Distant Tales (2023) Movie Script
1
(indistinct whispering)
(eerie music)
(eerie music continues)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(indistinct whispering)
(computer chimes)
- Can you hear me?
Ben?
(Seraphina chuckles)
(computer chimes)
Ben?
Ben, where are you?
(computer chimes)
Ben?
(Seraphina chuckles)
- Hey.
- You came.
- Yeah.
I'm sorry I didn't before.
These last few nights have-
- Don't worry.
(distorted crackling)
- Is everything okay?
- Everything's fine.
- (sighs) Yeah. I get it.
Julie is the same way.
She, uh, gets watchful.
She worries. She's restless.
- You don't have to explain.
- This fucking god
damn situation.
- Let's talk about
something else, please?
- No, I just, I feel horrible.
Standing you up,
three fucking times.
- [Seraphina] It's okay.
- No.
Really, it's not.
It's just...
You have no idea what it's
like, here with Julia.
Like, we don't speak.
(distorted crackling)
We move around one another.
We grope.
Like, I grope for the butter
and she gropes for the toast,
and we annoy the hell
outta one another.
(distorted crackling)
And you, with Joe?
- You're here now.
That's all that counts.
- I've been dreaming
about driving you up
into the mountains
like we did, that night
after the work party?
Only this time, we could
watch the sunrise together.
- Oh, my God. That
would be nice.
- I can't wait to take you up
there, when this is all over.
If this is ever over.
- Of course it will be.
You'll see.
- (chuckles) God, I forgot
how beautiful you are.
- You're not so bad yourself.
- Well, as you can see, I
dressed for the occasion.
Is that what you wear to bed?
- It is.
How about you?
- Oh, I sleep naked.
- Ooh.
I wanna see that.
- Well, I would
love to accommodate,
but I can't just sit here
without any clothes on.
If, uh, Julia were to walk in...
- Tell me more
about the mountain.
Start at the work party.
- Okay, um...
You had just gotten back fro...
Where were you again?
- Ohio. My mom was
in the hospital.
- (sighs) I am so dumb.
Uh, she's better?
- Much.
Go on.
- I was watching you.
- Watching me?
- Oh, that black skirt. You
wore those heels. (chuckles)
I was so used to seeing
you in work clothes, but,
that night, I couldn't
take my eyes off of you.
- That's nice.
- And then you turned and
caught me looking at you,
and I thought, "Oh, shit."
"Busted."
(Seraphina chuckles)
- Why?
- Well, because of
what was on my mind.
- And what was on your mind?
- You know what was on my mind.
- And?
- And you smiled.
Just like that.
- Did not!
- Did too.
But not seductive.
Not inviting.
Just...
Like...
You liked my eyes on you.
Like...
You were glad I was there.
- I was.
- Okay.
And you said, "Come sign
Carmen's baby shower card."
- I passed you the pen.
- You passed me the pen.
- And?
- I leaned over.
- And?
- Our arms touched.
- Yes.
- I had to pull back.
- I knew it embarrassed you.
That it was crossing a
line, just that touch.
- And?
- I wanted-
- What?
What did you want?
- For you to do it again.
- It was electric for you, too?
- Hell yes.
- I knew it!
I knew it.
- What happened next?
- (sighs) Fuckin' Phil.
- Oh, fucking Phil!
- I know. Fuckin' Phil, right?
- Fucking Phil!
- Fuckin' Phil came over.
Dragged us off and
wanted to discuss the-
- God damn Deevers account.
- Deevers account. (chuckles)
- Oh, he's so god damn insecure.
- And we went over it.
- [Seraphina] We went
over it and over it.
- And we "fixed it".
- For the umpteenth time.
- We reassured Phil-
- It was all okay.
- "It's okay, Phil."
- "The sky won't fall, Phil."
- "It's gonna be all right!"
- "You won't get fired, Phil!"
- Nick will still love
you in the morning.
(both chuckle)
- And then?
- We finally got rid of Phil.
- You asked.
- "Do you want a ride home?"
- You said, "need".
- Sorry. "Need".
"Do you need a ride home?"
- I said.
- "I'll take an Uber."
- You said.
- "I'll take you, I'm leaving
anyway. Save you the fare."
- And I said... (sighs)
- "Okay."
- And then the drive.
- The drive.
(Ben chuckles)
I was so nervous, to
be so close to you.
- So was I.
(soft music)
You, um...
You said-
- "You know there are
mountains in the city?"
- I said, "I didn't know that."
- "10,000-foot ones,
right in the city."
- I said, "I don't believe you."
- I said I would prove it.
(Ben sighs)
The moon is high.
It's still.
And we sit there, side
by side, and just...
Waiting.
- Then.
- I'd never done anything
like that before.
- Me either.
- You were crazy.
- So were you.
- It was so wrong.
- It wasn't.
- I wasn't sure how you'd react.
(indistinct whispering)
- Yes, you were.
- [Whisperer] I wanna touch you.
(distorted crackling)
(suspenseful music)
- Touch you.
- Touch you.
- Touch you.
- Touch you.
(computer chimes)
(keyboard clacks)
- Seraphina?
Seraphina?
(computer chimes)
- Hey.
- What is it? What's wrong?
- I thought you
might not be coming.
(Ben chuckles)
- Of course I was coming.
- Was it Julia?
Is that why you were late?
- She keeps waking up in
the middle of the night,
and then she won't
go back to bed.
I know.
God, this fuckin' sucks. I
hate that I can't touch you.
(distorted crackling)
- I wanna touch you, too.
- Now.
Right now.
Not in three or six
weeks, or what, a year?
I wanna touch you, right now.
- I want you to touch me, too.
So badly.
- Maybe I can.
- How?
- Put your hand on your face.
- Why?
- Just do it.
No, no.
More gently. Just
the fingertips.
Like when we were on the
mountain and I touched you.
Do you remember?
- Of course I remember.
I'll never forget.
- Well, then do it.
Look at me and do it.
Touch your cheek now.
Now your lips.
Your eyebrows.
I touch
every part of you.
I want to remember
every part of you.
Now, unbutton your shirt.
(Seraphina gasps)
(soft music)
- Oh, God.
- Now touch your breasts.
- [Whisperer] I wanna touch you.
I just wanna touch you.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
Now lower.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
Lower.
You know what I want.
- I wanna touch you.
- I do.
- [Whisperer] I wanna touch you.
I wanna touch you.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
I wanna touch you.
- You feel that?
That's me, touching you.
(Seraphina moans)
Now you touch me, too.
- I am.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
I've got your cock in my hand.
(Ben moans)
Oh, yeah.
You're so fucking hard.
(Ben moans)
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
(Ben moans)
It's making me wet.
(both moan)
Put yourself inside me.
- I'm in you. Fuck,
you feel so good.
(both moan)
- (moans) So do you.
(both moan)
(Seraphina gasps)
Fuck.
(Ben moans)
(Seraphina gasps)
Fuck me harder.
(Ben moans)
Hard. (moans)
(both moan)
(both moan)
(distorted crackling)
Fuck.
- Come.
(Ben sighs)
Ooh. (chuckles)
(Ben sighs)
Phina?
Seraphina.
(Seraphina sobs)
(crashing)
(clattering)
(hand slaps)
Seraph...
- [Joe] You cunt.
You fucking whore.
I saw you touching yourself.
Cunt!
(Seraphina sobs)
(crashing)
(clattering)
- [Seraphina] I love
you. I love you.
(door creaks)
I love you, I'm sorry.
(Seraphina sobs)
(phone keypad bleeps)
(phone rings)
- 911, what's your-
- Yeah. Yeah, hi.
I want to report an assault
that's taking place.
- What's the address?
- Yeah.
(sighs) Fuck. I don't
remember the exact address.
Uh, it's on...
Balboa near Magnolia, I think?
- [Julia] Ben?
- Oh, you're, you're up!
- Yeah, what's going on?
- Sir, what is the...
- Nothing.
- [Julia] Well, who
are you speaking with?
- Someone from work.
Go back to sleep.
- [Julia] Okay. Well, I heard
screams, is everything okay?
- Will you just stay
the fuck asleep, please?
Oh, fuck. I'm sorry.
Julia!
(door slams)
Julia, I'm sorry.
- [Operator] Hello?
(computer chimes)
(Ben sighs)
Hello?
(computer chimes)
- Seraphina?
Seraphina.
(computer chimes)
Oh, my God.
- It's nothing.
- You have to get out of there.
- Please stop calling me.
- You can't stay there.
- What choice do I have?
I have nowhere to go.
- I'll call someone!
- Don't.
Please.
- Why?
- You'll only make it worse.
- How could it
possibly be any worse?
- Trust me. It can.
(suspenseful music)
- That voice I heard.
That was a woman's voice.
Was that Joe?
Is Joe a woman?
(distorted crackling)
- It's complicated.
- How complicated is it?
- It doesn't matter.
We can't see each other again.
- Look, it's not
safe where you are.
- Joe's fine.
(distorted crackling)
(Seraphina chuckles)
She's never normally like this.
(distorted crackling)
We love one another.
(Ben scoffs)
- Look, whatever that
is, it's not love.
Wait. Please, just
stay a little.
(dark music)
- I deserve what I got.
(chuckles) I've
always been fucked up.
- No, you're not.
- I just wanted to
go to the mountain.
- Just let me come get you.
Tell me where you live.
- You don't remember?
- No, of course I do.
It's just all the houses where
you are, they look alike.
What's your address?
And I'll come get you.
- Where would we go?
Where could we go?
- I'd put you up in a hotel.
(sighs) Then Julia would see
the credit card expenses.
- You see, it's useless.
There's no escaping her.
- Maybe there's some social
services we could contact?
- No. No, I can't
go to a shelter.
Especially now.
- Then the mountain. You
said you wanted to go there.
Maybe we could do it for real.
- I don't understand.
- There's a camp up there.
- A camp?
- A boys camp.
I've ridden by it many times.
Look, it's closed
this time of year.
I'm sure that it's empty.
We could set you up there.
At least until we figure
out something better.
- You really think we can?
- Of course we can.
Now, what's your address?
I'll come and get you.
- No, you...
You can't come here.
It's too dangerous.
I'll come to you.
Give me your address.
(phone chimes)
- Okay.
(phone chimes)
There, I sent it.
Did you get it?
(phone chimes)
- I have it.
- Okay, good. Now, come
before Joe wakes up.
And don't ring. Text
and I'll come down.
- Because of Julia.
- I just don't want her
to find out like this.
- Then why don't you tell her?
- I will, when the time's right.
- What if you change your mind?
- I won't.
- What if Julia
won't let you go?
- It's not up to her.
Not anymore.
Okay?
I love you.
(Seraphina chuckles)
- I love you, too.
(chuckles) So much.
Oh, fuck!
- What?
(head thuds)
What?
(head thuds)
(computer chimes)
(eerie tones)
(phone keypad bleeps)
(phone rings)
(Seraphina sobs)
Phina?
(Seraphina sobs)
Phina!
- [Joe] Are you happy?
You did this.
(phone clicks)
(eagle screams)
(dark music continues)
(computer chimes)
- Hello.
(computer chimes)
Is this Seraphina?
Seraphina, are you having
an affair with my husband?
(Joe breathes shakily)
There's a standing meeting
every night at 4:00 AM
and it says "The Mountain".
Is this the mountain?
(Joe breathes shakily)
(Joe sighs)
(Joe breathes heavily)
Hello?
- [Joe] I loved her.
So much.
- Hello?
(Joe breathes heavily)
Why?
You knew she was with someone.
You could have chosen anyone.
- Who is this?
- [Joe] Why her?
(Joe breathes heavily)
You made me do this.
(ominous music)
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
I didn't make you do anything.
Are you talking
about my husband?
- [Joe] Don't pretend
it wasn't you.
She's never been with a man.
- I swear to you, I don't
even know who this person is.
- [Joe] It doesn't
matter what you say.
I know where you live.
I'm coming over.
(Julia gasps)
- [Ben] I told you.
Let me handle it.
- Who is that?
(dark music)
(computer chimes)
(computer chimes)
- Seraphina?
Are you there?
Seraphina, are you okay?
(computer chimes)
Oh, thank God.
The way Joe was talking,
I was afraid something
horrible happened to you.
- You never told her.
(distorted crackling)
- What?
- Julia. I thought you
were gonna tell her.
- She knows now.
- So, we can go to the mountain?
- I can't do that anymore.
- Then why did
you say you could?
Why did you take me
up there and fuck me?
- I'm sorry. It's just...
Julia talked to Joe and
now she's terrified.
I can't just leave
her like this.
Look, just give me your
address. Let me call the police.
You shouldn't have
to live like this.
- The police?
You think they can help?
They can't do shit.
You could have, but you're a
coward like the rest of them.
(distorted crackling)
Aren't you going
to say you love me?
- I think-
- You think what?
(Seraphina sighs)
I should've known,
when you didn't even
offer your condolences.
- Condolences?
- When I said I was in Ohio.
You forgot about
my mom being sick.
I was lying, anyway.
I was the one in the
hospital. Not her.
- You were in the hospital
because Joe beat you.
- I said it's complicated.
(distorted crackling)
You still don't understand.
Oh, you will.
Just like I did.
You'll find out about Joe, too.
The way I know about Joe.
- What are you talking about?
(Seraphina breathes shakily)
(indistinct whispering)
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
[As Joe] You're
trying to leave me.
(hand slaps)
(ominous music)
- What the...
(Seraphina gasps)
[As Joe] - You fucking...
Fucking cunt!
You whore!
Look what you're making me do!
(Seraphina moans)
(hands slap)
- Phina.
- You're still trying
to get away from me.
You'll never get away from me.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
[Seraphina] I know.
- Phina?
(fist thuds)
[Joe] - So, she was right.
[Joe] That little
whore wife of yours.
[As Joe] Seraphina
was fucking a man.
(distorted crackling)
(Seraphina gasps)
I wouldn't have believed it.
(hand slaps)
She knows what men are.
(distorted crackling)
You're all the same.
(ominous music continues)
Doesn't matter.
You made me do this.
And now you're going to pay.
One night, in your little
thousand-square-foot prison,
with a fucking IKEA console,
and the shag rug,
and the white cabinets,
and the coffee grinder,
and the cream sectional.
(chair scrapes)
I'll find you there.
(ominous music continues)
I promise.
(distorted crackling)
(indistinct whispering)
- At least she doesn't
have our address.
She doesn't, does she?
You didn't bring
this home to us.
Ben!
(Julia sighs)
(heavy thuds on door)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(birds chirp)
(distant dog barks)
(keyboard clacks)
- Applicant 1438.
This is April 23rd, 2020.
It's 11:03 Eastern
Standard Time.
I'm meeting with Global
ConX data engineer,
salary level B/H basis.
Name.
(computer chimes)
Let's begin.
(phone bleeps)
- [Rohit] Okay. Can you see me?
- Yes.
- Remind me of your name again.
- Rohit Banerjee.
- Banerjee. That's...
- It's my last name.
- Because we're not
hiring foreigners.
- I'm American. My father
came over from India.
But I was born here.
- Hm.
- Will, uh...
Will Mr. Manfred be
joining in on this?
- [Beth] Who?
- Mr. Manfred. I
see he's with us.
Am I saying that wrong?
Sounds like Manfred.
M-A-N-F-R-E-D?
- Oh, Mr. Manfred.
- Your boss?
- Mr. Manfred.
- Yes.
- Mr. Manfred's on call.
- Great. That's great.
- We'll be hearing from
him shortly, I'm sure.
- [Rohit] Great.
- He's scheduled to be
on the call with us.
- Yes. That's what I have, too.
"Mr. Manfred is inviting
you to a scheduled call
at 11:00 AM EST.
(children giggle)
And by the way,
I'm sorry I'm late.
- About three minutes-
- I was just looking for a
quiet place to take this call.
- I was gonna give up on you.
- Glad you didn't.
- I pressed join, not once.
Many times.
- I'm glad you
didn't give up on me.
- Well, you're here now.
- I was just trying to...
- Do you have internet access?
- What?
- Internet access.
We need people who
undertake this position
to have internet access.
- (chuckles) Well,
I'm speaking to you-
- [Beth] Is this
your home computer?
- Well, of course
it's my home computer.
- [Beth] You don't
have to be agitated.
- I'm not.
- I'm just asking.
- Yes. Yes, it's
my home computer.
- I don't have a home computer.
- [Rohit] You don't?
- They brought
this computer over.
- Oh, well...
- A man in a hazmat suit
came and dropped it off,
in front of my
apartment building.
I had to go down three
flights of stairs
and wait in an unsafe area
for him to bring and leave it.
And then, well, it
still smells of bleach.
- I'm sorry to hear that.
- So, don't act so
entitled, Mr. Banerjee,
about your god damn personal
computer, 'cause it-
- No, I'm, I'm not.
- We're all just people here.
We're all just
trying to do a job.
- Okay. I'm sorry.
- I...
You don't need to be sorry.
- [Rohit] No.
- (sighs) That was
unprofessional.
- Not at all.
- [Beth] Yes, it was.
- It wasn't unprofessional.
(Beth chuckles)
- Why are you saying
it was professional,
when it was clearly
unprofessional?
- You're not unprofessional.
You just had an
unprofessional moment.
Can happen to anyone.
- Has it happened to you?
- What?
- Unprofessional moments?
If we're thinking of hiring
you, we need to know.
- No, I try to
stay professional.
- Oh, Mr. Perfect.
- No, I'm not perfect.
- No, I get it. You're perfect.
- I'm not perfect. I
am far from perfect.
- Well, if you're
far from perfect,
why are we thinking
of hiring you?
(suspenseful music)
- Is, um...
Mr. Manfred...
(keyboard clacks)
Are
you here?
(computer chimes)
(Rohit sighs)
Is Mr. Manfred with us?
(Beth chuckles)
- I mean, Mr. Manfred.
Do you know Mr. Manfred?
- No.
- Mr. Manfred is
high, very high,
very far above me
in the company.
He's like the CEO, or something.
Or the CEO for the
COO. (chuckles)
He's high. A very high position.
So Mr. Manfred doesn't have
time to come and waste with you.
I mean, who do
you think you are?
Do you think you're so
important in Mr. Manfred's eyes
that he has time to
come and waste with you?
Do you?
- I don't...
I don't know Mr. Manfred.
- Of course you don't
know Mr. Manfred.
Nobody knows Mr. Manfred.
His wife, maybe.
If he has a wife.
Partner, I should say partner.
A man or woman, or whatever.
- The email said-
- The email, the email.
- Yes, the email. It says:
"Mr. Manfred is inviting
you to a scheduled call
at 11:00 AM EST, Thursday,
April 23rd, 2020.
Please log on."
- "Please log on.
Please log on."
As if it were so simple.
(children scream)
- Look.
I really need this job.
- (sighs) Why? Why
does anyone need a job?
- I have rent.
I have a baby coming.
My wife partner was laid off.
My dad's sending money, um,
but he's just did
a renovation, so...
(child giggles)
So...
- So what?
- Can we get back to it?
- Back to what?
- The interview.
Hello?
The job interview?
(keyboard clacks)
(Rohit sighs)
(keyboard clacks)
(ominous music)
- I just got hired yesterday.
- Oh.
- I don't know anything
about the position
that you're applying to.
- Oh.
(Beth sighs)
- I, I don't really know
what I'm supposed to ask you.
- Oh.
- They said to get on
this call for Mr. Manfred.
(Beth gasps)
(Beth coughs)
(Beth coughs)
(Beth coughs)
(Beth coughs)
(Beth coughs)
They said they'd be
sending the questions.
- Oh.
- I'm still awaiting
for questions.
- Oh.
Maybe the call was premature.
- No, no, no, no, no.
I get paid by the call.
We have to do the call.
- You get paid by the call?
- [Beth] Yes, a certain
amount per interview.
- Oh.
- I just got hired, yesterday.
- All right.
- But I don't have
the questions.
- Okay, well, maybe we
should do this another time.
- (grunts) Stay on the line.
- Okay.
- Please.
- Okay.
- They just dropped
off this computer.
- You said.
- [Beth] I cleaned
it with bleach.
- Yes.
(clock ticks rhythmically)
- I turned it off first.
- Yes.
- It still smells of bleach.
- Hate that smell.
- I do, too. (chuckles)
(Rohit chuckles)
I am so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- [Beth] Did you hear
me? I said I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm sorry.
- (sighs) I already told
you not to be sorry.
- I'm not sorry.
- That is so mean.
(Beth chuckles)
- I mean, I...
I empathize.
Actually, I don't,
really. (chuckles)
I wish I had some solitude.
You know, I'm stuck
in a bathroom,
because our apartment
is 600-square-feet
and my kids and wife are on
the other side of that door,
and I can't get away from them.
- You're lucky.
- [Rohit] Lucky I can't
get away from them?
- You're lucky to have them.
- Oh.
Right.
Of course.
- This one old man, I
believe he was like 50,
he was taking his wife to
the hospital and this is
not far from me, this
Prince George County.
And they had no room, so
he went to another town,
and they also had no room.
So he was driving
somewhere else, nowhere.
And he looked over.
(gentle music)
Right.
This was a neighbor.
- Oh.
I'm sorry.
- I don't know.
But I'm scared.
- Don't be scared.
- I can't help it. I'm scared.
- It's all right.
It's all right to be scared.
- You're the first person
that I've talked to.
And, uh...
- How'd you get this job?
- It came in the mail.
- What did?
(clock ticks rhythmically)
- A coupon book. (chuckles)
It came in a coupon book.
- I'm not following.
(Beth laughs)
- An opportunity
to work from home.
I wrote away. They
sent a letter.
- Letter?
- Yeah. Why do
you say like that?
- (chuckles) No,
it's, it's old school.
- Yeah. They don't told
me they'd send a computer.
I waited and it came-
- I know, I know.
(Beth chuckles)
- I have never done this before.
- I know.
- They never sent the questions.
- I know.
- Do you think they'll
send the hundred dollars?
(Beth chuckles)
I'm supposed to
keep you on for 20 minutes.
Has it been 20 minutes.
Mr. Banerjee?
- I don't know.
- Don't be sad.
- I'm not.
- Mr. Manfred knows
what he's doing.
He sent this.
- I don't even know your name.
- Beth.
- [Rohit] Beth.
- It's nice to meet
you, Mr. Banerjee.
- You can call me Rohit.
- Rohit.
Well... (chuckles)
Can we meet again, Rohit?
If I get the questions.
- Right.
- See, the thing is, I don't
know you and you don't know me.
They don't want us to use
our names. Our real ones.
Beth isn't my real name.
I just made that up.
I mean, for all I know,
you could be Mr. Manfred.
(Rohit chuckles)
- I'm not Mr. Manfred.
- You could be testing me.
- I'm not. (chuckles)
- So, I guess, um,
we can't meet each
other after all.
- No, that makes sense.
- Unless Mr. Manfred
makes it happen.
I mean, he has all
the information.
If he does, (chuckles)
if he even exists.
I mean, he could just
be AI or something.
- Ugh. That's horrible.
- Isn't it? (chuckles)
So, all we have is
this moment right now.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- For as long as you
stay on the line.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- Whoever you are.
(indistinct whispering)
(dark music)
- Uh...
- Please don't go.
- I really should.
- No, I, just...
Let's just stay here
and breathe together.
(indistinct whispering)
- The kids need the bathroom.
- No, they don't.
- They're banging on the door.
- I don't hear them.
- The sound is muffled.
- Please.
Don't
run
from me, don't run from this.
You can't.
- Beth,
or whoever you are...
- Yes?
Rohit? Or whoever you are.
(dark music continues)
(indistinct whispering)
- Goodbye.
(clock ticks rhythmically)
- [Beth] Mr. Manfred?
Will I get the hundred dollars?
Mr. Manfred?
(clock ticks rhythmically)
(laptop lid clacks)
(clock ticks rhythmically)
(phone clicks)
(smooth jazz music)
(computer chimes)
(computer chimes)
- Ah. Welcome, Mr. Abieyuwa.
It's nice to see you again.
- Ah, it is nice to see
you too, Mrs. Haley.
You are looking lovely today.
- Ms.
- Ah!
Then there's hope. (chuckles)
(Celine chuckles)
- Um, (clears throat) did
you get all your materials?
- Yes. They were delivered
to my doorstep, yesterday.
- And you looked it
all over? No confusion?
- Ah, it was crystal clear.
- Excellent.
So, then by now, you would've
taken your first dose?
- Yes, I have done it.
- Oh, okay. At 8:00 AM?
- 8:00 AM. Yes.
- Hm.
- 8:15.
- 8:15 is the baseline.
- 8:45.
I'm sorry. I was a
little nervous taking it.
- There's nothing to
be nervous about, okay?
8:45 is the baseline.
From now on, you
will dose at 8:45.
- Are you sure it's okay?
- Uh, 8:45 is fine
as a baseline.
- No.
The dose.
The spray.
I know someone
whose hair fell off,
doing one of these
trials. (chuckles)
- No, that's not one of
the potential side effects.
- Ah, that's good.
'Cause I can't afford
for my hair to fall off.
I can't. No, I can't.
- I'm sure you're quite
a player, Mr. Abieyuwa.
- Ese.
My name is Ese.
- Ese.
- So...
No need to worry?
- Well, I, uh, you
signed the disclosure.
That means you, you
must have read it.
- Oh, that's for the
insurance companies.
I'm asking you, Ms Haley.
- Well, I just, I just
administer the doses.
- Ah, so you don't
know anything about it?
- No, I, well, (sighs)
they don't tell us anything
more than what's
in the paperwork.
- You can't trust that, huh?
These big companies, they lie.
Okay, Ese, well this
is how it works. Um.
We will give you the vaccine
a little bit at a time
to test your natural immunity.
Six doses in total and we'll
test you after each dose
to see how you react.
If it works out, we'll wind up
helping out a lot of people.
- And there's a 50% chance
that it is a placebo?
- Uh...
Yes.
- Is that what I am receiving?
- Okay, well, they
don't tell us that,
because they don't want that
to influence the results.
But if you, if you feel any
side effects, I'll pull you off.
- I don't get the full payment,
unless I do all
the doses, right?
- Yeah. Unfortunately, yeah.
(Ese sighs)
- I need the money for Neoma.
My little sister.
We brought her here
from the home country
because the doctors are better.
She, she has a heart condition.
- Oh, shucks. I'm
sorry to to hear that.
- Are you an island girl?
(both laugh)
Let me guess.
Trinidad.
- Oh! That's right.
- Yeah! Trinidad!
(Celine laughs)
Crab and callaloo
- Most people can't tell.
- Oh, I love it, eh?
Me, I'm from Nigeria.
I'm the man of my family.
- Oh.
Uh, let's move on, shall we?
The jelly beans.
Can you tell me the four
flavors in today's packet?
- I say that to say...
(suspenseful music)
Neoma is counting on me.
- I'm sure she is.
- I'm all that she has.
So, you would tell
me if I should worry.
- Ese, I've been working
at this company now
for over three years and
they wouldn't run this trial,
if it wasn't safe.
Okay?
- Okay, Ms. Haley.
(match strikes)
(smooth jazz music)
(Celine blows)
(Celine sighs)
(smooth jazz music continues)
(protestors cheer)
- [Speaker] I'm not in any
way trying to act like I know
the true pain story of what
it is to be Black in America.
Let me remind you that
I was able to accept
the disassociation of
being Black in America
long enough to keep
myself in a bubble...
(smooth jazz music)
- Welcome, Ese. It's
good to see you again.
- Ah, I told you my name, Ms.
Haley, and all about myself.
My age, weight,
height, family history.
The least you can do
is tell me your name.
- I'm afraid I'm not allowed.
- Ah, you must take a risk.
Like me with this test, no?
My nephew says "Hi", by the way.
- Wait. You didn't
mention you had a nephew.
- Ah, he's too young
for you, Ms. Haley.
- (chuckles) That's very funny.
(both laugh)
But you didn't tell him
about this study, did you?
- I know the rules. Number
eight on your checklist.
I just told him I met
a beautiful woman.
- Hm.
His mom's Neoma, right?
- You have a good
memory, Ms. Haley.
She has had a very hard time.
Her husband died soon
after her son was born.
I've been taking care
of both of them now.
- Oh. She's very lucky to
have a big brother like you.
- I keep telling her
the same thing, yeah?
But truth be told, I don't mind.
My family is everything to me.
Do you have a family?
- Uh, it's just myself.
- I'll tell you what.
When this is all over,
we will celebrate.
You will come meet my family.
Neoma will make crab
and callaloo for you.
You'll feel right
at home. (laughs)
- That's very sweet of you.
- I am serious!
Neoma is a wonderful cook.
Are you in Los Angeles, too?
- Ese.
- Ah, I won't tell your boss.
- No, I would love to
accept your invitation but-
- But it is not to allowed, eh?
- It's just, it might
be frowned upon.
And I can't afford
to lose this job.
- I understand.
We all have our needs.
Too bad.
I'll be so sorry when
this is all over,
and I won't be able to
see that beautiful face,
looking down at me, every day.
- Oh, (chuckles)
that's a new one.
Yeah, most of my clients
can't wait to get rid of me
and get their checks.
- Is that what you think
of me, eh? Just a client.
My nephew will be so
sorry when he hears this.
Last night, when I saw
him, he was teasing me,
'cause I kept
going on about you.
He said, "No woman can be
as pretty as all that."
- Oh, uh...
You saw him last night?
You're supposed to be
socially distancing.
- What is the problem?
Everyone was out.
- Out where?
- In the protests.
My nephew needed a
driver, you understand?
I stayed in the car,
the entire time.
I just wanted him to go get
me a pillow for my back.
I have a bad back, eh.
But he didn't get the pillow
'cause when he left the store,
some white woman ran
up to him and said,
"Well, what does these pillows
have to do with
Black Lives Matter?"
My nephew look at
that woman and said,
"I don't give a shit
about Black Lives Matter."
(Ese laughs)
- Excuse me?
- Uh, he's young.
- How can he not care about
Black Lives Matter? He's Black.
(bleak music)
What? Do you not care
about Black Lives Matter?
- It has nothing to do with me.
- Wow!
- I'm African.
- But you're Black, in America.
Okay, forget about the
pillows. What about the police?
- Don't tell me you
are worried for me.
- I'm thinking of your sister.
- The police left us alone.
- (chuckles) Of course.
They only go after the
peaceful protestors.
Never the looters.
- "Looter"?
I'm not a looter.
- Your nephew is.
- Yeah. So, is that
how you see it, huh?
They rushed into Africa
and they stole our gold,
our history, our bodies.
Tell me who's the looter here?
- Okay, Mr. Abieyuwa,
I don't know if this
is going to work out.
If you're not gonna obey
the social distancing rules-
- And what is all this, eh?
Please, just look
the other way, yeah?
Please. I beg.
(suspenseful music)
(keyboard clacks)
(distant siren wails)
(keyboard clacks)
(smooth jazz music)
(computer chimes)
- You took your
dose, Mr. Abieyuwa?
- 8:45, precisely.
You see what a good boy
I'm being? Now, my reward.
- You're getting a
completion bonus.
That's all that really
matters to you, isn't it?
- No, that's from the company.
I want a reward from you.
- Okay, let's not go there.
You tasted today's
packet of jelly beans?
- Yes.
Yes, uh, chocolate
pudding. Mm-hm.
Cotton candy,
watermelon, apple pie.
All good American
flavors. Did I ace them?
- Yeah. Got them all.
- Now, my prize.
- Okay, I am not interested
in playing your
games, Mr. Abieyuwa.
- Well, if you won't give me
a prize, I'll get you one, eh?
Oh, what is your size? Huh?
- I don't want looted shoes.
- Hey, hey, look.
"There's no place like home.
There's no place like home."
- So, you went out again?
- Uh, these are from
the other night.
My nephew left them behind.
- Why do you show me those
when you know it upsets me?
- So, I was right.
You are still angry from
our discussion yesterday.
(Ese chuckles)
I didn't know you had such
your fire in you, Ms. Haley.
- I don't usually get political.
- Ah, don't
apologize. I like it.
- Frankly, it doesn't
matter what you like.
- Why? Because I don't
believe in Black Lives Matter?
You may think that this
is my country, Ms. Haley,
but I assure you, it is not.
I've been living
here for seven years,
and I don't know a
single neighbor's name.
Hm.
I walk down the street and
I hear what they call me.
"There goes the African
Booty Scratcher."
- If the police come
to your neighborhood,
do you think they'll
see you as African?
It's all the same to them.
- Maybe you are right.
You asked me if I
went out yesterday.
I did.
My nephew needed a car, so,
we went out to see
what was going on.
We drove, all over.
To some beautiful neighborhoods.
As segregated as you will
find in South Africa.
We drove by a crowd
of police officers.
My nephew told me to pull over.
He got out of the car
and I followed him.
Whew.
I was scared.
I have never seen so many police
massed together like that,
with their riot gears
and their batons.
Yeah.
(siren wails)
(muffled radio chatter)
But we walked right by them.
And there was maybe
2,000 protestors,
standing in front of
some big fancy house.
- It was the mayor's house.
- I don't know.
- I do.
It was the mayor's house.
- They were shouting.
"Hands up."
"Don't shoot."
"I can't breathe."
- [Protestors] I can't breathe!
- They were so young.
- I can't breathe!
I can't breathe!
- And my nephew,
he starts shouting.
"Hands up."
"Don't shoot."
"I can't breathe."
Me too.
Before I even know
it, I am shouting.
"Hands up."
"Don't shoot."
"I can't breathe."
- Don't shoot.
- Hands up.
- Don't shoot.
- Hands up.
- Don't shoot.
- Hands up.
- And it felt so
good shouting it.
It's the first time I
felt like I've belonged.
- Hm.
(Ese sighs)
- But half of the
protestors were white,
so, I guess they saw
me as just Black, eh?
- It had nothing to
do with white people.
It was your people.
Our people.
There were more of
us there than them.
- "Us"?
- I, I was...
I was there, too.
- How come I didn't see you?
- I had on my mask, of course.
(Ese chuckles)
- Do you know what that means?
- What's that?
- We are in the same city.
Yeah!
(Ese vocalizes cheerfully)
(Ese laughs)
- We must love each other
and support each other.
- [Protestors] We
must love each other
and support each other.
- [Speaker] We have nothing
to lose but our chains.
- [Protestors] We have nothing
to lose but our chains.
- [Speaker] We've gotta send
some love to (indistinct).
(protestors cheer)
(smooth jazz music)
(computer chimes)
- Hm.
Flavors.
- I'd like to taste
your flavors, Ms. Haley.
- Mr. Abieyuwa.
- Ese, please!
Why are you always so serious?
- Why do you always
have to play the fool?
- My sister asks the same thing.
- (scoffs) Look,
believe it or not.
You're not God's
gift to women, Ese.
- Oh, believe me. I know.
I, I had my heart broken
when I was a young man.
I guess I tease women to
keep myself free of risk.
I said too much.
- The flavors.
- Ah. Sorry.
Dr. Pepper, my
second favorite soda.
Peach.
Raspberry.
- Mm-hm.
And?
- Uh, sorry. Sorry.
- You must have them
checked off on your list.
- Uh...
Peach.
- Peach? You're sure?
- Uh...
Perhaps...
(suspenseful music)
Bubblegum.
Bubble, bubblegum.
Why are you looking
at me like that?
- You're guessing.
- No, I'm not. I just
didn't write it down.
- Ese, I'm...
I'm gonna have to
disqualify you.
- What? No.
- Yeah. It's for
your own safety.
- How?
- You should be able to
taste all four flavors.
- I did!
- No, you can taste three.
Not four!
- Please give me
another chance, eh?
- I, I can't.
- You said it was safe, eh?
You said you wouldn't give
it to me, unless it was safe.
Please.
Neoma needs this to
pay for her medication.
I need this, for her sake.
- I know you do.
(keyboard clacks)
(keyboard clacks)
(eerie tones)
(computer chimes)
You still have the diarrhea?
- I couldn't keep anything down.
- What else?
- Stomach and throat.
I'm having a hard time
getting enough air.
- Flavors?
(Ese sighs)
- Banana.
Pear.
- No, no, no. We, we really
have to stop this, Ese.
I don't want to be responsible.
- Please. We have come this far.
- (sighs) I'm just, I'm just,
I'm just worried about you.
- And so, you do like me, eh?
- Yes.
I do.
- Then you'll come
over for dinner?
- I can't, if you're not well.
- I'm fine.
I'm strong.
And you said it was safe.
We are in this
together, you and I.
Now, please, let's talk
about something else.
I wish I could have
met your mother.
Her and Neoma could
compare recipes.
I will add ewedu soup to
your crab and callaloo.
- (chuckles) Oh.
That sounds nice.
- Ah, I bet she was
a wonderful woman.
Is she why you are so strong?
- My grandmother
was the strong one.
That's what my mother
always told me.
I barely knew her. We
came over when I was six.
Just my mother and I.
(Celine chuckles)
What I remember
of the island was
the warmth, sunshine,
the togetherness,
the feeling like I was
a part of everything
and everything was a part of me.
- Mm.
- Afterwards
though, it was just,
she and I alone, in
this hostile world.
And it sounds silly, but what
you said about belonging?
That's how I felt in Trinidad.
Sometimes I wish
we never left.
- And did you go back?
- Not when I was young.
Over here, I just
learned to be tough,
because no matter who I was,
people were always gonna
look at me a certain way.
My mother taught me to
be strong and have faith
and not to count on
others for anything,
and as harsh as that may sound,
America decided who I was.
Who I needed to be.
Ese.
You're a good man.
A kind man with a...
With an open heart.
I used to be like you,
but I don't really think
I'm that person anymore.
- You have a bigger
heart than you know.
I know so.
(Celine chuckles)
- Celine.
- What?
- My name.
I was named after
my grandmother.
- Your grandmother would
have been so proud of you.
(Celine chuckles)
- I hope so. (chuckles)
Who I am should honor her.
Our ancestors, they
wanted so much for us.
We are our ancestors'
wildest dreams.
God, you've got me
sharing so much.
You, uh, you're
quite a sweet talker.
How is it that you
don't have a wife?
- Because I haven't met
you before. (laughs)
(Celine chuckles)
A poet needs inspiration
to do best work.
(gentle music)
Tell me, Celine.
Is there truly no
other man in your life?
- Sometimes I'm
seen as too strong.
- I see your strength.
And that makes you
most beautiful.
(heartbeat thumps rapidly)
(eerie tones)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(computer chimes)
- Ese?
- Celine. (chuckles)
I've been saying
your name all day.
Celine.
- What's wrong?
- I'm fine.
I took the last dose at
8:45, like a good boy.
Like a good boy.
- Can you tell me
the flavors, Ese?
(indistinct whispering)
- Yam.
Okra.
Karahi.
Crawfish.
Yes.
- Those are not on the list.
- Of course they are.
- Uh...
Anything else, Ese?
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
- Uh...
Shivers.
- You said it was safe.
- Stomach.
Fever.
Cramp.
- Okay, we should call 911.
- No, no. I don't want
them to take me home.
- No, no, they won't.
- Ah, you can't trust
the government, eh?
They're as bad as
these companies.
(muffled gun fires)
(muffled tires screech)
- [Officer] Get out of the car.
- What was that, huh?
- What?
- The explosions.
What's out there?
- No, the explosions...
They were before, at
night, during the curfews,
but it, it's day now.
- Oh, I can't breathe.
I can't breathe.
Get your knees off my neck!
(siren chirps)
(wind blows)
- Get 'em up!
(Ese groans)
- This is not a game, man.
This is not a game!
People are dying.
- Ese, let me call
someone, please.
- No, no.
(Celine sighs)
I'm fine.
Fine. (chuckles)
It is all over.
It's over now.
- Ese.
- You can come over
for dinner now.
It is all over.
It's over.
- I know.
Ese.
- From now on,
we'll be strong, together.
(muffled horn honks)
(smooth jazz music)
(Celine sighs)
(Celine hums cheerfully)
Mm-hm.
(Celine hums cheerfully)
(brooding jazz music)
(computer chimes)
(computer chimes)
- Oh, uh...
Is, is Ese there?
- Mr. Abieyuwa died.
Yesterday.
- Uh...
- Are you all right?
- Um, uh...
At what time did
Mr. Abieyuwa pass?
- Sometime after 11, last night.
(Celine sighs)
- Can you tell me what happened?
- I'm sorry. I, I...
- Wait. You're Neoma,
his little sister?
- You know me?
- (sighs) Ese, Mr. Abieyuwa,
he spoke highly of you.
- How did you know my brother?
- We worked together.
He was, um, he was
a valued worker.
What he did was... (sighs)
He was, he was able to
help a lot of people.
- This my brother we speak of?
No. I don't believe you.
Have to go.
- Wait, wait, wait, wait,
wait. Please, please, please.
He brought you over here,
because he was concerned about
your, your heart condition.
Tell me, what happened, Neoma?
- He, he was in his room.
(somber music)
He didn't want me to come near
him. He told me to stay away.
But he's my brother.
- But you...
You live in the
apartment with him?
- Where else?
- [Celine] He...
He said he lived by himself.
- He always told people that.
He didn't want me
to get in trouble.
- Go on.
- He was delirious.
He kept talking about life
back home in the village.
He remembered our mother,
our father,
our ancestors.
The queen mother, even.
He kept
talking about
someone named
Celine.
He said I should cook for
her, crab and callaloo.
He said a very special meal
for a very special person
that will change our lives
and that we should
be strong for her.
That she was a part
of us, or would be.
It was all nonsense, like that.
I know he was alone.
- Did you call anyone?
- 911.
But by the time they got
here, he was already gone.
- I'm, I'm so sorry.
- Don't be, darling.
I kept telling them not to
go out there in the streets.
It's dangerous.
That must be how he got this.
I just hope I don't
have it myself.
If something was to happen,
my son, he would be alone.
- You have to keep him safe.
- I, I...
We have a, a check,
made out to him.
He wanted you to have it.
- You mean an award?
- Um, yes.
- [Neoma] How much for?
- $3,000.
- That's good.
It will come in handy now.
- Oh.
- I'm so glad.
- To pay for Ese's funeral.
He didn't have nothing
saved for that.
If you are looking for
anyone else in your company,
my son could use a job.
He just turned 18
and work is scarce.
I could give you his name.
- No.
No more names.
(match strikes)
(brooding jazz music)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(soft music)
(muffled chatter)
(overlapping chatter
from monitor)
- [Donald] For the most
part, they do very little.
The World Health Organization.
- Fake news, the politicians.
- They called it wrong.
- The deep state.
- [Donald] They called it wrong.
They're all lying!
- They're lying going
down the stairs,
and they're lying
coming right back up.
Oh, we know it. They know it.
Hell, everybody knows it.
- [Donald] They turned
down the chance.
- But if, God forbid, you
should point that out,
well, then you become
their sworn enemy,
and they will bring
the power of the state,
combined with the forces
of greed to bury your ass.
I tried to reason with 'em.
You know, to point
out their lies!
And what'd they do?
(pills clack)
They shut me down and
just kept right on lying.
Well, a man can only
be lied to for so long.
And if he continues to
accept their lies, then he's
no longer a man. (chuckles)
So, given their lies,
I became unreasonable.
Will you join me?
(moody acoustic guitar music)
- Congratulations, M.O.
You made the right choice.
- Bunker Bob?
You're not dead?
- Do I look dead
to you? (chuckles)
Just another one of their lies!
Or maybe you're crazy.
You think you're crazy, M.O.?
Evidence seems to
suggest you are.
It's 6:00 AM, is that a
beer you got in your hand?
- I haven't been sleeping well.
How'd you know I was an M.O.?
- Oh, blue camo jacket.
Navy police would be my guess.
- You can see me?
- Hell yes, I can see you.
Just like you can see me.
- But my camera's not even on.
- Well, you think
there's privacy nowadays?
You are dumb.
What base are you
stationed at, M.O.?
No, no, no, don't tell me.
It's better I don't know that.
That's a cute kid, by the way.
I'm looking at the picture, M.O.
- This is Jimmy. He's my son.
- Take good care of him,
'cause this country
sure as hell won't.
There was a time in
this grand old US of A
where a boy like
Jimmy had a shot.
Well, he just might as
well be born in China.
(Cameron chuckles)
- What happened?
- We got lazy is what happened.
We got to thinking
freedom was free.
Some of us got wise, though.
- Wise?
How?
- You clicked the link.
You tell me.
- Here's the thing.
Bunker Bob.
I was taught to believe
in this country.
- No shame in that.
- To have faith in the
future, to follow orders.
- (chuckles) Yeah.
They got you too, huh?
- They got me, too.
- [Bob] So, what happened?
- I married.
- To the babe in the picture?
She's not hard on the
eyes. I'll tell you that.
- Yeah, that's the problem.
- She step out on you, Navy?
- No, nothing like that.
She's a good wife, a good mom.
- Well, don't tell
me you left that.
- She killed herself.
(somber music)
- Oh.
Jesus.
I'm sorry to hear
that, Navy. That's...
That's tough.
- Yeah, that wasn't her.
She was a happy person. We'd
been together from high school.
Had her whole future planned.
(Cameron chuckles)
What am I supposed
to tell my son, huh?
I lied to him about
what happened.
- That's a hard cross
for a young man to bear.
- It didn't have to be this way.
- [Bob] How's that?
- Someone did something to her.
Violated her.
- Jesus.
Well, who was the scumbag, Navy?
- I asked my chief to
open an investigation.
- Mm. Well, let me guess.
They did nothing. Right?
- Not a god damn thing.
- When it comes to one of
us, there's no justice,
and there's sure as
hell no accountability.
- I'm gonna take an AK-47,
and execute those
motherfuckers on the base.
- Yeah. I know just
how you feel, Navy.
Believe me. I've been
right where you are.
- Your wife killed herself, too?
- No. Not my wife.
A lady friend. We might
as well have been married.
But someone got to her, right
when I was at my lowest.
Fuckin' cancel culture.
Yeah, they kicked
me off Twitter,
they kicked me off Facebook.
Kicked me off YouTube.
I lost my whole damn
income in one month.
My lady friend said,
"Well, just get over it."
Needless to say, I did
not take her advice.
- What'd you do?
- Maybe one of these
days, I'll tell you, Navy.
Some people say the pain
we bear is a burden.
I say it's a gift.
- I'm not at that place yet.
- Well, get there.
You're no good to your
son, or your dead wife,
just sitting there
on your and ass.
And you can't turn
the clock back, Navy,
but you sure as hell can
show those motherfuckers
they picked the wrong guy
to play their games with.
How much money you got, Navy.
- Funeral wiped me out.
- Well, get some.
(interference whines)
- Bunker Bob?
(mouse clacks)
Bunker Bob?
(phone rings and vibrates)
(Ellen sighs)
- [Ellen] Cameron. Oh,
my God, are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
- I have been so worried.
Your commander called, said
that you haven't shown up
at the base since the funeral?
- What's he calling
over there for?
- He said that he's called
you a number of times.
(Ellen sighs)
He even sent
somebody over there.
They said that all
the lights were out.
- [Cameron] How'd
he get your number?
- Oh, an old friend of
the colonel's. Thank God.
- What's that noise?
- Protesters. They've
been at it for hours.
I don't even know
what they want.
- They don't know
the real enemy.
- Do you think they'll be
deploying you to deal with it?
- If they try to
get on the base.
- Cover your badge with tape.
I hear that they're going
after individuals now.
- Man, this country's
going to hell.
- I know.
How's Jimmy? We'd
love to see him.
- See him? How am I supposed
to bring him over there, huh?
- Well, we could talk
like this, at least.
- He's at Louisa's, El.
You know she can't
work the internet.
- You should bring
him home to you.
- How?
She's high risk. She doesn't
want anyone coming over.
- A boy needs his dad, Cameron!
- You think I don't know that.
- Have you even seen
him since the funeral?
- I've been busy.
- Busy doing what?
- Building.
- [Ellen] Building what?
- It's a surprise.
- That's why I'm calling.
I need some money.
I know Grandpa left me some.
I was hoping I could
get an advance.
- Well, you'll have to talk
to the colonel about that.
He's been asking for you.
- He knows where to find me.
- I know that you're
still upset with him.
Cam...
He's sorry that he
missed the funeral.
- Is he also sorry
he never called?
- Death affects different
people in different ways.
Some people, it
just reminds them
of their own vulnerability.
- He just hates what
it says about him.
- That is not true. This has
been very hard for him, too.
You know how much
he cared for Lulu.
- I don't wanna hear about
how much he cared about Lulu.
If you can't help, I gotta go.
- No, wait a minute! I
need to tell you something!
(sighs) He hasn't been well.
- He's a tank. What could
possibly be wrong with him?
- He has a fever.
He's coughing.
He's lost his sense of taste.
- How long has
this been going on?
- Just a couple of days,
but it's getting worse.
He's having a hard
time breathing.
I'm scared, Cameron.
- Take him to the hospital.
- He says he's gonna get better.
- Well, what about you,
El? Did you get tested?
- He doesn't want me to.
- Fuck him, El.
You need to take
care of yourself!
- I wish you wouldn't use
that kind of language.
- He's such a selfish
fucking bastard.
- The colonel is one of
the most decent men I know.
- Yeah, well, if you think that,
it shows you don't
know a god damn thing.
(mouse clicks)
(rope creaks)
(Jimmy chuckles)
- [Whisperer] We are
living in a time of lies.
(intense ominous tones)
(Cameron pants)
(Cameron sighs)
- [Bob] Get the money?
- I need more time.
- Time?
The time to act is
right now, Navy!
And here you are, sitting on
your ass, drinking a beer!
- I'll get it. Don't worry.
- Well, don't make me worry.
- Can we meet?
- Are you crazy?
How do you think
they get you, Navy?
Where the government can't
see, they can't control.
And what they can't
control, they can't stop!
Can I trust you
to keep a secret?
- Sure.
(suspenseful music)
- R-Nought.
Rate of infection. Higher the
rate, the faster the spread.
Two R-Nought means one
becomes two, two becomes four,
four becomes eight.
One person can put
out a single spark,
but if you get enough sparks,
and they multiply fast
enough and spread far enough,
there's no way in the world
they can stomp it out.
And then, boom!
Fire, everywhere,
and all at once!
And there's no way they can
figure out where it started.
And then when the world is
reduced to ash and rubble,
we can build a whole
new world in its place.
A world of
truth
and beauty.
- When can this happen?
- Could take a thousand
years, but who cares?
We'll have been a part of it!
- Me? (chuckles) How
can I play a part in it?
- You're one of the sparks
that gets it started.
- What about Jimmy?
- [Bob] Jimmy?
- My son.
- Shit, Navy...
You really want Jimmy to grow
up in a world without heroes?
He's the reason you're here
in the first place, right?
I mean, you really
want Jimmy to grow up
with a pussy for a dad?
A coward who was too
afraid to, to punish the,
the pervert traitors
who raped and,
yeah, murdered
his beautiful mom?
(dark music continues)
- He'll be alone.
- He's alone Now.
Look. This shit is heavy.
I want you to think about it,
and if you can't make
this happen, well,
there are plenty of other
patriots out there who can.
(interference screeches)
- Bunker Bob?
Fuck. Bunker Bob?
I really need the money, El.
I know Grandpa left it to me.
- I know. I'd like to help.
- [Cameron] Then do it. Help.
It's important.
- You say it's for
some kind of surprise?
- It's for a tree house.
Remember how we always
talked about building one?
(Cameron chuckles)
Jimmy needs a place to be,
El. This could be his place.
- He has a room.
- A room's not a house.
With a tree house, you
can put up a ladder
and say no trespassing, and
you can make your own rules.
- It does sound nice.
- For a kid, it's essential.
He needs something of
his own to replace-
- Oh, all right.
- [Cameron] All right.
- I've got some money saved up.
- El, you're amazing.
- How much do you need?
- Uh, I think two
grand should cover it?
- [Ellen] Two grand?
- Please, El.
- I'll write you a check.
- Venmo it to me. That
way, I can have it faster.
I need to build it for him fast,
so that way, he knows
that I'm there for him.
- You can be there for him
by being there for him.
- No, I gotta surprise him.
I don't want him to
come home to nothing.
- It's not nothing
if you're there!
- He's a kid. He
won't understand.
- Cam, you don't
have to distract him.
Just talk to him. He's
feeling the loss, trust me.
Honey, have have
you thought about
maybe talking to
somebody yourself?
I can help with that too. In
fact, I would be happy to.
(Ellen coughs)
- El?
(Ellen coughs)
(Ellen coughs)
I'm fine. It's, I'm...
It's okay. I'm fine.
- Shit. You still
didn't get tested.
- He said that
there's no reason to.
- Jesus. You can't just do
everything he tells you to!
- (chuckles) Why?
You do, don't you?
Always. That's why you
went into the military.
(Ellen sighs)
Cam.
When you were little, you,
you used to like
making comic books.
I always thought that you'd
grow up to be an artist.
Do you still like to draw?
- What's the point?
(Ellen sighs)
Go to the doctor, El.
Don't tell the colonel
where you're going.
- He is so used to
projecting strength.
He'll never admit that
something's wrong.
You're like him in that way.
- I'm nothing like him.
(mouse clicks)
(camera bleeps)
(Cameron sighs)
(Cameron breathes heavily)
- [Whisperer] We are
living in a time of lies.
- To future generations.
We are living in a time of lies.
Everywhere around us.
The media, our politicians,
even our own friends and family.
But it's not their fault.
They're used to
not seeing things,
not trusting their own eyes,
or their own instincts.
They know things are wrong,
but they say nothing.
They smile and they
buy and they consume,
and they don't care,
because they can't care.
Because if they did, they'd
have to burn it all down.
And they're all too afraid.
But I don't wanna
live like that.
I'd rather sacrifice myself
to be true to myself.
That's the American way.
Or at least the way America
was, when my dad was a soldier.
And that's the legacy
I want to leave,
so my son can know there
was one honest man,
one man willing
to tell the truth,
and accept the consequences.
- Perfect.
Really great.
- It came from the heart.
- (chuckles) I'm not talking
about your little speech.
I'm talking about
getting the money.
You know, fuck that
bullshit manifesto stuff,
or whatever the fuck it was.
I had millions of those things
clogging up my Twitter feed.
Probably the reason
I got kicked off.
Actions speak, Navy.
Words are meaningless.
- If words are so meaningless,
what did you ever do?
You're just a talk show host.
All you do is blah,
blah, blah, blah, blah!
- Oh!
Big man, huh?
Trying to punch you
above his weight, huh?
You want to take me
on? Huh, motherfucker?
I tell you what,
you get that AK-47,
and we'll see who's really real.
(intense abrasive tones)
(Cameron sighs)
(bleak music)
(Cameron sighs)
(phone rings)
(phone rings)
- Ola.
- Luisa.
(chatter in Spanish)
(Cameron speaks Spanish)
(Luisa speaks Spanish)
- Gracias.
- Hello.
- Jimmy.
Hey.
- Oh.
- It's Dad.
- Hey, Dad.
We're making tortillas.
- Oh, you're making tortillas?
(Cameron chuckles)
Yeah. You're gonna be a big
chef one day, like Mom said.
- [Jimmy] I miss you, Dad.
- Yeah. I miss you too, bud.
Yeah, I'm sorry. I've been
on a real important mission.
- [Jimmy] What kind of mission?
- Top secret.
- [Jimmy] Really?
That's cool.
- Yeah.
Hey.
You remember that time
the big storm came,
and you got scared
and you crawled into
bed with Mom and me,
and we held you and
then you fell asleep?
- [Jimmy] Uh, (chuckles)
I was like seven.
- Yeah, well, I just
wanted to call and
tell you I want you to
remember that feeling.
I want you to know that
Mom and Dad are
always holding you.
No matter what.
No matter where.
- [Jimmy] Yeah. I guess so.
- (chuckles) Yeah.
We loved you so, so much.
I want you to know we're
always there for you,
no matter what happens.
- [Jimmy] Thanks, Dad.
I gotta get back now, Dad.
- Oh, yeah. No.
- [Jimmy] The tortillas.
- Yeah, I get it. I get it.
- Love you.
- Okay.
I love you. I love you, too.
Okay, bye.
(phone clicks)
(phone bleeps)
(somber orchestral music)
(Cameron breathes heavily)
(dark orchestral music)
- [Bob] Feels good, huh?
Moment of truth, Navy.
Time to burn shit down.
- You said if I got this gun,
you'd tell me what you did.
- Three words.
San Pedro Pier.
- 12 dead.
- Don't tell me you're
getting cold feet, Navy.
- I never said I
wasn't gonna do it.
- Then do it!
What the hell have
you got to lose?
Did you think you
matter to anyone?
To that family you keep
staring at in that picture?
To a wife who offed herself?
To a son who's got a
coward for a father?
I mean, what kind of sissy
do you think he's gonna
grow up to be, huh?
- Don't talk about my son.
- Oh, "Don't talk about my son."
Well, let me tell
you about your son.
He's gonna grow
up to be a sheep,
just like his lame-ass dad,
who, when the time came
to become unreasonable,
he just sat there,
feeling sorry for himself,
and drinking a beer.
Is that what they're gonna
put on your tombstone, Navy?
"Here lies a man
who drank a beer,
while his wife was being
raped and murdered.
He had a tall one."
- You don't know shit about it!
What the fuck did you ever do?
Shoot up a pier, kill
innocent children?
- Now you're getting there!
But I'm not the target, Navy!
I'm just a ghost!
You know what the target is.
You know what you have to do.
- What I have to
do is turn you off.
- Go ahead.
Come on!
(chuckles) You can't
do it, can you?
You don't have the balls,
because I'm all you've got.
- You're wrong.
I have a son.
- You gonna be a
dad like your dad?
- I can be better. I can
be better than my father.
- Can you?
- 12 Dead.
Eight injured.
Fathers, sons,
mothers, daughters.
For what?
- Not enough.
- It's never enough.
It'll never be enough.
There's no end to your way.
Just more destruction.
- Kill 'em all.
- The world isn't perfect,
but your world
isn't even a world.
It's a lie.
I don't want this fucking AK.
I'm gonna tell my son the truth
about what happened to his mom.
And I'm gonna turn you off.
- Sheep.
Baa.
- You're wrong.
I'm a dad.
(mouse clicks)
- Baa.
- Fuck you.
(door slams)
- [Whisperer] We are
living in a time of lies.
(keyboard clacks)
(keyboard clacks)
(keyboard clacks)
- I became unreasonable.
(interference crackles)
Will you join me?
(interference screeches)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(computer chimes)
(clock ticks rhythmically)
(reflective music)
(tense eerie music)
- [Beth] Mr. Manfred?
Will I get the hundred dollars?
Mr. Manfred?
Mr. Manfred?
Mr. Manfred?
Mr. Manfred?
Mr. Manfred?
(dark acoustic guitar music)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(indistinct whispering)
(eerie music)
(eerie music continues)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(indistinct whispering)
(computer chimes)
- Can you hear me?
Ben?
(Seraphina chuckles)
(computer chimes)
Ben?
Ben, where are you?
(computer chimes)
Ben?
(Seraphina chuckles)
- Hey.
- You came.
- Yeah.
I'm sorry I didn't before.
These last few nights have-
- Don't worry.
(distorted crackling)
- Is everything okay?
- Everything's fine.
- (sighs) Yeah. I get it.
Julie is the same way.
She, uh, gets watchful.
She worries. She's restless.
- You don't have to explain.
- This fucking god
damn situation.
- Let's talk about
something else, please?
- No, I just, I feel horrible.
Standing you up,
three fucking times.
- [Seraphina] It's okay.
- No.
Really, it's not.
It's just...
You have no idea what it's
like, here with Julia.
Like, we don't speak.
(distorted crackling)
We move around one another.
We grope.
Like, I grope for the butter
and she gropes for the toast,
and we annoy the hell
outta one another.
(distorted crackling)
And you, with Joe?
- You're here now.
That's all that counts.
- I've been dreaming
about driving you up
into the mountains
like we did, that night
after the work party?
Only this time, we could
watch the sunrise together.
- Oh, my God. That
would be nice.
- I can't wait to take you up
there, when this is all over.
If this is ever over.
- Of course it will be.
You'll see.
- (chuckles) God, I forgot
how beautiful you are.
- You're not so bad yourself.
- Well, as you can see, I
dressed for the occasion.
Is that what you wear to bed?
- It is.
How about you?
- Oh, I sleep naked.
- Ooh.
I wanna see that.
- Well, I would
love to accommodate,
but I can't just sit here
without any clothes on.
If, uh, Julia were to walk in...
- Tell me more
about the mountain.
Start at the work party.
- Okay, um...
You had just gotten back fro...
Where were you again?
- Ohio. My mom was
in the hospital.
- (sighs) I am so dumb.
Uh, she's better?
- Much.
Go on.
- I was watching you.
- Watching me?
- Oh, that black skirt. You
wore those heels. (chuckles)
I was so used to seeing
you in work clothes, but,
that night, I couldn't
take my eyes off of you.
- That's nice.
- And then you turned and
caught me looking at you,
and I thought, "Oh, shit."
"Busted."
(Seraphina chuckles)
- Why?
- Well, because of
what was on my mind.
- And what was on your mind?
- You know what was on my mind.
- And?
- And you smiled.
Just like that.
- Did not!
- Did too.
But not seductive.
Not inviting.
Just...
Like...
You liked my eyes on you.
Like...
You were glad I was there.
- I was.
- Okay.
And you said, "Come sign
Carmen's baby shower card."
- I passed you the pen.
- You passed me the pen.
- And?
- I leaned over.
- And?
- Our arms touched.
- Yes.
- I had to pull back.
- I knew it embarrassed you.
That it was crossing a
line, just that touch.
- And?
- I wanted-
- What?
What did you want?
- For you to do it again.
- It was electric for you, too?
- Hell yes.
- I knew it!
I knew it.
- What happened next?
- (sighs) Fuckin' Phil.
- Oh, fucking Phil!
- I know. Fuckin' Phil, right?
- Fucking Phil!
- Fuckin' Phil came over.
Dragged us off and
wanted to discuss the-
- God damn Deevers account.
- Deevers account. (chuckles)
- Oh, he's so god damn insecure.
- And we went over it.
- [Seraphina] We went
over it and over it.
- And we "fixed it".
- For the umpteenth time.
- We reassured Phil-
- It was all okay.
- "It's okay, Phil."
- "The sky won't fall, Phil."
- "It's gonna be all right!"
- "You won't get fired, Phil!"
- Nick will still love
you in the morning.
(both chuckle)
- And then?
- We finally got rid of Phil.
- You asked.
- "Do you want a ride home?"
- You said, "need".
- Sorry. "Need".
"Do you need a ride home?"
- I said.
- "I'll take an Uber."
- You said.
- "I'll take you, I'm leaving
anyway. Save you the fare."
- And I said... (sighs)
- "Okay."
- And then the drive.
- The drive.
(Ben chuckles)
I was so nervous, to
be so close to you.
- So was I.
(soft music)
You, um...
You said-
- "You know there are
mountains in the city?"
- I said, "I didn't know that."
- "10,000-foot ones,
right in the city."
- I said, "I don't believe you."
- I said I would prove it.
(Ben sighs)
The moon is high.
It's still.
And we sit there, side
by side, and just...
Waiting.
- Then.
- I'd never done anything
like that before.
- Me either.
- You were crazy.
- So were you.
- It was so wrong.
- It wasn't.
- I wasn't sure how you'd react.
(indistinct whispering)
- Yes, you were.
- [Whisperer] I wanna touch you.
(distorted crackling)
(suspenseful music)
- Touch you.
- Touch you.
- Touch you.
- Touch you.
(computer chimes)
(keyboard clacks)
- Seraphina?
Seraphina?
(computer chimes)
- Hey.
- What is it? What's wrong?
- I thought you
might not be coming.
(Ben chuckles)
- Of course I was coming.
- Was it Julia?
Is that why you were late?
- She keeps waking up in
the middle of the night,
and then she won't
go back to bed.
I know.
God, this fuckin' sucks. I
hate that I can't touch you.
(distorted crackling)
- I wanna touch you, too.
- Now.
Right now.
Not in three or six
weeks, or what, a year?
I wanna touch you, right now.
- I want you to touch me, too.
So badly.
- Maybe I can.
- How?
- Put your hand on your face.
- Why?
- Just do it.
No, no.
More gently. Just
the fingertips.
Like when we were on the
mountain and I touched you.
Do you remember?
- Of course I remember.
I'll never forget.
- Well, then do it.
Look at me and do it.
Touch your cheek now.
Now your lips.
Your eyebrows.
I touch
every part of you.
I want to remember
every part of you.
Now, unbutton your shirt.
(Seraphina gasps)
(soft music)
- Oh, God.
- Now touch your breasts.
- [Whisperer] I wanna touch you.
I just wanna touch you.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
Now lower.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
Lower.
You know what I want.
- I wanna touch you.
- I do.
- [Whisperer] I wanna touch you.
I wanna touch you.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
I wanna touch you.
- You feel that?
That's me, touching you.
(Seraphina moans)
Now you touch me, too.
- I am.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
I've got your cock in my hand.
(Ben moans)
Oh, yeah.
You're so fucking hard.
(Ben moans)
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
(Ben moans)
It's making me wet.
(both moan)
Put yourself inside me.
- I'm in you. Fuck,
you feel so good.
(both moan)
- (moans) So do you.
(both moan)
(Seraphina gasps)
Fuck.
(Ben moans)
(Seraphina gasps)
Fuck me harder.
(Ben moans)
Hard. (moans)
(both moan)
(both moan)
(distorted crackling)
Fuck.
- Come.
(Ben sighs)
Ooh. (chuckles)
(Ben sighs)
Phina?
Seraphina.
(Seraphina sobs)
(crashing)
(clattering)
(hand slaps)
Seraph...
- [Joe] You cunt.
You fucking whore.
I saw you touching yourself.
Cunt!
(Seraphina sobs)
(crashing)
(clattering)
- [Seraphina] I love
you. I love you.
(door creaks)
I love you, I'm sorry.
(Seraphina sobs)
(phone keypad bleeps)
(phone rings)
- 911, what's your-
- Yeah. Yeah, hi.
I want to report an assault
that's taking place.
- What's the address?
- Yeah.
(sighs) Fuck. I don't
remember the exact address.
Uh, it's on...
Balboa near Magnolia, I think?
- [Julia] Ben?
- Oh, you're, you're up!
- Yeah, what's going on?
- Sir, what is the...
- Nothing.
- [Julia] Well, who
are you speaking with?
- Someone from work.
Go back to sleep.
- [Julia] Okay. Well, I heard
screams, is everything okay?
- Will you just stay
the fuck asleep, please?
Oh, fuck. I'm sorry.
Julia!
(door slams)
Julia, I'm sorry.
- [Operator] Hello?
(computer chimes)
(Ben sighs)
Hello?
(computer chimes)
- Seraphina?
Seraphina.
(computer chimes)
Oh, my God.
- It's nothing.
- You have to get out of there.
- Please stop calling me.
- You can't stay there.
- What choice do I have?
I have nowhere to go.
- I'll call someone!
- Don't.
Please.
- Why?
- You'll only make it worse.
- How could it
possibly be any worse?
- Trust me. It can.
(suspenseful music)
- That voice I heard.
That was a woman's voice.
Was that Joe?
Is Joe a woman?
(distorted crackling)
- It's complicated.
- How complicated is it?
- It doesn't matter.
We can't see each other again.
- Look, it's not
safe where you are.
- Joe's fine.
(distorted crackling)
(Seraphina chuckles)
She's never normally like this.
(distorted crackling)
We love one another.
(Ben scoffs)
- Look, whatever that
is, it's not love.
Wait. Please, just
stay a little.
(dark music)
- I deserve what I got.
(chuckles) I've
always been fucked up.
- No, you're not.
- I just wanted to
go to the mountain.
- Just let me come get you.
Tell me where you live.
- You don't remember?
- No, of course I do.
It's just all the houses where
you are, they look alike.
What's your address?
And I'll come get you.
- Where would we go?
Where could we go?
- I'd put you up in a hotel.
(sighs) Then Julia would see
the credit card expenses.
- You see, it's useless.
There's no escaping her.
- Maybe there's some social
services we could contact?
- No. No, I can't
go to a shelter.
Especially now.
- Then the mountain. You
said you wanted to go there.
Maybe we could do it for real.
- I don't understand.
- There's a camp up there.
- A camp?
- A boys camp.
I've ridden by it many times.
Look, it's closed
this time of year.
I'm sure that it's empty.
We could set you up there.
At least until we figure
out something better.
- You really think we can?
- Of course we can.
Now, what's your address?
I'll come and get you.
- No, you...
You can't come here.
It's too dangerous.
I'll come to you.
Give me your address.
(phone chimes)
- Okay.
(phone chimes)
There, I sent it.
Did you get it?
(phone chimes)
- I have it.
- Okay, good. Now, come
before Joe wakes up.
And don't ring. Text
and I'll come down.
- Because of Julia.
- I just don't want her
to find out like this.
- Then why don't you tell her?
- I will, when the time's right.
- What if you change your mind?
- I won't.
- What if Julia
won't let you go?
- It's not up to her.
Not anymore.
Okay?
I love you.
(Seraphina chuckles)
- I love you, too.
(chuckles) So much.
Oh, fuck!
- What?
(head thuds)
What?
(head thuds)
(computer chimes)
(eerie tones)
(phone keypad bleeps)
(phone rings)
(Seraphina sobs)
Phina?
(Seraphina sobs)
Phina!
- [Joe] Are you happy?
You did this.
(phone clicks)
(eagle screams)
(dark music continues)
(computer chimes)
- Hello.
(computer chimes)
Is this Seraphina?
Seraphina, are you having
an affair with my husband?
(Joe breathes shakily)
There's a standing meeting
every night at 4:00 AM
and it says "The Mountain".
Is this the mountain?
(Joe breathes shakily)
(Joe sighs)
(Joe breathes heavily)
Hello?
- [Joe] I loved her.
So much.
- Hello?
(Joe breathes heavily)
Why?
You knew she was with someone.
You could have chosen anyone.
- Who is this?
- [Joe] Why her?
(Joe breathes heavily)
You made me do this.
(ominous music)
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
I didn't make you do anything.
Are you talking
about my husband?
- [Joe] Don't pretend
it wasn't you.
She's never been with a man.
- I swear to you, I don't
even know who this person is.
- [Joe] It doesn't
matter what you say.
I know where you live.
I'm coming over.
(Julia gasps)
- [Ben] I told you.
Let me handle it.
- Who is that?
(dark music)
(computer chimes)
(computer chimes)
- Seraphina?
Are you there?
Seraphina, are you okay?
(computer chimes)
Oh, thank God.
The way Joe was talking,
I was afraid something
horrible happened to you.
- You never told her.
(distorted crackling)
- What?
- Julia. I thought you
were gonna tell her.
- She knows now.
- So, we can go to the mountain?
- I can't do that anymore.
- Then why did
you say you could?
Why did you take me
up there and fuck me?
- I'm sorry. It's just...
Julia talked to Joe and
now she's terrified.
I can't just leave
her like this.
Look, just give me your
address. Let me call the police.
You shouldn't have
to live like this.
- The police?
You think they can help?
They can't do shit.
You could have, but you're a
coward like the rest of them.
(distorted crackling)
Aren't you going
to say you love me?
- I think-
- You think what?
(Seraphina sighs)
I should've known,
when you didn't even
offer your condolences.
- Condolences?
- When I said I was in Ohio.
You forgot about
my mom being sick.
I was lying, anyway.
I was the one in the
hospital. Not her.
- You were in the hospital
because Joe beat you.
- I said it's complicated.
(distorted crackling)
You still don't understand.
Oh, you will.
Just like I did.
You'll find out about Joe, too.
The way I know about Joe.
- What are you talking about?
(Seraphina breathes shakily)
(indistinct whispering)
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
[As Joe] You're
trying to leave me.
(hand slaps)
(ominous music)
- What the...
(Seraphina gasps)
[As Joe] - You fucking...
Fucking cunt!
You whore!
Look what you're making me do!
(Seraphina moans)
(hands slap)
- Phina.
- You're still trying
to get away from me.
You'll never get away from me.
(Seraphina breathes heavily)
[Seraphina] I know.
- Phina?
(fist thuds)
[Joe] - So, she was right.
[Joe] That little
whore wife of yours.
[As Joe] Seraphina
was fucking a man.
(distorted crackling)
(Seraphina gasps)
I wouldn't have believed it.
(hand slaps)
She knows what men are.
(distorted crackling)
You're all the same.
(ominous music continues)
Doesn't matter.
You made me do this.
And now you're going to pay.
One night, in your little
thousand-square-foot prison,
with a fucking IKEA console,
and the shag rug,
and the white cabinets,
and the coffee grinder,
and the cream sectional.
(chair scrapes)
I'll find you there.
(ominous music continues)
I promise.
(distorted crackling)
(indistinct whispering)
- At least she doesn't
have our address.
She doesn't, does she?
You didn't bring
this home to us.
Ben!
(Julia sighs)
(heavy thuds on door)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(birds chirp)
(distant dog barks)
(keyboard clacks)
- Applicant 1438.
This is April 23rd, 2020.
It's 11:03 Eastern
Standard Time.
I'm meeting with Global
ConX data engineer,
salary level B/H basis.
Name.
(computer chimes)
Let's begin.
(phone bleeps)
- [Rohit] Okay. Can you see me?
- Yes.
- Remind me of your name again.
- Rohit Banerjee.
- Banerjee. That's...
- It's my last name.
- Because we're not
hiring foreigners.
- I'm American. My father
came over from India.
But I was born here.
- Hm.
- Will, uh...
Will Mr. Manfred be
joining in on this?
- [Beth] Who?
- Mr. Manfred. I
see he's with us.
Am I saying that wrong?
Sounds like Manfred.
M-A-N-F-R-E-D?
- Oh, Mr. Manfred.
- Your boss?
- Mr. Manfred.
- Yes.
- Mr. Manfred's on call.
- Great. That's great.
- We'll be hearing from
him shortly, I'm sure.
- [Rohit] Great.
- He's scheduled to be
on the call with us.
- Yes. That's what I have, too.
"Mr. Manfred is inviting
you to a scheduled call
at 11:00 AM EST.
(children giggle)
And by the way,
I'm sorry I'm late.
- About three minutes-
- I was just looking for a
quiet place to take this call.
- I was gonna give up on you.
- Glad you didn't.
- I pressed join, not once.
Many times.
- I'm glad you
didn't give up on me.
- Well, you're here now.
- I was just trying to...
- Do you have internet access?
- What?
- Internet access.
We need people who
undertake this position
to have internet access.
- (chuckles) Well,
I'm speaking to you-
- [Beth] Is this
your home computer?
- Well, of course
it's my home computer.
- [Beth] You don't
have to be agitated.
- I'm not.
- I'm just asking.
- Yes. Yes, it's
my home computer.
- I don't have a home computer.
- [Rohit] You don't?
- They brought
this computer over.
- Oh, well...
- A man in a hazmat suit
came and dropped it off,
in front of my
apartment building.
I had to go down three
flights of stairs
and wait in an unsafe area
for him to bring and leave it.
And then, well, it
still smells of bleach.
- I'm sorry to hear that.
- So, don't act so
entitled, Mr. Banerjee,
about your god damn personal
computer, 'cause it-
- No, I'm, I'm not.
- We're all just people here.
We're all just
trying to do a job.
- Okay. I'm sorry.
- I...
You don't need to be sorry.
- [Rohit] No.
- (sighs) That was
unprofessional.
- Not at all.
- [Beth] Yes, it was.
- It wasn't unprofessional.
(Beth chuckles)
- Why are you saying
it was professional,
when it was clearly
unprofessional?
- You're not unprofessional.
You just had an
unprofessional moment.
Can happen to anyone.
- Has it happened to you?
- What?
- Unprofessional moments?
If we're thinking of hiring
you, we need to know.
- No, I try to
stay professional.
- Oh, Mr. Perfect.
- No, I'm not perfect.
- No, I get it. You're perfect.
- I'm not perfect. I
am far from perfect.
- Well, if you're
far from perfect,
why are we thinking
of hiring you?
(suspenseful music)
- Is, um...
Mr. Manfred...
(keyboard clacks)
Are
you here?
(computer chimes)
(Rohit sighs)
Is Mr. Manfred with us?
(Beth chuckles)
- I mean, Mr. Manfred.
Do you know Mr. Manfred?
- No.
- Mr. Manfred is
high, very high,
very far above me
in the company.
He's like the CEO, or something.
Or the CEO for the
COO. (chuckles)
He's high. A very high position.
So Mr. Manfred doesn't have
time to come and waste with you.
I mean, who do
you think you are?
Do you think you're so
important in Mr. Manfred's eyes
that he has time to
come and waste with you?
Do you?
- I don't...
I don't know Mr. Manfred.
- Of course you don't
know Mr. Manfred.
Nobody knows Mr. Manfred.
His wife, maybe.
If he has a wife.
Partner, I should say partner.
A man or woman, or whatever.
- The email said-
- The email, the email.
- Yes, the email. It says:
"Mr. Manfred is inviting
you to a scheduled call
at 11:00 AM EST, Thursday,
April 23rd, 2020.
Please log on."
- "Please log on.
Please log on."
As if it were so simple.
(children scream)
- Look.
I really need this job.
- (sighs) Why? Why
does anyone need a job?
- I have rent.
I have a baby coming.
My wife partner was laid off.
My dad's sending money, um,
but he's just did
a renovation, so...
(child giggles)
So...
- So what?
- Can we get back to it?
- Back to what?
- The interview.
Hello?
The job interview?
(keyboard clacks)
(Rohit sighs)
(keyboard clacks)
(ominous music)
- I just got hired yesterday.
- Oh.
- I don't know anything
about the position
that you're applying to.
- Oh.
(Beth sighs)
- I, I don't really know
what I'm supposed to ask you.
- Oh.
- They said to get on
this call for Mr. Manfred.
(Beth gasps)
(Beth coughs)
(Beth coughs)
(Beth coughs)
(Beth coughs)
(Beth coughs)
They said they'd be
sending the questions.
- Oh.
- I'm still awaiting
for questions.
- Oh.
Maybe the call was premature.
- No, no, no, no, no.
I get paid by the call.
We have to do the call.
- You get paid by the call?
- [Beth] Yes, a certain
amount per interview.
- Oh.
- I just got hired, yesterday.
- All right.
- But I don't have
the questions.
- Okay, well, maybe we
should do this another time.
- (grunts) Stay on the line.
- Okay.
- Please.
- Okay.
- They just dropped
off this computer.
- You said.
- [Beth] I cleaned
it with bleach.
- Yes.
(clock ticks rhythmically)
- I turned it off first.
- Yes.
- It still smells of bleach.
- Hate that smell.
- I do, too. (chuckles)
(Rohit chuckles)
I am so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- [Beth] Did you hear
me? I said I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm sorry.
- (sighs) I already told
you not to be sorry.
- I'm not sorry.
- That is so mean.
(Beth chuckles)
- I mean, I...
I empathize.
Actually, I don't,
really. (chuckles)
I wish I had some solitude.
You know, I'm stuck
in a bathroom,
because our apartment
is 600-square-feet
and my kids and wife are on
the other side of that door,
and I can't get away from them.
- You're lucky.
- [Rohit] Lucky I can't
get away from them?
- You're lucky to have them.
- Oh.
Right.
Of course.
- This one old man, I
believe he was like 50,
he was taking his wife to
the hospital and this is
not far from me, this
Prince George County.
And they had no room, so
he went to another town,
and they also had no room.
So he was driving
somewhere else, nowhere.
And he looked over.
(gentle music)
Right.
This was a neighbor.
- Oh.
I'm sorry.
- I don't know.
But I'm scared.
- Don't be scared.
- I can't help it. I'm scared.
- It's all right.
It's all right to be scared.
- You're the first person
that I've talked to.
And, uh...
- How'd you get this job?
- It came in the mail.
- What did?
(clock ticks rhythmically)
- A coupon book. (chuckles)
It came in a coupon book.
- I'm not following.
(Beth laughs)
- An opportunity
to work from home.
I wrote away. They
sent a letter.
- Letter?
- Yeah. Why do
you say like that?
- (chuckles) No,
it's, it's old school.
- Yeah. They don't told
me they'd send a computer.
I waited and it came-
- I know, I know.
(Beth chuckles)
- I have never done this before.
- I know.
- They never sent the questions.
- I know.
- Do you think they'll
send the hundred dollars?
(Beth chuckles)
I'm supposed to
keep you on for 20 minutes.
Has it been 20 minutes.
Mr. Banerjee?
- I don't know.
- Don't be sad.
- I'm not.
- Mr. Manfred knows
what he's doing.
He sent this.
- I don't even know your name.
- Beth.
- [Rohit] Beth.
- It's nice to meet
you, Mr. Banerjee.
- You can call me Rohit.
- Rohit.
Well... (chuckles)
Can we meet again, Rohit?
If I get the questions.
- Right.
- See, the thing is, I don't
know you and you don't know me.
They don't want us to use
our names. Our real ones.
Beth isn't my real name.
I just made that up.
I mean, for all I know,
you could be Mr. Manfred.
(Rohit chuckles)
- I'm not Mr. Manfred.
- You could be testing me.
- I'm not. (chuckles)
- So, I guess, um,
we can't meet each
other after all.
- No, that makes sense.
- Unless Mr. Manfred
makes it happen.
I mean, he has all
the information.
If he does, (chuckles)
if he even exists.
I mean, he could just
be AI or something.
- Ugh. That's horrible.
- Isn't it? (chuckles)
So, all we have is
this moment right now.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- For as long as you
stay on the line.
- I'm so lonely.
- I'm so lonely.
- Whoever you are.
(indistinct whispering)
(dark music)
- Uh...
- Please don't go.
- I really should.
- No, I, just...
Let's just stay here
and breathe together.
(indistinct whispering)
- The kids need the bathroom.
- No, they don't.
- They're banging on the door.
- I don't hear them.
- The sound is muffled.
- Please.
Don't
run
from me, don't run from this.
You can't.
- Beth,
or whoever you are...
- Yes?
Rohit? Or whoever you are.
(dark music continues)
(indistinct whispering)
- Goodbye.
(clock ticks rhythmically)
- [Beth] Mr. Manfred?
Will I get the hundred dollars?
Mr. Manfred?
(clock ticks rhythmically)
(laptop lid clacks)
(clock ticks rhythmically)
(phone clicks)
(smooth jazz music)
(computer chimes)
(computer chimes)
- Ah. Welcome, Mr. Abieyuwa.
It's nice to see you again.
- Ah, it is nice to see
you too, Mrs. Haley.
You are looking lovely today.
- Ms.
- Ah!
Then there's hope. (chuckles)
(Celine chuckles)
- Um, (clears throat) did
you get all your materials?
- Yes. They were delivered
to my doorstep, yesterday.
- And you looked it
all over? No confusion?
- Ah, it was crystal clear.
- Excellent.
So, then by now, you would've
taken your first dose?
- Yes, I have done it.
- Oh, okay. At 8:00 AM?
- 8:00 AM. Yes.
- Hm.
- 8:15.
- 8:15 is the baseline.
- 8:45.
I'm sorry. I was a
little nervous taking it.
- There's nothing to
be nervous about, okay?
8:45 is the baseline.
From now on, you
will dose at 8:45.
- Are you sure it's okay?
- Uh, 8:45 is fine
as a baseline.
- No.
The dose.
The spray.
I know someone
whose hair fell off,
doing one of these
trials. (chuckles)
- No, that's not one of
the potential side effects.
- Ah, that's good.
'Cause I can't afford
for my hair to fall off.
I can't. No, I can't.
- I'm sure you're quite
a player, Mr. Abieyuwa.
- Ese.
My name is Ese.
- Ese.
- So...
No need to worry?
- Well, I, uh, you
signed the disclosure.
That means you, you
must have read it.
- Oh, that's for the
insurance companies.
I'm asking you, Ms Haley.
- Well, I just, I just
administer the doses.
- Ah, so you don't
know anything about it?
- No, I, well, (sighs)
they don't tell us anything
more than what's
in the paperwork.
- You can't trust that, huh?
These big companies, they lie.
Okay, Ese, well this
is how it works. Um.
We will give you the vaccine
a little bit at a time
to test your natural immunity.
Six doses in total and we'll
test you after each dose
to see how you react.
If it works out, we'll wind up
helping out a lot of people.
- And there's a 50% chance
that it is a placebo?
- Uh...
Yes.
- Is that what I am receiving?
- Okay, well, they
don't tell us that,
because they don't want that
to influence the results.
But if you, if you feel any
side effects, I'll pull you off.
- I don't get the full payment,
unless I do all
the doses, right?
- Yeah. Unfortunately, yeah.
(Ese sighs)
- I need the money for Neoma.
My little sister.
We brought her here
from the home country
because the doctors are better.
She, she has a heart condition.
- Oh, shucks. I'm
sorry to to hear that.
- Are you an island girl?
(both laugh)
Let me guess.
Trinidad.
- Oh! That's right.
- Yeah! Trinidad!
(Celine laughs)
Crab and callaloo
- Most people can't tell.
- Oh, I love it, eh?
Me, I'm from Nigeria.
I'm the man of my family.
- Oh.
Uh, let's move on, shall we?
The jelly beans.
Can you tell me the four
flavors in today's packet?
- I say that to say...
(suspenseful music)
Neoma is counting on me.
- I'm sure she is.
- I'm all that she has.
So, you would tell
me if I should worry.
- Ese, I've been working
at this company now
for over three years and
they wouldn't run this trial,
if it wasn't safe.
Okay?
- Okay, Ms. Haley.
(match strikes)
(smooth jazz music)
(Celine blows)
(Celine sighs)
(smooth jazz music continues)
(protestors cheer)
- [Speaker] I'm not in any
way trying to act like I know
the true pain story of what
it is to be Black in America.
Let me remind you that
I was able to accept
the disassociation of
being Black in America
long enough to keep
myself in a bubble...
(smooth jazz music)
- Welcome, Ese. It's
good to see you again.
- Ah, I told you my name, Ms.
Haley, and all about myself.
My age, weight,
height, family history.
The least you can do
is tell me your name.
- I'm afraid I'm not allowed.
- Ah, you must take a risk.
Like me with this test, no?
My nephew says "Hi", by the way.
- Wait. You didn't
mention you had a nephew.
- Ah, he's too young
for you, Ms. Haley.
- (chuckles) That's very funny.
(both laugh)
But you didn't tell him
about this study, did you?
- I know the rules. Number
eight on your checklist.
I just told him I met
a beautiful woman.
- Hm.
His mom's Neoma, right?
- You have a good
memory, Ms. Haley.
She has had a very hard time.
Her husband died soon
after her son was born.
I've been taking care
of both of them now.
- Oh. She's very lucky to
have a big brother like you.
- I keep telling her
the same thing, yeah?
But truth be told, I don't mind.
My family is everything to me.
Do you have a family?
- Uh, it's just myself.
- I'll tell you what.
When this is all over,
we will celebrate.
You will come meet my family.
Neoma will make crab
and callaloo for you.
You'll feel right
at home. (laughs)
- That's very sweet of you.
- I am serious!
Neoma is a wonderful cook.
Are you in Los Angeles, too?
- Ese.
- Ah, I won't tell your boss.
- No, I would love to
accept your invitation but-
- But it is not to allowed, eh?
- It's just, it might
be frowned upon.
And I can't afford
to lose this job.
- I understand.
We all have our needs.
Too bad.
I'll be so sorry when
this is all over,
and I won't be able to
see that beautiful face,
looking down at me, every day.
- Oh, (chuckles)
that's a new one.
Yeah, most of my clients
can't wait to get rid of me
and get their checks.
- Is that what you think
of me, eh? Just a client.
My nephew will be so
sorry when he hears this.
Last night, when I saw
him, he was teasing me,
'cause I kept
going on about you.
He said, "No woman can be
as pretty as all that."
- Oh, uh...
You saw him last night?
You're supposed to be
socially distancing.
- What is the problem?
Everyone was out.
- Out where?
- In the protests.
My nephew needed a
driver, you understand?
I stayed in the car,
the entire time.
I just wanted him to go get
me a pillow for my back.
I have a bad back, eh.
But he didn't get the pillow
'cause when he left the store,
some white woman ran
up to him and said,
"Well, what does these pillows
have to do with
Black Lives Matter?"
My nephew look at
that woman and said,
"I don't give a shit
about Black Lives Matter."
(Ese laughs)
- Excuse me?
- Uh, he's young.
- How can he not care about
Black Lives Matter? He's Black.
(bleak music)
What? Do you not care
about Black Lives Matter?
- It has nothing to do with me.
- Wow!
- I'm African.
- But you're Black, in America.
Okay, forget about the
pillows. What about the police?
- Don't tell me you
are worried for me.
- I'm thinking of your sister.
- The police left us alone.
- (chuckles) Of course.
They only go after the
peaceful protestors.
Never the looters.
- "Looter"?
I'm not a looter.
- Your nephew is.
- Yeah. So, is that
how you see it, huh?
They rushed into Africa
and they stole our gold,
our history, our bodies.
Tell me who's the looter here?
- Okay, Mr. Abieyuwa,
I don't know if this
is going to work out.
If you're not gonna obey
the social distancing rules-
- And what is all this, eh?
Please, just look
the other way, yeah?
Please. I beg.
(suspenseful music)
(keyboard clacks)
(distant siren wails)
(keyboard clacks)
(smooth jazz music)
(computer chimes)
- You took your
dose, Mr. Abieyuwa?
- 8:45, precisely.
You see what a good boy
I'm being? Now, my reward.
- You're getting a
completion bonus.
That's all that really
matters to you, isn't it?
- No, that's from the company.
I want a reward from you.
- Okay, let's not go there.
You tasted today's
packet of jelly beans?
- Yes.
Yes, uh, chocolate
pudding. Mm-hm.
Cotton candy,
watermelon, apple pie.
All good American
flavors. Did I ace them?
- Yeah. Got them all.
- Now, my prize.
- Okay, I am not interested
in playing your
games, Mr. Abieyuwa.
- Well, if you won't give me
a prize, I'll get you one, eh?
Oh, what is your size? Huh?
- I don't want looted shoes.
- Hey, hey, look.
"There's no place like home.
There's no place like home."
- So, you went out again?
- Uh, these are from
the other night.
My nephew left them behind.
- Why do you show me those
when you know it upsets me?
- So, I was right.
You are still angry from
our discussion yesterday.
(Ese chuckles)
I didn't know you had such
your fire in you, Ms. Haley.
- I don't usually get political.
- Ah, don't
apologize. I like it.
- Frankly, it doesn't
matter what you like.
- Why? Because I don't
believe in Black Lives Matter?
You may think that this
is my country, Ms. Haley,
but I assure you, it is not.
I've been living
here for seven years,
and I don't know a
single neighbor's name.
Hm.
I walk down the street and
I hear what they call me.
"There goes the African
Booty Scratcher."
- If the police come
to your neighborhood,
do you think they'll
see you as African?
It's all the same to them.
- Maybe you are right.
You asked me if I
went out yesterday.
I did.
My nephew needed a car, so,
we went out to see
what was going on.
We drove, all over.
To some beautiful neighborhoods.
As segregated as you will
find in South Africa.
We drove by a crowd
of police officers.
My nephew told me to pull over.
He got out of the car
and I followed him.
Whew.
I was scared.
I have never seen so many police
massed together like that,
with their riot gears
and their batons.
Yeah.
(siren wails)
(muffled radio chatter)
But we walked right by them.
And there was maybe
2,000 protestors,
standing in front of
some big fancy house.
- It was the mayor's house.
- I don't know.
- I do.
It was the mayor's house.
- They were shouting.
"Hands up."
"Don't shoot."
"I can't breathe."
- [Protestors] I can't breathe!
- They were so young.
- I can't breathe!
I can't breathe!
- And my nephew,
he starts shouting.
"Hands up."
"Don't shoot."
"I can't breathe."
Me too.
Before I even know
it, I am shouting.
"Hands up."
"Don't shoot."
"I can't breathe."
- Don't shoot.
- Hands up.
- Don't shoot.
- Hands up.
- Don't shoot.
- Hands up.
- And it felt so
good shouting it.
It's the first time I
felt like I've belonged.
- Hm.
(Ese sighs)
- But half of the
protestors were white,
so, I guess they saw
me as just Black, eh?
- It had nothing to
do with white people.
It was your people.
Our people.
There were more of
us there than them.
- "Us"?
- I, I was...
I was there, too.
- How come I didn't see you?
- I had on my mask, of course.
(Ese chuckles)
- Do you know what that means?
- What's that?
- We are in the same city.
Yeah!
(Ese vocalizes cheerfully)
(Ese laughs)
- We must love each other
and support each other.
- [Protestors] We
must love each other
and support each other.
- [Speaker] We have nothing
to lose but our chains.
- [Protestors] We have nothing
to lose but our chains.
- [Speaker] We've gotta send
some love to (indistinct).
(protestors cheer)
(smooth jazz music)
(computer chimes)
- Hm.
Flavors.
- I'd like to taste
your flavors, Ms. Haley.
- Mr. Abieyuwa.
- Ese, please!
Why are you always so serious?
- Why do you always
have to play the fool?
- My sister asks the same thing.
- (scoffs) Look,
believe it or not.
You're not God's
gift to women, Ese.
- Oh, believe me. I know.
I, I had my heart broken
when I was a young man.
I guess I tease women to
keep myself free of risk.
I said too much.
- The flavors.
- Ah. Sorry.
Dr. Pepper, my
second favorite soda.
Peach.
Raspberry.
- Mm-hm.
And?
- Uh, sorry. Sorry.
- You must have them
checked off on your list.
- Uh...
Peach.
- Peach? You're sure?
- Uh...
Perhaps...
(suspenseful music)
Bubblegum.
Bubble, bubblegum.
Why are you looking
at me like that?
- You're guessing.
- No, I'm not. I just
didn't write it down.
- Ese, I'm...
I'm gonna have to
disqualify you.
- What? No.
- Yeah. It's for
your own safety.
- How?
- You should be able to
taste all four flavors.
- I did!
- No, you can taste three.
Not four!
- Please give me
another chance, eh?
- I, I can't.
- You said it was safe, eh?
You said you wouldn't give
it to me, unless it was safe.
Please.
Neoma needs this to
pay for her medication.
I need this, for her sake.
- I know you do.
(keyboard clacks)
(keyboard clacks)
(eerie tones)
(computer chimes)
You still have the diarrhea?
- I couldn't keep anything down.
- What else?
- Stomach and throat.
I'm having a hard time
getting enough air.
- Flavors?
(Ese sighs)
- Banana.
Pear.
- No, no, no. We, we really
have to stop this, Ese.
I don't want to be responsible.
- Please. We have come this far.
- (sighs) I'm just, I'm just,
I'm just worried about you.
- And so, you do like me, eh?
- Yes.
I do.
- Then you'll come
over for dinner?
- I can't, if you're not well.
- I'm fine.
I'm strong.
And you said it was safe.
We are in this
together, you and I.
Now, please, let's talk
about something else.
I wish I could have
met your mother.
Her and Neoma could
compare recipes.
I will add ewedu soup to
your crab and callaloo.
- (chuckles) Oh.
That sounds nice.
- Ah, I bet she was
a wonderful woman.
Is she why you are so strong?
- My grandmother
was the strong one.
That's what my mother
always told me.
I barely knew her. We
came over when I was six.
Just my mother and I.
(Celine chuckles)
What I remember
of the island was
the warmth, sunshine,
the togetherness,
the feeling like I was
a part of everything
and everything was a part of me.
- Mm.
- Afterwards
though, it was just,
she and I alone, in
this hostile world.
And it sounds silly, but what
you said about belonging?
That's how I felt in Trinidad.
Sometimes I wish
we never left.
- And did you go back?
- Not when I was young.
Over here, I just
learned to be tough,
because no matter who I was,
people were always gonna
look at me a certain way.
My mother taught me to
be strong and have faith
and not to count on
others for anything,
and as harsh as that may sound,
America decided who I was.
Who I needed to be.
Ese.
You're a good man.
A kind man with a...
With an open heart.
I used to be like you,
but I don't really think
I'm that person anymore.
- You have a bigger
heart than you know.
I know so.
(Celine chuckles)
- Celine.
- What?
- My name.
I was named after
my grandmother.
- Your grandmother would
have been so proud of you.
(Celine chuckles)
- I hope so. (chuckles)
Who I am should honor her.
Our ancestors, they
wanted so much for us.
We are our ancestors'
wildest dreams.
God, you've got me
sharing so much.
You, uh, you're
quite a sweet talker.
How is it that you
don't have a wife?
- Because I haven't met
you before. (laughs)
(Celine chuckles)
A poet needs inspiration
to do best work.
(gentle music)
Tell me, Celine.
Is there truly no
other man in your life?
- Sometimes I'm
seen as too strong.
- I see your strength.
And that makes you
most beautiful.
(heartbeat thumps rapidly)
(eerie tones)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(computer chimes)
- Ese?
- Celine. (chuckles)
I've been saying
your name all day.
Celine.
- What's wrong?
- I'm fine.
I took the last dose at
8:45, like a good boy.
Like a good boy.
- Can you tell me
the flavors, Ese?
(indistinct whispering)
- Yam.
Okra.
Karahi.
Crawfish.
Yes.
- Those are not on the list.
- Of course they are.
- Uh...
Anything else, Ese?
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
- Uh...
Shivers.
- You said it was safe.
- Stomach.
Fever.
Cramp.
- Okay, we should call 911.
- No, no. I don't want
them to take me home.
- No, no, they won't.
- Ah, you can't trust
the government, eh?
They're as bad as
these companies.
(muffled gun fires)
(muffled tires screech)
- [Officer] Get out of the car.
- What was that, huh?
- What?
- The explosions.
What's out there?
- No, the explosions...
They were before, at
night, during the curfews,
but it, it's day now.
- Oh, I can't breathe.
I can't breathe.
Get your knees off my neck!
(siren chirps)
(wind blows)
- Get 'em up!
(Ese groans)
- This is not a game, man.
This is not a game!
People are dying.
- Ese, let me call
someone, please.
- No, no.
(Celine sighs)
I'm fine.
Fine. (chuckles)
It is all over.
It's over now.
- Ese.
- You can come over
for dinner now.
It is all over.
It's over.
- I know.
Ese.
- From now on,
we'll be strong, together.
(muffled horn honks)
(smooth jazz music)
(Celine sighs)
(Celine hums cheerfully)
Mm-hm.
(Celine hums cheerfully)
(brooding jazz music)
(computer chimes)
(computer chimes)
- Oh, uh...
Is, is Ese there?
- Mr. Abieyuwa died.
Yesterday.
- Uh...
- Are you all right?
- Um, uh...
At what time did
Mr. Abieyuwa pass?
- Sometime after 11, last night.
(Celine sighs)
- Can you tell me what happened?
- I'm sorry. I, I...
- Wait. You're Neoma,
his little sister?
- You know me?
- (sighs) Ese, Mr. Abieyuwa,
he spoke highly of you.
- How did you know my brother?
- We worked together.
He was, um, he was
a valued worker.
What he did was... (sighs)
He was, he was able to
help a lot of people.
- This my brother we speak of?
No. I don't believe you.
Have to go.
- Wait, wait, wait, wait,
wait. Please, please, please.
He brought you over here,
because he was concerned about
your, your heart condition.
Tell me, what happened, Neoma?
- He, he was in his room.
(somber music)
He didn't want me to come near
him. He told me to stay away.
But he's my brother.
- But you...
You live in the
apartment with him?
- Where else?
- [Celine] He...
He said he lived by himself.
- He always told people that.
He didn't want me
to get in trouble.
- Go on.
- He was delirious.
He kept talking about life
back home in the village.
He remembered our mother,
our father,
our ancestors.
The queen mother, even.
He kept
talking about
someone named
Celine.
He said I should cook for
her, crab and callaloo.
He said a very special meal
for a very special person
that will change our lives
and that we should
be strong for her.
That she was a part
of us, or would be.
It was all nonsense, like that.
I know he was alone.
- Did you call anyone?
- 911.
But by the time they got
here, he was already gone.
- I'm, I'm so sorry.
- Don't be, darling.
I kept telling them not to
go out there in the streets.
It's dangerous.
That must be how he got this.
I just hope I don't
have it myself.
If something was to happen,
my son, he would be alone.
- You have to keep him safe.
- I, I...
We have a, a check,
made out to him.
He wanted you to have it.
- You mean an award?
- Um, yes.
- [Neoma] How much for?
- $3,000.
- That's good.
It will come in handy now.
- Oh.
- I'm so glad.
- To pay for Ese's funeral.
He didn't have nothing
saved for that.
If you are looking for
anyone else in your company,
my son could use a job.
He just turned 18
and work is scarce.
I could give you his name.
- No.
No more names.
(match strikes)
(brooding jazz music)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(soft music)
(muffled chatter)
(overlapping chatter
from monitor)
- [Donald] For the most
part, they do very little.
The World Health Organization.
- Fake news, the politicians.
- They called it wrong.
- The deep state.
- [Donald] They called it wrong.
They're all lying!
- They're lying going
down the stairs,
and they're lying
coming right back up.
Oh, we know it. They know it.
Hell, everybody knows it.
- [Donald] They turned
down the chance.
- But if, God forbid, you
should point that out,
well, then you become
their sworn enemy,
and they will bring
the power of the state,
combined with the forces
of greed to bury your ass.
I tried to reason with 'em.
You know, to point
out their lies!
And what'd they do?
(pills clack)
They shut me down and
just kept right on lying.
Well, a man can only
be lied to for so long.
And if he continues to
accept their lies, then he's
no longer a man. (chuckles)
So, given their lies,
I became unreasonable.
Will you join me?
(moody acoustic guitar music)
- Congratulations, M.O.
You made the right choice.
- Bunker Bob?
You're not dead?
- Do I look dead
to you? (chuckles)
Just another one of their lies!
Or maybe you're crazy.
You think you're crazy, M.O.?
Evidence seems to
suggest you are.
It's 6:00 AM, is that a
beer you got in your hand?
- I haven't been sleeping well.
How'd you know I was an M.O.?
- Oh, blue camo jacket.
Navy police would be my guess.
- You can see me?
- Hell yes, I can see you.
Just like you can see me.
- But my camera's not even on.
- Well, you think
there's privacy nowadays?
You are dumb.
What base are you
stationed at, M.O.?
No, no, no, don't tell me.
It's better I don't know that.
That's a cute kid, by the way.
I'm looking at the picture, M.O.
- This is Jimmy. He's my son.
- Take good care of him,
'cause this country
sure as hell won't.
There was a time in
this grand old US of A
where a boy like
Jimmy had a shot.
Well, he just might as
well be born in China.
(Cameron chuckles)
- What happened?
- We got lazy is what happened.
We got to thinking
freedom was free.
Some of us got wise, though.
- Wise?
How?
- You clicked the link.
You tell me.
- Here's the thing.
Bunker Bob.
I was taught to believe
in this country.
- No shame in that.
- To have faith in the
future, to follow orders.
- (chuckles) Yeah.
They got you too, huh?
- They got me, too.
- [Bob] So, what happened?
- I married.
- To the babe in the picture?
She's not hard on the
eyes. I'll tell you that.
- Yeah, that's the problem.
- She step out on you, Navy?
- No, nothing like that.
She's a good wife, a good mom.
- Well, don't tell
me you left that.
- She killed herself.
(somber music)
- Oh.
Jesus.
I'm sorry to hear
that, Navy. That's...
That's tough.
- Yeah, that wasn't her.
She was a happy person. We'd
been together from high school.
Had her whole future planned.
(Cameron chuckles)
What am I supposed
to tell my son, huh?
I lied to him about
what happened.
- That's a hard cross
for a young man to bear.
- It didn't have to be this way.
- [Bob] How's that?
- Someone did something to her.
Violated her.
- Jesus.
Well, who was the scumbag, Navy?
- I asked my chief to
open an investigation.
- Mm. Well, let me guess.
They did nothing. Right?
- Not a god damn thing.
- When it comes to one of
us, there's no justice,
and there's sure as
hell no accountability.
- I'm gonna take an AK-47,
and execute those
motherfuckers on the base.
- Yeah. I know just
how you feel, Navy.
Believe me. I've been
right where you are.
- Your wife killed herself, too?
- No. Not my wife.
A lady friend. We might
as well have been married.
But someone got to her, right
when I was at my lowest.
Fuckin' cancel culture.
Yeah, they kicked
me off Twitter,
they kicked me off Facebook.
Kicked me off YouTube.
I lost my whole damn
income in one month.
My lady friend said,
"Well, just get over it."
Needless to say, I did
not take her advice.
- What'd you do?
- Maybe one of these
days, I'll tell you, Navy.
Some people say the pain
we bear is a burden.
I say it's a gift.
- I'm not at that place yet.
- Well, get there.
You're no good to your
son, or your dead wife,
just sitting there
on your and ass.
And you can't turn
the clock back, Navy,
but you sure as hell can
show those motherfuckers
they picked the wrong guy
to play their games with.
How much money you got, Navy.
- Funeral wiped me out.
- Well, get some.
(interference whines)
- Bunker Bob?
(mouse clacks)
Bunker Bob?
(phone rings and vibrates)
(Ellen sighs)
- [Ellen] Cameron. Oh,
my God, are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
- I have been so worried.
Your commander called, said
that you haven't shown up
at the base since the funeral?
- What's he calling
over there for?
- He said that he's called
you a number of times.
(Ellen sighs)
He even sent
somebody over there.
They said that all
the lights were out.
- [Cameron] How'd
he get your number?
- Oh, an old friend of
the colonel's. Thank God.
- What's that noise?
- Protesters. They've
been at it for hours.
I don't even know
what they want.
- They don't know
the real enemy.
- Do you think they'll be
deploying you to deal with it?
- If they try to
get on the base.
- Cover your badge with tape.
I hear that they're going
after individuals now.
- Man, this country's
going to hell.
- I know.
How's Jimmy? We'd
love to see him.
- See him? How am I supposed
to bring him over there, huh?
- Well, we could talk
like this, at least.
- He's at Louisa's, El.
You know she can't
work the internet.
- You should bring
him home to you.
- How?
She's high risk. She doesn't
want anyone coming over.
- A boy needs his dad, Cameron!
- You think I don't know that.
- Have you even seen
him since the funeral?
- I've been busy.
- Busy doing what?
- Building.
- [Ellen] Building what?
- It's a surprise.
- That's why I'm calling.
I need some money.
I know Grandpa left me some.
I was hoping I could
get an advance.
- Well, you'll have to talk
to the colonel about that.
He's been asking for you.
- He knows where to find me.
- I know that you're
still upset with him.
Cam...
He's sorry that he
missed the funeral.
- Is he also sorry
he never called?
- Death affects different
people in different ways.
Some people, it
just reminds them
of their own vulnerability.
- He just hates what
it says about him.
- That is not true. This has
been very hard for him, too.
You know how much
he cared for Lulu.
- I don't wanna hear about
how much he cared about Lulu.
If you can't help, I gotta go.
- No, wait a minute! I
need to tell you something!
(sighs) He hasn't been well.
- He's a tank. What could
possibly be wrong with him?
- He has a fever.
He's coughing.
He's lost his sense of taste.
- How long has
this been going on?
- Just a couple of days,
but it's getting worse.
He's having a hard
time breathing.
I'm scared, Cameron.
- Take him to the hospital.
- He says he's gonna get better.
- Well, what about you,
El? Did you get tested?
- He doesn't want me to.
- Fuck him, El.
You need to take
care of yourself!
- I wish you wouldn't use
that kind of language.
- He's such a selfish
fucking bastard.
- The colonel is one of
the most decent men I know.
- Yeah, well, if you think that,
it shows you don't
know a god damn thing.
(mouse clicks)
(rope creaks)
(Jimmy chuckles)
- [Whisperer] We are
living in a time of lies.
(intense ominous tones)
(Cameron pants)
(Cameron sighs)
- [Bob] Get the money?
- I need more time.
- Time?
The time to act is
right now, Navy!
And here you are, sitting on
your ass, drinking a beer!
- I'll get it. Don't worry.
- Well, don't make me worry.
- Can we meet?
- Are you crazy?
How do you think
they get you, Navy?
Where the government can't
see, they can't control.
And what they can't
control, they can't stop!
Can I trust you
to keep a secret?
- Sure.
(suspenseful music)
- R-Nought.
Rate of infection. Higher the
rate, the faster the spread.
Two R-Nought means one
becomes two, two becomes four,
four becomes eight.
One person can put
out a single spark,
but if you get enough sparks,
and they multiply fast
enough and spread far enough,
there's no way in the world
they can stomp it out.
And then, boom!
Fire, everywhere,
and all at once!
And there's no way they can
figure out where it started.
And then when the world is
reduced to ash and rubble,
we can build a whole
new world in its place.
A world of
truth
and beauty.
- When can this happen?
- Could take a thousand
years, but who cares?
We'll have been a part of it!
- Me? (chuckles) How
can I play a part in it?
- You're one of the sparks
that gets it started.
- What about Jimmy?
- [Bob] Jimmy?
- My son.
- Shit, Navy...
You really want Jimmy to grow
up in a world without heroes?
He's the reason you're here
in the first place, right?
I mean, you really
want Jimmy to grow up
with a pussy for a dad?
A coward who was too
afraid to, to punish the,
the pervert traitors
who raped and,
yeah, murdered
his beautiful mom?
(dark music continues)
- He'll be alone.
- He's alone Now.
Look. This shit is heavy.
I want you to think about it,
and if you can't make
this happen, well,
there are plenty of other
patriots out there who can.
(interference screeches)
- Bunker Bob?
Fuck. Bunker Bob?
I really need the money, El.
I know Grandpa left it to me.
- I know. I'd like to help.
- [Cameron] Then do it. Help.
It's important.
- You say it's for
some kind of surprise?
- It's for a tree house.
Remember how we always
talked about building one?
(Cameron chuckles)
Jimmy needs a place to be,
El. This could be his place.
- He has a room.
- A room's not a house.
With a tree house, you
can put up a ladder
and say no trespassing, and
you can make your own rules.
- It does sound nice.
- For a kid, it's essential.
He needs something of
his own to replace-
- Oh, all right.
- [Cameron] All right.
- I've got some money saved up.
- El, you're amazing.
- How much do you need?
- Uh, I think two
grand should cover it?
- [Ellen] Two grand?
- Please, El.
- I'll write you a check.
- Venmo it to me. That
way, I can have it faster.
I need to build it for him fast,
so that way, he knows
that I'm there for him.
- You can be there for him
by being there for him.
- No, I gotta surprise him.
I don't want him to
come home to nothing.
- It's not nothing
if you're there!
- He's a kid. He
won't understand.
- Cam, you don't
have to distract him.
Just talk to him. He's
feeling the loss, trust me.
Honey, have have
you thought about
maybe talking to
somebody yourself?
I can help with that too. In
fact, I would be happy to.
(Ellen coughs)
- El?
(Ellen coughs)
(Ellen coughs)
I'm fine. It's, I'm...
It's okay. I'm fine.
- Shit. You still
didn't get tested.
- He said that
there's no reason to.
- Jesus. You can't just do
everything he tells you to!
- (chuckles) Why?
You do, don't you?
Always. That's why you
went into the military.
(Ellen sighs)
Cam.
When you were little, you,
you used to like
making comic books.
I always thought that you'd
grow up to be an artist.
Do you still like to draw?
- What's the point?
(Ellen sighs)
Go to the doctor, El.
Don't tell the colonel
where you're going.
- He is so used to
projecting strength.
He'll never admit that
something's wrong.
You're like him in that way.
- I'm nothing like him.
(mouse clicks)
(camera bleeps)
(Cameron sighs)
(Cameron breathes heavily)
- [Whisperer] We are
living in a time of lies.
- To future generations.
We are living in a time of lies.
Everywhere around us.
The media, our politicians,
even our own friends and family.
But it's not their fault.
They're used to
not seeing things,
not trusting their own eyes,
or their own instincts.
They know things are wrong,
but they say nothing.
They smile and they
buy and they consume,
and they don't care,
because they can't care.
Because if they did, they'd
have to burn it all down.
And they're all too afraid.
But I don't wanna
live like that.
I'd rather sacrifice myself
to be true to myself.
That's the American way.
Or at least the way America
was, when my dad was a soldier.
And that's the legacy
I want to leave,
so my son can know there
was one honest man,
one man willing
to tell the truth,
and accept the consequences.
- Perfect.
Really great.
- It came from the heart.
- (chuckles) I'm not talking
about your little speech.
I'm talking about
getting the money.
You know, fuck that
bullshit manifesto stuff,
or whatever the fuck it was.
I had millions of those things
clogging up my Twitter feed.
Probably the reason
I got kicked off.
Actions speak, Navy.
Words are meaningless.
- If words are so meaningless,
what did you ever do?
You're just a talk show host.
All you do is blah,
blah, blah, blah, blah!
- Oh!
Big man, huh?
Trying to punch you
above his weight, huh?
You want to take me
on? Huh, motherfucker?
I tell you what,
you get that AK-47,
and we'll see who's really real.
(intense abrasive tones)
(Cameron sighs)
(bleak music)
(Cameron sighs)
(phone rings)
(phone rings)
- Ola.
- Luisa.
(chatter in Spanish)
(Cameron speaks Spanish)
(Luisa speaks Spanish)
- Gracias.
- Hello.
- Jimmy.
Hey.
- Oh.
- It's Dad.
- Hey, Dad.
We're making tortillas.
- Oh, you're making tortillas?
(Cameron chuckles)
Yeah. You're gonna be a big
chef one day, like Mom said.
- [Jimmy] I miss you, Dad.
- Yeah. I miss you too, bud.
Yeah, I'm sorry. I've been
on a real important mission.
- [Jimmy] What kind of mission?
- Top secret.
- [Jimmy] Really?
That's cool.
- Yeah.
Hey.
You remember that time
the big storm came,
and you got scared
and you crawled into
bed with Mom and me,
and we held you and
then you fell asleep?
- [Jimmy] Uh, (chuckles)
I was like seven.
- Yeah, well, I just
wanted to call and
tell you I want you to
remember that feeling.
I want you to know that
Mom and Dad are
always holding you.
No matter what.
No matter where.
- [Jimmy] Yeah. I guess so.
- (chuckles) Yeah.
We loved you so, so much.
I want you to know we're
always there for you,
no matter what happens.
- [Jimmy] Thanks, Dad.
I gotta get back now, Dad.
- Oh, yeah. No.
- [Jimmy] The tortillas.
- Yeah, I get it. I get it.
- Love you.
- Okay.
I love you. I love you, too.
Okay, bye.
(phone clicks)
(phone bleeps)
(somber orchestral music)
(Cameron breathes heavily)
(dark orchestral music)
- [Bob] Feels good, huh?
Moment of truth, Navy.
Time to burn shit down.
- You said if I got this gun,
you'd tell me what you did.
- Three words.
San Pedro Pier.
- 12 dead.
- Don't tell me you're
getting cold feet, Navy.
- I never said I
wasn't gonna do it.
- Then do it!
What the hell have
you got to lose?
Did you think you
matter to anyone?
To that family you keep
staring at in that picture?
To a wife who offed herself?
To a son who's got a
coward for a father?
I mean, what kind of sissy
do you think he's gonna
grow up to be, huh?
- Don't talk about my son.
- Oh, "Don't talk about my son."
Well, let me tell
you about your son.
He's gonna grow
up to be a sheep,
just like his lame-ass dad,
who, when the time came
to become unreasonable,
he just sat there,
feeling sorry for himself,
and drinking a beer.
Is that what they're gonna
put on your tombstone, Navy?
"Here lies a man
who drank a beer,
while his wife was being
raped and murdered.
He had a tall one."
- You don't know shit about it!
What the fuck did you ever do?
Shoot up a pier, kill
innocent children?
- Now you're getting there!
But I'm not the target, Navy!
I'm just a ghost!
You know what the target is.
You know what you have to do.
- What I have to
do is turn you off.
- Go ahead.
Come on!
(chuckles) You can't
do it, can you?
You don't have the balls,
because I'm all you've got.
- You're wrong.
I have a son.
- You gonna be a
dad like your dad?
- I can be better. I can
be better than my father.
- Can you?
- 12 Dead.
Eight injured.
Fathers, sons,
mothers, daughters.
For what?
- Not enough.
- It's never enough.
It'll never be enough.
There's no end to your way.
Just more destruction.
- Kill 'em all.
- The world isn't perfect,
but your world
isn't even a world.
It's a lie.
I don't want this fucking AK.
I'm gonna tell my son the truth
about what happened to his mom.
And I'm gonna turn you off.
- Sheep.
Baa.
- You're wrong.
I'm a dad.
(mouse clicks)
- Baa.
- Fuck you.
(door slams)
- [Whisperer] We are
living in a time of lies.
(keyboard clacks)
(keyboard clacks)
(keyboard clacks)
- I became unreasonable.
(interference crackles)
Will you join me?
(interference screeches)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.
(computer chimes)
(clock ticks rhythmically)
(reflective music)
(tense eerie music)
- [Beth] Mr. Manfred?
Will I get the hundred dollars?
Mr. Manfred?
Mr. Manfred?
Mr. Manfred?
Mr. Manfred?
Mr. Manfred?
(dark acoustic guitar music)
- [Whisperer] You
said it was safe.