Lonesome Soldier (2023) Movie Script

1
What the hell
are you doing, kid?
Huh.
Mac.
What's happenin' to me?
What do you think?
I don't...
Maybe it's...
Maybe it's for the best?
The best?
What the hell
are you talking about?
Hmm.
Just 'cause you're dyin',
it doesn't mean
you have to end up dead.
Tell me, you ain't
gonna make it that easy.
I-I fucked up, man.
I know, kid. I know.
Am I gonna be okay?
Not my place,
but my gut is telling me...
it ain't your time.
- What do we got?
- Unresponsive.
- Possible overdose.
- Checking vitals.
- Male patient maybe...
- That's my son!
Ma'am, please.
I can't let you back here.
It's just for medical personnel.
Lawler, I got
that wheel for you.
Can you get
one of these, please?
It's a 3.15.
Where did you say it was?
On the shelf in the back.
Good afternoon.
I'm looking to get
an oil change?
Jackson, phone call for you.
Lawler, turn that shit off.
What can I help you with, sir?
Just need an oil change.
No problem.
We can do that for you.
Lawler.
Can't, Mac.
Gotta head out early.
Playing a show tonight.
Yeah, fine.
Uh, I can do it for you.
Thank you.
Hello?
Hey, Bobby. What's up?
Yeah? Wait.
When?
You're shitting me. Tonight?
No fucking way.
Are you... are you serious?
All right, all right.
Uh, yeah, I'll wrap up here.
I'll be right over.
All right. Sounds good.
I'll see you soon.
Fuck yes! Woo!
Yeah! That's what
I'm talking about.
What's all that yellin' about?
Scott Thompson's
coming to our gig tonight.
- Who?
- Scott Thompson.
The GM of the Cowboys,
it's a bar up in Nashville.
They pay like five grand a gig.
We could be signed
by the end of the night, man.
Oh, yeah. Just as long
as you all know
it ain't like the movies.
Oh, go fuck yourself, Lawler.
You're in the band too.
Don't be late.
I gotta go, Mac.
Where the hell
are you going, kid?
To the Raven.
Well, it's two hours
till closing.
I know that, Mac,
but Bobby's counting on me.
- We gotta practice.
- Well, fine.
But I can't let you leave early
every time some hotshot
from Nashville comes into town
to live Bobby's dream.
That's not fair, Mac.
Come on. It's my dream too.
Is it? Or is it the money?
Why can't it be both?
What's wrong with wanting
a little stability, huh?
You want stability, kid?
Join the fuckin' army.
It's your answer
to everything, Mac.
Maybe I will.
Goddamn.
Boys, what an amazing
fucking show.
- Hell yeah.
- I need to find Scott.
Relax, little brother.
Just give it five minutes.
You crowd him,
you're just gonna scare him off.
Yeah, you'll probably
scare him off.
I'm gonna go get us
a fucking gig.
Never listens.
I'm good.
That wasn't enough
of a rush for you?
Nothing's ever rush enough.
What, uh, what do you think
our chances are?
I wouldn't get
your hopes up, Harlow.
But hey, even fat girlies
like you sometimes.
Hey.
Hey.
Way to go, nephew.
Oh, you make your mama so proud.
- You were amazing.
- Mom.
Oh.
Go. Good God.
Remember when you used
to kiss me like that?
You boys sure know
how to pull in a crowd.
- What ya's drinkin'?
- Oh, yeah.
Since I'll probably end up
buyin' like usual,
uh, seven Jamesons
and a, uh,
Luca Mariano Single Barrel
for the missus.
Amy, how you doing, girl?
Slam, the usual?
Yes, ma'am.
He was a no-show.
I told you.
Ah, don't stress it, kid.
How can he say he's gonna come
and then just, like, not show?
No call, no sorry?
I'm sorry, baby.
You can't keep waiting
for people.
I mean, hell,
I'll get us our own gig.
Statewide tour.
I'll book out
the whole damn summer.
That's a great idea.
We can take Lawler's van.
The hell we are.
Yeah, you guys should.
You're so good.
Whoa.
Pump those brakes, kids.
Dreams are nice and all,
but, uh, at the end
of the night,
everyone's gotta
wake up to reality.
Your mom and I can't fund
your dreams forever.
I don't need you to, John.
I have a job.
Not one where you can make
an honest living.
No offense.
Is that what you all
think of me?
Just chasin' a stupid dream?
No.
Okay. I'll see you all later.
Jackson, baby.
Excuse me.
Honest living, huh?
Well, the last I looked,
there are plenty of fuckin' cars
that need fixin'.
Asshole.
Tell 'em, Mac.
- What?
- That wasn't fair.
It's true.
We've been working doubles
twice a week
to fund his pipe dreams.
Yeah, and I would work twice
as much if he needed it.
You know what, everybody?
I'm... I'm feeling a little tired,
so I'm gonna say goodnight,
but y'all have fun.
Life ain't ever the way
you planned it, Bobby.
I'm not trying to be an asshole,
but, uh, I ain't gonna lie.
I had dreams once too.
Yeah.
Jackson's a hell of a player
but, uh, he ain't your way
out of this town.
We'll see.
Hey.
I hate it when John's right.
Who cares what he thinks?
You're so good, baby, and, like,
people love your music.
People in this shitty-ass town.
Plus, it's not my dream anyway.
Well, I support you
no matter what,
whether you wanna be a rock star
or a mechanic
or a garbage man.
What if I was a soldier?
What?
I talked to Mac.
I'm not making enough
at the garage.
He recommended it.
I'll make some more money
and give you some flexibility.
Being a soldier is the opposite
of flexible, Jackson.
It's not like I'm being
a jarhead or anything, it's...
National Guard is like
two weekends a month
after basic.
It's 40 grand plus benefits.
I ain't getting shot at or any...
- Jackson. No.
- No, I'm serious.
Christy, Christy,
I'm serious, babe.
We can make this work.
This is a good idea.
And I promise you,
I will not go to Iraq.
But you... you don't know that.
Because I'm not gonna
be one of those girls
who sits at home waiting
for a man to return,
like, I'm not.
I know.
That's why I have
another question for you.
Christy Marley,
will you marry me?
I can't believe it.
I get to change
my dumb last name?
Is that a yes?
Yes. Yes. Of course. Jackson.
Jackson.
- Mrs. Harlow, Mr. Harlow?
- How's he doing?
John Miller.
What happened to Jackson?
Jackson suffered an overdose.
He's in critical condition.
An overdose?
Because he's non-responsive,
I need parental permission
to operate.
Yeah. Yeah, do it,
do whatever he needs.
Oh, my God.
How fucking dare you.
- Excuse me?
- Don't play dumb with me.
I know it was your idea.
Joining the army never even
crossed his mind before.
- Oh, calm down.
- No!
Look,
I didn't forge his fucking
signature, you know?
He came to me for advice.
I advised him.
He's not a child.
That's just the point.
He is a child.
He is my child.
Jackson's a goddamn man
for Christ's sake.
He's getting married.
It was his choice
to serve his country.
You oughta be proud of him.
Okay. Yeah. Yeah.
How'd that choice
work out for you, hmm?
Oh, maybe we should ask Mom.
Oh, wait, we can't,
because she left,
stuck me with your sorry ass.
Get the fuck outta here.
Jackson.
Don't worry, baby.
She'll come around.
Just focus on being
the man I know you are.
You always know exactly
what to say, Mrs. Harlow.
Focus on your training
right now, kid, all right?
And blow some shit up for me.
I'll do my best.
You see that blonde
out there waving at me?
Pity who's ever her man,
she wants the D.
- Hmm.
- Careful.
That's my wife
you're talking about.
- Your wife?
- Yeah.
Hell yeah.
Hey, don't... don't worry,
don't worry.
I can't leave my girl anyway.
She's so loyal.
Always stays by my side.
Richard Douglas.
Friends call me Ritchie.
Jackson Harlow.
Jackson Harlow.
That's a good name.
On a scale of one to ten,
how nervous are you?
Probably an eight,
if I'm being honest.
Eight?
If you're an eight,
I'm a motherfuckin' five.
Fuck you.
Make that a two.
Love you.
Get the fuck off now!
Now! Let's go!
Let's go! Let's go!
Don't you dare
fucking look at me!
Move it,
move it that way.
Keep walking, maggot!
- Stop eyeballing me.
- Move it, move it!
- Okay! Okay!
- Okay, okay!
Do I fucking look
like Oklahoma to you?
Stand up fucking straight.
What the fuck
are you looking at?
- Eyes forward!
- Who the fuck
brings a purple suitcase
to boot camp?
Open that shit up.
Because I gotta see
what goes inside
a fucking purple suitcase.
Open it! Fuck that.
My recruiter said we could bring
whatever we want, sir.
I don't give a shit
what your recruiter said.
Get the fuck down.
Is that a fucking pushup?
You look like
you're banging your sister
behind the barn.
Do you enjoy banging
your sister, recruit?
- No.
- No what?
No, I'm not banging my sister.
We don't give
a shit who you fuck,
you stupid inbred.
But you sure as fuck
will refer to us as Sergeant.
Yes, Sergeant.
Where the fuck
did you squirm up from?
Perth, Sergeant.
I know Perth.
Only reason you stop
in that shit town
is if your car breaks down.
Yes, Sergeant. I work at
a mechanic shop there, Sergeant.
Of course you do.
Now drop and give me 50.
Yes, Sergeant!
Welcome to basic, ladies.
It's all uphill from here.
Speaking of uphill,
we're going on a run.
But before we do that,
I'm gonna introduce you
to a little word named
"Inspection."
Inspections are random.
It can happen at any time.
The process is simple.
We say inspection, you strip.
Starting now. Inspection!
Strip now! Do it now!
Take it off! Take it off!
You may not like running,
but you're gonna learn to
'cause in my army,
we're as fit as we are lethal.
You look tired, grandpa.
You wanna sit down?
No, thank you, sir.
- Sir?
- No, thank you, Sergeant!
Are you refusing a direct order?
No, Sergeant!
Breaking ranks,
give me 50 pushups
for every fucking year
of your life.
Yes, Sergeant!
He has you
in your underwear
because this is your last
moment as a civilian.
Your final transformation
is a useful cog
in the big green machine.
Oh, shit.
What's your name, recruit?
Sam Greene, Sergeant.
Where the fuck
are your underwear?
Don't own any, Sergeant.
I prefer to free ball.
I can't see why,
but you know what?
So do I.
Now, since recruit Greene
prefers to free ball,
you're all gonna free ball.
Tighty-whities off boys, now!
Take 'em off!
Hey.
Is it a beer
or a whiskey kind of day?
Uh, neither actually.
Well then, what do you want?
Is there some sort
of bartender code
where if I tell you something
you're not allowed
to tell anybody else?
Hmm, something like that,
unless you're fixing
to kill someone,
then I'll have to tell
the sheriff.
Right. Well, um,
in that case, I...
Christy, how are you?
Um, I'm fine.
Can I get some water, please?
You don't look fine.
Yeah, let me know
if you need a little
something to help out.
I don't need any drugs.
- Thank you.
- Suit yourself.
Well, you'll be happy to hear
that the tour's finally
coming together.
Should have everything lined up
by the time Jackson's back.
I don't think Jackson's
gonna go on tour, Bobby.
He has responsibilities now.
We're married.
That's funny.
His idea of responsibilities
is to go off and play soldier.
Leave her here all alone.
Sounds like
a perfect husband to me.
Lawler.
Sorry he's drunk.
We both are.
Well, have a good night,
Christy.
It's daytime, Bobby.
Well, so it is. So it is.
Fuck is up, Tucker?
Everything okay?
Sarge is gonna have
your fucking ass
if he finds you out after hours,
which means now
he's gonna have mine too.
This has been a lot, man.
Coming out here,
you tell yourself
you can do anything
when you get here.
You start to question it?
Yeah, I get that.
My dad is real tough
with me too though.
He's strict, military.
Yeah. My pops took off
when I was young,
but, oh,
my momma was a hard ass.
Still is.
My mom always know
how to make everything okay.
Shit, even when she got sick.
She's all right?
No, they had her on a machine,
they gave her some meds,
had some surgeries,
but that was just
to alleviate things.
Wasn't no cure for what she had.
What was her name?
Viola.
Viola?
Yeah.
That is a beautiful name.
Yes, it is.
Yes, it is.
- Come on. Let's get outta here.
- Okay.
All right, we're clear.
You're gonna get me
so fucking killed.
Up, up, up!
Let's go! Let's go!
Get the fuck out of there now!
Let's go!
Move, move, move!
I want two rows
and I want 'em now!
Two rows!
Line up!
Who belongs to this?
Shit.
I'm not gonna ask twice.
- Sarge, I...
- Sarge, I belong to it, sir.
For some reason, recruit Douglas
got the not-so-bright idea
to smoke after lights out.
Fortunately for his health,
I found out...
and I will help him quit.
Unfortunately for his body,
that means misery...
misery for you all.
Get a shovel.
Yes, Sergeant!
You, here.
Yes, Sergeant.
Circle up.
Now! Circle up.
Bad habits are best left buried.
Start digging.
Six feet.
Are you deaf, son?
I said start digging.
You know what?
I think we're missing something.
Do you know
who we're missing, Douglas?
No, Sergeant.
Well, in order for this
to be a proper funeral,
we need a name.
A name?
For your cigarette, Douglas.
Name it.
Viola, Sergeant.
Viola?
I'm not sure
if you named your cigarette
after a ship or a hooker,
but either way, it's done.
And now we can have
a proper burial.
Come on, Douglas, dig faster!
Pretend it means
something to you.
That's better be sweat
in your eyes
because if you're crying
from digging a hole,
then you're not fit to soldier.
This is not a place
for mama's boys.
It's a place for men.
You ain't gonna wash out on me,
are you, Douglas?
No, Sergeant!
Sergeant!
What is it, Harlow?
Permission to get a shovel,
Sergeant.
What for?
To help Douglas, Sergeant.
Permission denied.
Sergeant, I was there with him.
And like you've been telling us
since we got here,
he's my brother.
You just might amount
to something someday, Harlow.
You got 60 seconds.
Yes, Sergeant.
Sergeant, permission to help.
Granted.
On the battlefield,
you will constantly
be vulnerable to indirect fire.
Artillery, mortars,
rockets, death from above.
Being able to quickly create
cover by entrenching
may save your life.
That's deep enough.
Put this in the middle.
I said the center.
Try again.
Close enough.
Get out.
Say a eulogy.
Sorry?
What part of your pea-size
brain got microwaved
to have you question
every fucking thing I say?
Give a fucking eulogy, Douglas.
Um, it was a good cigarette.
Show some respect.
Her name was Viola, remember?
Viola was good to me
and she helped take the edge
off of life's troubles.
She was always there for me
when I needed her.
And I'll miss her.
- Amen.
- Amen.
Very moving, Douglas.
Training element two, three,
I want you up and ready at 0600.
Dismissed!
Yes, Sergeant!
Not you, Douglas.
Do you really think
I'm gonna leave a six-foot hole
on my property?
- No, Sergeant!
- That's right.
Cover that fucker up.
And I want it as smooth
as a pancake.
The operation was a success.
However, he's still
in critical condition.
He suffered an anoxic brain
injury due to lack of oxygen.
That's common with overdoses.
His last brain scans
came back negative.
What's that mean?
He's in a coma.
Without there being
any detectable brain function,
the chances
of Jackson recovering
are less than one percent.
No.
No.
There's nothing more
we can do for him here.
Okay. If you... if you can't
do anything for him,
then, um, then who can?
Who... the VA?
Jackson's a veteran.
Think about this for a second.
- Florida's fucking far.
- Stop.
If you're saying
what I think you're saying,
- just don't even start.
- Hell now, I'm getting
in trouble for things
I ain't even done yet.
Well, what?
You think I'm wasting my time?
What...
Is this about the money?
'Cause that'd be
so fucked up, John.
It's not about the money.
We'll cover the trip.
I'm worried you're just
prolonging the inevitable.
Look, I... I wasn't there for him
when he needed me before,
and that is not
gonna happen again.
Well, I...
Fuck.
- There he is!
- Hey, John.
Good to see you.
- Welcome home, nephew.
- Hey. Thank you.
- Oh.
- Did you miss me?
Oh, well, a little less now.
Hey, Mama. I'm home.
Well, go wash up.
Dinner's almost ready.
- It's okay.
- Yeah.
Oh, you... oh, come on.
You know it's messy.
Oh, Mac, I gotta say,
I'm a little disappointed.
I didn't get to blow
anything up.
I just, uh, ran endless miles
- and dug a bunch of holes.
- Really?
Huh? I guess things changed
a lot in 50 years.
- Hmm.
- Guess so.
Yeah. What are all those
ribbons for, Jack?
Means he didn't got
his dick blown off in basic.
- Hmm.
- That's not funny.
Jackson worked
his butt off for those.
Well, I thought
you'd earn them for valor,
- you know, like in Iraq.
- Are you going to Iraq?
Thankfully, no.
The guard only sends over people
that, uh, request it.
So I'm not going
anywhere anytime soon.
Well, and that's a good thing
too because Daddy Jackson's
gonna have his hands full
in about seven months.
I knew it!
I knew it. There's one soldier
who's not shooting blanks.
How about that?
How about that?
Congratulations.
Welcome to dadhood.
You'll never sleep
another night.
It's what I've been told.
But hell,
I'm not the one pregnant.
You got anything stronger
than beer, John?
- Or did you, uh, drink it all?
- I drank it all.
Which is a problem
'cause I got a prostate
the size of a watermelon.
Oh, no.
Take a break, Mama.
I can do it.
No, I got a system.
I know you have a system.
I learned it from the back
of a wooden spoon.
Mama, how long
are you gonna stay mad at me
for joining the Guard?
I need your support in this.
All I wanna do is support you.
But I have seen where this ends.
My mama was a wife of a soldier,
and it changes everything.
I don't wanna end up
raising your child.
I need another beer.
You gotta stop
punishin' the kid.
You can punish me if you want,
but not him.
He's as scared as you are.
But nothing bad has happened.
But he's about to have a baby.
The boy needs his mother.
You're the last one who should
be lecturing me, old man.
Stubborn woman.
Thank you, thank you.
I know we just took a break
but fuck it,
we're gonna take another one.
We'll be right back, thanks.
- There he is.
- Hey, man. Good to see you.
- Good to see you.
- Pull up a chair.
- Ritchie, this is Bobby.
- Jackson's battle brother.
- Nice to meet you.
- Yeah.
- My brother Lawler.
- Battle brothers?
More like fuck brothers,
right?
It's good to see
you too, Lawler.
Blah, blah, blah.
Where's Amy at?
What the hell, boys?
Get your ass back up there!
Give us a break, Amy.
Or, you know, pay us.
Taking five to say hi
to an old friend.
- Hi, Amy.
- Jackson!
I didn't know
you were back in town.
Oh, wow.
You look good in green.
- Oh, thank you.
- Hey.
Would either of you
fine soldiers like a drink,
- on the house?
- Your town.
What are we drinkin', Bobby?
Uh, let's do two Luca Marianos
and a well whiskey.
And what would you like,
Ritchie?
Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Let me guess.
You know what 50 Cent says,
right?
"Henny for my nigga!"
I'll be right back.
I gotta take a piss.
He's jokin'.
Yeah, that's, uh,
that's just Lawler, man.
Yeah, it's real fucking funny.
I need a smoke.
Sorry about that.
Yeah.
Well, it's good
to see you, Bobby.
- See you around.
- Yeah, I'll see you in a bit.
You know, maybe it's time
I try one of those.
Fresh out.
You're really this pissed
about a joke?
I just don't get it.
You're right, you don't get it.
Wait.
Are you pissed at me?
Yeah, Jackson.
I'm fuckin' pissed at you.
I'm pissed at Lawler,
I'm pissed at this whole
goddamn country,
if you really wanna know.
Then why are you
servin' it, huh?
Explain that to me.
I don't think
you would understand.
Oh, you don't think
I'd understand?
No, I don't.
What wouldn't I understand, huh?
What makes your problems
so special, Ritchie?
Huh? I mean, I get it,
I'm sorry
your momma passed away.
Well, my daddy left me
when I was a little kid,
and I'm about to be
a father myself.
If that's what you understand,
I'm somebody's child too,
Jackson.
You get that?
I'm fighting for my daddy
who's in a wheelchair right now
because they serviced
every other soldier
before him in Kuwait.
Oh, and his daddy,
who's in an unmarked grave
somewhere in Europe
because some officer
didn't think a dead nigger
was worth getting shipped home
alongside white soldiers.
And I thought I was fighting
for you too.
You were supposed to have
my back in there, man.
You're supposed
to be my brother.
I do have your back,
and I am your brother.
My brother woulda knocked
his ass out...
Why? Because of a stupid
fucking joke?
It wasn't a joke to me, Jackson!
Do you understand that?
People that look like me
have to fight
for every single fucking ounce
of respect...
Oh, don't give me that bullshit!
...that that...
Don't give me that shit!
Yeah. That's how respect works!
You have to fight for it.
You have to fuckin'
earn that shit!
Nobody just fucking
gives it to you.
Sergeant gave it to me...
finally.
You know what he did
right after we passed basic?
What?
He walked up to me
right before we got on the bus,
he didn't even say nothin'.
He just handed me a cigarette.
Shit, he even gave me
his lighter.
I earned his respect, finally.
Finally.
You know my momma passed away
three weeks before basic?
And I will never forget
what she said to me
when I told her I joined.
She said, "Men always wanna jump
up to protect somethin',
but who's protecting them?"
And I watched her fight
for her life every fuckin' day.
So it makes sense I wanna save
everyone else's, right?
Even if they don't want it.
So yeah, I'm fightin'
for my daddy,
I'm fightin' for his daddy,
I'm fightin' for you,
and I'm even fightin'
for little punk-ass bitches
like your boy Lawler in there.
'Cause ain't that what love is?
Fuck, I'm sorry, man.
I got your back
from here on out.
Hooah.
Hooah.
All right. Here we go.
I think that's it.
Babe, I think I got it.
Jackson.
Hmm.
Think they make
these things easier...
Jackson.
What?
You promised me.
You promised me that you'd be
here to raise our child,
you promised me
that you wouldn't leave.
Yeah.
They're expanding
the campaign in Iraq.
It's not optional anymore.
I did promise you.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
- I know.
- This wasn't supposed
- to happen.
- I know.
Come here.
- I'm sorry.
- I know.
It's gonna be okay.
We're gonna figure this out,
we're gonna be okay.
We're gonna be okay.
This is for you, Dad.
Just make it home safe.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I guess Mac will have
to repaint the crib pink, huh?
No, he won't.
Our little girl's a badass,
she'll love it just fine.
Yeah, she will.
Do me a favor and hold on
to this for me while I'm gone?
Yeah.
Of course.
I love you two so much.
I'm gonna miss everything.
No, you won't. Don't say that.
You'll be back to raise her
right alongside me.
- Hmm?
- Yeah.
I'll be back before you know it.
Before I know it? Mm-mm.
I better know exactly
when you're coming back, okay?
Yes, ma'am.
Come, man.
Oh, I'm gonna miss you, man.
Hey, just don't get your arm
blown off, all right?
You can still play guitar
with one leg.
All right, Bob. I'll do my best.
I'm gonna miss you.
Now, listen. Keep your head
down, do your job.
Now you're already a soldier,
so don't be a hero.
- All right?
- Yes, sir.
Oh, Mom.
I love you.
I love you, too.
I'm gonna miss you.
I'll miss you, too.
Uh, we all raised you
to follow your convictions,
so, Jackson, I'm so proud
of the man you've become.
You just... you promise me
that you're gonna
come home, okay?
- Mama...
- No, I just...
I don't need you to mean it.
I just... I just need to hear it.
Okay. I promise.
Okay.
Yeah.
I'll skip
the pleasantries, Mrs. Harlow.
I've reviewed your son's chart
and I don't...
Sorry, uh, if this is
the temper-your-
expectations speech,
you can just save it.
I know that my son is there.
My expectations are nothing
short of a full recovery.
I understand.
And I've heard of the lengths
you've gone through
to help your son.
But facts are facts.
Okay, let me just stop you
right there, doctor.
I've heard
every variation of give up
from doctors, from friends,
even from family.
Let me ask you,
you work with soldiers.
How many of them just give up?
I hear what you're saying.
I wish I could fight
for every single one.
Then could you help me, please?
Help me fight for him.
Help!
Room clear?
Clear!
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I think I killed a baby.
I think I just killed a baby.
- Fuck.
- Hey, hey, hey.
- No, no, no.
- I think I just...
Hey, look at me,
you can't be like this.
- Man, no. I just killed a...
- It's not your fucking fault!
- Jackson, that's a fact!
- That's not your fault!
- Alpha 3...
- It's a baby, Jackson!
- ... is the building clear?
- It is my fucking fault.
Can I get a fucking
goddamn minute?
For fuck's sake!
- Fuck!
- Jesus!
This is Alpha 3,
building is secure.
Five enemy KIA.
Alpha team is good.
We are movin' out.
All right. Let's go!
I just killed a fucking baby.
I just killed
a fucking baby, man.
That's a fucking baby, man.
- I just killed... yes, I did.
- You did not do that.
- Yes, I did. Yes, I did.
- That's not your fault.
- We have to move on.
- They didn't say anything
about a baby, Jackson!
- I know!
- They didn't say anything
- about a baby!
- I fucking know that!
But I gave you the order,
you need to pull yourself
the fuck together
right fucking now!
All right, soldier?
Look at me!
- Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay!
- Dig fucking deep!
We have to move the fuck on!
All right?
- Come on! Let's go!
- All right. Let's go, let's go,
let's go! Let's go.
You used to always ask me
if it was a whiskey
or beer kind of day.
Do we even need to ask anymore?
That's not what you said.
You're not holding up
your end of the deal.
This shit takes time,
you know. Be patient.
I'm not a very patient person.
Give me a minute.
Why, it's Mrs. Harlow.
How goes it?
Who's the new girl?
Uh, Marissa.
She's just a friend.
She works for the pops down
at Middle Lane Pharmacy.
- She's Mr. Bill's daughter?
- Uh-hmm.
Hi, I'm Christy.
Hi, Christy.
So, how's our little
soldier doing?
Honestly, I don't know.
We were supposed to Skype today
but working the time difference
sort of messes everything up.
Well, that sounds about right.
I am sorry that the tour
didn't work out.
Yeah. Bobby's taking it
pretty hard.
I tried to tell him
it was a dead end,
he just doesn't listen.
Maybe it's a good thing
Harlow left.
He didn't leave.
He was called away,
he was just following orders.
All right. Whatever you say.
You look like hell, though.
No offense.
I'm fine.
Sure you are.
If you ever want something
a little stronger,
that'll make you feel better,
give me a buzz.
Damn it, Simpson, one more curl
and them puppies will pop.
Deflate smaller than your dick,
we all saw it at fucking basic.
Yeah, coming from the guy
saving the hajis money on ammo.
Smoke another cigarette.
Those goat fuckers
won't have to kill you.
Oh, that's my plan.
I'mma wear
a big Iraqi sign that says,
"Don't shoot me,
I have lung cancer."
Think those fuckers even know
what lung cancer is?
Even cavemen know
what cancer is, dumbass.
You guys should shut
the fuck up.
And for fuck's sake,
how could you be joking around
with the shit
we've went through, huh?
Why are you such
a fucking retard?
And why don't you do
another curl,
fucking practicing jerking
other dudes off, faggot?
- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
- Ooh.
Yo, what the fuck's
your problem, man?
- Touchy, damn.
- I'm trying to talk
to my fucking wife.
Internet's not fucking working.
Fuck!
Hey, it's just blue balls, man.
- Mm.
- What did we say about talking
about other guys' wives?
- That's off fucking limits.
- Hey. Yo, chill.
Say another word, motherfucker.
Afraid she has her hands full?
- Oh, fucking...
- Hey! Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Get off! Get off!
Guys! Guys, guys! Shit!
Calm down!
Six weeks just turned to six
more months in this shithole.
We're fucking fucked!
Active duty just got extended.
- Shit! Shit!
- What the fuck is this?
What the fuck?
Fuck! Fuck!
Fuck.
Christy is gonna kill me.
Fuck. Fuck.
And I thought
that was a gift.
Um, no question, you know, uh...
Hang on, sis. Look...
This is what the troops
signed up for.
Oh, it isn't, it isn't.
... you know,
the troops.
I know you fought
so hard your whole life.
I just... I need you to fight
a little while longer.
Please.
Oh, Jackson.
I-I'm so sorry.
I-I know
we haven't always
seen eye to eye,
but, you know, you-you always
give me the strength to go on.
Don't you know, right now,
I'm giving you all my strength
'cause I-I know
that you are still here.
And I-I know
you're gonna be okay.
I know you're gonna be okay.
Does anyone know where
the fuck that's coming from?
Check.
Check, again.
Fuck!
Fuck, cover me!
Harlow, what the fuck!
Jackson. Jackson.
Hey, Jackson. Can you hear me?
Can you hear me, baby?
Oh. Oh, my God.
Thank you, God. Thank you.
Doctor! Doctor,
come quick, doctor.
You're okay.
You're okay. You're okay.
Hi, baby. Hi.
- Hey. Hey. You're okay.
- Can you hear me?
Doctor, I told you
my boy would fight
if you gave him a chance.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you, doctor.
- I'll be right back.
- Oh, baby.
Where's, uh, Christy?
Where's Katie?
- Oh, um...
- Why aren't they here?
I-I-I don't know, honey.
She was supposed to be here.
I went
by the house earlier
and there was no answer.
I didn't wanna be late myself.
You know, she's been
really overwhelmed lately.
She's been leaning
a lot less on me
and more on her mother.
But we'll stop
by the house one more time.
All right. You and me,
and the rest of the family
will be working on the spread
that your mother's been
preparing since this morning.
We'll pick up the girls
and we'll head out back
for a nice welcome home dinner.
All right?
Come on, let's go.
Okay, Mac.
Okay.
We'll see you guys there.
Any advice, Mac?
Stick to cars, less complicated.
Yeah.
You want me to wait?
No.
My car's here,
which means she's here.
So...
I'll see you at dinner tonight.
Wish me luck.
Good luck, kid.
Christy.
Hey, Christy, are you okay?
Christy?
- Hmm.
- Wake up.
Are you okay?
What's going on?
Hey, hey.
Jackson?
Yeah.
But you're not supposed
to be back until Wednesday.
It is Wednesday, Christy.
What's going on here?
Where's Katie?
She's with, uh, my mom.
But you weren't supposed
to be back until Wednesday.
Yeah.
What?
Why weren't you there today?
Let me get,
uh, Katie from the crib.
Oh, she'd love to see you.
Yeah, you do that.
Gloria. It's Jackson.
Yeah, I am. Well, thank you.
Um, listen, is Katie there?
- Don't say anything. I just...
- Yeah, I'm here.
Do you know what she was doing
when she asked you
to watch my daughter?
She was getting high, Gloria.
- Jackson.
- She was getting high.
Jackson.
Listen, I'm coming
to get my daughter.
You should probably do the same.
Jackson.
Wait, wait, Jackson.
No, don't, don't go.
Jackson.
No.
Oh.
Please stop.
Dinner's getting cold.
Can we start without him?
Damn it, John.
Give the kid a minute, will ya?
Sorry.
Sorry.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Jackson, everything okay?
Yeah, yeah, roger that.
I'm sorry.
Honey, what are you doing?
- I can't get 'em clean.
- Okay. Okay.
You know what?
You know what, baby,
baby, they look clean to me.
Yeah?
- Okay.
- Okay. Come on.
Everyone's waiting on you.
Let's go eat.
Okay. Okay.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Huh? Here he is, everybody.
So, let's eat.
So, Jackson,
did you...
...kill any terrorists
over there?
I'd rather not talk about that,
if that's okay. Um...
it's over now.
And, uh, I think...
I think I'd just like it
if everything, you know,
went back to normal,
if that works for everyone.
Copy that, soldier.
Normal it is.
I'm just proud
to be sharing a table
with a real American hero.
Please don't call me that.
We, uh, got some
fireworks for tonight.
Celebrate your safe return.
That'll be fun.
Titans lost again.
What else?
Normal...
Mega Millions jackpot
went for 370 mil.
Normal.
John's still an asshole.
I'll say cheers
to my son's safe return.
Cheers.
Hi, this is Christy Carlos.
I'm not here to take your call.
Please leave a message
after the sound of the beep.
Fuck!
Morning.
How's Katie?
Hmm, how's Katie?
Um...
she's still a little shaky.
Almost like, uh,
she's scared of me.
Ah, give it time.
When I came home from war,
your mom wouldn't come near me
for the first month I was back.
She kept calling me
the stranger.
- All right?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
Letter came for you.
Jackson,
when you went away, it was like
my heart stopped beating.
I just could not handle
being alone with a newborn.
I'm sorry and I'm lost.
I have no idea
what my life has become.
And I'm not good
for you right now.
Always know
that you are my hero.
Love, Christy.
She's gone, Mac.
Well...
Well, sometimes
you gotta let 'em go.
If it's meant to be,
uh, she'll find her way back.
She's not coming back.
How...
How's business?
Uh, slow.
Ever since the plant
moved south, it's, uh,
like a ghost town around here,
but I got a mechanic that quit.
So, uh, I got
a few extra shifts.
Yeah. I really
appreciate that, Mac.
Anything I can do to help, kid.
You got some more work to do,
or you're able to take a ride?
I got something to do.
It's kind of important.
Yeah, sure.
Thanks, Mac.
You did the right thing, kid.
Thanks, Mac.
Specialist Jackson Harlow,
welcome home.
I know it's been a long road.
Before we begin,
can I get you anything?
My dog tags.
And what power would you say
they hold over you?
I feel naked without 'em.
I'll see what I can do.
You've had quite a journey.
I'm curious.
What kept you going?
I made a promise to my mama.
Sounds like a good reason.
Didn't really have a choice.
Sometimes the choices we make
bring us down a path
we never see coming.
When you came back,
instead of facing your fears,
you stopped fighting.
I don't think you need
to worry about that, doc.
I have a lot of people
to fight for.
I just don't give a fuck
about myself.
That's okay for now.
We'll work on it.
We all have to learn
how to love ourselves
just as much as we do
with those closest to us.
Good luck, doc.
It's not about luck.
It's about how much work
you're willing to put in.
It's about how far
you wanna see yourself grow.
Does that make sense
to you, Jackson?
Well, I appreciate the optimism.
This ain't the first time
I've been fucked up
and needed help.
And?
See, that's the thing, doc.
Same person
that helped me before,
is someone that
fucked me up this time.
Bobby,
where's the money
you promised me last week?
I'm not a fucking bank.
Just 'cause
you're Lawler's brother
doesn't mean
you get this shit for free.
- Well, I was thinking...
- Who's that?
That's Specialist
Jackson Harlow.
He used to run with us
in the band.
In fact, he's the second
most talented guy
we've ever had
come out of this town.
That is, until he went
and signed himself away
to the fucking government.
I like soldiers.
Oof, married too.
Was married, but if you ask me...
Bobby, shut up
and introduce me to your friend.
Jackson, this is...
- I'm Marissa.
- Hi.
I'm Jackson.
Nice to meet you.
Oh, well then,
it's good to have you back.
And you seem happy to be back.
But listen, I'm sorry
to hear about your friend.
Amy, can we get
a couple of shots for...
- What was the name again?
- All right. Coming up.
Make that three, baby girl.
Get down!
- The fuck, Jackson!
- Get off!
It's okay.
Okay. Breathe.
I'll take care of him.
It's okay.
Breathe, breathe, breathe.
I gotta get out of here.
I gotta get out of here.
- So let's get you out of here.
- I gotta get out of here.
- Come on.
- Okay.
Come on.
Oh.
Hey. It's okay.
You're gonna be all right.
I know. It's just...
- Hard? I know.
- Yeah.
Here. Take this.
This will help.
And what was that?
I got you.
My dad and I are pharmacists,
so consider me a doctor...
and your medicine.
Does the doctor need
a ride home tonight?
I wasn't planning
on going home tonight.
What's your address?
Here.
You left that at the bar.
This is nice.
Sorry. We can...
We can go somewhere else.
Tell me something.
Tell you what?
Do you always freak out
when shit breaks, or is that
a more recent development?
It's a little more recent.
I mean, when I first got back,
my family got
these fireworks to celebrate,
and when they went off,
I went off.
Other than that...
That's like PTSD, right?
Like, wake up in the middle
of the night
screaming kind of thing?
I mean, yeah, that's...
that's part of it.
But it's also something else.
You see, when...
when you're over there,
you're always on edge.
You're always alert,
on the lookout for...
a roadside bomb or...
or a shooter
in the second-story window.
And that's good.
That's a good thing.
That's what keeps you alive.
Always on edge?
Always on edge.
That's a good way to say it.
But when you come home...
that is still there.
And it never stops.
It fucking stays.
It doesn't go away.
You're driving,
just driving down the road,
it doesn't go away.
The bar, it doesn't go away.
It just doesn't fucking go away.
My head, just won't fuckin'...
I just want it to stop.
I just... I just want it
to stop and it won't stop.
It's okay.
It doesn't stop.
Hey, have you heard
from Jackson?
He was supposed to pick up
Katie two hours ago.
I haven't.
I'm worried about him.
Oh, I'm sure you got nothing
to worry about, darling.
What do you say
about date night tonight?
Go to Alfonso's.
Been a while since
we had a night to ourselves.
Yeah. Yeah, sure.
Hey, hey, hey.
It's just us.
It's just us. Breathe.
Breathe.
It's okay.
All right.
Try this, this will help.
Hey, calm down.
What would I do
without you, baby?
I don't know.
I'm sorry. Here, come here.
You need anything else, Mac?
I'm all finished for the night.
Well, is it closing time
already?
Damn.
Well, nah, go ahead.
It's all good.
Sounds good, Mac.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Hey, kid.
How you doing?
I mean...
with everything?
I'm fine.
I know it ain't easy.
Now, that guilt
you got inside of you
will tear you up.
And I taught you
how to push it down
just like any soldier...
and move on.
Okay? So...
But I'm here for you, all right?
If you need to talk,
I'm here for you.
Thanks, Mac.
I appreciate that.
I love you, kid.
Now get out of here.
Copy that.
Mac, you all right?
Mac? Mac! Mac! Mac! Damn it.
Jackson, you okay?
I'm fine, Mama.
You want me
to take you home?
Uh, I just need a minute.
Thank you.
I told you,
don't be a fucking hero.
What about
the fucking job you promised?
Are you gonna live
off your mommy for the rest
of your sad fucking life?!
And why don't you ever
give me fucking flowers?
I work my fucking ass off
while you sit around here
like a loser
feeling sorry for yourself!
Jackson!
Are you listening to me?
What?
I'm leaving!
I don't do cheap drugs,
do you not see
what you've become?
Look at this place!
Where are you gonna go?
Far away from you!
You're like a disease.
You're making everyone
fucking sick.
I'm done giving you
second chances.
You useless piece of shit!
Where the fuck are you
gonna go, huh?
Where are you gonna go?
What are you gonna do? Huh?
You're gonna hit me?
Fucking hit me!
Come on! Hit me! Hit me so...
You can't even hit me.
You're pathetic.
Come for me again
and I'll fucking kill you.
No wonder your wife left you,
you sad excuse for a man.
Fuck!
Sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Fuck!
Fuck! Please
don't fucking kill her!
Fuck. Fuck.
Fuck! Fuck!
Pick up the fucking phone.
We're sorry.
The number you have reached
is not in service.
Please contact...
I got you.
Breathe.
There you go. There you go.
What the fuck?
Hey, don't talk.
Just breathe.
Hey. There you go.
Wet your whistle.
That's it.
That's it. That's it.
Yeah.
The hell you find me?
Only mechanic shop in Perth.
Although it...
seems to be closed now.
Been sitting in my van
the last two days
waiting for you.
Why?
Well, since I retired,
I've been traveling
cross-country
to visit different gravesites
of fallen soldiers I trained.
I figured you could show me
where Corporal Douglas might be.
Show my respects.
It's all my fault.
Bullshit.
Your brother died
so you could live.
What if I don't wanna
live anymore, huh?
If I'm tired of living, Sarge?
I wasn't trained for this.
You had fucking
trained me for this!
You turned me into a killer!
You turned me
into a fucking killer!
No.
No. I didn't turn you
into a killer.
I taught you how to fight.
I taught you how to fight.
I don't wanna fight anymore.
I am done fighting.
Boo-fucking-hoo.
The fight never ends, son, okay?
And you're trying
to hang yourself?
That don't make the pain end.
It just pushes it on
to somebody else,
'cause you're too pussy
to keep fighting.
Look at me.
Look at me!
Yes, Sarge.
I didn't train no pussies.
Start digging, soldier,
and dig fucking deep.
Nothing else, you can tell 'em,
I trained you how to dig.
Yeah.
You can definitely
tell 'em that.
We're soldiers, Harlow.
We keep fighting
till we get killed,
not till we kill ourselves.
And it's gonna sound dumb
to you, but...
you're one of the lucky ones.
You made it back.
Now, the...
the fight's not over.
It's just...
it's just different.
Find, uh, Corporal Douglas
buried in a cemetery
outside Dunlap.
Do me a favor, Sarge.
Pops lives a couple miles away.
Could you stop by?
He loves hearing the...
That digging story.
Yeah. Yeah.
Thanks, Sarge.
Hey.
Let me give you a lift home.
I got ya.
- I'm sorry.
- No.
- No.
- I'm sorry.
No, no.
Shh.
You're okay.
Hey, where all these pills
come from?
Marisa.
Oh, God.
I'll never understand
how that girl
came in your life.
Yeah.
Bobby introduced us...
after I got back from Iraq.
I didn't realize her
and Lawler were peddling
this shit together.
I gotta go, Mama.
What? Jackson.
Hey, where are you going?
Hey. Hey!
Hey, don't you forget
tomorrow is Katy's birthday.
I swear I'm getting
the fuck out of here.
Oh, where are you gonna go?
You're gonna leave me behind?
It depends if you're
coming with me or not.
The hell?
What the fuck do you want?
What the fuck, Harlow?
Okay.
You really wanna do this?
Okay then.
What the fuck are you doing?
He sold drugs to my wife.
Is that true?
Jesus Christ. She needed
a little pick-me-up, all right?
She was upset.
She needed a break from life,
and you weren't here
to give it to her, soldier boy.
I was. I was here
to give it to her.
Where the fuck were you...
Stop! Stop!
You're gonna fucking kill him!
Fucking worthless piece of shit.
You left your wife.
You left your friends.
Should've died out there
with your fucking nigger.
Let go of me!
- No!
- Let me go!
That's my brother!
Brother from a...
Get the fuck out of my way.
That's enough.
Get the fuck out
of my way, Bobby. Now.
Fuck him up.
Yeah.
Crawl away, you fucking coward.
You're pretty good at that,
aren't you?
Get the fuck out of here.
You come to my house,
start something
you can't finish.
Get the fuck out of here.
Get the fuck out.
Get the fuck out.
Come on.
Get the fuck out.
Stay...
...the fuck away from my family.
Stay away from Bobby.
Stay the fuck away.
You fucking pussy.
Have a nice life, Harlow.
Come on.
Leave him!
Fuck.
Fuck.
The heck?
Jackson, wake up!
I need my shit!
Wake the fuck up!
I need my shit. Wake up.
Fuck, yeah.
Baby, I was the best thing
you had going for you.
Shit!
You wanna do anything special
for your birthday today?
Um, like presents?
Ooh, presents? All right.
You wanna go to the park maybe?
- Yeah.
- You want anything else?
- Hmm, that's it.
- That's it?
- Uh-hmm.
- Okay. Well, maybe
I'll make you a cake too.
- Oh.
- You like one with Nerds on it?
Yeah.
Teresa, Katy. Good morning.
Is my son here?
No. Sorry.
His car is here.
Yeah. I mean, yes,
he's here, but he's sleeping,
- and I'd hate to wake him.
- Hmm, well,
it's his daughter's birthday,
so I bet he'd wake up for her.
He's not feeling
very well right now.
- Hmm.
- I'd give him an hour or two.
Okay. Well, you know,
Katy will make him feel better.
- Why don't you let us in?
- You can't come in right now.
Oh, my God. Jackson.
Jackson. Jackson!
Honey. Oh, my God. No!
Call 911! Somebody!
Somebody help me! Baby.
Oh, shit. Baby.
Jackson,
you're going home.
How do you feel about that?
Happy.
A little nervous.
Nervous?
I keep having this dream.
I made it back,
and I'm almost home.
And I see my daughter
running toward me
off in the distance.
But something doesn't
feel right though.
I start to run
to try to get her,
and just when...
Just when I get there...
I watch her die over
and over...
and over again.
What do you think
this dream is telling you?
I got no fucking idea, Doc.
It's not meant to save everyone.
You may be not been able to save
that little girl's life.
Right now, we have the chance
to save your daughter's life.
Look at the positives.
I can try but...
something keeps holding me back.
I, uh...
I don't know.
What if the dream just means...
even though I keep trying,
I'm always gonna fail
at the end?
You can look at it that way,
or you can find a way
to overcome your fear
and all of these thoughts.
Find a way to uphold
who Jackson Harlow...
truly is.
Jackson's being discharged
next month.
Well...
maybe we can
drive down together.
I can't.
Working overtime,
busting my ass
to pay off his hospital bills.
Well, can you set up his room
for when we get back?
He's coming here?
Yeah. He's coming home.
Honestly, how do you plan
on babysitting
both Katy and Jackson?
What the hell kind of thing
is that to say?
I mean, I'm his mother.
I'm just saying
it's gonna be a lot of work.
That's all.
He's coming home.
This ain't a negotiation.
The boy has problems.
He doesn't know
how to relate to people.
- He has PTSD.
- Oh.
That is a condition,
and it can be treated.
He just... he just needs
some time to heal.
It's gonna be a strain
on the family.
What happens if he comes home
and you can't handle it?
What then?
He's not the young dreamer
you let leave for the war.
Oh, don't you give me that crap.
I didn't want him going
- and you know it.
- But he went, came back,
and became a drug addict.
Instead of always defending him,
why can't you realize
he's a danger
to himself and to us?
He is my son, and I am
not leaving him in some home.
You know, the same character
and pride that motivated him
to join is gonna be exactly
what helps him heal
and overcome now.
I don't want the boy here.
I won't allow the boy here.
I'm sorry.
But I have to put my foot down.
Well, this ain't your house,
so you get out.
Hello?
Are you okay?
I'm okay.
How are you?
I'd love to see you
and speak in person.
Where are you?
I'm outside.
I'll be right out.
For the record,
your mom told me not to come.
I can leave if you'd like.
You can stay.
You don't look so bad.
What were you expecting?
I don't know. A little more
mangled-looking maybe.
Yeah.
I heard what Lawler did.
And I'm sorry.
I should have been here.
I came because
I have something to tell you.
Something important.
Can you just look at me
for a second?
You're still
the bravest man I know.
When I left, I'd...
I'd always hope we'd find
our way back to each other.
It's stupid,
but when I was gone, I'd...
I'd always be asking myself
WWJD.
What would Jackson do?
Oh, Christy,
you always knew exactly
what to say.
Come here.
It is good to see you.
You've seen our daughter?
Yeah.
She's so big.
Yeah, she is.
She looks more and more
like her mama every day.
I'm glad you're out, Christy.
Now, uh...
before we part ways,
is there anything else,
uh, you'd like to speak on?
Keep getting these,
uh... these headaches.
Uh, every morning
when I wake up,
it feels like a bomb
went off inside my brain.
Would you like to medicate that?
No, no.
Drugs just mask the pain.
And what's behind
this pain, Jackson?
Shit!
Fuck!
- No. No.
- No. We gotta get home.
Fuck.
Come... Come here.
Come here!
Shit. Come on.
Harlow, don't you quit on me.
You look like
fucking shit. Harlow?
- Fuck.
- Medic!
Fuck! Ritchie!
Ritchie! Fuck! Fuck!
Medic!
Ritchie!
Wake up, goddammit!
Ritchie!
No.
Medic!
Get me a fucking medic!
Ritchie, don't you die
on me. Goddammit!
Goddammit!
Fuck!
Guilt.
We were taught never
to leave cover,
but I thought I could save
that little girl's life.
Instead my best friend's dead
because of me.
Whoa. Wait.
Reverse roles.
If Ritchie had to leave cover
'cause he had to try
to save that child,
would you do the same thing?
Of course.
He was my best friend.
He was my brother.
Would it matter
if you left cover?
- No.
- Exactly.
Trying to save
that little girl's life
is what you had to do
to live with yourself.
Ritchie did what he had to do
so he could live with himself.
Why don't you try
to forgive yourself, Jackson?
Forgive yourself.