late, am I?

You most certainly are.

Ice cold mini-asparagus quiche, darling?

( Nate ) What are they doing with those little cups of water?

It's a cleansing ritual.

You rid yourself of any wrongs you've done to the deceased.

You really think that changes anything?

Pouring a little water into a bowl?

I don't know, maybe.

I have to go.

Can you make sure that the monks get home alright?

Oh, and you'll pour the water out from Mr. Srisai's bowl?

You're supposed to do it over the oldest tree you can find.

I use the one out front.

I don't know why they always bring so many oranges.

But if there are any extra, grab some for the prep room.

This punch is delicious.

Your mother made it with a liqueur from Belize.

It's some word with a tilde over the "N".

So... What's new?

Actually, I spent all night doing it with this couple from orange county, and I have absolutely no idea why.

It was at one of those sex things, you know?

Lifestyle parties?

I don't know anything about that.

They had this little high-tech Japanese vibrator that stimulates the clitoris through very very low voltage electrical shocks.

Anyway, they invited me, you know, to go with them, and I thought, now, this would be crossing a line.

Which I seem to be doing more and more these days, because you know what?

The lines are only in our heads.

In actuality, there are no lines at all, which is really f*cking terrifying if you think about it.

( Laughing )

What's so funny?

Nothing.

Everything, this...

I want you to know something, Brenda.

I love you.

I love you because you are so independent and spirited and you make no apologies for yourself.

And you know you can't smother someone or you'll lose them.

You accept Nate as he is and that is beautiful.

I don't know how to do that, not at all.

Maybe that's why I resented you so much.

But, now I don't.

Now I admire you.

Thank you.

Thanks.

I have to go to the bathroom.

Claire, are you feeling alright?

Yeah, I'm just tired.

Let me feel your forehead.

It feels okay.

I don't know why you should be tired.

You slept almost 11 hours last night.

I'm not really like want to go to sleep tired, I'm just sort of like sick and tired of everything.

What do you mean?

Just like all the lies we're fed, and the bullshit we're supposed to care about, and how everybody is so scared of anything that's different from like everything else.

I don't know.

I'm gonna get some coffee, do you want some?

I have to use the bathroom.

Oh!

You must be Ruth.

Bernard Chenowith.

Oh, hello.

I'm so sorry to startle you.

I was supposed to confine myself to the master suite, but Margaret doesn't like me to use her bathroom.

She gets insanely territorial about that damn bidet.

Well, it's nice to finally meet you.

I know.

I don't know why Nate and Brenda haven't arranged a dinner or something.

I could give you half a dozen reasons just off the top of my head.

But I'd like to ask you something.

What steps have you taken to treat your daughter's depression?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Surely you must be aware of it.

Now if you're adverse to talk therapy, there are scads of pharmaceutical solutions.

Either way, I'd be more than happy to recommend the name of somebody she can see.

I'm sorry, I have to use the bathroom!

( Door slamming )

( Monks chanting )

You're breaking up with me?

I'm saying I don't think we have a healthy friendship.

We shouldn't see each other anymore.

Okay.

I don't know how else to explain it.

Don't bother, really.

I'm going through something right now.

I don't understand exactly what it is.

But I need to be around people who aren't like you.

People who have clear values or something.

Okay, got it.

You know, if I hadn't met you, I probably wouldn't have been doing all the sh*t I've been doing.

Not that I blame you exactly.

Oh, brother.

Just can it, sweetheart.

You can't stand to see the truth about yourself, so I've got to take the fall.

Just do me a favor, when you feel bad about this later, you can skip the big apology and trying to be friends again.

It was fun, but we should both move on.

So, now you know what was really going on with me that night in Seattle.

So, is the western medicine controlling the seizures?

Not entirely.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this earlier.

I think I was just trying not to face it myself.

Lisa, I've changed.

I used to be this person who ran away from responsibility, but I'm not him anymore.

I want to be a part of our child's life.

I really want to, I need to.

Is this about you being a father for someone?

Or is this about you being scared of death?

Does it really matter?

Maybe it doesn't.

This is going to take some adjusting.

Okay, maybe we can work out something.

This is what you want, right?

It's absolutely what I want.

It's not like Brenda told you this was the right thing to do or something.

No, no.

She doesn't even know about it.

What?

Nate, you are so...

This is no good.

I just want to get away from you.

Look, I don't understand, what's going on?

I was so stupid to think that anything could ever change you.

You don't want a child, so you agree not to be a part of that child's life.

Then you decide you do want a child and you say you want to be a part of that child's life with a total disregard for the person you're supposedly sharing a life with.

Jesus, Nate, Lisa, all I said...

If you can't ever put anyone else but yourself first, how can you be a father?

You can't.

So, just do us both a favor and stay out of our lives.

Please.