Falling (2025) Movie Script

1
["Let Her Go" by LUCASV
and Isaac Delusion]
[narrator]
This is the story of Jillian.
It's also the story of Johnny,
and it's the story of Jack.
Jack was what his best friend
Johnny would call a cynic.
Jack would say he was a realist
as all cynics are known to do.
Unlike Johnny,
he didn't believe
in one bright, shining love.
He bounced from casual affair
to casual affair,
mostly untouched,
exactly as he liked it.
Though they'd met in the same
writing programme
at university,
Jack had given up his dreams
of writing
the great British novel.
He lacked Johnny's
romanticising of the struggle.
Jack also realised
he liked nice things.
He'd gone back to school
and was now
a comfortably
successful independent lawyer.
Johnny was an aspiring writer.
When one of his short stories
was printed
in a prestigious magazine,
multiple publishers became
interested in his first novel,
and so he'd started writing it.
In the meantime,
he paid the bills
by working
at an independent bookshop.
Struggling didn't bother him,
because he knew
he'd found his calling,
and he knew his book
was going to be great.
A serial monogamist
with a flair for the romantic.
He moved from infatuations
to devastating break-ups
when he realised that
each woman wasn't "the one."
This is so dumb.
[narrator] And Johnny could not
stop for anyone
but "the one,"
For what was the point of life,
if not deep, true love?
-I know. I know.
-[dog whimpers]
[vehicle approaching]
[relieved sigh]
[Johnny chuckles]
I'm not coming.
Do we have to do this
every time you break up?
-I drove all the way here.
-He drove here.
-You live seven minutes away.
-It's been two weeks.
Stop being a dick.
Put Bill the dog inside,
get in the car.
We're doing the thing.
I'm not doing the thing.
-We're doing the thing, Johnny.
-I don't wanna--
We're doing the thing.
We're doing the thing.
[sighs] For fuck's sake.
So, did you know
she wasn't the one?
I don't answer
those kinds of questions.
-Hey, mate.
-[man 1] Hey, guys.
You all right, mate?
What the fuck's his name?
Do you know him?
[both laugh]
I have no idea,
so I just call him mate
every time I see him.
Listen, to quote
your mate Tolstoy,
"Relax and have
a fucking drink, mate."
-Think that was Dickens.
-Exactly. Hamlet.
It's a good book.
[both laugh]
-How is the book coming?
-Oh, you know,
breakups are amazing motivators.
Finish that thing, mate.
Get it out there.
-Hi, Veronica.
-Hi, Jack. Johnny.
How's your boy?
Oh, he's an arsehole,
and we're done.
You've got to get
better taste in men.
Yeah, that's why
I'm staying away from you.
Ah... Actually, this guy,
this guy is the perfect rebound.
What are you doing, Johnny?
-I'm doing the thing.
-Don't encourage him.
But you're seeing someone,
aren't you?
-[groans]
-Oh, I liked her.
-We're not talking about that.
-Oh, shut up, Jack.
How long were you together?
-Five months.
-What happened?
Er, you know,
I just wasn't feeling
the feelings
I was supposed to be feeling,
so I didn't wanna
waste her time.
-I'm sorry, honey.
-What are you gonna do?
These things don't work out.
Long run, doesn't really matter,
does it?
We all know
you're defective, Jack.
-[chuckles] What?
-Actually, the long run
is kind of the only thing
that matters,
'cause in the end, it's you
and your love, and I just...
-I just don't wanna settle.
-I'm with you, Johnny.
Bye, boys.
[Veronica] Hi, girls.
Hi.
[Jack] That one on the left
likes you.
Too soon.
Making an observation, mate,
not a suggestion.
-She's your type, too.
-I've got a type?
Yeah, girls who like you.
[both laugh]
Fuck, is that true?
Yeah.
That's depressing.
-I'm gonna shoot off, mate.
-What? What?
-I'm gonna shoot off.
-No, you're not.
Diana's waiting for us.
Do you think I'm a bad person?
No.
You're just a malcontent.
Ah, I love it when you use
book club words on me.
-You quit book club.
-Book club quit me, Diana.
[snorts]
Maybe I'll never find
the right person.
Or maybe Brooke
was the right person.
You said she didn't care
about the writing at all.
And I'm not a malcontent.
It's your nature.
Or maybe even if I found
the perfect girl,
maybe I'd decide
she isn't perfect.
Maybe I'm just incapable
of being content.
Yeah, I think
that's what malcontent means.
-See, this is why we're close.
-[chuckles]
I pity the women
that fall for you.
Ah, well, at least
I'm a good friend.
-[Diana] The best.
-I'll take it.
[lounge music playing]
Well, not that. I mean,
you know, everywhere else...
[woman] Oh, okay. Sorry.
[Diana] What do you want?
Er, come home with me.
[chuckles]
What? Why not?
I don't date malcontents.
You dated a heroin addict
for two years.
He was tortured.
There's a difference.
I'm tortured.
What is the difference?
It's a matter of tone.
Malcontents need to talk more.
They change their mind
for any reason.
And they drink red wine in bars.
-[exhales] Gimme a whisky.
-No.
-You're cut off.
-What? Why?
You only try to sleep with me
when you're hammered.
-I love you.
-I don't sleep with friends.
You slept with Jack.
And then we became friends.
[laughter]
Can we change the subject,
please?
Thanks for
dragging me out, mate.
Yeah. If you don't have friends,
what do you got?
Yeah, true.
I may never find love,
but with friends like you
and Diana...
Jesus. Shut the fuck up.
[Johnny] What,
am I making you emotional?
-Is it too emotional for you?
-[Jack] Hey!
-Is it too emotional for you?
-[both laugh]
[Jack] Oi, oi. Get off.
["Un Peu Plus Souvent"
by Alexia Gredy]
[narrator]
Jillian was a wanderer.
She'd left Michigan
to go on a backpacking trip
through Thailand
and had never looked back.
She was determined to see
as much of the world
as she could
before she turned 40.
She travelled
until she ran out of money,
then found a job,
usually in hospitality,
until she saved enough
for the next adventure.
She went from place to place,
job to job,
relationship to relationship,
letting the wind take her
where it would.
Okay, thank you so much.
-Hi, Jack.
-Hi, Sharoni.
Could I get a bag of the...
-Medley Mix, please?
-[Jillian] Hm.
It's the wrong choice.
[Jillian clears throat]
-Medley Mix it is.
-[Jillian chuckles]
-And my usual.
-Thank you.
-What did you order, then?
-Er...
type-2 diabetes, apparently.
Seriously, though,
do you have diabetes?
My father actually died
from complications
stemming from type-2.
Quite sad.
I'm gonna stop
fucking with you now,
'cause of the look on your face.
Oh my God.
-[Jillian] Fuck.
-It was a risky one,
but you started it.
And now, you have my attention.
Well, that's what we really want
in the end, isn't it?
A bit of attention.
[Sharoni] Iced oat milk
hazelnut latte.
I know. I don't seem like
the type, do I?
Hazelnut.
Tell me about it.
The things I've wrecked
by breaking out the hazelnut
too early.
Yeah. Way too early. See ya.
[narrator] Jillian had arrived
in London three months ago
for a position in events
at a boutique Shoreditch hotel.
Since she didn't know
what she really wanted to do,
she did this in the meantime.
[Jillian] Okay, party
for the premiere is confirmed.
-About time you got here.
-I'm five early.
Thank you.
This stuff really is disgusting.
You asked for it.
I have gut issues.
It's helping my second brain.
Ooh, Floral displays
have arrived.
Meeting anyone?
-Through the apps.
-The apps ruined gay culture.
-Where are the leather bars?
-Mm.
Where's the subversiveness?
That's why I became gay.
You love Brooks Brothers.
-Ugh, don't remind me.
-Mm-hmm.
-Okay.
-[both smooch]
Bye, Wheels.
[groans softly] Fuck.
["Moving On" by Roosevelt]
Bang.
[Johnny] Bang.
Good boy. Good boy.
Moving on
So I just see this
on my own
Just let me go
I got out of it
to reach for more
Moving on
[song ends]
[Johnny] All right, Tim.
There's a package here for him.
It says for the shop.
Probably books.
What do you think
we should do with it?
Thought you might wanna open it.
Maybe put them on the shelves.
I'll do it when I hit a wall.
[Johnny]
That eucalyptus essential oil
you've got in your steam shower
is fucking incredible, mate.
This is why I don't give
people keys. They end up here.
By the way,
I never believed you.
About what?
I got you a green juice
It's in the fridge.
About finding
your perfect match.
I don't drink
green juice, Johnny.
It's good for you.
You need to be healthier.
-You smoke.
-Yeah.
Do as I say, not as I do.
Wait, hang on a minute.
You... you found
your perfect match?
[Jack] Mm-mmm.
Yours.
That's great. That's great.
Except I would never trust you
to pick the right girl for me.
Artsy, quirky, cool.
Yeah. Why don't you want her?
-Artsy, quirky, cool.
-All right.
Who is she? Set me up.
You know what?
I don't know her name.
I didn't get her number.
So, how does that help?
Just giving you some hope.
There's another situation
out there
to make you miserable.
Mate, I give up. You are never
gonna get a girlfriend.
Don't be optimistic, mate,
at least not till I'm 40.
That's when you give up,
settle down.
I'm meeting Brooke for lunch.
Whoa, talk about burying
the lead. Why?
-It's been two months.
-[phone chimes]
Let me rephrase. Why?
-Because--
-For the record,
I'm against this, and...
you have to go.
-Now?
-Yes, right now.
Got a meeting.
[" B Side" by Eli Smart]
She wants my honey honey...
Ah. Fuck. Hi, Johnny.
Hi, Veronica.
[narrator] Women liked Jack,
because he was light.
He was who he was,
and he made no bones about it.
He had a method to keep things
from getting complicated.
No more than once a week.
Be the fun guy.
I think
you're the sexiest woman--
-Oh my goodness, Jack.
-[laughter]
[narrator] Not the guy
she can take seriously.
Nobody gets hurt.
Bye, Jack.
[narrator] When Brooke called,
at first,
Johnny was trepidatious,
but he liked the idea that
he was the type of guy
who could be friends
with his exes.
All right.
There we go.
Oh, well, thanks
for seeing me today.
It's all right.
It was, you know, nice.
I'm glad that we can be friends.
So, work's good, family's good?
You seeing anyone?
Or is that... is that too soon?
I'm pregnant.
Oh, fuck.
Okay.
Okay. [mutters]
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
You know, it's not actually
your problem. It's...
I was just gonna...
Well, anyway, I just thought
you should know.
[Brooke, softly] Okay.
Wait, wait.
What?
We're gonna talk about this.
We're gonna...
We're gonna talk about
what the right thing to do is.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Let's just say the pull out
method doesn't work.
I pull out with condoms on.
What?
You've got issues, mate.
-[chuckles]
-I'm aware.
So, what, are you guys
back on, then?
[exhales] I mean, if she decides
that we're gonna
go forward with it,
I would assume so, yeah.
You don't have to get back
together with someone
because she's pregnant.
It doesn't mean she's "the one."
It just means you had sex.
I know.
I know, but you know me.
It's the right thing to do.
I always imagined
being a young dad.
Weirdly,
it'd be with my book
and "the one," but, er...
[sucks teeth] You know,
I don't know,
maybe I over-romanticised that.
-Maybe a bit.
-Fuck off.
[chuckles]
I'm just kidding, mate.
-It's gonna be fine.
-Yeah.
[Jillian] I don't know
when I'm coming home, Mum.
Just don't pressure me.
Mm-hmm.
Oh! Yeah, that's fine.
I spoke with him yesterday.
I'm... Yeah, Mum,
I'm having fun.
Erm...
So much fun. Mm-hmm.
Okay. You know, the...
I really got to go.
Yeah, this is work
on the other line. I love you.
["OMG" by Suki Waterhouse
playing on phone]
[exhales]
Oh my God
Take me back
the way that I was
Oh my God, you know I--
[music halts]
Oh my God. [laughs]
Oh my God
Oh my God
Take me back
the way that I was
-The way that I was
-[exhales sharply]
[song ends]
Erm, can I just do
a medium coffee, black, please.
Oh, no.
I am so not up
for being made fun of
for my hazelnut craving
Ah. Oh, yeah. Ew.
Just think of it as you
getting to see my soft side
way early in our relationship.
Oh, now we're in a relationship?
God, you're aggressive.
Fine, I'll buy you
a cup of coffee.
I'm only saying yes only just so
you don't embarrass yourself
in front of all these people.
-I'm Jillian.
-Jack.
-Don't you have to be at work?
-I work for myself.
-You're an influencer.
-No.
-Unemployed.
-No.
-You're a drug dealer?
-Yes. Actually, yeah.
-Mm.
-If by drugs,
you mean legal contracts.
-Ah, lawyer.
-Yeah.
Wow. That's so boring.
Jesus, you buy a girl
a cup of coffee,
and she undercuts
your whole existence.
Well, imagine dating her.
Why aren't you in the office?
Erm, the existential crisis
of having to be somewhere,
-not worth it.
-So, you don't have an office?
I've got a few offices.
There's a startup I rep.
I have to go in twice a week
so I'm seen.
Then, the law firm I work for,
really just for the cred.
Er, then of course, Soho House,
and the one you're sitting in
right now.
-Why aren't you at work?
-It's Monday.
-Influencer.
-Drug dealer.
Do drug dealers get Mondays off?
Mm, Sundays and Mondays.
-Wow, good gig.
-I know.
No, I work in hospitality
at a... this hotel.
It's a job.
Well, at least you don't
post professionally
on social media.
Actually, having a career
is wildly attractive.
I do believe you just gave me
a compliment
while also being
incredibly condescending.
I would never give you
a compliment,
not with that attitude.
-You're kind of annoying.
-I'm a lawyer.
What do you...
what do you care about, Jack?
What?
You just,
you have a quick response
to everything, but I...
I have no idea what's behind it.
What do you want
out of your life?
I'd like to get your number.
-See you later.
-Bye.
Hey! Jack!
-Yeah.
-You wanna go for a walk?
-What, right now?
-Yeah.
-We just hung out.
-Let's hang out again.
I'm feeling quite good,
actually, about my performance
on the initial hang.
[laughs] Oh, Jesus Christ.
[Brooke] I like Olivia
for a girl.
-We're not doing Olivia.
-Why not?
I'm sorry.
We're not doing Olivia.
Olivia's the most common name
for a girl in England.
Have you been Googling it?
Listen, we might have been
blindsided,
but I did my catching up
pretty quickly.
And, yeah,
Olivia's not happening.
But, listen to this.
For a boy,
Brucewayne. One word.
-Yeah?
-Creative. Nice. Yeah.
Cool. Glad we're
on the same page.
We're not naming our son
after Batman.
[chuckles]
If we're even having a kid.
Well, I... I know where I think
you're at with all this,
but I don't wanna make
assumptions, so...
where are you at?
Where do you think I'm at?
Well, I think,
and I might be wrong,
but it feels like to me
you wanna...
you wanna have this baby.
If that's true,
then I'm... I'm with you 100%.
And, erm...
maybe we shouldn't have split up
in the first place.
I mean...
I kinda feel like
if we split up before
it was probably for a reason,
you know.
Is that okay?
Yeah, completely.
Are we doing the right thing?
Yeah, I thought... so.
Wait, listen, I support
whatever decision you make.
Okay. But are you
okay with this?
Listen.
We're gonna co-parent
the shit out of this kid, okay?
Did you always
wanna be a lawyer?
No, I really wanted
to be a writer.
Couldn't get it going.
Ever think about
picking it back up?
-Not really.
-Hmm.
No, when I make a decision,
I burn the boats.
When Cortez landed in Mexico
in the 1600s,
he only had 600 soldiers
against the entire might
of the Aztec nation.
He knew to win,
he needed absolute commitment
from his men,
so he burnt the boats.
-So there was no going back.
-Right.
So, I deleted
every scrap of writing
I'd ever done, every idea,
threw myself
into the next endeavour.
No going back.
I'm like that, too.
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
Yeah, I think I'm, er,
I think I'm happiest in motion.
So, when some place
doesn't have enough gravity
to hold me in place,
I'm onto the next adventure.
Good swimmers go forward.
Okay.
So...
when was your last girlfriend?
All right. Like the last
actual girlfriend,
or the last girl I was seeing?
Either. Both.
[inhales deeply]
Seeing this one girl
for a hot second
-a few months ago.
-Mm-hmm.
But the last actual girlfriend,
four years, maybe.
Long time.
Something wrong with you?
Not clinically diagnosed, no.
Just hadn't met the person who
made me want to make it work.
Hadn't.
And have you now?
No.
The plan is to wait until 40
before even thinking about that.
I think plans are stupid.
Stop, I want you to stop
Stop breaking my heart
Stop, want you to stop
Stop breaking my heart
[narrator] Jillian surprised
herself in that moment,
although Jack
would never know it.
More in how she felt
than what she did.
And for Jack,
this was a girl
who could do a number on him.
And there hadn't been
one of those in a while.
[upbeat music playing]
See?
I knew she wasn't real.
Hundred percent
your imaginary girlfriend
-flakes tonight.
-She's on her way.
-[Diana] No chance.
-Is Brooke coming?
Nope, not tonight.
Corporate accounting,
early mornings,
and the whole pregnancy thing.
-Wait, you invited her?
-Yeah.
Figured it's best
that we're great friends.
[Diana] Anyone new
on the horizon?
Nah, I'm not really looking
for anything right now.
Not until after the baby comes,
anyway. Feels too weird.
-Impending fatherhood suits you.
-Yeah?
-Yeah, I think so, too.
-[Diana chuckles]
What about you?
Any boys on the horizon?
-I'm off men.
-Back on women?
Too complicated.
-[Jack] Hey.
-Do you see her, too?
Yeah, she's actually real.
I just feel like
the whole swiping
takes away
the spontaneity of it all.
I just hate the feeling
of disposability,
it's like on to the next,
on to the next, on to the next.
I mean, I'm obviously
on all of them, but...
-[laughter]
-Yeah, but for someone like me
who moves around a lot,
it's great.
-Wait, you guys met on an app?
-Nope. Real life.
-Oh, that's dirty.
-Hey.
-[chuckles]
-We went on a date.
I don't think you can call
an incidental coffee a date.
[Jack] Of course it is.
And then she actually asked me
on another date.
Is an... is an after-coffee walk
a date?
Yeah, yeah.
You did a double date.
Yeah, we double-dated.
And he was so cute,
I had no choice,
I had to kiss him.
-So romantic.
-Fucking hell.
Am I in a cheesy movie?
I like those movies.
I sort of took you
for an art house type.
No. No, no, no.
No pretension for me.
I think she just
called you pretentious.
Well, no... Well, listen.
If the movies
are objectively better,
it's not pretentious.
Why, what films do you like?
Oh, here we go. Here we go.
Guilty pleasure incoming.
Okay, don't try to stick it to
me, because you're into vinyl,
I get it.
It's got a warmer feel.
[laughs]
-What, am I wrong? Am I wrong?
-[Diana] Mm-mm.
Okay. Fine.
This is embarrassing.
My favourite film genre
is rich people in crisis.
It is a subgenre
of cheesy romantic comedy,
and I just don't have to stress
watching it, because,
you know, if everything
goes to shit,
they're gonna be perfectly fine,
especially if it's set
in the Hamptons or something.
All right. You can count me out
of movie night, then.
Who said you were invited?
[laughs]
My round.
[narrator] Compared
to previous boyfriends,
Jack didn't vocalise
his feelings,
but Jillian knew
introducing her
to his closest friends
was a big deal for him,
and she liked that.
[Diana] Okay, let's discuss,
let's discuss. You like her.
-So far, I don't dislike her.
-[relieved sigh]
I really like her. Johnny?
-She's fantastic.
-She really is.
-So, don't do you.
-What are you talking about?
Don't just be "doin' the thing."
I'm not just doing the thing.
The keeping it light,
the no more than once a week,
the hiding across the street
until she leaves your apartment.
-[Jack] All right. Sh--
-Jack mantra bullshit.
You don't know me.
When it's real,
don't slow it down.
Brakes aren't sexy.
-All right.
-[Diana] All right?
-All right.
-[Johnny] All right.
To the death of cynicism.
Since when are you
a whisky guy?
Since you became a romantic.
[laughter]
All right. Tequila for you two,
and for you,
-an artisanal lemon drop.
-Okay, thank you.
All right.
To finally meeting you guys
after hearing so much about you.
[Diana] Cheers.
-Cheers.
-[Jack] Cheers.
All right.
[narrator] Johnny had gone
to see his friends
completely confident
in the direction
his life was going.
That was before he met Jillian.
Jack, on the other hand,
had left his friends
completely confident
in the direction
his relationship was going.
[Jillian] I knew you lived
across from me,
but I didn't realise you can
literally spy into my window.
-[blinds rustle]
-What?
-You can?
-Mm-hmm.
Have you spied on me?
-No.
-You're a terrible liar...
and a creeper.
Great, now I have to close
my shades
when I wanna be shady.
Yeah, right, I'm never
closing them again.
-Lucky you!
-Lucky the rest of my building.
You're just lucky
the sex is decent,
-or I'd never come 'round again.
-Decent?
I... When we first hooked up,
I almost didn't come back.
Wha...
If he's this good,
he must be an asshole.
Right, I... I just read
a lot of lesbian erotica.
Mm.
That tracks.
What's your name, again?
-[both laugh]
-You fucker.
[narrator] Trying not
to think about Jillian,
Johnny had settled back
into his normal routine.
Hey, Johnny.
-Oh, hi.
-[Jillian] What are you up to?
Er, working.
Is there anything in particular
that you're looking for?
Yes. Er...
I didn't have your number,
and I didn't wanna clue Jack in.
I need to ask you something.
I feel like
I should already know.
Jack's birthday's coming up.
-I have no idea what to get him.
-Get him a book.
-Ignore Tim.
-Okay.
So, maybe... maybe I could
buy you something delicious
and pick your brain?
Or not.
No, no, I'll...
Tim, I'm gonna take
my break, okay?
I'll manage.
["Looking For Something"
by CASTLEBEAT]
[Jillian]
Who's your favourite, then?
[Johnny]
I don't wanna be this guy.
But I kind of am this guy.
So...
Fante, Ellroy, Bukowski.
[Jillian] Mm, so you aspire
to be an alcoholic.
[Johnny] Yeah,
the writing's only secondary.
But wait, you know them?
[Jillian]
I might like my films romcom,
but I love my literature messy.
So, did you always know that
the writing thing was for you?
No, when I was a little kid,
I wanted to be a work dad.
-A work dad?
-Walk through the front door,
briefcase in hand.
I loved the look.
And then, I discovered
my grandfather's 1938
Imperial Good
Companion typewriter.
That's what did it?
Listen, Jillian,
if you saw this thing,
you wouldn't question it.
It's beautiful.
I thought I was so cool
when I was a little kid,
just sitting there banging away.
And then,
I discovered
what you could make with it.
And that was it.
-So, basically, you always knew.
-Yeah.
I've always wanted to tell
stories. What about you?
Did you always wanna be
a hotel events coordinator?
Oh, I always knew,
ever since I was a little girl.
[laughs] I, erm, I fell into it,
like I fall into everything.
I don't feel like
that's who I am.
No, no, of course not.
You're... you're not your job.
I... I'm not a bookseller,
even though that's what I do
to make money.
Yeah, but s... somehow,
with this job, I f...
I feel like I'm good at it,
like it could lead somewhere.
[hesitates] Maybe it's what
I'm supposed to do.
I don't know. Maybe that's why
I... I always ask people,
like when did they find
their calling?
Maybe I don't have a calling.
Okay.
If you could do anything,
what would it be?
Oh, so we're having
the dream job conversation?
Okay. Erm...
I would be
a bohemian photographer,
and just wander around
taking pictures of...
of good-looking people
and awesome nature spots.
Yeah, like non-cheesy
Instagram porn.
Then you should do it.
It's just maybe not a career.
Fuck that. If it's your passion,
you should go for it.
Yeah.
Except I think I like
the concept
better than I like
the actual thing.
Like I...
I don't fantasise
about taking the pictures.
It's not about the actual work.
The fantasy's about
being a cool photographer
who's just
kind of casually brilliant.
That's... that's your version
of work dad.
Yeah.
Yeah, it's just an idea.
I mean, I wish I was
as into something
as you are your writing, but...
[Johnny] It's not a problem.
You can hide Jack's present
-at my place.
-You're sure?
Hundred percent. We always hang
at Jack's. He never comes here.
Okay. Perfect.
I'll come by day of.
Hey, you know, if... if the
writing thing doesn't work out,
you make an excellent
personal shopper.
Right.
-Er, well, this is me. So...
-Okay.
I'd... I'd love to read
something of yours sometime.
All right.
Now?
Yeah, sure.
Yeah. [sighs]
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
A lot of people talk,
but you are everything
you say you are.
It's beautiful.
I... I absolutely love it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Do you wanna a cup of tea?
Yeah, sure.
So, when...
when can I read more?
How's the book coming along?
Er, honestly...
slowly.
I'm four years in,
which is longer than I'd hoped.
But your first book kind of
sets the stage
for who you are as an author,
so it's important.
The perfect is the enemy
of the good.
Yeah. But good
is the enemy of great.
You know, Alan Rickman
was toiling away on the stage
for years.
I don't think he did
his first film
till he was 41.
Yeah, and Die Hard was amazing.
I thought you only liked
art films.
Die Hard is an art film.
[chuckles] True.
Here you go.
You don't work on it.
No. No, I'm not entirely trapped
in a bygone age.
Too bad.
[phone chimes]
I got to go.
Thank you for letting me
pick your brain.
No, it's all good.
Anything for a free meal.
And for the story.
It's really good.
Thank you.
-All right. See you soon.
-See you later.
It's sucks, but at least
I start work late enough
so we can have
a... a birthday drink together.
[Jack] It's fine.
I texted Johnny.
-We need to--
-[all] Surprise!
Got you!
[all laughing]
-Oh, you helped, obviously.
-No, it was her.
I just called our lot.
[Diana] Happy birthday.
Could be the worst time
I ever had
Lose my mind,
always get it back
There's no point
in being super-sad
All of the tears I wish
I never cried...
What's going on over here then?
Nothing.
Just thinking about you
and Jack, and our friendship,
and how much you both
mean to me, and...
Okay, I've met someone.
What? Why didn't you
bring him along?
Because it's new,
and I like him,
and he gives me butterflies,
and he's nerdy,
and he wears rugby shirts
and makes me talk too fast.
And I blush
when I think about him.
-Whoa.
-Very well.
The rugby shirts
are killing me, though.
-Well, does he have a name?
-Yes. Richard David.
-Two first names?
-Mm-hmm.
Gets worse.
His middle name is Steven.
You're dating a guy
named Rick Steve Dave?
-No.
-Jack.
Jack, come over here.
Diana's in love.
-What?
-Er, aggressive statement.
With a guy
named Richard Steven David.
-Three first names?
-Rick Steve Dave.
I never should have
said anything.
-And he wears rugby shirts.
-Oh,
not a good look,
Rick Steve Dave.
It's good, isn't it?
Just rolls off the tongue.
-Rick Steve Dave.
-[Jack] Does too, doesn't it?
Rick Steve Dave.
Is that what you
yell out in bed,
all three names?
That is really good.
You should put that
in your book.
That's a good idea. I might.
Fuck me, you guys are awful.
-And you're in love.
-So are you.
Who'd have thought
it'd been you two?
Literally no one.
The good old days...
Hey, Brooke, Brooke,
that better be...
that better be orange juice.
It's orange juice, babe,
it's orange juice.
Is it? Okay.
Hi. You all right?
Hi, mate. How are you?
["Burning House" by Peter
and The Roses]
The good old days
when things were better
Whisky rocks, right?
Er, I prefer artisanal
lemon drops, but this'll do.
Thank you.
-You did good.
-Mm, we did good.
No, don't give me
any credit for this
So, you having fun?
[chuckles softly]
Erm...
Since my parents split up,
that's the first thing
my mum asks.
Like, it's the most
important thing.
Am I having enough fun?
Okay. That's tricky.
So, is that why you moved around
so much?
Yeah, maybe.
-So, are you?
-Am I...?
-Having fun.
-Yeah, I am.
Okay, then, why aren't you
on the dance floor?
I love dancing. I love dancing.
Yeah, me, too.
Tonight's not about me. No.
And my one move just blows
everyone away. It's really good.
Come on, give it to me.
Fine, we're doing this.
-Ready?
-Mm-hmm.
["Burning House" continues]
[laughs]
-Pretty good, innit?
-That's incredible.
I know. Told you.
Listen, come here.
-I'll teach you.
-Okay.
Come on, then.
But I'm so intimidated.
-Ah, yeah, I get that a lot.
-Okay.
-We'll go this way first.
-Okay.
[song fading]
[narrator] And then, he knew,
right there
in the middle of the party,
that she felt what he felt.
There was something between
them that could not be denied.
-["Burning House" continues]
-Oh.
[inaudible]
[laughter]
Open it.
-What is it?
-Come on, open it. Go on.
-Ooh, it's heavy.
-Yeah.
[Jack] Hazelnut coffee.
Now, you have no reason to meet
other girls in coffee shops.
-Like it?
-I love it.
-You like it?
-I love it.
[narrator]
As Johnny watched them,
the truth smashed him
right in the gut.
The easiest person
to lie to is yourself.
He'd been misreading signals.
He'd been projecting
his own desires.
He was a complete arsehole.
-All right?
-Aw.
Oh yeah, that's the look
of a woman in love.
I really like her for him.
When he looks at her, it's like
he drops his whole Jack persona.
He's just...
-He's what?
-Mm.
Human.
It's gonna happen for you,
as well.
-Thanks.
-Mm. Yeah.
[song ends]
[groans softly]
[Jack] Yeah, I hear you,
but my... my client
won't go for it.
[snaps fingers]
Yes.
All right.
Sure.
[narrator] In that moment,
Jillian found herself
deeply delighted
by the simple things
Jack did for her.
Stability can be
surprisingly attractive
for those blown where the wind
takes them.
[high-tempo music playing]
[Johnny] Does Jillian
know you do this?
Way too soon, bruv.
Not a good look, is it?
It's been months, mate.
Does she know you say "bruv"?
Bruv.
Think she'll keep me around
as long as she never finds out.
Ah, so you wanna
keep her around.
I guess.
[instructor on TV] Okay, guys,
that was great.
I turned off my dating apps.
Tinder, Bumble. Even Raya.
Bruv.
That's big.
It's personal growth.
I'm firmly against
personal growth.
You know, the strange thing
is all the brain energy
I suddenly have.
Like, what do I do now
that I'm not focusing on girls?
Plus, what do we talk about?
I had no crazy adventures
last night.
You're in some kind of
faux celibacy,
about to be a dad thing,
which is... boring.
And I can't be like,
"Hey, me and Jillian
did this wild sex thing
last night."
Because she's my girlfriend,
and that would be weird
talking about that.
So, you're saying you're having
a Madonna-whore complex?
[laughs] Absolutely, yeah.
No.
There's no question involved.
So, the... the story's not good.
I spent a lot of years
getting good at being single.
How's Brooke?
Pregnant,
and I'm getting a little
freaked out about it.
I'm gonna be a dad,
and I work in a bookshop.
Makes sense.
Have you ever thought about
trying something different...
and something practical?
I mean, you could do well
at anything, mate. Why...
Why struggle like this?
The struggle's part of it.
It's not much of a life
if it's just a struggle, is it?
Listen,
I didn't give you shit
for giving up writing
and choosing to make money,
so don't give me shit for not.
Sorry.
It's just, you're having a baby.
Er, Brooke has got a great job.
Diana said I can have
some shifts at her bar,
if need be. It's gonna be fine.
I forgot my... Wow! [laughs]
Do you guys need a second
to finish each other off?
-We're working--
-No. No, I really...
I don't wanna know.
I just needed to get my bag.
[giggles]
It was really good to see you,
Johnny.
-Good to see you, too.
-Carry on.
-[door closes]
-She's got a key.
-Yeah.
I thought I was the only one
with a key.
No. [chuckles]
[Johnny] Serious.
So, go give
a little bit more
I been trying to cool down
I keep giving in
for the best I ever had...
-[Brooke] Thank you.
-Ah, thank you.
This is almost as good
as opening presents.
-[doorbell rings]
-[Johnny] I'll get it.
-[women] Aw!
-[overlapping chatter]
-Thank you.
-[laughter]
It's so me.
Oh, thank God you guys are here.
-Only for you, Johnny.
-What, did you work late?
-I wouldn't call it work.
-[Jack] Ricksty Dave.
The man, the myth,
the rugby shirt.
-What, he's not coming?
-Stop teasing her.
Rugby shirts can be...
-Hey.
-...very cool.
Yeah, unfortunately,
that's not true.
Yeah, they're cool
if you're actually playing.
Johnny, I need a coffee
and a Bloody Maria, stat!
Okay. Er, can I have
a show of hands
for who else wants
another mimosa?
-[women] Yes, please!
-[Johnny] Two, three, four.
-[laughter]
-I'll help.
[indistinct chatter]
Come on, Jack.
Let's go and make nice
and then hide in a corner
and gossip about
what a surprisingly
filthy animal my boyfriend is.
Great spot.
Yeah, we're planning on changing
the second bedroom
into the baby's room.
We?
Yeah. So, the plan is for me
to crash here
first few months
until we hit a bit of a rhythm,
and then, we'll kind of
figure it out from there.
I'm glad
you're keeping your place.
I love your place.
A love as big as the ocean,
yeah
[indistinct chatter]
I feel it
From the bottom
of my heart, yeah
[song ends]
-All right?
-Yeah. You mind if I bum one?
-No, not at all.
-Thanks.
-Here you go.
-Mm.
[chuckles]
Thanks. Great.
Jack says he has a hypnotist
that will help me...
-Oh.
-...break the habit.
Yeah. He's been trying to get me
to see him for years, but--
-Yeah?
-Now I'm gonna be a dad,
-I might.
-You might need it more.
-Yeah.
-[chuckles]
-So, you excited?
-Yeah, I am.
I can't imagine.
Actually, I can,
and it's terrifying,
for me, at least.
Yeah, that's a...
that's a... that's a...
that's a more
-accurate description, I think.
-Mm.
I always thought I'd...
I'd fall madly in love
with someone
and travel the world with them.
Finish my second novel,
and then maybe have a kid
or two, but...
Best laid plans.
[softly] Yeah.
Hey,
curveballs can be good.
-What was that?
-What was what?
I don't know. I wasn't...
Okay, that's not true.
I do know what that was. Erm...
[clears throat]
[sighs]
I can't stop thinking about you.
What?
To a problematic degree.
Johnny, you're just nervous
about the baby.
It's got nothing
to do with that.
It's been since moment one.
I don't cheat. I love him.
Shit.
I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have
said that. Please, don't--
Oh, right, don't leave me alone
with that oestrogen
-ever again, please.
-You had Diana.
She's a girl.
Er, don't lump me in
with those monsters.
What are you guys talking about?
Curveballs.
Mate, it's gonna be fine.
Thanks, man.
[narrator] Johnny had a pain
in his gut for days.
The magnitude of his mistake
of admission tortured him.
Not only was it
the grossest breach
of his closest friendship,
but it was also clear to him
that Jillian didn't share
his feelings.
Johnny lived in fear
that she would tell Jack.
[Johnny] Shit.
-Hey, man.
-You all right?
What's up?
Ah, you know,
doin' the thing. You?
Good. Doin' the thing.
So, erm, well,
right to it, then.
Erm...
I was talking
to Jillian earlier.
Okay.
And, er, shit, I'm not sure
how to handle this.
I, erm...
I actually told her I love her.
Yeah, it just sort of came out,
but it felt really good,
and she said it back.
But now, it feels like I'm meant
to ask her to move in with me,
and I'm not sure how I...
how I feel about that.
It's a lot.
And what do you think?
Er...
Breaks aren't sexy.
Listen, mate, regardless...
this is fucking great.
You're opening up.
It's personal growth.
Oh, fuck personal growth, mate.
I love personal growth.
Anyway, that's it.
[chuckles]
Thought I'd let you know.
Good chat.
All right.
Oh, erm, I'm off to a conference
in Birmingham tomorrow.
I fucking hate Birmingham.
There is no reason
for a Londoner
ever to be in Birmingham.
But if you want
a writer's retreat or whatever,
get the energy moving,
my spot's open.
Oh, appreciate it, man.
Thank you.
Yeah, all right.
I think I'll just wait
on the whole move-in thing
until it feels right. Good plan?
Good plan.
[phone ringing]
I have to answer this.
Come by whenever, yeah?
-Thank you.
-Oh!
I'm on lavender
essential oil now.
Very relaxing.
Right.
[narrator]
Jillian hadn't said anything.
His friendship
was still intact.
He determined never to do
anything
to jeopardise it again.
[exhales softly] Fucking hell.
[narrator] For her part,
Jillian decided
it wouldn't help anyone
to tell Jack
about the incident.
It would damage
his and Johnny's friendship.
She chalked it up
to Johnny having a moment.
[Wheels]
You made the right decision.
People fuck up,
and people do not
need to know everything.
It only causes pain.
I got to tell you something.
Oh, no. They offered it to you.
It's not a step up, you know.
You'll be sick of it
within a month.
Running a yoga studio in Bali?
I don't think
I'd ever get sick of it.
I turned it down.
Why?
I've just recently
started to feel...
I don't know.
I don't wanna end up at 40
with nothing more than
just a bunch of stamps
in my passport.
Yeah, that makes sense.
Wait.
No. Are you gonna marry Jack?
-Way, way too soon.
-Good. Yeah, don't get married.
Marriage ruined gay culture.
The whole point
was that we didn't have to be
like the straights.
We were free,
and now, everyone
has to get married,
or you're not advancing
the cause.
-You're married to Jason.
-Yeah. Yeah.
Best decision of my life.
Lately I've been finding ways
to silence my mind
You and I
You and I
The Alps and Himalayas
ain't got nothing
On the mountains
I've climbed
You and I
You and I once Mother
Nature came to say--
[silence]
[exhales]
[softly] Fuck.
["Forever, With You"
by Paradise Blossom]
Every time you look away
I don't wanna be afraid
I don't wanna be afraid
Every time you look away
I don't wanna be afraid
I don't wanna be afraid
-[Brooke] Johnny?
-I'm in here.
What are you doing here
on a Sunday?
I couldn't sleep.
This is actually a way harder
than it looks,
but I'm gonna...
I'm gonna figure it out.
Do you need help?
Yeah. Why don't you...
I made you one of those
weird smoothies that you like.
So, just hit the button
on the blender
and relax.
I've got this.
Okay.
All right.
Okay, that looks right.
["Work That" by Jay Butter]
-[Brooke] A bit muggy, isn't it?
-Huh?
A bit muggy.
[Brooke laughs]
That'll fool 'em.
Johnny's been really helpful.
He's been helping out
round the house.
-That's nice.
-He's been fixing things.
Yeah, I just didn't really need
to come home
to full-volume porn
coming from the baby's room.
Listen, I'd been painting
for hours
and needed a little break,
you know.
-The moment took me.
-[laughter]
We're not together.
It's not cheating.
Obviously. What, you think
porn is cheating?
-No.
-[Jillian] No.
But what... what is the line?
What if you wanted
to kiss someone but didn't?
Oh, you're talking about
emotional cheating?
That's a thing, and it happened
to me, and it was horrible.
I wish he'd have gone out
and gotten drunk,
and just gotten a blowjob
off some random girl.
-[Johnny] What?
-Honestly.
But if nothing
physical happened,
how can you create that rule?
I mean, you can't say
people can't connect.
That's too hard a line to draw.
Yeah. Okay, fair.
A twist on it.
What if, say...
you can see
into someone's window,
and they're, like naked
or something,
and you keep watching,
and then you do your thing.
-Cheating?
-That's creeping.
Different category.
-[Jillian] Mm.
-And there's no interaction.
Unless the person knows
you're looking.
Well, then, yeah, it's cheating.
[Brooke] I think
that's the line.
If there's a real, actual person
that you're interacting with,
-then it's cheating.
-[Jack] Right.
I think you have to say
porn performers
are actual people, bruv.
[Jillian] No,
but that's fantasy.
It's not real-life interaction.
-Exactly.
-[Jillian] Yeah.
Anyway, just, er,
it wasn't my favourite thing
to just walk in on, you know.
Not that it wasn't
very impressive, babe.
It was a cat video, I swear.
-That's worse.
-[laughter]
[upbeat music playing]
[Brooke] Okay.
[Johnny] Oh, sorry, sorry,
sorry, sorry, sorry.
I have... I've actually
hit a wall.
I've called an Uber,
and I think it's here.
-[Jillian] Oh, sneaky.
-[chuckles]
All right, I'll take you home,
I'll take you home.
-Guys, it's been--
-No, no, you're not done.
Stay with the team.
If you don't mind a third wheel.
Brooke, I don't mind.
Seriously, I don't...
[Brooke] No, listen to me.
You need a night out.
You've been smashing
the dad-to-be thing,
and I'm not letting you
come home.
-Hey, A!
-[man] How you doing?
[Brooke] Erm, good.
So you have fun.
Erm, I'm gonna go watch
cat videos.
-See you later.
-Ha! Very funny.
["Literary Mind" by Sprints]
She's got a literary mind
and a literary look
She's got a literary hand
and it's literally shook
From the confines of a page
to the vastness of a book
She's a killer,
she's a thriller
She's a halfwit and a crook
[song fades]
Right, I'm shooting off.
I'm getting out of here.
[Jack] No, you're not.
We need your expertise, mate.
Frozen pizza.
You're the pizza guy.
Yeah, you can't leave.
All right. Twist my arm,
twist my arm. I'll do it.
-[Jack] Johnny.
-Yeah.
I can see
into Jillian's apartment
-from here.
-Yeah, I know.
What?
You told me.
-I did?
-Yeah.
Wow. I am drunk.
I'm borderline not cu...
[laughs] cute drunk.
-I'm gonna crash. I have to.
-No, no.
No, I don't...
I don't think you're allowed to.
Why?
[Jack] I am. I'm in bad shape.
Where are you going?
We got pizza in like 20 minutes.
It'll be ready soon.
Wake me up for it.
[door closes]
Shit.
[clears throat]
[oven bell dings]
[soft whistling]
[door closes]
Where do you think you're going?
I didn't think
you were coming back.
I'm not tired yet.
Ooh, and I'm starving.
Wanna turn the oven back on?
[chuckles] He was out.
I had to take his shoes off
and everything.
Lightweight.
I think he was
just really excited
to hang out with you tonight.
-You want a drink?
-Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure. Thanks.
[clears throat]
[Jillian] Mm...
Vodka soda?
-Yep.
-Okay.
[plastic bag rustles]
Nice.
[Jillian] All right.
-Cheers.
-Cheers.
[Jillian chuckles]
So, how are girls?
There aren't any.
-We're not gonna do this.
-I know.
[breathes heavily, moans]
[phone chimes]
Tim, I'm working on a new
storyline for... for a book.
I'm listening.
Erm...
Hypothetically,
in the book, er...
the love of your life
is dating another guy
and that other guy
happens to be your best friend,
what do you do?
Kill him.
Okay.
Any other questions?
No, it's okay.
I'm going for lunch.
-It's 10:30.
-Yup.
We need to talk.
I can barely remember
last night.
Listen, we were hammered.
Don't--
That's... that's the only reason
why it happened.
Yeah, definitely.
We're just friends. That's it.
It was a drunken mistake.
Totally.
I don't even think we should
even mention it to...
Yeah, and it's never
going to happen again.
Never.
Yeah.
Okay.
["Get To Know Me" by REAVE]
[narrator] Johnny rationalised
he had no choice.
He had to see,
because this
was bigger than him,
and Jack would eventually
go back to being Jack.
He knew it wasn't right
on a human level,
but on a soul level,
she was everything
he'd ever wanted.
There's something
so mysterious
In how you hold your gaze
Makes me wanna
get close to you
To your embrace
I wonder if you feel it too,
or is it just me?
There's so much more to you
I wanna get to see
Oh, sometimes
you can just tell...
[Johnny] Hello.
[narrator] They never talked
about Jack.
Only existing with each other.
To look at it in the light
would be too much.
[indistinct dialogue]
Can we keep it personal?
Can we keep it close?
I wanna feel close to you,
baby
I wanna get to know you
You tell me
all your secrets
I'll tell you all my dreams
I wanna get to know you
Do you wanna
get to know me?
Can we keep it personal?
Can we keep it close?
I wanna feel close to you,
baby
I wanna get to know you
You tell me all your secrets
I'll tell you all my dreams
I wanna get to know you
Do you wanna
get to know me?
I think I'm in love
with two people.
I've never been in love
with less than two people.
Can you make it a throuple?
This is hard for me.
Okay, that won't work,
unless they're bi.
Are they bi?
Okay. That won't work.
The throuple I was in,
everyone just fucked everyone.
I feel terrible.
Okay.
Look...
here's the actual question:
Who do you like yourself
better around?
There's no better.
There's just different.
Saying no to a life,
and you wanna say yes to both.
I do not miss that.
[upbeat music playing]
-[Jack] Can I ask you something?
-Yeah, what's up?
Jillian.
[instructor on TV]
See you guys tomorrow.
Stay 100--
I haven't been in a relationship
in so long,
but the sex is changing.
How do you mean?
Well...
When we started, it was good.
It was consistent.
-Now...
-It's less, yeah?
That happens. Post...
post-honeymoon stuff.
No, it's not that.
We're actually having more sex
now, and it's amazing.
Really connected.
Like way wilder.
Everything's on the table.
-Really?
-Everything.
Is that normal?
Er...
I mean, yeah, it can be.
Have you... have you asked her
what's going on?
No.
No, I... I think it's just going
deeper has... has opened
things up
to a whole other level.
Which is weird, because I never
actually thought that happened.
Especially not for me.
I love that for you, mate.
Cheers.
[narrator] It had reached
a breaking point,
as these things must,
and Johnny loved his friend
too much to continue.
He knew he had to end it.
["Above Ground" by Stacks]
Tell me you wait
for me to say
Tell me you wait for me
to say the time is right
Tell me you
wait for me to say
Tell me you wait for me
to say the time is right
To someone
Imagine...
[doorbell buzzing]
[Jillian] What are you doing?
He's still home.
Go in and close the curtains.
I... I never do that.
It's our thing.
We can't keep doing this.
You with both of us.
I can't take it anymore.
I know.
Me, neither.
-Okay.
-Listen, I was...
I was all set to walk away,
not even ten minutes ago,
when I texted you.
And then I saw this old couple.
Look...
in the end, it's just you
and the person you love.
That's it.
That's all that matters.
Fuck.
You were the last person
that I wish it was,
but I know.
I know.
Jillian, I'm totally in love
with you.
And I need to know
if you feel the same.
-Johnny--
-No, no, "Johnny."
Do you love me?
[phone chimes]
-Your phone. You should--
-Fuck my phone. Do you love me?
Yes.
["Above Ground" playing]
Tell me you wait for me
to say...
[phone chiming]
[phone continues chiming]
I think you should
check that now.
[both chuckling softly]
Tell me you wait
for me to say
Tell me you wait for me
to say the time is right
I'm having a baby.
To someone
We're not doing this.
I know.
[narrator] And that was that.
In the months to come,
Johnny was tossed into
the all-encompassing
sea of baby.
He put aside his feelings
for Jillian
as an infatuation caused
by the fear
of impending fatherhood.
Jillian hurled herself
back into Jack,
realising her affair was driven
by her fear of being trapped
in one place.
Moving past that,
their relationship became
everything it had been.
And more.
It was as if Johnny
had never happened.
-I think I'm gonna take a bath.
-Okay. Sounds nice.
Do you wanna take a bath?
Yeah.
-Yeah.
-Good.
She looks like you
when she's sleeping.
-Does she?
-Yeah, after a--
-Do you watch me when I sleep?
-After a few...
after a few drinks.
-How come I've got the pink one?
-Do you wanna swap?
[soft music playing]
[Jillian] Mm!
God, I needed that.
Yeah, me, too.
A year is way too long
to not have sex.
Hey, that was your call.
We could've been doing this
whole time.
Okay. Yeah, my bad.
I take full responsibility.
I think we've made
a terrible mistake.
-What?
-No, not... no, not the sex.
This.
This was right in front of us
the whole time.
And I always thought it was
about this bolt of lightning,
but I was wrong. I've...
I've always been the kind of guy
who decides his grass is
never... never green enough.
But what I really needed was
something that could...
hold me in place. I mean,
something that I could
grow into,
because that's the only way
that you can get deeper.
I mean, you and me, Olivia.
This just feels right.
Doesn't this just feel right?
I think we should just
get back together.
Okay. Right.
You're a dreamer, right?
And there's nothing
wrong with it.
It's actually what I really
loved about you
when we dated.
But, like, the person
that I am now,
like I'm a mum, and I just...
it's, I don't feel like
it's for me anymore.
There's nothing wrong with it.
It's just not for me.
Is that okay?
Completely. Listen, I'm...
I totally understand
not settling for someone
who isn't quite right.
[narrator] Jack and Johnny
still linked up
for the occasional
workout session,
but for the most part,
their lives had
naturally drifted,
as friends' lives do
when one has a child
and the other does not.
[Jack] Wow.
Johnny chooses Uber Exec?
I'm proud of you, mate.
Come on, man,
it's your birthday,
and I know you're allergic
to anything less.
Yeah.
Jillian's got a couple
of single friends coming.
-Oh yeah?
-Yeah.
Yeah. Well, you're not gonna
like him.
Seriously, though, I'm glad
you made it out.
It's been too long
since we've done the thing.
Come on, man,
I wouldn't miss it.
-You ready to do the thing?
-Let's do the thing.
Say it ain't so,
say it ain't so
-Rick Steve Dave.
-Johnny.
No you can't stop
them kids to grow
[indistinct]
I know you're scared
to find yourself alone
Right, I'm gonna grab us
some more drinks, then.
No, no, no, no. You sit down.
It's your birthday.
-I'll go.
-No, no, no.
Mm...
Chances of him coming back
quickly are slim.
So many friends to say hi to.
-Some things never change.
-Yeah.
How've you been?
Good.
Good, really good. Yeah. You?
Yeah, good. Baby thing's
fucking crazy, but...
Yeah, I think... I think
as we get older,
we kind of
lose our sense of wonder a bit.
But having a kid, I've kind of
rediscovered the magic
in the littlest things.
-Mm.
-So, like, the colour blue
is amazing now.
Yeah, it's really inspired
the writing, too. It's...
I love that.
I used to have a different muse.
-Oh yeah?
-Mm-hmm.
Mm.
Bill the dog.
Used to really inspire me.
But he's been supplanted now.
-There you go, my love.
-Thanks. Cheers.
[both chuckle]
You seem really happy.
-I am. Yeah.
-Good.
-Good. I'm glad to hear it.
-Thank you.
[narrator] But sitting
next to her, he knew,
no matter what he tried
to tell himself,
he was in love with her,
even though he'd never
act on it again.
[Jillian] Hey, babe.
Fuck.
[Johnny] What, what's up?
Fuck.
Are you okay?
I know you both too well.
What are you talking about?
[scoffs]
How long?
Mate, what are you
talking about?
You guys are fucking each other.
How long?
That is crazy.
-We're not fucking.
-Don't fucking lie.
Please.
It happened once,
a long time ago.
We were wasted.
I was... I was freaking out.
I was freaking about the kid.
-It was stupid.
-And we said never again.
Well, clearly
that didn't stick, did it?
It's been over for a long time.
Did he have you read
his short story?
Let me guess, you loved it.
He loves a girl
who loves his work.
-Jack, listen--
-Fuck off, Johnny.
Fuck off.
-Jack, I don't--
-Wait. Hang on.
Wha... When?
It was the night we had dinner
when Brooke left early.
That's when you consummated.
When did it start?
When did you know
that you wanted him?
I didn't.
I didn't. It just happened.
These things don't just happen.
There's a point. You sense it.
You can either walk towards it
or walk away from it.
And I walked away from it.
I did.
Until you didn't.
The gravitational pull
of "I'm not supposed to."
So, all this then,
between us, isn't--
No.
It is.
I love you.
And I'm so sorry.
We can...
we can talk about this.
Let's just talk about this.
You just... you need to tell me,
tell me what I need to do
to make it better.
I don't think I can...
I don't...
We're done.
Oh...
-Just hit me.
-Fuck off.
I'm so sorry. It just happened.
It was like a lightning bolt.
Like a lightning bolt?
Remember when you two first met?
Something in you knew
that she and I...
You told me
she was my perfect match.
Sorry, so...
so this is my fault?
Jack, that's not what I mean.
That's not--
I came to you for fucking help
with my relationship.
You were my confidante,
my best friend,
and you were fucking her
behind my back.
[scoffs]
Do you know
what the sad thing is?
Is that in a month, or three,
or six, you'll wake up one day
and you'll decide
whoever you're with
isn't your soulmate.
And you'll move on.
Well, you won't have me
to come fucking crying to.
Jack.
Jack?
[sombre music playing]
-[ringing]
-[Jack sighs]
[phone continues ringing]
[curtain rustles]
[scoffs]
Jack!
-[upbeat music playing]
-[inaudible dialogue]
[Jack smooches]
[crying softly]
-Hey, are you okay?
-Yeah, yeah, I'm good.
Okay.
-Are you crying?
-No. No.
Allergies.
All of a sudden, I start crying.
Don't laugh.
Don't laugh.
I'm really fucked up.
Just sounds like
you're a person.
She's the one I feel sorry for.
She didn't do anything
to deserve
-a weeping one-night stand.
-[laughs]
Go cry in the bathroom
like every other girl.
You just might not be
a "doin' the thing"
kind of guy anymore.
Yeah, maybe not.
God, Johnny would be
on the floor over this one.
Yeah, well,
he's a piece of shit.
-Who you're still friends with.
-I'm Switzerland.
Just remember,
all relationships end badly.
Except for one.
And eventually even that one
ends badly, so... [laughs]
How are you and Rick Steve Dave?
I think we're gonna get married.
-Switzerland.
-Switzerland.
[pensive music playing]
Fucking burn the boats.
-Burn the fucking boats.
-[drink pouring]
Just fucking get to work.
Just get to fucking work, yeah?
[keyboard clanking]
-[inhales deeply]
-[keyboard clanking]
[narrator]
Jillian had lied to herself
to absolve herself of
her deeply buried intentions,
the way we do
when we want things
we don't want to want.
She realised Jack was right.
She hadn't walked away from it.
She'd walked towards it.
-Hi.
-Hi.
[narrator] And with nothing
standing between them,
Johnny fell totally
into Jillian.
And she into him.
I'm just happy.
I'm really happy.
You know what that's like?
I'm reading here, man.
[narrator]
And Jillian was happy, too.
Often deliriously so.
In Johnny, she'd found a poetry
she hadn't known.
Hey!
[narrator] Johnny had lost
his best friend.
He missed him terribly.
But he got
what he always wanted.
And for him, that was worth it.
He really was
who he said he was.
[indistinct chatter]
I heard it's fire.
Gonna try
and get him to do a reading.
[soft music playing]
[sniffles]
[Johnny] Here's a big one,
here's a big one.
-[Brooke] Oh, yes.
-There you go.
Be good.
Thank you.
Ready?
[soft music continues]
[breathes deeply]
[door opens]
-Hi, babe.
-Hi.
[Jillian] So, Wheels was right.
They are opening up
that new place,
and he said he'd push them
if I wanted the job.
But I... I told him
I could never leave him.
-You all right?
-Hmm?
Yeah, no, I'm fine. I'm just...
I'm just in it.
You wanna talk about it?
Whatever... whatever it is?
Nothing's... nothing's wrong.
There's nothing.
I'm... I'm fine. I'm just...
I'm just in it.
Just let me do my thing.
Okay.
Jack wrote a book.
Okay.
It got published.
-That's great.
-Yeah, it's great reviews.
That's fantastic.
[splutters] Yeah, it is...
It's crazy.
I... I read it, and it's...
it's good.
It's really fucking good.
You knew.
Did you read it?
Mm-hmm.
Well, what did you think?
Yeah.
It's nuts,
and you're right, it...
it is really good.
Babe...
he wrote a novel.
He didn't write your novel.
You're right. [clears throat]
You're right, you're right.
You're totally right.
-Are you hungry?
-Mm. Yeah.
I'm hungry.
Mm. So...
I've officially closed Summit,
and they're gonna rent out
the whole hotel, which is crazy.
Corporate's loving me.
It's gonna be a couple
of very late nights,
but you have to come
'cause it's actually gonna be
really cool.
-More wine?
-Oh, yeah, please.
Okay.
[Johnny clears throat]
So, why didn't...
why didn't you tell me?
Why didn't you tell me
that you read his book?
[sighs] I don't know.
-Did he send it to you?
-No.
No, I haven't spoken to him
since... you know.
Johnny, I love you.
Ah, but you fell in love with me
because of the story
that I wrote.
No.
I fell in love with you.
That story was from years ago.
I love the person I'm with now.
The writing stuff
doesn't matter to me.
Well, it matters to me.
If you don't get that,
you don't get me.
I do get you.
You're a romantic, with me
and the way
that you see the world.
No, I'm a writer.
That is who I am.
I don't think
that's what defines you.
You can't understand
because you've never done
anything you've cared about.
I thought you're not
what you do.
Of course, you are.
Well, then I'm sorry,
but there is no writer Johnny.
Oh, fuck you.
You're as much a writer
as I am a photographer.
You just like the idea
of being one.
[scoffs]
This isn't working.
I can't do this anymore.
Yeah? Why?
I need to focus
on finishing my book.
Mm.
Mm.
You could stop me.
Right.
[chuckles softly]
You know, Jack...
Jack did all the right things.
You say all the right things.
I didn't realise he was saying
them, too, just differently.
You know your novel?
You've been on the same page
since I've known you.
And I didn't even care.
["Above Ground" by Stacks]
[door closes]
Tell me you wait
for me to say
Tell me you wait for me
to say the time is right
Tell me you wait
for me to say
Tell me you wait for me
to say the time is right
To someone
[hip-hop music playing
on stereo]
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
-All right, mate.
-All right, good to see you.
How are you?
[women laughing]
You could still go after her.
It's been three months.
It's not actually that long,
if you two are supposed
to be together.
Ah, she just wasn't the one.
You're mad at her...
for accepting you
for who you are,
because it's not
how you wanna be seen.
How's Jack? [clears throat]
Listen, you know, if we'd
ended up getting married,
he'd have to...
It's more understandable.
Although that's kind
of bullshit, too.
You'd still be an arsehole.
-I was clumsy.
-No.
You were careless.
It's different.
I'm not a bad guy.
You're not, on the inside.
[sighs]
[sighs] I've really
fucked it up, haven't I?
Yep.
[Tim] Perfect.
-Thank you so much for coming.
-[Jack] Thanks, Tim.
Erm, all right,
I'll jump into
the first chapter.
"This is the story of Jillian.
It's also the story of Jack,
and it's the story of Johnny.
Johnny was an aspiring writer.
When one of his short stories
was printed
in a prestigious magazine,
multiple publishers
became interested
in his first novel,
and so, he'd started writing it.
In the meantime,
he paid the bills
by working
at an independent bookshop.
Struggling didn't bother him,
because he knew
he'd found his calling,
and he knew his book
was gonna be great.
A serial monogamist
with a flair for the romantic,
he moved from quick infatuations
to devastating realisations
that each woman
wasn't 'the one.'
And Johnny could not stop
for anyone but 'the one,'
for what was the point of life
if not deep, true love?"
Jack.
Hey.
-How's it going?
-Good.
Yeah, doing the thing.
You?
Yeah, doing the thing.
Doing the thing, erm...
-I love the book.
-Oh, great. Thanks. Yeah.
Thanks for not making me
horrible in it.
Well...
it is a novel, loosely based.
Er, how's the...
how's the writing?
Yeah, it's... it's coming along.
Er, Jillian?
Didn't work out. Er, she moved.
Last I heard, she was running
some boutique hotel in Portugal.
Yeah. Onto her next adventure.
Makes sense.
Erm...
Listen, it was great seeing you.
I... I've got to run, but--
Yeah, cool, mate.
It was brilliant to see you.
Yeah.
Jack, I'm... I'm...
I'm really sorry
about all of it. I...
I really regret it.
I regret losing you in my life.
I appreciate you saying that.
Can I ask you
an honest question?
And you have to give me
an honest answer.
Go on.
If you were in my situation,
and you had all the feelings
that I had,
what would you have done?
[gentle music playing]
Hey, Jack, what are...
what are you doing tonight?
You wanna...
you wanna go to Diana's
and get a drink?
Why?
["When We Were Young"
by Le Cat]
When we were young
[narrator] Jack watched
for a moment more
and then turned his eyes
to the road
and his life ahead.
Just because it ends,
doesn't mean
it wasn't beautiful.
Just because it's messy
doesn't mean you didn't grow.
The end of one chapter
is the beginning of the next.
And good stories go forward.
When we were young
When we were young
["Falling Deep" by HLWA]
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
All your secrets
I can't keep
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
All your secrets
I can't keep
Just just let this be
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
All your secrets
I can't keep
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
I might be falling deep
I need you close to me
All your secrets
I can't keep