Flophouse America (2025) Movie Script
1
THIS FILM CONTAINS EXPLICIT DETAILS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
THAT MIGHT BE TRIGGERING TO SOME
OK, here are
some crucial statistics for you.
The official poverty rate
in the U.S is 11,5 %.
Meaning that approximately
34 million people live in poverty.
Many low-income families resort to
long-term stays in hotels or motels
due to lack of access
to affordable housing.
About 1 in 10 children,
or 7.5 million
live in households with at least one
parent who has an alcohol abuse disorder.
I am one of them.
Love
Kind
Care
Pleasing
Helping
Thinking
Boy
Girl
Riot
Protest
Destroying
Bombing
Poisoning
Anger
Resentment
And hate
That's it for that fucking poem.
FLOPHOUSE AMERICA
Can I get kisses?
Kisses ...
Alright, that's enough treats.
Bye "the babies...
So did you want to get
new shoes today, Mikal?
Huh?
No?
You look exhausted.
I only got like
7 hours of sleep.
Hi, to "daddies"...
He said hi to "daddies".
Hi.
How did you sleep buddy?
-Shitty.
-Yeah.
What are you doing, Mikal?
Torturing that poor cat.
Huge feet...
I know.
I think he's gonna end up having
feet like my brother's.
Size 15's.
It's all your fault anyway.
Daddy's gotta go to work soon.
Yeah.
Can I get some food?
"Can you get some food"...
I've got some steak bites right here.
From last night.
Oh no, I'm good.
I mean like a full meal.
You never want leftovers.
No.
There's salad in the refrigerator.
There's strawberries
and stuff still in there, too.
From last night.
I'd like some strawberries
and some energy drink.
You little asshole.
Alright, be free for a second, Smokey!
You did get him good.
Didn't you?
So do you want
to brush him now?
Do you wanna trim his nails?
No, I'm not doing that this round.
I'm having it paid, professionally done.
Do you wanna brush him now?
Yeah, sure.
Ok.
Here you go...
Can you hold him down, mom?
Yeah. I got him.
There we go, baby.
We should start collecting that
to make a fur coat.
We could actually turn it into a...
if we wanted to.
We have enough.
Turn it into yarn.
We can, we have enough.
No, that's not enough.
See?
This isn't even enough
to do anything with.
But that's when they take the cotton
or the wool and turn it into yarn.
That's how much
you got off of him this time.
Oh, wow. It sounds like
there's a lot of people out there.
The one thing I hate about
living above a bar.
Do we have any more salad?
Yeah. It's in the refrigerator.
Do we have strawberries
and bananas and stuff?
Yeah.
You know I want something out of there.
It's cold...
I don't want cold marshmallows.
They were cold when we got them.
Marshmallows are nice and hot.
Only if you dip them
into chocolate.
Yeah, that's what you do.
So are we going to go do shopping
for your clothes tomorrow?
Yeah, probably.
"Yeah, probably"?
We need to get you flip flops and shorts.
New sockies...
And I would say
a new pair of shoes,
but I don't think you're gonna
need them after school gets out.
Until you go back...
So now you're gonna
steal all the fruit too?
It's funny.
Hey Mikal, do you want
half of my smoothie?
Sure.
Could you get a cup?
Want some food, ok...
-Put that on the bills that we've paid.
-So 1 or 8?
8...
And then all
the bills have been paid.
Ok, so you said 50?
They're asking me for change.
Right?
I love you.
You're too funny...
Alright. Blue.
Here are 2.
Reverse, 9.
So what are the positive
points of going to school?
I personally just want
to be homeschooled.
But what about
all your friends?
I can just
talk to them online.
Ok...
Yellow.
What is it you need to prove to me
to get homeschooled?
That I can do all my homework
in a reasonable manner
and get decent grades.
Ok.
And have you been
showing that recently?
Nope.
So how can...
What are you doing?
You only have a few more
weeks of school for this year, but...
If you can't prove it, I'm...
I love you, but...
You're not going to?
Well, have you proven?
We've talked about
this a while now...
Yeah I know!
Do you think you...
...you'd have a...
...things would be better
if you did homeschool?
Yeah.
How?
Then I wouldn't have to
deal with assholes at my school.
Ok...
I wouldn't have stuff
stolen from me.
Oh yeah, Uno.
You want me to shuffle for you?
Mhm.
I love you.
Love you, too.
Sometimes I wonder...
I know you love me.
You want to play
another round...
Of UNO?
No...
Who's a
pretty baby?
Oh, I love that.
I love you too.
Alright mom!
Trying to get this too?
I would like to...
Sorry.
Your hand ok?
-Mom, your hand ok?
-Fine!
Thank you for asking...
Still not...
The water doesn't
get hot enough.
Still a little greasy.
But I guess he is
freakin' doing them.
Alright mom!
As soon as I sit down
and get comfy!
Sorry!
Alright.
Watch out it's
real slippery right there.
I know.
Well I almost slipped!
I was not talking to you
I was talking to myself!
God damnit, Mikal...
You know no matter what,
I love you, right?
Mhmm.
You know...
You are not too lazy
to play video games though, huh?
Video games don't require even
half the effort of anything else.
You can be frustrating,
but I love you.
I am frustration taken form.
Oh, man...
Who spilled
vodka on the cat?!
Nobody,
it was empty.
No!
There's vodka
all over the cat.
There was a vodka bottle
right under him.
He's perfectly fine.
I'm kind of fucking pissed off
cause I just bathed him last night!
Why are you
yelling at me?
I'm fucking done.
Done with what?
Your stupidity.
Well, daddy went out
to get (chicken) wings.
Sorry, Smokey.
So later...
Maybe this evening,
you wanna play "Tanks with me?
Sure.
It's a good question, mom,
have you played "Undertale"?
Not yet.
I try to keep up,
but you know.
You and daddy
change games so much.
And I like puzzle games,
you know that.
Does this sound familiar, mom?
Yeah, it does.
Qbert...
It's part of Qbert.
So daddy's bringing wings home so we can
have a nosh before we go.
Alright.
You're getting shoes...
And possibly shorts today.
How does that feel?
"I would love new shoes"...
Jason will be home soon.
Well, we all know
that ain't happening.
Yeah, it is.
Hello?
Hi, where are you?
I'm at...
Scooter's?
Scooter's!
Still, why?
Because I've just ordered 60 wings
and I'm enjoying a couple of...
and I'm gonna have a...
Alright, then fuck you!
No, we're not gonna be here.
Lock him out!
Alright, let's get ready to go.
He's still at Scooter's.
I swear to God, if I lose this again
I'm actually just gonna break this.
Alright, let's get ready to go.
I don't wanna be here
when he gets home.
I just don't wanna be here...
May I come in?
Get out of his spot, Mikal!
Nobody is...
Mail!
They had two pairs
of industry shoes left.
And I got you these socks,
I'm sorry there's...
Thank you!
You said you were going
to get some wings and come home!
You didn't say anything about
stopping to drink along the way!
Whatever, I had one...
Liar!
Well, I'm not saying I'm fucking perfect
but I swear to God if this bitch...
You know what, the next time you say
that to me, the next week...
What?!
You're gonna do what?!
Divorce me?!
I'll wake up and marry
you again tomorrow,
I swear to God!
Will you stop for a moment.
Lay down, my love.
You go make the money
I'll stay at home.
Please?
I'm sorry, I did it before he was born
and not since he's been born!
Could we just switch?!
Is that even a possibility?
Put the cat in the carrier, Mikal.
"Put the cat in the carrier"
all of a sudden,
magically, makes it all ok.
You have your phone.
Call me later.
Let's just go.
-Ok, fine.
-This is not normal.
If I'm not normal
then this is the fucking
hepatitis C treatment.
-I know.
-I love you.
I hate you. But I fucking
love you at the same breath.
How is that even possible?
Fantasy
Nice
Great
Warning
Strengthening
Lose mind in book
Fantasy
The street's actually dead.
It's a Saturday afternoon.
Not a lot happens on that street
on Saturday afternoon.
Nighttime, yes.
And here's the guy I least
wanted to deal with today.
The junkie?
No, he is not the junkie.
He's the one I was talking about
that owes for the fan.
I'll get the fan.
Don't worry about it.
Let him deal with this.
He can't get into his room.
Hey...
I've got an...issue actually.
I left my keys at work...
So let's go with my issue first, how's that?
Well, you were due Wednesday.
I should not have to lock ball your door,
anything like that.
Stuff happens you know...I...I...
Stuff happens, but also this is a business.
I know it's a business.
Ok!
Oh and yes, Mikal...
Alright, what room?
Alright.
No more knots...
Other hand...
Your fingers
look purple, my love.
I tell you, there's no circulation.
Finger and thumb.
Come on.
A little bit up above.
Did you do
your med's today?
I did.
Keep fighting.
Oh, good job...
Any idea what
I did with my phone?
It's over here...
Would you like it?
-Hey, so sweetheart?
-Yeah...
I need you
to do me a favor.
What?
If I send you my money...
Will you go get a bottle?
Pretty please?
I guess so.
Ok.
I just want
one of those first though.
Ok.
I am transferring
you money.
Alright, I'll go
when I get a chance.
How are you doing,
sleepyhead?
Sleepy...
-Sleepy.
-Sleepy.
I take it you want me
to make you breakfast?
Yeah...
Oh, ok.
Can I borrow 3 bucks?
Can you have 6 dollars?
Now you owe me 3
and you owe me 8.
But you gotta wash the pan
and I'll start breakfast.
Yup!
Gotta do dishes.
3 bucks back?
No.
So you're just gonna starve?
I'll make it interest.
That's ok,
I'll clean out the pan.
Give me a kiss.
Thank you.
What do you want?
You want the whole sausage pack?
Or do you want a cut up
of the rest of the...
I want both cut up.
Fine.
Do we still have bread?
Oh no, who ate the garlic bread?
Me!
Ok.
-Is the leash on him?
-Nope!
He's ok.
Ok, look...
When you pull that,
it tightens around him, like a noose.
So the idea is not to...
Not to strangle-hold him.
Come on, Smokey.
Are you trying
to pass through?
No, I'm trying to wipe
my fingers off on your t-shirt.
Oh, wait. Hang on!
Alright, time out!
Come on dude,
and get some breakfast.
Well hello, see if I ignore him
he'll bring it home to me.
Wow...
Someone in this world
is a complete and absolute retard.
They think changing
the time on your phone...
Is moving you
back and forward in time.
Ah, well...
Well, the idea is
if you travel at lightspeed,
From earth to the sun and back...
8 minutes will have elapsed...
perceived by the person
on the ground.
They had count in 4 days,
just so you know.
They had what?
Count.
Count, in 4 days?
Oh, si, si.
Ok...
I don't know.
That doesn't affect me, I just keep...
I know.
Alright, come here.
Sit down, sweetheart.
Hang on a second, I'm just sweating.
Just give me a moment, please.
I'm trying to help cool you off.
In a minute I got some
breakfast for you.
No worries,
I'm not that hungry yet.
I'd love to have
a cigarette now.
If that's ok...
I suppose.
Thank you for always
taking care of me, my love.
I try.
I know. You do try.
-I do my best.
-I know.
I give you my bestest.
And you know that right?
Oh, yeah.
I've been with you
for 24 years now.
I'm all in, baby.
-Alright, Mikal...
-I'm doing my homework.
What homework?
You actually have homework?
I told you I did.
Just let him do his homework.
Ok.
So long as
he gets it done.
Yup.
Devote your time
to get that F up.
Jason...
It's Language Arts.
Ok, that's the F.
I'm getting
a lot of class work...
That I can't
work on at home.
But does that mean you have to devote
more time at HOME...
To this home work?
Sometimes yes, but...
It's why it's called
HOME work.
It is not SCHOOL work,
or it would be called school work.
It's called home w...
You're driving that into my brain.
Sorry it's frustrating for you.
It's fine.
So you still gonna
somehow find time to...
To do it and get it done.
You know.
The games got to turn off
And you got to try to
focus on your home work.
Which you can.
You're a smart kid.
So we're good?
Alright.
No worries.
We just love you
and want you to...
Acting like
you're on crack.
He is!
He's nipped out!
Oh, Mikal?
Mikal?
Ok so...
We're gonna talk to him about it...
And ask him...
Say "hey man, ok,
we've got an F"...
"So...what's going on?"
No, he's failing because
he hasn't asked me for help.
So he just
wants to be a failure...
No.
Stop that.
I don't like
that talk from you.
Tonya, we might not
be able to help him.
He's lightyears beyond
where we were in school.
Which is good!
I don't understand why
it would be Language Arts...
That's like
the most important one...
Right, but he's got an A
in Science & Technology.
So...
I know...
Give me
my water bottle back.
Cause you've already poured
what you want from it.
No.
The answer is no.
If you would like a shot
I will give you shot.
But no I am not leaving
the water bottle for you.
Why?
I promise you, Jason...
I'll be right as rain
in the morning.
Alright, fine.
Fine, but I swear to God,
If I get a phone call at
2:30 in the morning because...
Mikal's going ballistic
because you're being retarded...
I'm gonna thump you
in the forehead.
You have that right.
No, I don't have that right.
No man has that right.
Alright, my love,
I've got to go.
It sucks...
I had...
College level English...
My freshman year...
I did Romeo & Juliet
quite a few times.
Even when I got C's
there was a reason why.
F's and...
We don't do that.
Even though I'm really
being messed up right now...
And...I had to
go back to the doctor recently.
But...
I'm gonna die when I die.
I'm gonna keep rolling...
Mikal, I'm going to get
food from The Roxy!
Do you want your burger?
Fries? Tots?
Fries!
Alright, gotcha!
So... the goal for today is...
You don't talk to him at all.
He's already
done his homework.
Yup.
Don't talk to him,
don't engage him.
Fuck it, he doesn't even exist, ok?
Pull down the curtains
and he's gone.
Ok. I can do that.
The goal for today is
don't talk to mom...
Don't engage mom...
And just fucking ignore her, right?
Alright.
Love you, honey.
Stay the fuck up
out of his business.
I've got to go.
Fuck!
Oh no!
What?!
Fuck, why did you
swat me, Tonya?!
I'm sorry...
Now it's all my fault...
Just go to fucking sleep.
It's always my fault.
Tonya, just go to sleep.
Yeah I know...
Just go to fucking sleep!
Mikal!
I swear to God,
I leave for 20 minutes.
Why is it that when I
came through the door
The two of you were at '
each other's throat?!
Why?!
I stopped his internet.
And you both
fucking failed miserably.
Yes...
Dance with me?
I don't wanna
fucking dance with you.
Stay the fuck up
out of his business...
Mikal, stay the fuck up
out of her business!
-He doesn't have a leg to stand on!
-Hush!
Tonya!
Chill the fuck out and behave.
I'm behaving.
No.
No, you're kinda not.
And neither is he.
Mikal, your gonna grow up
and find out there's some things that...
That your parents do
that you just don't like.
And somehow you are
gonna have to take that...
And everything else that you know...
And you're gonna have to become
your own individual.
The point is that the
next generation tries
to be better than the
generation before them.
Jason, you're not the issue.
-I know I'm not the issue...
-Quite frankly, I'm ok with you drinking.
-Well I'm not...
-It's her!
That's because the two of you,
like I've said before,
the two of you,
don't know how to get along!
She does fine with older boys,
she doesn't know how to
emotionally deal with...
A young man.
No, period. You don't.
So, that's why I've tried
to set up some safety nets.
You know The Roxy
is a safe place.
You can go down there anytime
you need to, and get food...
Hang out...
Ok?
Is there anything
else that I can do?
Try to get her to quit drinking.
Yeah, it's probably not gonna happen.
Divorce her.
Ok, so I divorce her, and what?
And you go with me.
I will either
go with you or kill myself.
-See, that's an inappropriate...
-Suicide.
That's an inappropriate response...
Well, no, because if I have
to deal with her...
even more than,
then I would just not...
I would just rather be dead
then have to deal with that.
I hear what you're saying, Mikal.
I probably don't
help the situation.
A lot of times you do.
I love you both.
And believe me...
I have a lot to answer for.
And I'm sorry...
If...I piss you off.
So, sorry is good...
But actions are better than words...
It's 2020.
We're not accepting
apologies anymore...
We're accepting changed behavior.
See that?
He's not taking care of
you when you're older.
Nope.
Senile little bitch.
Change up the words.
Come on, vocabulary.
English, learn it.
Oh wait, no you're
flunking in it
aren't you?!
Yup!
So was that too soon?
Here you go.
You running away from home now?
Now I'm flunking even worse.
You've gotta learn
to let shit go, honey.
He's gonna say stuff, all the time...
He's gonna push your buttons.
-I know.
-It's what he wants.
I know.
And I've been leaving him alone and look
and his room is a fucking disaster.
I know, I know.
So, I'm really trying.
I know.
It's just a few years and...
I know, a few more years...
If we had a bigger place,
like a two bedroom place...
Then we could lock our door
and you could have a...
I know.
Sanctimony and privacy, but we don't.
This is our life.
I know, but I'm very thankful
for what we do have.
I'm thankful for what we do have too.
We've worked very hard,
both of us.
We have.
But we didn't get our
shit together until we were 30.
I know.
I hate to ask...
A shot, sure, I got you.
Alright, get up.
I gotta fix the bed.
Yi-ha, baby.
If I had a million dollars...
If I had a million dollars...
Well, I'd buy you a fur coat.
But not a real fur coat, that's cruel.
If I had a million dollars.
Well, I'd buy you an exotic pet.
Like a llama or an emu.
Oh yeah, Jason!
Remember on...
Remember, it was like
two weeks ago and I went up...
Because of the school shooting...
At Jamal's house?
I know, yeah.
I saw a llama.
You saw a llama?
Llamas spit!
Jason, I saw a full on fucking llama!
I know, they spit!
At my bus stop!
-They spit shit out of their mouth.
-Did you really?
Did you see a llama?
I screened shared it with Malik.
I might actually have a picture of it...
Next!
Mikal, close the curtains.
Disengage...
Disintegrate
Crumble
Perish
Disappear
Dissolve
Sorry about what vanished
We'll tell you
when the mystery is resolved
Disintegrate
Alright.
Mikal, get up!
-Mikal!
-Mikal!
You're late for school, man.
Get up, dog!
Give me the squirt bottle.
Right there.
Hey, you awake yet.
Hey, oh what happened?
Alright, I'm ready.
It's alright, buddy.
Love ya!
So I got my wallet.
No, I don't even need my wallet, do I?
They fucking know me.
I'm such a professional there.
And my phone.
I need money and my phone, that's...
Such a pretty boy.
But you're the...
quietest purr
I have ever seen...
at the same time.
So, when do I get
clean dishes in the house?
Really, Tonya?
No more internet
until it's done.
Mother f...work!
But I'm never
supposed to speak to you.
Who just missed
mock trials today?
Shut the fuck up!
No...no words.
I already called the school.
The school already called.
But there are fucking
finals that I have to do.
That's fine.
But now the Xbox
doesn't get fixed.
You've no say in this, Tonya!
Yes, I have every say in it!
No, you fucking don't!
Who pays for it
out of their ass?
Ain't you!
It's fucking, Jason.
You don't have a job,
you don't work.
You sit at home.
You do a couple of things.
Then you better
talk to your father.
There he comes!
Yup!
Open up, bitch. FBI!
Mikal is refusing...
He's refusing what?
Yeah!
All of it!
I left for like
30 minutes...
I asked for dishes
to be done.
I asked him
to get up and...
Is he your personal
assistant right now?
Is he your personal
assistant right now?
No, answer the question.
It's a "Yes" or a No.
No.
Congratulations!
Fuck you, bowl!
And you thought life
was going to be easy?
Buckle up, buttercup!
Life hasn't begun
to fuck you yet...
-Be careful, that's glass.
-I know, my glass shield.
Yup.
That's what mama
should've done in the first place...
-I did though.
-So like, she what? Didn't have me?
I didn't say that.
Did I say that?
No.
Then don't put
words in my mouth.
Hey, Jason.
You are the best fucking thing
that happened to my life.
Do you think that Tonya
sometimes hates me?
-Yes.
-Never.
It wasn't planned, buddy.
-Nope.
-You weren't planned.
But you are the best fucking gift and
miracle that ever happened to us.
And don't you ever
fucking forget that.
Ah yeah,
shoot myself in the head.
That's how fucking
special you are to me.
Do you remember
the day you were born, no?
No, but at that time
you were...
kicking and screaming...
That's the only time you stopped.
Yeah, I said It's ok,
buddy, daddy's here".
And you just...
And you turned
and you looked right at me.
I knew then, in that moment,
that you were fucking mine.
And that's it,
end this fucking story.
Fuck off!
Where are my fucking dishes
in the goddamn bath tub.
I already have most of them in there.
Most of them, not everything.
Yeah, I know.
Yeah, that's why you got
a fucking D and a C, half assed shit.
Too soon?
Hey, Jason.
Tonya's a pig.
Am I?
You're gonna get
one last warning.
-Warning.
-Don't...
Sweetheart, do I need you
to fight my fight for me?
-Nope.
-Then...
Cease and desist.
Yay, now 15 minutes
to fucking leave it in the bath.
Don't be mad at me.
I'm not mad at you.
However, I am a little mad
"with you..."about" you...
Yes...
No worries,
I am mad about myself too.
Well you know, whatever.
I'm yours bitch.
I know your mine, I'm not
fucking worried about that,
but goddamnit,
I got something important to say.
-I know.
-And you fucking ruined...
-I fucking ruined it.
-You ruined my moment..
Why?
Maybe you had a fucked up childhood,
maybe your dad was a fucking dick.
I don't fucking know.....
You get going and your brain
won't fucking shut down
for the next 32 hours....
And then you're a walking fucking zombie,
completely unconsious and babbling...
for the next like 15 hours...
I know.
Oh, I know".
But it doesn't change
or do anything,
does it?!
Fuck!
Fine.
-Give me a second.
-Son of a bitch.
Fucking dishes!
Stay focused, man!
Come on.
What!?
Don't fucking yell at me.
Can't do what
I've been asked to now.
Oh, now you wanna do it?
4 fucking hours later.
Now you all of a sudden
wanna grow a set of balls?
That's right.
Do what you've fucking said!
I got this!
Sit there and mind
your fucking business!
Ok?
I hate to sound
like a fucking dick in a...
I love it when you talk
to me like I'm mad.
No! I don't love it
when I talk to you like that.
I'm doing two things
and then I'm leaving.
I get it, you're fucking frustrated, man.
-I get it.
-We all are.
Back in the bathroom and do your dishes.
Can I have my man, please?
Are you tired, Mikal?
I'm gonna fucking leave.
I need a way to escape.
That's fine,
if you gotta leave, I get it, buddy.
Nobody's stopping you, all I'm saying is
take your phone...
and fucking call me
and let me know you're safe.
That's cool, I get that.
Jason, here's the issue.
Ok?
I feel I need to locked up
in a metal box
without any sort of
people around me,
for the next like fucking 3 weeks.
You still have
to deal with fucking life.
I feel like I'm mentally
going fucking insane.
Yes, it's called pube...
I think I need to go to
a fucking insane asylum
from you two drinking,
you two smoking...
It's causing me
to have mental issues!
My drinking and my smoking
has caused you to have...
It's not just yours
but Tonya's too!
Ok, fantastic.
If you think your life is so fucked up...
Call the cops and have yourself removed.
Go ahead!
I'll call them fucking for you!
If you think
your life is so fucking bad!
If you think somebody else, somewhere out
there is gonna do a better job than me...
Good fucking luck!
I'm not saying that that's true!
I'm just saying that I think
you two should at least stop drinking!
Well, I think that you don't need
to play so many video games.
I think maybe you need to buckle down
and focus a little bit more.
Quit getting Fs and Ds and Cs at school!
Shut up, I don't need your fucking help!
Next minute you are gonna
complain that I have Bs
and then start complaining
that I have As!
It's never! Gonna! Fucking!
End!
I feel like you always at...
Always on your fucking ass, huh.
Yeah, you're always gonna fucking
nail me for no reason!
Whether there is a reason or there isn't!
Ok.
I somehow look at you the wrong way:
"Oh, you look at me the wrong way".
That's how I feel!
Ok.
Is that something that
you broke in my house?
Tonya, please stop.
Please.
Please stop.
Ok...
I was asleep...I was just trying to...
Stop!
Ok...
I am trying to acknowledge
your feelings, sir.
Your feelings are how you feel.
Can't nobody argue with that, man.
What I'm trying to say is it's
not as bad as you think it is.
But maybe it's worse than
you think it is,
because you don't know how
you act when you're drunk.
You don't know
what you say when you're drunk.
You don't know
exactly what you do.
Fair enough.
Maybe it's worse than you think
because you don't know!
Ok, fair enough.
So, I quit drinking
and everything else tomorrow...
you're still not gonna fix
your fucking grades.
Because I started those pills
and we went, what?
Two months with no
fucking drinking at all,
and you were still
a little fucking dick!
-Weren't you?
-Weren't you?
More like 2 weeks
but whatever...
Ok.
2 weeks, 4 weeks...
The fact fucking remains
that you were still
gonna behave and
act like how you behave.
3 months!
We are gonna still act and behave
like how we act, Mikal.
I don't know what to fucking
tell you, man.
You got some fucked up parents.
Congratulations, welcome to...
the fucking United States,
welcome to the fucking world.
You only gotta deal with us for a few more
years and then, guess what?
I have no more say
when you're fucking 18.
I don't even
have any more dishes.
So are you gonna
get around and do them?
Hey, sweetheart...
Could you do me a favor?
Could you smoke your cigarette,
lay down, take a quick nap...
Pretty please, sweetheart?
Yes, she has
some fucked up things about her.
But I love her, Mikal.
And she's a good fucking woman.
And she's got my back
and she has our back.
It's ok, you got good
and you got bad.
Let's talk about that.
So you got a fucked up...
fucking F in Language Arts.
Cool, English isn't your
thing, that's cool.
Everybody has one fucking shit subject
that they fucking suck at.
What are you fucking good at?
What do you have an A in?
Tech...
Science, technology, engineering
and math.
You can do 300, plus 400, plus 1200.
I need a piece of paper
and a fucking pen in order to do that.
I'm not fucking playing,
give me a piece of paper.
So watch.
Can you do that?
I know it's asking a lot.
Fucking, all of our problems...
Those are the things
we have to do in my math class.
Congratulations.
Hey Jason, once you complete that...
I'll start the dishes.
So, if there's 9 girls
and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
See, how the fuck do I come up
with equal boys and equal girls?
No, no, no, no.
You fucking win, Mikal.
You fucking win.
You're already giving up?
See, I don't, ok.
No...
I don't get it.
I love you, Mikal.
I'm sorry that
we're so frustrating sometimes.
I know.
There you go.
Just hand them to me.
Sharp!
You hear me?
-Rewash.
-Can I get a "heard"?
Yeah, heard.
Thank you.
Using kitchen terms man, sharp, heard.
Rewash.
Water, hot pan, coming
through, rewash, heard!
Don't throw it.
You say "you be careful over there, sir".
Oh my God, does she ever shut
up, I swear to God...
Nope.
Never has, never will.
So, we're ok. We're good?
Yeah.
Alright.
Fuck!
You know...when they are born
they don't come with manuals.
Every child is different.
I mean he's 13, he's...
He's getting older.
When I was 12 and 13... I was getting
the same attitude with my mum.
Except I was worse.
Juvenile hall and...
I was already in juvenile hall.
-God...
-Just an absolutely uncontrollable...
-Tyrant...
-Uncontrollable little tyrant, yeah.
I want him to do whatever...
Is gonna make him happy and
is passionate about...
Yeah.
I'd like to see him going
to a trade school or something.
And then he can have
an actual decent paying job.
But at least making more than, you know...
Fuck even what I'm making.
You know, the whole idea is
that you finish high-school...
You go to college,
you get a good paid job, you...
You pay that off,
you get yourself a little house...
Save some money for retirement.
-Stupid white-picket-fence bullshit.
-And retire...that's you know...
-Whatever like the whole...American dream.
-American dream.
And it is unattainable...
Absolutely unattainable.
Graduating collage at
100 000 dollars in debt.
Houses are 400...500...
600 000 dollars...
You got to have 20% down, you know...
And that doesn't count
the bills that come with it.
That doesn't count
the homeowners insurance...
or the bills that go with it...
or the car or the gas or the...
It's just that the decks are...
The deck's stacked against him.
So how you've been doing, Tonya?
I've been trying to evaluate
everything that's been going on...
I just don't want you to be exhausted, yo.
I know it's hard to live
in such a small...
amount of space...with other individuals.
Right?
But can you imagine
if we actually had a tiny house.
We would need two...
Hah?
We would need two...
I'm very thankful that
you came into my life.
And you're part of my life
and my family and everything else.
You know that right?
Yeah...
Is he purring?
Nope.
Yes he is.
You don't feel that vibration?
No...
He's the softest purr ever.
Yes he is.
He's happy right now.
I can feel him purring.
I love you, Mikal.
911, what's the location of the emergency?
308, SW 12th Avenue.
I think my mum accidentally
drowned herself.
Is she in the bathtub or?
Yeah.
How old is she?
She is...44.
Is she conscious?
No.
Can you get her out of the bathtub?
Jason, get her out of the bathtub!
What we want is to
remove any clothing from her chest...
Help's on the way,
stay on the phone, I'm gonna help you.
-Remove clothing from her chest.
-Ok.
-Get her flat on her back.
-Yeah.
We need to start chest compression.
We've got some help coming now,
what is your name?
-Jason!
-And Mikal!
I'll be downstairs.
They're on their way,
you'll flag them down.
There's police as well as ambulance
and medical coming.
-Ok.
-Ok.
I hear it.
I see them.
Ok.
Wave your arms at them
and jump up and down if you have to.
-I am.
-Ok.
Black abyss
I'm standing in a black abyss
With a box as my boundaries
As I walk further
I hit an edge
That blocks me from leaving
Black abyss
10 MONTHS LATER
God, how long has it been
since we could actually step...
...into the closet.
It's been a while.
Yeah, 15 years...
Oh, yeah.
Christmas!
Boy, we haven't celebrated
Christmas in what...
-5 years?
-2 years, 3 years?
5...
Can we go ahead
and do Christmas this year?
No.
A little something, man...
Maybe it's for me...
-Fine.
-Thanks.
Are my cigarettes over there?
Yep.
It's coming along.
Hold on.
Sorry, I'm not a macho man.
Wait, there's some stuff left in the van.
Oh, yeah.
-Mikal!
-What?
Hey, you're welcome.
Didn't even give me the chance to say it.
Now you don't get a "thank you".
Well most people say "thank you"
when you hand it to them but...
Yeah, that's not me.
I'm not most people.
Yeah, clearly.
Hey Mikal, just want to tell you
I'm taking off.
Ok.
Love you.
I love you too.
See you after work.
Man...
That was a nice shot by the way.
I know, I did it.
Even if I work
to be an agent to chaos,
I work to be an agent to chaos
for the good of the mankind.
How many are you hiding from me?
What?
How many are you hiding from me?
How many what?
Sorry, what is it that you think
I'm hiding from you?
Beer.
Ok, not many.
That's the same beer cans as...
-I know.
-Ok.
You're hiding beers from me...
Not cool, bro not cool.
Oh, good Lord...
I don't have to hide it from you.
Well, you told me you
gotta quit drinking so...
Fury
The leaves on the tree
Shows my impatience
Growing more wild and angry
As the time passes
Ok, we are almost here.
Think that was one of the stops.
This is pretty.
The whole alignment.
There's some good spots for...
some sunlight.
Yeah.
Some nice direct sunlight...
This is off the beaten path, I like this.
Ok.
Hey, sweetheart.
I love you.
I know this is something that you wanted.
So I just want to say,
I love you sweetheart.
I really hope you do well here...
And so...that's the...
That's the best we can do.
Yeah.
I do fucking miss her.
Yeah.
I miss her a lot.
There was one thing
that Tonya was good for...
-What?
-Fixing clothing.
Yes, she was
a really good seamstress.
Wish she could have fixed my fucking
pocket before she died.
Yeah, we can learn.
Still bugs me.
Your pocket?
-Yeah.
-Yeah.
It's a little bit open.
Ok, sweetheart.
I love ya.
Night, Tonya.
Ideas
Thoughts
Imagination
Thinking
Powering
Helping
Nice
Helpful
Powerful
And strengthful
Ideas
DEDICATED TO ALL YOU MIKALS OUT THERE
THIS FILM CONTAINS EXPLICIT DETAILS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
THAT MIGHT BE TRIGGERING TO SOME
OK, here are
some crucial statistics for you.
The official poverty rate
in the U.S is 11,5 %.
Meaning that approximately
34 million people live in poverty.
Many low-income families resort to
long-term stays in hotels or motels
due to lack of access
to affordable housing.
About 1 in 10 children,
or 7.5 million
live in households with at least one
parent who has an alcohol abuse disorder.
I am one of them.
Love
Kind
Care
Pleasing
Helping
Thinking
Boy
Girl
Riot
Protest
Destroying
Bombing
Poisoning
Anger
Resentment
And hate
That's it for that fucking poem.
FLOPHOUSE AMERICA
Can I get kisses?
Kisses ...
Alright, that's enough treats.
Bye "the babies...
So did you want to get
new shoes today, Mikal?
Huh?
No?
You look exhausted.
I only got like
7 hours of sleep.
Hi, to "daddies"...
He said hi to "daddies".
Hi.
How did you sleep buddy?
-Shitty.
-Yeah.
What are you doing, Mikal?
Torturing that poor cat.
Huge feet...
I know.
I think he's gonna end up having
feet like my brother's.
Size 15's.
It's all your fault anyway.
Daddy's gotta go to work soon.
Yeah.
Can I get some food?
"Can you get some food"...
I've got some steak bites right here.
From last night.
Oh no, I'm good.
I mean like a full meal.
You never want leftovers.
No.
There's salad in the refrigerator.
There's strawberries
and stuff still in there, too.
From last night.
I'd like some strawberries
and some energy drink.
You little asshole.
Alright, be free for a second, Smokey!
You did get him good.
Didn't you?
So do you want
to brush him now?
Do you wanna trim his nails?
No, I'm not doing that this round.
I'm having it paid, professionally done.
Do you wanna brush him now?
Yeah, sure.
Ok.
Here you go...
Can you hold him down, mom?
Yeah. I got him.
There we go, baby.
We should start collecting that
to make a fur coat.
We could actually turn it into a...
if we wanted to.
We have enough.
Turn it into yarn.
We can, we have enough.
No, that's not enough.
See?
This isn't even enough
to do anything with.
But that's when they take the cotton
or the wool and turn it into yarn.
That's how much
you got off of him this time.
Oh, wow. It sounds like
there's a lot of people out there.
The one thing I hate about
living above a bar.
Do we have any more salad?
Yeah. It's in the refrigerator.
Do we have strawberries
and bananas and stuff?
Yeah.
You know I want something out of there.
It's cold...
I don't want cold marshmallows.
They were cold when we got them.
Marshmallows are nice and hot.
Only if you dip them
into chocolate.
Yeah, that's what you do.
So are we going to go do shopping
for your clothes tomorrow?
Yeah, probably.
"Yeah, probably"?
We need to get you flip flops and shorts.
New sockies...
And I would say
a new pair of shoes,
but I don't think you're gonna
need them after school gets out.
Until you go back...
So now you're gonna
steal all the fruit too?
It's funny.
Hey Mikal, do you want
half of my smoothie?
Sure.
Could you get a cup?
Want some food, ok...
-Put that on the bills that we've paid.
-So 1 or 8?
8...
And then all
the bills have been paid.
Ok, so you said 50?
They're asking me for change.
Right?
I love you.
You're too funny...
Alright. Blue.
Here are 2.
Reverse, 9.
So what are the positive
points of going to school?
I personally just want
to be homeschooled.
But what about
all your friends?
I can just
talk to them online.
Ok...
Yellow.
What is it you need to prove to me
to get homeschooled?
That I can do all my homework
in a reasonable manner
and get decent grades.
Ok.
And have you been
showing that recently?
Nope.
So how can...
What are you doing?
You only have a few more
weeks of school for this year, but...
If you can't prove it, I'm...
I love you, but...
You're not going to?
Well, have you proven?
We've talked about
this a while now...
Yeah I know!
Do you think you...
...you'd have a...
...things would be better
if you did homeschool?
Yeah.
How?
Then I wouldn't have to
deal with assholes at my school.
Ok...
I wouldn't have stuff
stolen from me.
Oh yeah, Uno.
You want me to shuffle for you?
Mhm.
I love you.
Love you, too.
Sometimes I wonder...
I know you love me.
You want to play
another round...
Of UNO?
No...
Who's a
pretty baby?
Oh, I love that.
I love you too.
Alright mom!
Trying to get this too?
I would like to...
Sorry.
Your hand ok?
-Mom, your hand ok?
-Fine!
Thank you for asking...
Still not...
The water doesn't
get hot enough.
Still a little greasy.
But I guess he is
freakin' doing them.
Alright mom!
As soon as I sit down
and get comfy!
Sorry!
Alright.
Watch out it's
real slippery right there.
I know.
Well I almost slipped!
I was not talking to you
I was talking to myself!
God damnit, Mikal...
You know no matter what,
I love you, right?
Mhmm.
You know...
You are not too lazy
to play video games though, huh?
Video games don't require even
half the effort of anything else.
You can be frustrating,
but I love you.
I am frustration taken form.
Oh, man...
Who spilled
vodka on the cat?!
Nobody,
it was empty.
No!
There's vodka
all over the cat.
There was a vodka bottle
right under him.
He's perfectly fine.
I'm kind of fucking pissed off
cause I just bathed him last night!
Why are you
yelling at me?
I'm fucking done.
Done with what?
Your stupidity.
Well, daddy went out
to get (chicken) wings.
Sorry, Smokey.
So later...
Maybe this evening,
you wanna play "Tanks with me?
Sure.
It's a good question, mom,
have you played "Undertale"?
Not yet.
I try to keep up,
but you know.
You and daddy
change games so much.
And I like puzzle games,
you know that.
Does this sound familiar, mom?
Yeah, it does.
Qbert...
It's part of Qbert.
So daddy's bringing wings home so we can
have a nosh before we go.
Alright.
You're getting shoes...
And possibly shorts today.
How does that feel?
"I would love new shoes"...
Jason will be home soon.
Well, we all know
that ain't happening.
Yeah, it is.
Hello?
Hi, where are you?
I'm at...
Scooter's?
Scooter's!
Still, why?
Because I've just ordered 60 wings
and I'm enjoying a couple of...
and I'm gonna have a...
Alright, then fuck you!
No, we're not gonna be here.
Lock him out!
Alright, let's get ready to go.
He's still at Scooter's.
I swear to God, if I lose this again
I'm actually just gonna break this.
Alright, let's get ready to go.
I don't wanna be here
when he gets home.
I just don't wanna be here...
May I come in?
Get out of his spot, Mikal!
Nobody is...
Mail!
They had two pairs
of industry shoes left.
And I got you these socks,
I'm sorry there's...
Thank you!
You said you were going
to get some wings and come home!
You didn't say anything about
stopping to drink along the way!
Whatever, I had one...
Liar!
Well, I'm not saying I'm fucking perfect
but I swear to God if this bitch...
You know what, the next time you say
that to me, the next week...
What?!
You're gonna do what?!
Divorce me?!
I'll wake up and marry
you again tomorrow,
I swear to God!
Will you stop for a moment.
Lay down, my love.
You go make the money
I'll stay at home.
Please?
I'm sorry, I did it before he was born
and not since he's been born!
Could we just switch?!
Is that even a possibility?
Put the cat in the carrier, Mikal.
"Put the cat in the carrier"
all of a sudden,
magically, makes it all ok.
You have your phone.
Call me later.
Let's just go.
-Ok, fine.
-This is not normal.
If I'm not normal
then this is the fucking
hepatitis C treatment.
-I know.
-I love you.
I hate you. But I fucking
love you at the same breath.
How is that even possible?
Fantasy
Nice
Great
Warning
Strengthening
Lose mind in book
Fantasy
The street's actually dead.
It's a Saturday afternoon.
Not a lot happens on that street
on Saturday afternoon.
Nighttime, yes.
And here's the guy I least
wanted to deal with today.
The junkie?
No, he is not the junkie.
He's the one I was talking about
that owes for the fan.
I'll get the fan.
Don't worry about it.
Let him deal with this.
He can't get into his room.
Hey...
I've got an...issue actually.
I left my keys at work...
So let's go with my issue first, how's that?
Well, you were due Wednesday.
I should not have to lock ball your door,
anything like that.
Stuff happens you know...I...I...
Stuff happens, but also this is a business.
I know it's a business.
Ok!
Oh and yes, Mikal...
Alright, what room?
Alright.
No more knots...
Other hand...
Your fingers
look purple, my love.
I tell you, there's no circulation.
Finger and thumb.
Come on.
A little bit up above.
Did you do
your med's today?
I did.
Keep fighting.
Oh, good job...
Any idea what
I did with my phone?
It's over here...
Would you like it?
-Hey, so sweetheart?
-Yeah...
I need you
to do me a favor.
What?
If I send you my money...
Will you go get a bottle?
Pretty please?
I guess so.
Ok.
I just want
one of those first though.
Ok.
I am transferring
you money.
Alright, I'll go
when I get a chance.
How are you doing,
sleepyhead?
Sleepy...
-Sleepy.
-Sleepy.
I take it you want me
to make you breakfast?
Yeah...
Oh, ok.
Can I borrow 3 bucks?
Can you have 6 dollars?
Now you owe me 3
and you owe me 8.
But you gotta wash the pan
and I'll start breakfast.
Yup!
Gotta do dishes.
3 bucks back?
No.
So you're just gonna starve?
I'll make it interest.
That's ok,
I'll clean out the pan.
Give me a kiss.
Thank you.
What do you want?
You want the whole sausage pack?
Or do you want a cut up
of the rest of the...
I want both cut up.
Fine.
Do we still have bread?
Oh no, who ate the garlic bread?
Me!
Ok.
-Is the leash on him?
-Nope!
He's ok.
Ok, look...
When you pull that,
it tightens around him, like a noose.
So the idea is not to...
Not to strangle-hold him.
Come on, Smokey.
Are you trying
to pass through?
No, I'm trying to wipe
my fingers off on your t-shirt.
Oh, wait. Hang on!
Alright, time out!
Come on dude,
and get some breakfast.
Well hello, see if I ignore him
he'll bring it home to me.
Wow...
Someone in this world
is a complete and absolute retard.
They think changing
the time on your phone...
Is moving you
back and forward in time.
Ah, well...
Well, the idea is
if you travel at lightspeed,
From earth to the sun and back...
8 minutes will have elapsed...
perceived by the person
on the ground.
They had count in 4 days,
just so you know.
They had what?
Count.
Count, in 4 days?
Oh, si, si.
Ok...
I don't know.
That doesn't affect me, I just keep...
I know.
Alright, come here.
Sit down, sweetheart.
Hang on a second, I'm just sweating.
Just give me a moment, please.
I'm trying to help cool you off.
In a minute I got some
breakfast for you.
No worries,
I'm not that hungry yet.
I'd love to have
a cigarette now.
If that's ok...
I suppose.
Thank you for always
taking care of me, my love.
I try.
I know. You do try.
-I do my best.
-I know.
I give you my bestest.
And you know that right?
Oh, yeah.
I've been with you
for 24 years now.
I'm all in, baby.
-Alright, Mikal...
-I'm doing my homework.
What homework?
You actually have homework?
I told you I did.
Just let him do his homework.
Ok.
So long as
he gets it done.
Yup.
Devote your time
to get that F up.
Jason...
It's Language Arts.
Ok, that's the F.
I'm getting
a lot of class work...
That I can't
work on at home.
But does that mean you have to devote
more time at HOME...
To this home work?
Sometimes yes, but...
It's why it's called
HOME work.
It is not SCHOOL work,
or it would be called school work.
It's called home w...
You're driving that into my brain.
Sorry it's frustrating for you.
It's fine.
So you still gonna
somehow find time to...
To do it and get it done.
You know.
The games got to turn off
And you got to try to
focus on your home work.
Which you can.
You're a smart kid.
So we're good?
Alright.
No worries.
We just love you
and want you to...
Acting like
you're on crack.
He is!
He's nipped out!
Oh, Mikal?
Mikal?
Ok so...
We're gonna talk to him about it...
And ask him...
Say "hey man, ok,
we've got an F"...
"So...what's going on?"
No, he's failing because
he hasn't asked me for help.
So he just
wants to be a failure...
No.
Stop that.
I don't like
that talk from you.
Tonya, we might not
be able to help him.
He's lightyears beyond
where we were in school.
Which is good!
I don't understand why
it would be Language Arts...
That's like
the most important one...
Right, but he's got an A
in Science & Technology.
So...
I know...
Give me
my water bottle back.
Cause you've already poured
what you want from it.
No.
The answer is no.
If you would like a shot
I will give you shot.
But no I am not leaving
the water bottle for you.
Why?
I promise you, Jason...
I'll be right as rain
in the morning.
Alright, fine.
Fine, but I swear to God,
If I get a phone call at
2:30 in the morning because...
Mikal's going ballistic
because you're being retarded...
I'm gonna thump you
in the forehead.
You have that right.
No, I don't have that right.
No man has that right.
Alright, my love,
I've got to go.
It sucks...
I had...
College level English...
My freshman year...
I did Romeo & Juliet
quite a few times.
Even when I got C's
there was a reason why.
F's and...
We don't do that.
Even though I'm really
being messed up right now...
And...I had to
go back to the doctor recently.
But...
I'm gonna die when I die.
I'm gonna keep rolling...
Mikal, I'm going to get
food from The Roxy!
Do you want your burger?
Fries? Tots?
Fries!
Alright, gotcha!
So... the goal for today is...
You don't talk to him at all.
He's already
done his homework.
Yup.
Don't talk to him,
don't engage him.
Fuck it, he doesn't even exist, ok?
Pull down the curtains
and he's gone.
Ok. I can do that.
The goal for today is
don't talk to mom...
Don't engage mom...
And just fucking ignore her, right?
Alright.
Love you, honey.
Stay the fuck up
out of his business.
I've got to go.
Fuck!
Oh no!
What?!
Fuck, why did you
swat me, Tonya?!
I'm sorry...
Now it's all my fault...
Just go to fucking sleep.
It's always my fault.
Tonya, just go to sleep.
Yeah I know...
Just go to fucking sleep!
Mikal!
I swear to God,
I leave for 20 minutes.
Why is it that when I
came through the door
The two of you were at '
each other's throat?!
Why?!
I stopped his internet.
And you both
fucking failed miserably.
Yes...
Dance with me?
I don't wanna
fucking dance with you.
Stay the fuck up
out of his business...
Mikal, stay the fuck up
out of her business!
-He doesn't have a leg to stand on!
-Hush!
Tonya!
Chill the fuck out and behave.
I'm behaving.
No.
No, you're kinda not.
And neither is he.
Mikal, your gonna grow up
and find out there's some things that...
That your parents do
that you just don't like.
And somehow you are
gonna have to take that...
And everything else that you know...
And you're gonna have to become
your own individual.
The point is that the
next generation tries
to be better than the
generation before them.
Jason, you're not the issue.
-I know I'm not the issue...
-Quite frankly, I'm ok with you drinking.
-Well I'm not...
-It's her!
That's because the two of you,
like I've said before,
the two of you,
don't know how to get along!
She does fine with older boys,
she doesn't know how to
emotionally deal with...
A young man.
No, period. You don't.
So, that's why I've tried
to set up some safety nets.
You know The Roxy
is a safe place.
You can go down there anytime
you need to, and get food...
Hang out...
Ok?
Is there anything
else that I can do?
Try to get her to quit drinking.
Yeah, it's probably not gonna happen.
Divorce her.
Ok, so I divorce her, and what?
And you go with me.
I will either
go with you or kill myself.
-See, that's an inappropriate...
-Suicide.
That's an inappropriate response...
Well, no, because if I have
to deal with her...
even more than,
then I would just not...
I would just rather be dead
then have to deal with that.
I hear what you're saying, Mikal.
I probably don't
help the situation.
A lot of times you do.
I love you both.
And believe me...
I have a lot to answer for.
And I'm sorry...
If...I piss you off.
So, sorry is good...
But actions are better than words...
It's 2020.
We're not accepting
apologies anymore...
We're accepting changed behavior.
See that?
He's not taking care of
you when you're older.
Nope.
Senile little bitch.
Change up the words.
Come on, vocabulary.
English, learn it.
Oh wait, no you're
flunking in it
aren't you?!
Yup!
So was that too soon?
Here you go.
You running away from home now?
Now I'm flunking even worse.
You've gotta learn
to let shit go, honey.
He's gonna say stuff, all the time...
He's gonna push your buttons.
-I know.
-It's what he wants.
I know.
And I've been leaving him alone and look
and his room is a fucking disaster.
I know, I know.
So, I'm really trying.
I know.
It's just a few years and...
I know, a few more years...
If we had a bigger place,
like a two bedroom place...
Then we could lock our door
and you could have a...
I know.
Sanctimony and privacy, but we don't.
This is our life.
I know, but I'm very thankful
for what we do have.
I'm thankful for what we do have too.
We've worked very hard,
both of us.
We have.
But we didn't get our
shit together until we were 30.
I know.
I hate to ask...
A shot, sure, I got you.
Alright, get up.
I gotta fix the bed.
Yi-ha, baby.
If I had a million dollars...
If I had a million dollars...
Well, I'd buy you a fur coat.
But not a real fur coat, that's cruel.
If I had a million dollars.
Well, I'd buy you an exotic pet.
Like a llama or an emu.
Oh yeah, Jason!
Remember on...
Remember, it was like
two weeks ago and I went up...
Because of the school shooting...
At Jamal's house?
I know, yeah.
I saw a llama.
You saw a llama?
Llamas spit!
Jason, I saw a full on fucking llama!
I know, they spit!
At my bus stop!
-They spit shit out of their mouth.
-Did you really?
Did you see a llama?
I screened shared it with Malik.
I might actually have a picture of it...
Next!
Mikal, close the curtains.
Disengage...
Disintegrate
Crumble
Perish
Disappear
Dissolve
Sorry about what vanished
We'll tell you
when the mystery is resolved
Disintegrate
Alright.
Mikal, get up!
-Mikal!
-Mikal!
You're late for school, man.
Get up, dog!
Give me the squirt bottle.
Right there.
Hey, you awake yet.
Hey, oh what happened?
Alright, I'm ready.
It's alright, buddy.
Love ya!
So I got my wallet.
No, I don't even need my wallet, do I?
They fucking know me.
I'm such a professional there.
And my phone.
I need money and my phone, that's...
Such a pretty boy.
But you're the...
quietest purr
I have ever seen...
at the same time.
So, when do I get
clean dishes in the house?
Really, Tonya?
No more internet
until it's done.
Mother f...work!
But I'm never
supposed to speak to you.
Who just missed
mock trials today?
Shut the fuck up!
No...no words.
I already called the school.
The school already called.
But there are fucking
finals that I have to do.
That's fine.
But now the Xbox
doesn't get fixed.
You've no say in this, Tonya!
Yes, I have every say in it!
No, you fucking don't!
Who pays for it
out of their ass?
Ain't you!
It's fucking, Jason.
You don't have a job,
you don't work.
You sit at home.
You do a couple of things.
Then you better
talk to your father.
There he comes!
Yup!
Open up, bitch. FBI!
Mikal is refusing...
He's refusing what?
Yeah!
All of it!
I left for like
30 minutes...
I asked for dishes
to be done.
I asked him
to get up and...
Is he your personal
assistant right now?
Is he your personal
assistant right now?
No, answer the question.
It's a "Yes" or a No.
No.
Congratulations!
Fuck you, bowl!
And you thought life
was going to be easy?
Buckle up, buttercup!
Life hasn't begun
to fuck you yet...
-Be careful, that's glass.
-I know, my glass shield.
Yup.
That's what mama
should've done in the first place...
-I did though.
-So like, she what? Didn't have me?
I didn't say that.
Did I say that?
No.
Then don't put
words in my mouth.
Hey, Jason.
You are the best fucking thing
that happened to my life.
Do you think that Tonya
sometimes hates me?
-Yes.
-Never.
It wasn't planned, buddy.
-Nope.
-You weren't planned.
But you are the best fucking gift and
miracle that ever happened to us.
And don't you ever
fucking forget that.
Ah yeah,
shoot myself in the head.
That's how fucking
special you are to me.
Do you remember
the day you were born, no?
No, but at that time
you were...
kicking and screaming...
That's the only time you stopped.
Yeah, I said It's ok,
buddy, daddy's here".
And you just...
And you turned
and you looked right at me.
I knew then, in that moment,
that you were fucking mine.
And that's it,
end this fucking story.
Fuck off!
Where are my fucking dishes
in the goddamn bath tub.
I already have most of them in there.
Most of them, not everything.
Yeah, I know.
Yeah, that's why you got
a fucking D and a C, half assed shit.
Too soon?
Hey, Jason.
Tonya's a pig.
Am I?
You're gonna get
one last warning.
-Warning.
-Don't...
Sweetheart, do I need you
to fight my fight for me?
-Nope.
-Then...
Cease and desist.
Yay, now 15 minutes
to fucking leave it in the bath.
Don't be mad at me.
I'm not mad at you.
However, I am a little mad
"with you..."about" you...
Yes...
No worries,
I am mad about myself too.
Well you know, whatever.
I'm yours bitch.
I know your mine, I'm not
fucking worried about that,
but goddamnit,
I got something important to say.
-I know.
-And you fucking ruined...
-I fucking ruined it.
-You ruined my moment..
Why?
Maybe you had a fucked up childhood,
maybe your dad was a fucking dick.
I don't fucking know.....
You get going and your brain
won't fucking shut down
for the next 32 hours....
And then you're a walking fucking zombie,
completely unconsious and babbling...
for the next like 15 hours...
I know.
Oh, I know".
But it doesn't change
or do anything,
does it?!
Fuck!
Fine.
-Give me a second.
-Son of a bitch.
Fucking dishes!
Stay focused, man!
Come on.
What!?
Don't fucking yell at me.
Can't do what
I've been asked to now.
Oh, now you wanna do it?
4 fucking hours later.
Now you all of a sudden
wanna grow a set of balls?
That's right.
Do what you've fucking said!
I got this!
Sit there and mind
your fucking business!
Ok?
I hate to sound
like a fucking dick in a...
I love it when you talk
to me like I'm mad.
No! I don't love it
when I talk to you like that.
I'm doing two things
and then I'm leaving.
I get it, you're fucking frustrated, man.
-I get it.
-We all are.
Back in the bathroom and do your dishes.
Can I have my man, please?
Are you tired, Mikal?
I'm gonna fucking leave.
I need a way to escape.
That's fine,
if you gotta leave, I get it, buddy.
Nobody's stopping you, all I'm saying is
take your phone...
and fucking call me
and let me know you're safe.
That's cool, I get that.
Jason, here's the issue.
Ok?
I feel I need to locked up
in a metal box
without any sort of
people around me,
for the next like fucking 3 weeks.
You still have
to deal with fucking life.
I feel like I'm mentally
going fucking insane.
Yes, it's called pube...
I think I need to go to
a fucking insane asylum
from you two drinking,
you two smoking...
It's causing me
to have mental issues!
My drinking and my smoking
has caused you to have...
It's not just yours
but Tonya's too!
Ok, fantastic.
If you think your life is so fucked up...
Call the cops and have yourself removed.
Go ahead!
I'll call them fucking for you!
If you think
your life is so fucking bad!
If you think somebody else, somewhere out
there is gonna do a better job than me...
Good fucking luck!
I'm not saying that that's true!
I'm just saying that I think
you two should at least stop drinking!
Well, I think that you don't need
to play so many video games.
I think maybe you need to buckle down
and focus a little bit more.
Quit getting Fs and Ds and Cs at school!
Shut up, I don't need your fucking help!
Next minute you are gonna
complain that I have Bs
and then start complaining
that I have As!
It's never! Gonna! Fucking!
End!
I feel like you always at...
Always on your fucking ass, huh.
Yeah, you're always gonna fucking
nail me for no reason!
Whether there is a reason or there isn't!
Ok.
I somehow look at you the wrong way:
"Oh, you look at me the wrong way".
That's how I feel!
Ok.
Is that something that
you broke in my house?
Tonya, please stop.
Please.
Please stop.
Ok...
I was asleep...I was just trying to...
Stop!
Ok...
I am trying to acknowledge
your feelings, sir.
Your feelings are how you feel.
Can't nobody argue with that, man.
What I'm trying to say is it's
not as bad as you think it is.
But maybe it's worse than
you think it is,
because you don't know how
you act when you're drunk.
You don't know
what you say when you're drunk.
You don't know
exactly what you do.
Fair enough.
Maybe it's worse than you think
because you don't know!
Ok, fair enough.
So, I quit drinking
and everything else tomorrow...
you're still not gonna fix
your fucking grades.
Because I started those pills
and we went, what?
Two months with no
fucking drinking at all,
and you were still
a little fucking dick!
-Weren't you?
-Weren't you?
More like 2 weeks
but whatever...
Ok.
2 weeks, 4 weeks...
The fact fucking remains
that you were still
gonna behave and
act like how you behave.
3 months!
We are gonna still act and behave
like how we act, Mikal.
I don't know what to fucking
tell you, man.
You got some fucked up parents.
Congratulations, welcome to...
the fucking United States,
welcome to the fucking world.
You only gotta deal with us for a few more
years and then, guess what?
I have no more say
when you're fucking 18.
I don't even
have any more dishes.
So are you gonna
get around and do them?
Hey, sweetheart...
Could you do me a favor?
Could you smoke your cigarette,
lay down, take a quick nap...
Pretty please, sweetheart?
Yes, she has
some fucked up things about her.
But I love her, Mikal.
And she's a good fucking woman.
And she's got my back
and she has our back.
It's ok, you got good
and you got bad.
Let's talk about that.
So you got a fucked up...
fucking F in Language Arts.
Cool, English isn't your
thing, that's cool.
Everybody has one fucking shit subject
that they fucking suck at.
What are you fucking good at?
What do you have an A in?
Tech...
Science, technology, engineering
and math.
You can do 300, plus 400, plus 1200.
I need a piece of paper
and a fucking pen in order to do that.
I'm not fucking playing,
give me a piece of paper.
So watch.
Can you do that?
I know it's asking a lot.
Fucking, all of our problems...
Those are the things
we have to do in my math class.
Congratulations.
Hey Jason, once you complete that...
I'll start the dishes.
So, if there's 9 girls
and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
See, how the fuck do I come up
with equal boys and equal girls?
No, no, no, no.
You fucking win, Mikal.
You fucking win.
You're already giving up?
See, I don't, ok.
No...
I don't get it.
I love you, Mikal.
I'm sorry that
we're so frustrating sometimes.
I know.
There you go.
Just hand them to me.
Sharp!
You hear me?
-Rewash.
-Can I get a "heard"?
Yeah, heard.
Thank you.
Using kitchen terms man, sharp, heard.
Rewash.
Water, hot pan, coming
through, rewash, heard!
Don't throw it.
You say "you be careful over there, sir".
Oh my God, does she ever shut
up, I swear to God...
Nope.
Never has, never will.
So, we're ok. We're good?
Yeah.
Alright.
Fuck!
You know...when they are born
they don't come with manuals.
Every child is different.
I mean he's 13, he's...
He's getting older.
When I was 12 and 13... I was getting
the same attitude with my mum.
Except I was worse.
Juvenile hall and...
I was already in juvenile hall.
-God...
-Just an absolutely uncontrollable...
-Tyrant...
-Uncontrollable little tyrant, yeah.
I want him to do whatever...
Is gonna make him happy and
is passionate about...
Yeah.
I'd like to see him going
to a trade school or something.
And then he can have
an actual decent paying job.
But at least making more than, you know...
Fuck even what I'm making.
You know, the whole idea is
that you finish high-school...
You go to college,
you get a good paid job, you...
You pay that off,
you get yourself a little house...
Save some money for retirement.
-Stupid white-picket-fence bullshit.
-And retire...that's you know...
-Whatever like the whole...American dream.
-American dream.
And it is unattainable...
Absolutely unattainable.
Graduating collage at
100 000 dollars in debt.
Houses are 400...500...
600 000 dollars...
You got to have 20% down, you know...
And that doesn't count
the bills that come with it.
That doesn't count
the homeowners insurance...
or the bills that go with it...
or the car or the gas or the...
It's just that the decks are...
The deck's stacked against him.
So how you've been doing, Tonya?
I've been trying to evaluate
everything that's been going on...
I just don't want you to be exhausted, yo.
I know it's hard to live
in such a small...
amount of space...with other individuals.
Right?
But can you imagine
if we actually had a tiny house.
We would need two...
Hah?
We would need two...
I'm very thankful that
you came into my life.
And you're part of my life
and my family and everything else.
You know that right?
Yeah...
Is he purring?
Nope.
Yes he is.
You don't feel that vibration?
No...
He's the softest purr ever.
Yes he is.
He's happy right now.
I can feel him purring.
I love you, Mikal.
911, what's the location of the emergency?
308, SW 12th Avenue.
I think my mum accidentally
drowned herself.
Is she in the bathtub or?
Yeah.
How old is she?
She is...44.
Is she conscious?
No.
Can you get her out of the bathtub?
Jason, get her out of the bathtub!
What we want is to
remove any clothing from her chest...
Help's on the way,
stay on the phone, I'm gonna help you.
-Remove clothing from her chest.
-Ok.
-Get her flat on her back.
-Yeah.
We need to start chest compression.
We've got some help coming now,
what is your name?
-Jason!
-And Mikal!
I'll be downstairs.
They're on their way,
you'll flag them down.
There's police as well as ambulance
and medical coming.
-Ok.
-Ok.
I hear it.
I see them.
Ok.
Wave your arms at them
and jump up and down if you have to.
-I am.
-Ok.
Black abyss
I'm standing in a black abyss
With a box as my boundaries
As I walk further
I hit an edge
That blocks me from leaving
Black abyss
10 MONTHS LATER
God, how long has it been
since we could actually step...
...into the closet.
It's been a while.
Yeah, 15 years...
Oh, yeah.
Christmas!
Boy, we haven't celebrated
Christmas in what...
-5 years?
-2 years, 3 years?
5...
Can we go ahead
and do Christmas this year?
No.
A little something, man...
Maybe it's for me...
-Fine.
-Thanks.
Are my cigarettes over there?
Yep.
It's coming along.
Hold on.
Sorry, I'm not a macho man.
Wait, there's some stuff left in the van.
Oh, yeah.
-Mikal!
-What?
Hey, you're welcome.
Didn't even give me the chance to say it.
Now you don't get a "thank you".
Well most people say "thank you"
when you hand it to them but...
Yeah, that's not me.
I'm not most people.
Yeah, clearly.
Hey Mikal, just want to tell you
I'm taking off.
Ok.
Love you.
I love you too.
See you after work.
Man...
That was a nice shot by the way.
I know, I did it.
Even if I work
to be an agent to chaos,
I work to be an agent to chaos
for the good of the mankind.
How many are you hiding from me?
What?
How many are you hiding from me?
How many what?
Sorry, what is it that you think
I'm hiding from you?
Beer.
Ok, not many.
That's the same beer cans as...
-I know.
-Ok.
You're hiding beers from me...
Not cool, bro not cool.
Oh, good Lord...
I don't have to hide it from you.
Well, you told me you
gotta quit drinking so...
Fury
The leaves on the tree
Shows my impatience
Growing more wild and angry
As the time passes
Ok, we are almost here.
Think that was one of the stops.
This is pretty.
The whole alignment.
There's some good spots for...
some sunlight.
Yeah.
Some nice direct sunlight...
This is off the beaten path, I like this.
Ok.
Hey, sweetheart.
I love you.
I know this is something that you wanted.
So I just want to say,
I love you sweetheart.
I really hope you do well here...
And so...that's the...
That's the best we can do.
Yeah.
I do fucking miss her.
Yeah.
I miss her a lot.
There was one thing
that Tonya was good for...
-What?
-Fixing clothing.
Yes, she was
a really good seamstress.
Wish she could have fixed my fucking
pocket before she died.
Yeah, we can learn.
Still bugs me.
Your pocket?
-Yeah.
-Yeah.
It's a little bit open.
Ok, sweetheart.
I love ya.
Night, Tonya.
Ideas
Thoughts
Imagination
Thinking
Powering
Helping
Nice
Helpful
Powerful
And strengthful
Ideas
DEDICATED TO ALL YOU MIKALS OUT THERE