Something About Her (2021) Movie Script
(truck horn wailing)
(birds chirping)
- [Anna] So, look, I need
you to stay in the car, okay?
I'll be, like, 10 minutes.
Let me tell you, this house
isn't for kids. Read your book.
- [Oscar] I've already read it.
- [Anna] Yeah, well, read it again.
- [Oscar] Grandma says not
to leave me in the car.
- [Anna] You know, Oscar,
do you want me to get
this job or not?
Okay? I'm doing this for us.
Read your book. I'll be back.
(Anna sighs)
(door knocking)
- Hello.
- Hi.
- May I help you?
- [Anna] Yes. I'm here for the interview?
- Oh. I'm sorry, we're looking
to hire somebody different.
Thank you.
- [Anna] What do you mean?
- Well, we're focused on a male for now.
Certain physical requirements.
- Okay. So I drove all the way
from Los Angeles for nothing?
- Look, I don't need any trouble.
Okay? Your resume said Apol, right?
Djaou?
- Yes, Apol Djaou.
It's my Senegalese name. I
use it for official things.
Passports, resumes.
Everybody calls me Anna.
- Hm.
You know, Pol, you know, I just assumed-
- [Kristen] Never assume anything, Mark.
(Kristen sighs)
Well, don't just stand there. Let her in.
- Come on in.
She drove all the way up from Los Angeles.
Now, isn't that nice?
- [Kristen] That's wonderful.
Well, he apologized already, right?
Well, then give her some money
for gas and for her troubles.
- No. No, no, no, that's fine.
- I insist.
- You know what? I'd rather get the job.
I could really use the job.
- We need somebody that can move me.
You know, schlep me all
over this damn mausoleum.
I'm sick.
I have ALS.
- ALS?
ALS, I don't know what
that is. Sounds horrible.
- It's a fucking cakewalk.
(Kristen sighs)
ALS stands for amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis.
- [Anna] Yeah, still sounds terrible.
- According to the
geniuses I call my doctors,
I have about a year left.
And at the rate that I've been firing
these useless idiots as helpers,
I have at least 12 more to go.
- Well, um, can I give it a try?
- Try what?
- Lifting her.
- I...
- Go ahead.
- [Anna] Thanks.
- Oh.
- Oh!
- Okay, no.
Hold on.
(Kristen gasps)
Oh. Hey.
- Where are you taking me?
(foot thuds)
(Kristen groans)
- Oh, sorry.
- Oh, no worries.
- Left, left, left.
Anna, Anna.
(birds chirping)
- Did I forget to mention
I'm also a massage therapist?
I mean, I haven't gotten
my, like, full degree yet,
but I have done most of
the coursework, so...
- Are you an illegal?
- No. No, ma'am.
My mom brought us to
the US when we were 10.
My brother's actually in the army.
He's doing a tour in Afghanistan
to pay for his studies.
- [Kristen] Are you Muslim?
- Yes. Yeah, I am.
- [Kristen] Radical?
- Radical what?
- [Kristen] Radical Muslim.
- I-
- This is Summerland, sweetheart.
We don't want any radicals here.
Right, Mark?
- Right.
- No. I write poetry.
That's about as radical as it gets.
- Well, Mark and I will
have to discuss this.
- Okay.
- So please let yourself out.
- [Anna] It's really nice meeting you.
Thanks.
(door opens)
- I don't know.
(door closes)
(birds chirping)
- Fucking, fucking shit, Oscar.
Just wandered off. Fuck.
- Look, he can't be very far out.
It's okay. I'll call Louis
at the gate, all right?
(cellphone clicking)
See if he saw something.
Louis.
- Where did you go?
- There was a garden.
- Oscar, don't you ever do
that again. Do you hear me?
You made me lose this job.
Who's gonna hire me, huh?!
Who's gonna hire me with you crying
and acting stupid like that?
- So it's my fault?
You always make me wait
and you always make me
promises, then don't keep them!
- Like what?
- Like new shoes for school
and going to the aquarium, and a Game Boy.
Everyone at school has one.
- Okay, you know what?
Shut up. Shut up!
Make a list. Right now, make
a list of all your complaints.
Everything I've done wrong,
everything you want that I can't buy you.
Make a list.
- I don't want to!
- Make a list!
What are you writing?
Your dad, really? Really?
What do you want me to do about that, huh?
What do you want me to do about that?
Why would you write that?
Do you have his number?
- No.
- [Anna] Yeah.
(waves crashing)
- [Manager] Are you here for
the job application?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [Manager] Yes, there's a bunch
of application forms on the bar,
so if you'd like to start filling one out,
I'll be with you presently.
- [Anna] Great. Thank you.
- [Manager] Do you have a
vast knowledge of wines?
- I'm a really quick study.
I did start liking pinot noir
after I saw that wine movie.
(both chuckling)
- Didn't we all?
I see. But no drinking issues?
I mean, you're certainly
pretty enough to fit the bill,
but you actually have to be able
to serve food.
(cellphone buzzing)
Oh, I'm sorry. Do you need to get that?
- No, no, no. I'm sorry.
(cellphone beeps)
No, sorry.
- [Manager] Well, we have
your application, so-
- Okay.
- Suppose we'll be in touch.
Thanks for coming in.
- Thank you.
(birds chirping)
(door knocking)
- [Kristen] Door's open.
- Oh, hey.
- [Kristen] You're here.
- Yeah.
I was wanting to get here early.
Hope I didn't wake you.
- Well, where's Oscar?
Didn't Mark tell you
I said he should come?
- Yeah, yeah, I thought
you were just trying
to be accommodating.
- Let's get one thing straight,
I don't accommodate you.
That's your job, okay?
- Yeah. I'll have my mother drive him up.
- Well, help me.
- Okay.
- Push me into the lounge.
- [Anna] Okay.
- [Kristen] That's the...
Those are stairs.
- Oh, yeah, sorry.
- There's a ramp
on the other side.
- I'm sorry.
Okay.
- Mark! She's here.
- Yeah, I'm here.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I am so sorry. Are you okay?
(Kristen sighs)
- There's a well-trained but bossy nurse
who shows up twice a day, welcome or not,
in the morning and the afternoon.
- Here are all the contact
numbers in case of an emergency.
I suggest you put them in your cellphone.
- And your room is upstairs.
It's actually my old room.
Jack had plans to put an
elevator in, but oh, well.
The small room for Oscar.
Mark, can you show her
the rest of the house?
And just leave me in the lounge.
(Kristen sighs)
And get my phone from upstairs.
- [Mark] Yeah. Sure.
Come on, I'll show you to your room.
You know, she really liked
you when she first met you.
I couldn't quite see the
connection personally,
but I think she liked to
Oscar's name or something.
I don't know. Anyway,
it's a really simple job.
I can't imagine you won't be up to it.
Then again, how many people have lasted?
You know, she's fired off the
entire house cleaning staff,
the gardening team, and
physical therapists.
There were two of you, I think.
Nurse Ratchet's still
hanging in there, though.
But Kristen doesn't like her.
- [Anna] Is she still married?
- Oh, separated. It's messy.
You know, her husband, oh...
They're working through it,
but no one's got the
guts to tell the other
to fuck off, especially now.
This is your bathroom.
Anyway, Jack betrayed her
with her own best friend,
who stood by Kristen after she got sick.
And when caught, Jack
had the gall to act like
it was Kristen's fault for
getting sick in the first place.
Oh, you should've seen her.
She was the perfect
Santa Barbara golden girl
to be on his arm.
It's what he married, you know?
But you can't make the
same sort of entrances
once you're stuck in a wheelchair.
I don't think he could stand going
from being someone everybody admired to,
you know, someone who
everybody felt sorry for.
It's bad for business when
you're selling everyone
in your vision of a
bright and sunny future.
You've got to make the
whole thing look effortless.
Oh, they were quite a pair at that.
(Mark chuckles)
I tell you, no one could stop him
and she, well, she was
well-loved in the community.
I tell you, she was more
than along for the ride.
She put her whole life into building
this faux whatever it is.
It's frozen in time.
You know, I still can't
quite put a style on it.
It's sorta Spanish,
but then there were all
these Roman columns.
Yeah, could be Roman, it could be...
The windows are from
Home Depot, though, so...
Anyway, it'll be beautiful
once it's all finished. Right?
- I'm sure.
- Welcome aboard, Pol.
Congratulations.
(Anna chuckles)
- [Anna] Thank you.
(Anna chuckles)
(gentle music)
- I love French men.
When I get older, I'm gonna
move to the south of France.
- We should hurry up, then.
- What do you mean?
- Well, there's not that much time left.
- Wow, I like your honesty.
Well, where's the father of your child?
- He went back to Senegal.
He couldn't handle Los Angeles anymore.
Over there, he was "the shit," he said.
Senegalese men are horrible.
They chase anything that walks.
The women do all the work
while the men just booze it up.
- Ah, men. I've had my share of men.
I'm really starting to
appreciate my horses.
- Yeah, I know.
- Come here.
Come here. Help me light this cigarette.
- You smoke?
- Yeah. Cancer's the last
thing I have to worry about.
(lighter clicks)
How do you know?
- What?
- Said you know.
- Oh. Mark told me.
- That blabber mouth.
- Well, it sounds like
he wants to stay close.
- Who?
- Your husband.
- Ugh. He's dating some
fake boob bimbo now.
At least it shows he can
concentrate on two things at once.
(door opens)
Oh, Charlene!
- Good evening, Kristen. How you doing?
- Have you met Anna?
I've hired her to move me
around this unfinished palace
with plans for a pool and
sprawling gardens of my dreams.
Horses fly, fly, fly in the sky,
like a pie, pie, pie.
- Cigarettes?
- How's that for poetry?
- Very nice. Has she met Jack?
- No. Why?
- Oh, he's worked so
hard to put a good team
together for you.
- Move me.
Move me.
Well, neither I nor the house
are gonna be his anymore.
I've had enough of his meddling
to last me my very short lifetime,
so if you can please just shut up
and get this over with, okay?
And then you can report back to Jack
and tell him what a
total bitch I've become
and how lucky he is he's
not along for the ride,
'cause he's sure not fucking here with me.
Fucking Jack.
(door knocking)
- Hi. Is there anything I can do to help?
- Sure.
Kristen says you have a
lot of nursing experience.
- [Anna] Yeah, I haven't
done all the coursework yet,
but my mom's an RN, so...
- Mm. Hm.
Well, why don't you come
and watch this procedure?
- Yeah.
- Kristen knows how to hook
herself up by herself,
but we appreciate all the
help we can get around here.
- Cool.
- Just so sick of this.
I just want it to be over.
I hope there's life after death.
(Kristen sighs)
What do you think?
(device beeping)
- You wanna answer that?
(Charlene sighs)
- Life after death.
Um, I really don't know to be honest.
- You're so vague, Charlene.
(Kristen sighs)
What do you think, Anna?
- Um, the life we leave
behind, our souls, our spirit,
family and friends,
our work, our children.
I don't know. My poetry.
- See, Charlene? We need a
little fantasy around here.
Keep my mind off these damn tubes.
(door knocking)
- Oscar's here.
- Hi, Mommy.
- Hey, baby.
- Hi, Oscar.
Welcome to my home.
(Kirsten sighs)
- Well, Kristen, we're
in the middle of a...
I really don't think that
this is kid inappropriate.
- Okay, maybe I should-
- Mark. Mark.
- [Mark] Hm?
- [Kristen] Will you
show Oscar to his room?
- Come on.
- Okay, so-
- Yeah.
- This. Mare sure it's clean.
- [Anna] Mm-hm.
- Then you screw it in right here.
- Okay.
- Like that.
- Got it. Got it.
Yes.
Anna, just get out of here.
- Just go.
- I need to rest.
(Kristen sighing)
- Here you go, Kristen.
Let's get you some oxygen.
There you go.
- Push it down.
- Okay.
Would you like me to get your iPad?
- No.
Just the small radio.
(buttons clicking)
- Okay.
(gentle music)
It's right here.
TV remote's right here.
Goodnight, Kristen.
(switch clicks)
(crickets chirping)
(mouse wheel clicking)
(Kristen heavily breathing)
(crickets chirping)
- I don't know how you do
it, 24 hours in the AC.
- [Jane] Well, I do jump in
the pool once in a while.
I was thinking of driving up next weekend.
- [Kristen] This weekend?
- For your birthday?
- Don't remind me.
- I wanna come up.
- Okay. Let me see.
- What do you want?
- [Kristen] Want what?
- For your birthday.
- Oh.
A new wetsuit.
- A new wetsuit?
- [Kristen] Yeah.
- Sure.
- I'm joking.
You know what's best for your face?
- [Jane] No. Tell me.
- Water.
Just drink water.
All these masks, they
don't work, Mom. Just stop.
- They make me feel better.
- [Kristen] But you look ridiculous.
- [Jane] Okay.
Well, how is...
- How's what? My friends?
Oh, yeah, well, they call once in awhile.
Lots of FaceTime. Thank God.
You never have to see anybody anymore.
You can have a slew of friends
and just send happy faces to everybody.
Friendship has never been easier.
- Well, I wanna come up, to check on you.
- Check on my health?
- This is not doing anybody any good.
- I'm tired.
Can we talk tomorrow?
- Okay.
Goodnight.
I love you.
(Kristen sighs)
(Jane crying)
- I can still see you. Stop crying.
(Kristen sighs)
(keyboard clicks)
(laptop chimes)
(birds chirping)
I'm gonna get you.
- No, you're not.
- Oh, yeah, I am.
(Kristen grunts)
Gonna block you. What, what?
- Hey!
(Kristen laughs)
- [Kristen] Defense.
(both laughing)
- [Anna] Oscar!
(Anna speaks in foreign language)
- [Oscar] No, no. It was her idea.
- [Kristen] That was fun.
Come on down. I have your grocery list.
- [Anna] Okay. Coming.
- [Kristen] Oh, look at
that. I get a free ride.
What kinda dog always knows the time?
(Oscar chuckles)
- [Oscar] A watchdog.
- [Kristen] Oh, you know that joke?
(Oscar laughs)
- [Anna] Are you not coming?
- No. Charlene messed me up
with that medication last night.
It's not sitting well in my stomach.
- [Anna] I'm sorry, that
medication must have
such horrible side effects.
- Yeah, well, everything has side effects.
Life has side effects. You die.
- Can I laugh?
- Of course.
(Anna chuckles)
- I did not get that joke.
- You're not supposed to.
- Okay, so you can take my car.
- Thank you.
- I'll stay with Oscar.
Oh, and also, you can go into my room
and borrow something from my closet.
This is Summerland.
- Okay. Should I dress up?
- Like I said, this is Summerland.
(Anna chuckles)
- Got it.
- Oscar.
Don't ever get sick. It sucks.
(gentle music)
(women chattering)
- [Oscar] Was greatly.
- [Kristen] Greatly.
- [Oscar] Greatly.
- [Kristen] Uh-huh.
- [Oscar] De-lee-guh-ted.
- Delighted.
- [Oscar] Delighted.
- King was greatly delighted.
(door opens)
- To see all this glittering.
- Glittering.
- Glittering tree-sure.
- Treasure.
- Treasure.
- Good job, bud.
Jack.
- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning, sir. What's your name?
- Oscar.
- Oscar. Great name.
Who does Oscar belong to?
- Anna. He's Anna's son.
He's living with us.
- Yeah, Charlene told me all about it.
- Oh, I'm sure she did.
- You sure you're ready
for these additions?
- Wow, "additions." Yes.
I like them.
- Kristen, you can't take
care of this little guy.
- Yes, I can.
- So did you fire the cook
and the nutritionist, or what?
- Yes, Jack. I didn't want
them in my shitty house.
How are you doing?
- I'm doing great. Thanks for asking.
- [Kristen] Mm.
- Real estate market's coming around.
(Kristen sighs)
Wasn't sure about it for awhile,
but things are looking okay.
Just came by to check on you
and see how the lawn was doing.
- Oh, yeah, the lawn.
When is it gonna be finished?
I might be dead by then.
- So what's Anna's last name?
- I don't know.
- I know. It's Jacques.
Oscar Jacques.
- Mm.
Well, at least Oscar's
checking references, huh?
- Just ask Mark. He has her application.
She's a good girl. She likes it here.
- Sure, she's driving my car,
you're taking care of her
kid, what's not to like?
(door opens)
- [Anna] Hey, guys.
- Hi, Mom.
- Hey, baby.
- Hi.
- [Anna] Hi.
- You must be Anna.
- Yes, I am.
- [Jack] Hi, Anna. I'm
Jack, Kristen's husband.
- Oh. Nice to meet you.
- [Jack] Nice to meet you.
- Let me put this in the kitchen.
Hey, Oscar. Come help me.
- [Kristen] So are we done?
- George said he'd sit down with you
about the house whenever you're available.
He's ready to sit down when you're ready.
- Oh, well, one moment in my life,
I've decided that I'm undecided.
How's that sit with you, Jack?
- You know what my ideas are.
I'm just trying to plan ahead, you know?
You know, like we talked
about before, honey?
- Before...
Before I got sick?
Well, you may have your plaque picked out
and your seat on the board, but suddenly,
horses and people who dress
up to see those horses
and those races don't interest me anymore.
- What do you wanna do for your birthday?
(Kristen chuckles)
- My birthday.
- A party for old time's sake?
- I don't know, Jack.
I'm just trying to enjoy
the simple things in life,
like eating and drinking.
I'm just trying to figure
out what's important.
That's a miserable question to ask oneself
with a real deadline
hanging over your head.
You know, I was thinking,
I've given you quite the
performance over the years.
Every dinner party was such an act.
Every detail met with such perfection.
I think...
Yeah, yeah, I think how that
pretending made me sick.
- Honey, the research into ALS is vast.
- I don't know how to cure what I've got,
but I think I got it from
ordering too many light fixtures
from too many catalogs,
constant upgrade of our real estate.
That and the anxiety that I carried.
- [Jack] Anxiety?
- Certain anxiety for not
accomplishing anything, Jack.
- You've always done what you wanted.
You lived your dream, Kristen.
People would die...
People would be happy to
fill your fancy shoes.
- They can fucking have them,
'cause I can't walk anymore.
(Anna sighs)
Was having a good day too.
Ugh, he drives me insane.
Knows exactly what button to press.
- [Anna] Yeah, they always do.
You wanna help me?
- [Kristen] To make rice?
- [Anna] Yeah. Just rake it like this.
- [Kristen] I've never done that before.
- [Anna] You've never made rice before?
- I'm a rich bitch.
(Anna chuckles)
- That you are.
(Kristen gasps)
I'm kidding, I'm kidding,
I'm kidding. Don't fire me.
(both chuckling)
(Anna sighs)
- So do you like parties?
- Sure. Like, cake and presents and music?
- No. Like, big ones.
Hundreds of people.
(Kristen sighs)
I used to have so many here.
- Mm.
I'm gonna make you a Senegalese dish.
- Is it spicy?
- Uh, yes and no. I can temper it.
I bought some lamb.
You're not a vegetarian, are you?
- Oh, god, no.
These vegetarians are so
emotional about their food.
(Anna sighs)
Go ahead, eat your dirt.
I'm gonna have the lamb,
thank you very much.
"The lamb? Really?"
- That's funny. Rich people problems.
- You know what I really want?
Glass of wine.
Would you get it for
me? It's in the pantry.
- [Anna] Yeah, of course.
- I need to build a nice crescendo,
like a nice wall of sound.
Like that Beatles's song.
- [Anna] Red or white?
- Red.
Hope you got it from the top shelf.
Those are Jack's best.
Most expensive.
(Kristen sighs)
What should I do for my birthday?
- I don't know.
I could help you throw it, though.
- I don't really feel like seeing anyone.
You know what I really want?
I was thinking,
there's this beach in Big Sur.
It's about three hours away
and I haven't been there
since I was 10 years old.
We've always postponed.
You know, so busy jet-setting
around the world to realize
that California is the most
beautiful place on the planet.
- Mm. "The West is the best."
- Jim Morrison.
- That's right.
My kinda man. Poet in distress.
- [Kristen] Not very practical.
- Yeah, well, who wants practical?
That's my mom always tells me.
If I can make a living
doing what I love to do,
I'd be the happiest camper.
My mom always was blames me, though,
for being lazy, sleepwalking through life.
God bless her, but I don't
think she has a life.
Einstein said it best, "Find
love and love what you do."
- [Kristen] I blame it on my father.
- [Mark] Mm-hm.
- [Kristen] No, I take it back.
My parents once told me,
"Blame it on yourself, Kristen.
Blame it on yourself."
- [Mark] Oh, I blame you.
(Kristen chuckles)
- [Kristen] Fucking so
thankful to have her.
She's just so...
She's wonderful.
It's the first time
I've had some real help
around this house, excluding you, Mark.
You're wonderful.
- [Mark] Thank you.
- [Kristen] Who would've thought?
Actually, I can't wait to have a party.
- No, don't get me excited.
(Mark clapping)
- [Kristen] I just wanna see
the looks on their faces.
- Mm.
- I know how irritating
this is for Jack.
And, ugh, it gives me immense pleasure
to have a black family in my home,
just to piss everybody off.
- [Mark] Mm.
- [Kristen] And it helps
that Anna's so beautiful.
- [Mark] Oh, she is.
She's really beautiful.
Just stunning.
- Mm-hm.
- [Mark] You don't think she's a bit
too careless with her son?
- [Kristen] Ah. I know, she is.
I was reading with Oscar
and he's behind on his
reading and writing.
Oh, Mark...
She is just being so cute.
(Kristen chuckles)
She thinks we're best friends.
(Kristen chuckles)
She's walking around the house.
(Kristen laughs)
Isn't that cute?
- [Mark] Yeah, it is.
You know, I'm not surprised
about Oscar's reading.
- [Kristen] Mm.
- [Mark] Education just doesn't
seem that important to them.
- [Kristen] Yeah, I just...
I honestly don't know how
she's gonna make it as a poet.
- Mm.
- A real living.
She should be a model.
- Oh, she can't be a model.
She's too old and she has the kid, so...
(crickets chirping)
(Anna crying)
(waves crashing)
- The goalie is right in front of you,
but then you just swerve
the ball diagonally.
- Are you good at that?
- Yeah. I'm pretty good at that.
(pan clanks)
But it's also easy because you
just have to kick the ball.
- Oh.
- And they also block, also.
(Kristen sighs)
- You have good teammates?
- Yeah, they're fun.
- Somebody didn't sleep well.
- [Anna] Must've been the moon.
- You must've overheard
us talking about you.
- [Anna] Yeah, I heard a few things.
- Well, we were just gossiping.
You know how Mark gets.
- [Anna] Mm-hm.
I'll make sure Oscar
does some more reading.
- You know, I could look
into some schools for Oscar,
make a few phone calls.
- Don't. There's nothing
wrong with homeschooling.
- Depends on the teacher.
- Really?
Really?
Wow. Okay.
It's a low-blow morning, isn't it?
You know what? Oscar, I
want you to go to your room.
I want you to pack up.
- Why?
- Go your home and pack up.
- Aren't you being just
a bit over-reactive?
- Over-reactive?
Well, you know what, Kristen,
I'm not good with pressure.
I understand it's bad for me.
- You're not quitting.
- [Anna] Maybe I just need a moment.
- You just need a moment?
Forget the idea that I
was trying to help you.
(Kristen sighs)
Forget the entire idea of
putting your child into school
because that's just too
fucking radical of an idea,
especially in this country.
- Kristen.
What the fuck would she know
about being a single mom? Huh?
How the fuck is any of
this your business? Huh?!
- Well, quit, then.
Quit!
See how far that
decision's gonna take you.
- I'm not quitting.
No, I'm not quitting,
'cause that'd be too easy.
Why don't you just fire me
like all the rest of them?
(Kristen laughs)
- Because that would be too easy, Anna.
And where are you gonna go?
- I'm gonna go home.
- Oh.
Well, according to Mark, didn't
your mother kick you out?
She didn't even wanna come inside
when she dropped Oscar off.
Sounds like she's done with you as well.
- What the fuck does Mark
know? What do you know?
You don't know my mother.
That's just the way she is.
You know what pisses
me off most about you?
Is that you use people.
You use people like they're toys,
like Oscar and I are just clowns
just here for your amusement.
- You work for me. That's the bottom line.
- Really?
You're gonna be that cold
in your situation? Really?
- In my situation?
- Yes, Kristen,
in your situation.
So everything that we talked about,
was, what, dispensable
to you like it's nothing?
Okay.
That's cool. That's cool.
I guess I didn't know the
world I was living in.
I didn't know the rules of this game.
I quit.
(Kristen sighing)
- Anna.
Don't quit.
You need this job.
- Fucking bitch.
- I want you to stay.
Please.
I'm sorry.
I just don't wanna talk
about it anymore, okay?
So you're gonna stay or not?
- [George] Jackie, Jack,
Jack, what are you doing?
I just had that painted.
Goddamn.
- Don't worry about it,
George. I'm just stressing out.
I'm worried about her.
- Now what did you do to your face?
- I cut myself shaving,
George. Don't worry about it.
- Oh, you are a mess, my friend.
You know, I did call her several times.
She said she was undecided.
I mean, that poster child
for gay marriage is not
helping the situation-
- Who does she have in the house with her?
I mean, she was always
"Santa Barbara this"
and "Santa Barbara that."
She hadn't lost sight of what
people thought about her.
I mean, she wanted
everything for that town
and her name on it.
- Well, she's under a lot
of medication, you know.
- I just don't want her to
do anything stupid, you know?
I don't wanna push the issue,
but at some point, I
gotta make preparations
for a separation or some fucking thing.
- [George] Mm-hm.
- Um, I'm so sorry I'm late.
- Oh.
- [Jack] Oh, don't worry
about it. No, it's okay.
- Yeah. Coffee, water perhaps?
- Sure. Water.
- [Jack] Come on in. Charlene, come on in.
Have a seat.
- Please, please.
Have a seat.
- Thank you.
- Jim, another time perhaps?
- Of course.
- Okay.
- Yes.
- Jim, we'll pick up on this.
- Thank you.
- [Jack] Man, I'm sorry about this.
- No problem.
- Talk to you soon, buddy.
- So we were talking about Kristen-
- [Charlene] Mm-hm.
- And we thought, or we
would like your opinion.
What do you think?
How many more months?
- Well, it's hard to say.
Eight to 16?
I mean, her muscle
tissue is deteriorating.
We just started a new drug regimen
and it's, you know,
hopefully gonna give her
a lot more energy and...
- It's just that we're concerned.
- Charlene, I'm concerned
she's not gonna work out
the details of our estate.
Everything's been planned
out, set in stone.
And the way she's reacting,
her reaction and responses
are all over the place.
And the more I pressure her,
the more she goes the other way.
How is your relationship
with her, Charlene?
- Oh, she's cold.
I mean, she knows that you've sent me
and although she knows that you're trying
to take care of her, it makes
her act as if I'm the enemy.
You know, she fired that guy
who was making her crazy.
And now she's hired a young African woman
with no experience.
God only knows where she came from.
- Mark found her on Craigslist.
She insisted on hiring her
own person. Where's she from?
- Senegal.
- [Jack] Senegal?
- Yeah, near Gabon.
- [Jack] Gabon?
What the hell is-
- Well, it...
I don't know. It's near there.
- It's near Mali.
- Mali.
- Anna, the young woman, thinks it's okay
to have her child running
around everywhere.
And I feel that it is the last thing
Kristen needs right now.
- Why can't Mark help her?
- I think she needs companionship.
- [Jack] What about her girlfriends?
She has so many girlfriends.
Why can't they help her?
- Because no one's showing up, Jack.
- We need to get these people outta here,
this woman and this kid.
This is ridiculous.
(Kristen and Anna laughing)
- [Kristen] She was so mad
at me and I couldn't tell.
- [Anna] Well, I guess she could.
(Kristen and Anna laughing)
- [Kristen] She was like,
"I'm really upset with you right now."
(Kristen and Anna laughing)
- That is sad.
- Hi.
- Oh.
Hi.
- Kristen, you should be
careful drinking too much wine.
- Oh.
- It doesn't mix well
with the new medication that we're trying.
Just don't want you to
have any bad side effects.
- Ah. Well, everything has side effects.
Life has side effects.
- You die.
(both laughing)
- That's true for everyone,
though, isn't it? We all die.
- How much time till I die, Charlene?
- It's getting late. Are you ready?
- Ugh. I'm ready.
- Let me help you.
Come here.
(Kristen groans)
Okay, wine lady.
Let's get you outta here.
(Kristen groans)
(Kristen sighs)
- There you go.
(Kristen sighs)
- Oh, man.
- I got it.
- Okay.
- Let's get you dressed.
- [Kristen] Get me dressed.
- [Anna] Goddamn.
- Can't believe you stayed.
(Charlene sighs)
- [Anna] I can't believe I stayed either.
(Kristen laughs)
Crazy.
Okay.
- Oh, don't drop me.
Oh, god.
(Anna laughs)
- [Anna] Oh! I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
(Kristen and Anna laughing)
Oh, my gosh. I wouldn't
have a bed if I dropped you.
- Ugh, I don't wanna stop drinking.
(both laughing)
- I'll sneak some Chardonnay
into your feeding bag
when she's not looking.
- Can you?
(Anna laughs)
She'll never know.
(Kristen sighs)
- You good?
- Yeah. Could you grab me my remote?
- Yeah.
(Kristen sighs)
Here you go.
- Thank you.
(Kristen sighs)
Anna, will you turn off the light?
- Yeah, of course.
(switch clicks)
- You can close the door.
(Charlene sighs)
So how is it going with Anna?
- She's great.
- Look, Jack did a background check on her
and there are some issues.
Do you care to know about them?
- Depends.
(device beeping)
She murder somebody?
- No, she didn't murder somebody.
- Well, then?
- She has a record for child abuse.
- Well, that's...
What are you talking about?
- Well, apparently, she
got rid of Oscar's puppy.
He was hysterical. She
slapped him a bunch of times.
He fell and hit his head on
the corner of a coffee table
and was rushed to the hospital.
She told the nurse what
happened. She got arrested.
That's why her mother has
custody of him, Kristen.
Probably shouldn't even be here.
I mean, if you look,
you can see a scar right here on his head.
I saw it.
- Wow.
That's pretty shitty.
- Isn't it, though?
I thought that maybe we could
just slowly phase her out.
- Mm, yeah, phase her out.
- There's a friend of mine
who has a exchange student
living with her from Finland.
Nice girl.
- How much did Jack have
to pay to find that out?
- I have no idea.
Jack is just wanting to care for you.
- Mm.
So we should just phase her
out, just get rid of her?
You know, so what? She hit her kid.
It's nothing my father didn't
do to me when I was a kid.
You know?
Why is Jack so worried?
- He's trying to help.
- Oh, yeah.
Why didn't he get worried
when I got sick? Huh?
Instead, he got furious
and he disappeared,
like I betrayed him.
And now he's back with
all these doctors trying
to run the whole thing.
Well, he can get his
employees to march in line,
but late in life, I decided
I don't like marching.
- Kristen, you deserve
responsible caregivers, okay?
Anybody would agree with that.
She can't even keep the
guardianship of her own child.
- Just tell him to stay
out of my business.
Tell him that I'm a hundred
percent mentally there.
It's one of the cruel things about ALS,
you're a hundred percent there
to watch your body deteriorate.
So if everyone could just stay
the fuck outta my business,
I'd really appreciate it.
- Kristen-
- Do you have any idea
what it's like?
Do you want me to tell you
so you could have a better
idea for your next patient?
Or you can relay it back to
Jack and his crack lawyers.
- I apologize for bringing
that up. I shouldn't have.
- It's like having a five-pound weights
on your hands and your legs.
And when you go to sleep,
it's like having a five-pound
sack of rice sitting on top
of your chest, making it
so hard for you to breathe.
- Take it easy, Kristen.
- Just let me finish
for Christ's sake!
(Kristen wheezing)
And then the 10-pound weights
turn to 20-pound weights
and then they turn into
30-pound weights and so on,
and making it impossible for you to walk,
so you have to use a wheelchair
for the rest of your shortened life!
(Kristen wheezing)
I can't even change my own fucking tampon!
(Kristen wheezing)
How do you think that makes
me feel?! I'm a grown woman!
I can't even wipe my own ass!
(Kristen wheezing)
- [Charlene] Hey. Calm down.
I hear you.
(Kristen wheezing)
- Whatever, Charlene.
I need you to do me a favor.
- [Charlene] Anything.
- [Kristen] Anna's taking me to Big Sur.
Okay?
For one night, I need
you to watch Oscar for me
and not tell Jack.
- Are you sure?
- [Kristen] I need you to
do this for me. Please.
- Okay.
Let's get some oxygen, sweetie.
Let's get some oxygen.
- Can you keep your phone on just in case?
(Kristen sighs)
- Of course.
Okay.
(Kristen heavily breathing)
(waves crashing)
(Kristen exhales)
- [Jack] You okay?
(Kristen sighing)
- I just feel so tired.
(doorbell chimes)
- And just no fun anymore.
(Jack chuckles)
(wind blowing)
(horse whinnies)
(Kristen laughing)
- Hey, what are you doing?
Are you okay?
- Yeah. Yeah.
Going to Big Sur tomorrow.
- Really?
- Uh-huh.
- [Oscar] Why can't I come?
- Because you need to study
so you can be a doctor, like your uncle.
Love you.
(Anna sighs)
- That's right.
- We'll be back soon, bud.
Come here, give me a hug.
- All right. Let's go.
Here, hold this.
- Well, you're gonna have to drive.
It's not my forte.
- Yeah, I figured as much.
All right.
- Don't hit anything.
(gentle piano music)
(birds chirping)
(women chattering)
(waves crashing)
(seagulls squawking)
Okay.
Let's try to do this.
(Anna laughs)
I got you.
- I know.
(both laughing)
I can't.
(Kristen laughs)
(Anna clapping)
(Kristen laughs)
(seagulls squawking)
(lighter clicking)
(Kristen chuckles)
(Anna chuckles)
Anna.
Can you kiss me?
I haven't been kissed in so long.
Touch me.
(water rumbling)
(water splashing)
I used to stay here when I was a kid.
When my parents were together,
we were like the perfect
California family,
always outside and being active.
My father used to build
swimming pools in Encino.
- Yeah?
- Like Burt Lancaster
in "The Swimmer."
Did you ever see that?
- No, I don't get the reference.
(both laughing)
- [Kristen] You didn't
see that in Senegal?
(both laughing)
- We had a swimming pool too.
It was an abandoned container
we filled with water.
My dad made it.
He found some rags and some glue.
It worked well, worked really well.
It was fun till these idiots broke in,
thinking there was
something valuable inside.
(Anna laughs)
- What happened?
- They, like, slashed it open.
Oh, my god, they're so stupid.
I wish I had have been there to see them
when that water came gushing out.
(both laughing)
It took us, like, an entire rainy season
to get it filled back up.
It was terrible.
- Aw, man.
- [Anna] I know.
(Anna exhales)
- [Kristen] I can't imagine
how you grew up, Anna.
- Yeah.
- Mm.
We're just so selfish
and spoiled over here.
We take everything for granted.
(Kristen wheezing)
- Hey, hey, hey.
You're okay.
- Why do I need those
machines if I have you?
So amazing that I found you.
Anna?
I'm scared.
I'm scared of dying.
I'm just not ready to go.
I just feel like I haven't
accomplished anything.
I'm just so angry.
I'm just so mad.
I just...
I feel like it's a lot easier to die
when you've accomplished a lot.
(Kristen wheezing)
(Kristen groans)
- You're gonna be fine.
(Kristen heavily breathing)
Shh.
Get some rest, okay?
(Anna groaning)
- Anna?
(Anna groans)
Anna, are you okay?
- [Anna] Yeah, yeah, it's fine.
- No, please don't shut the door.
(door creaks)
Can I help you?
- [Anna] I'm fine, it's just my ulcers,
they act up sometimes.
(waves crashing)
- [Group] Surprise!
(group applauding)
- He had me on a gag order.
Please don't fire me.
- Hi, baby.
(people chattering)
(dress zips)
(pills rattling)
- [Kristen] Who?
That Latin guy? What was his name?
- Oh. Ricardo.
He rides ponies. Very horny.
- If I could have everybody's attention
for a second, please?
(speaker squeals)
(microphone tapping)
Obviously, we're all here for Kristen,
and a few friends wanna speak,
so I'm gonna hand the
mic off to Cynthia first.
- First of all, Kristen is
one of the greatest friends.
I've always cherished her.
We've had our differences,
but that's what made
our friendship so rich.
Happy birthday.
(group applauding)
- My speech is gonna
be a little different,
little unorthodox.
Some of you may even be shocked.
I'm going to do something that
most people are afraid to do.
I'm going to sing.
Sorry. Sorry.
(woman laughs)
I'm a crier.
This is a song that I used to sing
for Kristen when she was a little girl.
It always put her to sleep.
Little flowers never worry
When the wind begins to blow
And they never ever cry
When they're tossing to and fro
Oh, I guess they've learned the
Shoot.
I love you.
- I love you too, Mom.
Give me the microphone.
(Jane laughs)
(group applauding)
Thank you all for coming, finally.
I'd like to thank Jack
for putting this whole shindig together.
Thank you. It's very sweet.
But most of all, thank
you, thank you, Anna.
You are a godsend.
You have made my life
so much easier these past few weeks.
Thank you.
And on that note, let's dance, or try to.
(Kristen chuckles)
(crowd applauding)
(gentle music)
- I would love to dance.
- You're so beautiful, Annabelle.
- It's Anna.
- Anna. You're so pretty.
- Thank you.
- [Jack] Hey. Why don't
you give us a few minutes?
- Of course.
- Thank you, sweetheart.
I'll meet you there.
Would you like a drink?
- No, no, I'm fine.
- George, refill, or-
- No, I'm good. Thanks.
- So what are your
intentions with Kristen?
- I have no intentions.
My intentions to do what
she's paying me to do,
to, you know, help around
the house and get her around.
- We want to offer you an
urgent business proposal.
(Anna laughs)
- That's funny. It's
more Nigerian, but okay.
- I'd like you to vacate the property
with your son, immediately.
I'm gonna pay a handsome fee for that.
- We will put it in writing
and have the money in
your account the same day.
We're talking six
figures. Am I right, Jack?
- [Jack] Yeah.
- $100,000.
- I would have to discuss
that with Kristen.
- Mm. No.
This has nothing to do with Kristen.
This contract is between
your family and us.
- But there's no business
between my family and you.
My business is with Kristen.
She's the one that hired me.
- We get that.
- Look, I don't understand what
you guys are trying to say,
but Kristen hired me.
She needs us.
She hired me.
Okay? Not the other way around.
- Agreed. All right?
And you've behaved in a manner
that is noble and
upstanding as a new citizen.
You should be proud of that.
We're proud of you for that.
I mean, we love it when an
immigrant adds something
to our society, you know?
- [Jack] And we'll give you
a recommendation or referral-
- Yes.
- For your next future place
of employment, wherever that is.
- Kristen needs us.
- Anna-
- It's Anna.
What?
- Let me tell you something,
Kristen is very confused right now
and I don't think she knows
what the fuck she needs, okay?
So George and I have to take over
as things near the end with her.
Did you hear what I said?
- Near the end, really?
Near the end? Look at her.
Who says she's nearing the end?
You know, why don't you just cherish
the moment, boys?
- Anna, we're not done
with you yet.
- Oh, Jack,
but I'm so done with you.
- Anna. There's my girl.
What were you talking about?
- [Anna] We were just chatting
about how good you look.
- [Kristen] Really?
- [Anna] Yes, really.
(Anna laughs)
Oh, my shoes,
my shoes, my shoes.
- Don't lie to me.
- Can you move us?
(Anna sighs)
Yeah, really.
- Don't lie to me. Please.
(Anna sighs)
I wanna marry you.
- What?
- I wanna make sure you're taken care of.
It's legal.
Anna.
- I don't know what to say.
- I love you.
Marry me.
Please.
Please.
(Anna groans)
Somebody!
(Anna groans)
Anna! Help!
Help us!
(Anna groans)
- What's going on here?
(Anna groaning)
What is this?
- [Anna] It's my ulcer.
- I think we should go to the hospital.
- [Mark] You're a nurse.
Take care of her upstairs.
(Anna groans)
- [Charlene] We're going to the hospital.
- It's safer that way, Mark.
(Anna groaning)
- You're okay.
It's okay. Shh.
It's okay. It's okay.
- [Woman] Just do something. Come on!
(Anna groaning)
(birds chirping)
(cellphone clicking)
(cellphone chimes)
(cellphone clicking)
(Kristen sighing)
- [Jane] Hi there.
- Mm.
Hi. How did you sleep?
- Oh. Great.
I love all the fresh
air. Gorgeous, gorgeous.
Oh, what a beautiful morning
(Jane chuckles)
How is that girl?
- Anna?
- Yes. Anna.
- I'm still waiting to hear.
It was scary.
- Well, at least she was in good hands.
Thank God Charlene was here.
You know, you have to be careful
who you let into your life.
Honey, if you would only let me,
I would love to take care of you.
- Don't touch me, Mom.
- Okay, Kristen.
- Where's Dad?
- You know where he is.
- I can't believe you're
so happy about all this.
- I'm fine with it.
- You're always fine.
You always have that fake
smile of fineness on your face.
- Why would you say that, sweetie?
- I'm insulting you and you're
still calling me sweetie.
You're unbelievable.
Do you have any idea how annoying
that has been my whole life?
Can't you see how much I hate
your idiotic responses to things?
- Well, are we getting
worked up this morning?
- You don't get it.
You'll never get it.
Nevermind.
Mom.
- Let me touch you.
You're my daughter.
Let me touch you.
- [Anna] She changed
the air, kissed my lips,
stood transfixed for half
an hour, every morning.
She changed the air, slower,
and stood transfixed for an hour.
She never planned on standing
transfixed for half an hour.
It just happened, every morning.
- Hi.
- Hi.
How are you?
- [Kristen] What's going on?
- Well, Charlene checked on your girl.
She had a peptic ulcer attack.
She left it untreated, apparently.
Her mother took she and Oscar back to LA.
They spent the night
in the emergency room.
She should be back home now.
- Okay.
Thank you for being there.
- Anything for you.
- [Kristen] What are you
doing for the rest of the day?
- I got some business to attend to.
Another house to foreclosure.
Surprise, not a fixer-upper.
(Jack chuckles)
- Poor, people.
- The world's not a fair place, baby.
(birds chirping)
(engine rumbles)
(gentle music)
- [Anna] She changed
the air, kissed my lips,
stood transfixed for half
an hour, every morning.
She changed the air, slower,
and stood transfixed for an hour.
She never planned on standing
transfixed for half an hour.
It just happened, every morning.
Maybe it was the pause
in changing the air,
the momentum running down.
There seemed to be a natural momentum
from breathing in to breathing out.
There was never any problem
breathing in to breathing out.
It just happened.
One morning, there was the
pause in changing the air.
It stunned her.
A giant pause.
And she knew what the next thing was.
She knew it very clearly.
She knew the next thing
was breathing with a pause,
but she couldn't move.
She stood a transfixed for an hour,
staring at the ocean, sometimes
staring at her big house,
sometimes staring at the empty pool.
It depended on which direction
she happened to be facing
when the transfixion struck her.
See, it got to the point
when she looked forward
to standing transfixed for half an hour.
It was the high point of her morning,
changing the air, kissing my lips.
I'm glad I was there, breathing with her.
(gentle music)
(gentle music)
(upbeat music)
(birds chirping)
- [Anna] So, look, I need
you to stay in the car, okay?
I'll be, like, 10 minutes.
Let me tell you, this house
isn't for kids. Read your book.
- [Oscar] I've already read it.
- [Anna] Yeah, well, read it again.
- [Oscar] Grandma says not
to leave me in the car.
- [Anna] You know, Oscar,
do you want me to get
this job or not?
Okay? I'm doing this for us.
Read your book. I'll be back.
(Anna sighs)
(door knocking)
- Hello.
- Hi.
- May I help you?
- [Anna] Yes. I'm here for the interview?
- Oh. I'm sorry, we're looking
to hire somebody different.
Thank you.
- [Anna] What do you mean?
- Well, we're focused on a male for now.
Certain physical requirements.
- Okay. So I drove all the way
from Los Angeles for nothing?
- Look, I don't need any trouble.
Okay? Your resume said Apol, right?
Djaou?
- Yes, Apol Djaou.
It's my Senegalese name. I
use it for official things.
Passports, resumes.
Everybody calls me Anna.
- Hm.
You know, Pol, you know, I just assumed-
- [Kristen] Never assume anything, Mark.
(Kristen sighs)
Well, don't just stand there. Let her in.
- Come on in.
She drove all the way up from Los Angeles.
Now, isn't that nice?
- [Kristen] That's wonderful.
Well, he apologized already, right?
Well, then give her some money
for gas and for her troubles.
- No. No, no, no, that's fine.
- I insist.
- You know what? I'd rather get the job.
I could really use the job.
- We need somebody that can move me.
You know, schlep me all
over this damn mausoleum.
I'm sick.
I have ALS.
- ALS?
ALS, I don't know what
that is. Sounds horrible.
- It's a fucking cakewalk.
(Kristen sighs)
ALS stands for amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis.
- [Anna] Yeah, still sounds terrible.
- According to the
geniuses I call my doctors,
I have about a year left.
And at the rate that I've been firing
these useless idiots as helpers,
I have at least 12 more to go.
- Well, um, can I give it a try?
- Try what?
- Lifting her.
- I...
- Go ahead.
- [Anna] Thanks.
- Oh.
- Oh!
- Okay, no.
Hold on.
(Kristen gasps)
Oh. Hey.
- Where are you taking me?
(foot thuds)
(Kristen groans)
- Oh, sorry.
- Oh, no worries.
- Left, left, left.
Anna, Anna.
(birds chirping)
- Did I forget to mention
I'm also a massage therapist?
I mean, I haven't gotten
my, like, full degree yet,
but I have done most of
the coursework, so...
- Are you an illegal?
- No. No, ma'am.
My mom brought us to
the US when we were 10.
My brother's actually in the army.
He's doing a tour in Afghanistan
to pay for his studies.
- [Kristen] Are you Muslim?
- Yes. Yeah, I am.
- [Kristen] Radical?
- Radical what?
- [Kristen] Radical Muslim.
- I-
- This is Summerland, sweetheart.
We don't want any radicals here.
Right, Mark?
- Right.
- No. I write poetry.
That's about as radical as it gets.
- Well, Mark and I will
have to discuss this.
- Okay.
- So please let yourself out.
- [Anna] It's really nice meeting you.
Thanks.
(door opens)
- I don't know.
(door closes)
(birds chirping)
- Fucking, fucking shit, Oscar.
Just wandered off. Fuck.
- Look, he can't be very far out.
It's okay. I'll call Louis
at the gate, all right?
(cellphone clicking)
See if he saw something.
Louis.
- Where did you go?
- There was a garden.
- Oscar, don't you ever do
that again. Do you hear me?
You made me lose this job.
Who's gonna hire me, huh?!
Who's gonna hire me with you crying
and acting stupid like that?
- So it's my fault?
You always make me wait
and you always make me
promises, then don't keep them!
- Like what?
- Like new shoes for school
and going to the aquarium, and a Game Boy.
Everyone at school has one.
- Okay, you know what?
Shut up. Shut up!
Make a list. Right now, make
a list of all your complaints.
Everything I've done wrong,
everything you want that I can't buy you.
Make a list.
- I don't want to!
- Make a list!
What are you writing?
Your dad, really? Really?
What do you want me to do about that, huh?
What do you want me to do about that?
Why would you write that?
Do you have his number?
- No.
- [Anna] Yeah.
(waves crashing)
- [Manager] Are you here for
the job application?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [Manager] Yes, there's a bunch
of application forms on the bar,
so if you'd like to start filling one out,
I'll be with you presently.
- [Anna] Great. Thank you.
- [Manager] Do you have a
vast knowledge of wines?
- I'm a really quick study.
I did start liking pinot noir
after I saw that wine movie.
(both chuckling)
- Didn't we all?
I see. But no drinking issues?
I mean, you're certainly
pretty enough to fit the bill,
but you actually have to be able
to serve food.
(cellphone buzzing)
Oh, I'm sorry. Do you need to get that?
- No, no, no. I'm sorry.
(cellphone beeps)
No, sorry.
- [Manager] Well, we have
your application, so-
- Okay.
- Suppose we'll be in touch.
Thanks for coming in.
- Thank you.
(birds chirping)
(door knocking)
- [Kristen] Door's open.
- Oh, hey.
- [Kristen] You're here.
- Yeah.
I was wanting to get here early.
Hope I didn't wake you.
- Well, where's Oscar?
Didn't Mark tell you
I said he should come?
- Yeah, yeah, I thought
you were just trying
to be accommodating.
- Let's get one thing straight,
I don't accommodate you.
That's your job, okay?
- Yeah. I'll have my mother drive him up.
- Well, help me.
- Okay.
- Push me into the lounge.
- [Anna] Okay.
- [Kristen] That's the...
Those are stairs.
- Oh, yeah, sorry.
- There's a ramp
on the other side.
- I'm sorry.
Okay.
- Mark! She's here.
- Yeah, I'm here.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I am so sorry. Are you okay?
(Kristen sighs)
- There's a well-trained but bossy nurse
who shows up twice a day, welcome or not,
in the morning and the afternoon.
- Here are all the contact
numbers in case of an emergency.
I suggest you put them in your cellphone.
- And your room is upstairs.
It's actually my old room.
Jack had plans to put an
elevator in, but oh, well.
The small room for Oscar.
Mark, can you show her
the rest of the house?
And just leave me in the lounge.
(Kristen sighs)
And get my phone from upstairs.
- [Mark] Yeah. Sure.
Come on, I'll show you to your room.
You know, she really liked
you when she first met you.
I couldn't quite see the
connection personally,
but I think she liked to
Oscar's name or something.
I don't know. Anyway,
it's a really simple job.
I can't imagine you won't be up to it.
Then again, how many people have lasted?
You know, she's fired off the
entire house cleaning staff,
the gardening team, and
physical therapists.
There were two of you, I think.
Nurse Ratchet's still
hanging in there, though.
But Kristen doesn't like her.
- [Anna] Is she still married?
- Oh, separated. It's messy.
You know, her husband, oh...
They're working through it,
but no one's got the
guts to tell the other
to fuck off, especially now.
This is your bathroom.
Anyway, Jack betrayed her
with her own best friend,
who stood by Kristen after she got sick.
And when caught, Jack
had the gall to act like
it was Kristen's fault for
getting sick in the first place.
Oh, you should've seen her.
She was the perfect
Santa Barbara golden girl
to be on his arm.
It's what he married, you know?
But you can't make the
same sort of entrances
once you're stuck in a wheelchair.
I don't think he could stand going
from being someone everybody admired to,
you know, someone who
everybody felt sorry for.
It's bad for business when
you're selling everyone
in your vision of a
bright and sunny future.
You've got to make the
whole thing look effortless.
Oh, they were quite a pair at that.
(Mark chuckles)
I tell you, no one could stop him
and she, well, she was
well-loved in the community.
I tell you, she was more
than along for the ride.
She put her whole life into building
this faux whatever it is.
It's frozen in time.
You know, I still can't
quite put a style on it.
It's sorta Spanish,
but then there were all
these Roman columns.
Yeah, could be Roman, it could be...
The windows are from
Home Depot, though, so...
Anyway, it'll be beautiful
once it's all finished. Right?
- I'm sure.
- Welcome aboard, Pol.
Congratulations.
(Anna chuckles)
- [Anna] Thank you.
(Anna chuckles)
(gentle music)
- I love French men.
When I get older, I'm gonna
move to the south of France.
- We should hurry up, then.
- What do you mean?
- Well, there's not that much time left.
- Wow, I like your honesty.
Well, where's the father of your child?
- He went back to Senegal.
He couldn't handle Los Angeles anymore.
Over there, he was "the shit," he said.
Senegalese men are horrible.
They chase anything that walks.
The women do all the work
while the men just booze it up.
- Ah, men. I've had my share of men.
I'm really starting to
appreciate my horses.
- Yeah, I know.
- Come here.
Come here. Help me light this cigarette.
- You smoke?
- Yeah. Cancer's the last
thing I have to worry about.
(lighter clicks)
How do you know?
- What?
- Said you know.
- Oh. Mark told me.
- That blabber mouth.
- Well, it sounds like
he wants to stay close.
- Who?
- Your husband.
- Ugh. He's dating some
fake boob bimbo now.
At least it shows he can
concentrate on two things at once.
(door opens)
Oh, Charlene!
- Good evening, Kristen. How you doing?
- Have you met Anna?
I've hired her to move me
around this unfinished palace
with plans for a pool and
sprawling gardens of my dreams.
Horses fly, fly, fly in the sky,
like a pie, pie, pie.
- Cigarettes?
- How's that for poetry?
- Very nice. Has she met Jack?
- No. Why?
- Oh, he's worked so
hard to put a good team
together for you.
- Move me.
Move me.
Well, neither I nor the house
are gonna be his anymore.
I've had enough of his meddling
to last me my very short lifetime,
so if you can please just shut up
and get this over with, okay?
And then you can report back to Jack
and tell him what a
total bitch I've become
and how lucky he is he's
not along for the ride,
'cause he's sure not fucking here with me.
Fucking Jack.
(door knocking)
- Hi. Is there anything I can do to help?
- Sure.
Kristen says you have a
lot of nursing experience.
- [Anna] Yeah, I haven't
done all the coursework yet,
but my mom's an RN, so...
- Mm. Hm.
Well, why don't you come
and watch this procedure?
- Yeah.
- Kristen knows how to hook
herself up by herself,
but we appreciate all the
help we can get around here.
- Cool.
- Just so sick of this.
I just want it to be over.
I hope there's life after death.
(Kristen sighs)
What do you think?
(device beeping)
- You wanna answer that?
(Charlene sighs)
- Life after death.
Um, I really don't know to be honest.
- You're so vague, Charlene.
(Kristen sighs)
What do you think, Anna?
- Um, the life we leave
behind, our souls, our spirit,
family and friends,
our work, our children.
I don't know. My poetry.
- See, Charlene? We need a
little fantasy around here.
Keep my mind off these damn tubes.
(door knocking)
- Oscar's here.
- Hi, Mommy.
- Hey, baby.
- Hi, Oscar.
Welcome to my home.
(Kirsten sighs)
- Well, Kristen, we're
in the middle of a...
I really don't think that
this is kid inappropriate.
- Okay, maybe I should-
- Mark. Mark.
- [Mark] Hm?
- [Kristen] Will you
show Oscar to his room?
- Come on.
- Okay, so-
- Yeah.
- This. Mare sure it's clean.
- [Anna] Mm-hm.
- Then you screw it in right here.
- Okay.
- Like that.
- Got it. Got it.
Yes.
Anna, just get out of here.
- Just go.
- I need to rest.
(Kristen sighing)
- Here you go, Kristen.
Let's get you some oxygen.
There you go.
- Push it down.
- Okay.
Would you like me to get your iPad?
- No.
Just the small radio.
(buttons clicking)
- Okay.
(gentle music)
It's right here.
TV remote's right here.
Goodnight, Kristen.
(switch clicks)
(crickets chirping)
(mouse wheel clicking)
(Kristen heavily breathing)
(crickets chirping)
- I don't know how you do
it, 24 hours in the AC.
- [Jane] Well, I do jump in
the pool once in a while.
I was thinking of driving up next weekend.
- [Kristen] This weekend?
- For your birthday?
- Don't remind me.
- I wanna come up.
- Okay. Let me see.
- What do you want?
- [Kristen] Want what?
- For your birthday.
- Oh.
A new wetsuit.
- A new wetsuit?
- [Kristen] Yeah.
- Sure.
- I'm joking.
You know what's best for your face?
- [Jane] No. Tell me.
- Water.
Just drink water.
All these masks, they
don't work, Mom. Just stop.
- They make me feel better.
- [Kristen] But you look ridiculous.
- [Jane] Okay.
Well, how is...
- How's what? My friends?
Oh, yeah, well, they call once in awhile.
Lots of FaceTime. Thank God.
You never have to see anybody anymore.
You can have a slew of friends
and just send happy faces to everybody.
Friendship has never been easier.
- Well, I wanna come up, to check on you.
- Check on my health?
- This is not doing anybody any good.
- I'm tired.
Can we talk tomorrow?
- Okay.
Goodnight.
I love you.
(Kristen sighs)
(Jane crying)
- I can still see you. Stop crying.
(Kristen sighs)
(keyboard clicks)
(laptop chimes)
(birds chirping)
I'm gonna get you.
- No, you're not.
- Oh, yeah, I am.
(Kristen grunts)
Gonna block you. What, what?
- Hey!
(Kristen laughs)
- [Kristen] Defense.
(both laughing)
- [Anna] Oscar!
(Anna speaks in foreign language)
- [Oscar] No, no. It was her idea.
- [Kristen] That was fun.
Come on down. I have your grocery list.
- [Anna] Okay. Coming.
- [Kristen] Oh, look at
that. I get a free ride.
What kinda dog always knows the time?
(Oscar chuckles)
- [Oscar] A watchdog.
- [Kristen] Oh, you know that joke?
(Oscar laughs)
- [Anna] Are you not coming?
- No. Charlene messed me up
with that medication last night.
It's not sitting well in my stomach.
- [Anna] I'm sorry, that
medication must have
such horrible side effects.
- Yeah, well, everything has side effects.
Life has side effects. You die.
- Can I laugh?
- Of course.
(Anna chuckles)
- I did not get that joke.
- You're not supposed to.
- Okay, so you can take my car.
- Thank you.
- I'll stay with Oscar.
Oh, and also, you can go into my room
and borrow something from my closet.
This is Summerland.
- Okay. Should I dress up?
- Like I said, this is Summerland.
(Anna chuckles)
- Got it.
- Oscar.
Don't ever get sick. It sucks.
(gentle music)
(women chattering)
- [Oscar] Was greatly.
- [Kristen] Greatly.
- [Oscar] Greatly.
- [Kristen] Uh-huh.
- [Oscar] De-lee-guh-ted.
- Delighted.
- [Oscar] Delighted.
- King was greatly delighted.
(door opens)
- To see all this glittering.
- Glittering.
- Glittering tree-sure.
- Treasure.
- Treasure.
- Good job, bud.
Jack.
- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning, sir. What's your name?
- Oscar.
- Oscar. Great name.
Who does Oscar belong to?
- Anna. He's Anna's son.
He's living with us.
- Yeah, Charlene told me all about it.
- Oh, I'm sure she did.
- You sure you're ready
for these additions?
- Wow, "additions." Yes.
I like them.
- Kristen, you can't take
care of this little guy.
- Yes, I can.
- So did you fire the cook
and the nutritionist, or what?
- Yes, Jack. I didn't want
them in my shitty house.
How are you doing?
- I'm doing great. Thanks for asking.
- [Kristen] Mm.
- Real estate market's coming around.
(Kristen sighs)
Wasn't sure about it for awhile,
but things are looking okay.
Just came by to check on you
and see how the lawn was doing.
- Oh, yeah, the lawn.
When is it gonna be finished?
I might be dead by then.
- So what's Anna's last name?
- I don't know.
- I know. It's Jacques.
Oscar Jacques.
- Mm.
Well, at least Oscar's
checking references, huh?
- Just ask Mark. He has her application.
She's a good girl. She likes it here.
- Sure, she's driving my car,
you're taking care of her
kid, what's not to like?
(door opens)
- [Anna] Hey, guys.
- Hi, Mom.
- Hey, baby.
- Hi.
- [Anna] Hi.
- You must be Anna.
- Yes, I am.
- [Jack] Hi, Anna. I'm
Jack, Kristen's husband.
- Oh. Nice to meet you.
- [Jack] Nice to meet you.
- Let me put this in the kitchen.
Hey, Oscar. Come help me.
- [Kristen] So are we done?
- George said he'd sit down with you
about the house whenever you're available.
He's ready to sit down when you're ready.
- Oh, well, one moment in my life,
I've decided that I'm undecided.
How's that sit with you, Jack?
- You know what my ideas are.
I'm just trying to plan ahead, you know?
You know, like we talked
about before, honey?
- Before...
Before I got sick?
Well, you may have your plaque picked out
and your seat on the board, but suddenly,
horses and people who dress
up to see those horses
and those races don't interest me anymore.
- What do you wanna do for your birthday?
(Kristen chuckles)
- My birthday.
- A party for old time's sake?
- I don't know, Jack.
I'm just trying to enjoy
the simple things in life,
like eating and drinking.
I'm just trying to figure
out what's important.
That's a miserable question to ask oneself
with a real deadline
hanging over your head.
You know, I was thinking,
I've given you quite the
performance over the years.
Every dinner party was such an act.
Every detail met with such perfection.
I think...
Yeah, yeah, I think how that
pretending made me sick.
- Honey, the research into ALS is vast.
- I don't know how to cure what I've got,
but I think I got it from
ordering too many light fixtures
from too many catalogs,
constant upgrade of our real estate.
That and the anxiety that I carried.
- [Jack] Anxiety?
- Certain anxiety for not
accomplishing anything, Jack.
- You've always done what you wanted.
You lived your dream, Kristen.
People would die...
People would be happy to
fill your fancy shoes.
- They can fucking have them,
'cause I can't walk anymore.
(Anna sighs)
Was having a good day too.
Ugh, he drives me insane.
Knows exactly what button to press.
- [Anna] Yeah, they always do.
You wanna help me?
- [Kristen] To make rice?
- [Anna] Yeah. Just rake it like this.
- [Kristen] I've never done that before.
- [Anna] You've never made rice before?
- I'm a rich bitch.
(Anna chuckles)
- That you are.
(Kristen gasps)
I'm kidding, I'm kidding,
I'm kidding. Don't fire me.
(both chuckling)
(Anna sighs)
- So do you like parties?
- Sure. Like, cake and presents and music?
- No. Like, big ones.
Hundreds of people.
(Kristen sighs)
I used to have so many here.
- Mm.
I'm gonna make you a Senegalese dish.
- Is it spicy?
- Uh, yes and no. I can temper it.
I bought some lamb.
You're not a vegetarian, are you?
- Oh, god, no.
These vegetarians are so
emotional about their food.
(Anna sighs)
Go ahead, eat your dirt.
I'm gonna have the lamb,
thank you very much.
"The lamb? Really?"
- That's funny. Rich people problems.
- You know what I really want?
Glass of wine.
Would you get it for
me? It's in the pantry.
- [Anna] Yeah, of course.
- I need to build a nice crescendo,
like a nice wall of sound.
Like that Beatles's song.
- [Anna] Red or white?
- Red.
Hope you got it from the top shelf.
Those are Jack's best.
Most expensive.
(Kristen sighs)
What should I do for my birthday?
- I don't know.
I could help you throw it, though.
- I don't really feel like seeing anyone.
You know what I really want?
I was thinking,
there's this beach in Big Sur.
It's about three hours away
and I haven't been there
since I was 10 years old.
We've always postponed.
You know, so busy jet-setting
around the world to realize
that California is the most
beautiful place on the planet.
- Mm. "The West is the best."
- Jim Morrison.
- That's right.
My kinda man. Poet in distress.
- [Kristen] Not very practical.
- Yeah, well, who wants practical?
That's my mom always tells me.
If I can make a living
doing what I love to do,
I'd be the happiest camper.
My mom always was blames me, though,
for being lazy, sleepwalking through life.
God bless her, but I don't
think she has a life.
Einstein said it best, "Find
love and love what you do."
- [Kristen] I blame it on my father.
- [Mark] Mm-hm.
- [Kristen] No, I take it back.
My parents once told me,
"Blame it on yourself, Kristen.
Blame it on yourself."
- [Mark] Oh, I blame you.
(Kristen chuckles)
- [Kristen] Fucking so
thankful to have her.
She's just so...
She's wonderful.
It's the first time
I've had some real help
around this house, excluding you, Mark.
You're wonderful.
- [Mark] Thank you.
- [Kristen] Who would've thought?
Actually, I can't wait to have a party.
- No, don't get me excited.
(Mark clapping)
- [Kristen] I just wanna see
the looks on their faces.
- Mm.
- I know how irritating
this is for Jack.
And, ugh, it gives me immense pleasure
to have a black family in my home,
just to piss everybody off.
- [Mark] Mm.
- [Kristen] And it helps
that Anna's so beautiful.
- [Mark] Oh, she is.
She's really beautiful.
Just stunning.
- Mm-hm.
- [Mark] You don't think she's a bit
too careless with her son?
- [Kristen] Ah. I know, she is.
I was reading with Oscar
and he's behind on his
reading and writing.
Oh, Mark...
She is just being so cute.
(Kristen chuckles)
She thinks we're best friends.
(Kristen chuckles)
She's walking around the house.
(Kristen laughs)
Isn't that cute?
- [Mark] Yeah, it is.
You know, I'm not surprised
about Oscar's reading.
- [Kristen] Mm.
- [Mark] Education just doesn't
seem that important to them.
- [Kristen] Yeah, I just...
I honestly don't know how
she's gonna make it as a poet.
- Mm.
- A real living.
She should be a model.
- Oh, she can't be a model.
She's too old and she has the kid, so...
(crickets chirping)
(Anna crying)
(waves crashing)
- The goalie is right in front of you,
but then you just swerve
the ball diagonally.
- Are you good at that?
- Yeah. I'm pretty good at that.
(pan clanks)
But it's also easy because you
just have to kick the ball.
- Oh.
- And they also block, also.
(Kristen sighs)
- You have good teammates?
- Yeah, they're fun.
- Somebody didn't sleep well.
- [Anna] Must've been the moon.
- You must've overheard
us talking about you.
- [Anna] Yeah, I heard a few things.
- Well, we were just gossiping.
You know how Mark gets.
- [Anna] Mm-hm.
I'll make sure Oscar
does some more reading.
- You know, I could look
into some schools for Oscar,
make a few phone calls.
- Don't. There's nothing
wrong with homeschooling.
- Depends on the teacher.
- Really?
Really?
Wow. Okay.
It's a low-blow morning, isn't it?
You know what? Oscar, I
want you to go to your room.
I want you to pack up.
- Why?
- Go your home and pack up.
- Aren't you being just
a bit over-reactive?
- Over-reactive?
Well, you know what, Kristen,
I'm not good with pressure.
I understand it's bad for me.
- You're not quitting.
- [Anna] Maybe I just need a moment.
- You just need a moment?
Forget the idea that I
was trying to help you.
(Kristen sighs)
Forget the entire idea of
putting your child into school
because that's just too
fucking radical of an idea,
especially in this country.
- Kristen.
What the fuck would she know
about being a single mom? Huh?
How the fuck is any of
this your business? Huh?!
- Well, quit, then.
Quit!
See how far that
decision's gonna take you.
- I'm not quitting.
No, I'm not quitting,
'cause that'd be too easy.
Why don't you just fire me
like all the rest of them?
(Kristen laughs)
- Because that would be too easy, Anna.
And where are you gonna go?
- I'm gonna go home.
- Oh.
Well, according to Mark, didn't
your mother kick you out?
She didn't even wanna come inside
when she dropped Oscar off.
Sounds like she's done with you as well.
- What the fuck does Mark
know? What do you know?
You don't know my mother.
That's just the way she is.
You know what pisses
me off most about you?
Is that you use people.
You use people like they're toys,
like Oscar and I are just clowns
just here for your amusement.
- You work for me. That's the bottom line.
- Really?
You're gonna be that cold
in your situation? Really?
- In my situation?
- Yes, Kristen,
in your situation.
So everything that we talked about,
was, what, dispensable
to you like it's nothing?
Okay.
That's cool. That's cool.
I guess I didn't know the
world I was living in.
I didn't know the rules of this game.
I quit.
(Kristen sighing)
- Anna.
Don't quit.
You need this job.
- Fucking bitch.
- I want you to stay.
Please.
I'm sorry.
I just don't wanna talk
about it anymore, okay?
So you're gonna stay or not?
- [George] Jackie, Jack,
Jack, what are you doing?
I just had that painted.
Goddamn.
- Don't worry about it,
George. I'm just stressing out.
I'm worried about her.
- Now what did you do to your face?
- I cut myself shaving,
George. Don't worry about it.
- Oh, you are a mess, my friend.
You know, I did call her several times.
She said she was undecided.
I mean, that poster child
for gay marriage is not
helping the situation-
- Who does she have in the house with her?
I mean, she was always
"Santa Barbara this"
and "Santa Barbara that."
She hadn't lost sight of what
people thought about her.
I mean, she wanted
everything for that town
and her name on it.
- Well, she's under a lot
of medication, you know.
- I just don't want her to
do anything stupid, you know?
I don't wanna push the issue,
but at some point, I
gotta make preparations
for a separation or some fucking thing.
- [George] Mm-hm.
- Um, I'm so sorry I'm late.
- Oh.
- [Jack] Oh, don't worry
about it. No, it's okay.
- Yeah. Coffee, water perhaps?
- Sure. Water.
- [Jack] Come on in. Charlene, come on in.
Have a seat.
- Please, please.
Have a seat.
- Thank you.
- Jim, another time perhaps?
- Of course.
- Okay.
- Yes.
- Jim, we'll pick up on this.
- Thank you.
- [Jack] Man, I'm sorry about this.
- No problem.
- Talk to you soon, buddy.
- So we were talking about Kristen-
- [Charlene] Mm-hm.
- And we thought, or we
would like your opinion.
What do you think?
How many more months?
- Well, it's hard to say.
Eight to 16?
I mean, her muscle
tissue is deteriorating.
We just started a new drug regimen
and it's, you know,
hopefully gonna give her
a lot more energy and...
- It's just that we're concerned.
- Charlene, I'm concerned
she's not gonna work out
the details of our estate.
Everything's been planned
out, set in stone.
And the way she's reacting,
her reaction and responses
are all over the place.
And the more I pressure her,
the more she goes the other way.
How is your relationship
with her, Charlene?
- Oh, she's cold.
I mean, she knows that you've sent me
and although she knows that you're trying
to take care of her, it makes
her act as if I'm the enemy.
You know, she fired that guy
who was making her crazy.
And now she's hired a young African woman
with no experience.
God only knows where she came from.
- Mark found her on Craigslist.
She insisted on hiring her
own person. Where's she from?
- Senegal.
- [Jack] Senegal?
- Yeah, near Gabon.
- [Jack] Gabon?
What the hell is-
- Well, it...
I don't know. It's near there.
- It's near Mali.
- Mali.
- Anna, the young woman, thinks it's okay
to have her child running
around everywhere.
And I feel that it is the last thing
Kristen needs right now.
- Why can't Mark help her?
- I think she needs companionship.
- [Jack] What about her girlfriends?
She has so many girlfriends.
Why can't they help her?
- Because no one's showing up, Jack.
- We need to get these people outta here,
this woman and this kid.
This is ridiculous.
(Kristen and Anna laughing)
- [Kristen] She was so mad
at me and I couldn't tell.
- [Anna] Well, I guess she could.
(Kristen and Anna laughing)
- [Kristen] She was like,
"I'm really upset with you right now."
(Kristen and Anna laughing)
- That is sad.
- Hi.
- Oh.
Hi.
- Kristen, you should be
careful drinking too much wine.
- Oh.
- It doesn't mix well
with the new medication that we're trying.
Just don't want you to
have any bad side effects.
- Ah. Well, everything has side effects.
Life has side effects.
- You die.
(both laughing)
- That's true for everyone,
though, isn't it? We all die.
- How much time till I die, Charlene?
- It's getting late. Are you ready?
- Ugh. I'm ready.
- Let me help you.
Come here.
(Kristen groans)
Okay, wine lady.
Let's get you outta here.
(Kristen groans)
(Kristen sighs)
- There you go.
(Kristen sighs)
- Oh, man.
- I got it.
- Okay.
- Let's get you dressed.
- [Kristen] Get me dressed.
- [Anna] Goddamn.
- Can't believe you stayed.
(Charlene sighs)
- [Anna] I can't believe I stayed either.
(Kristen laughs)
Crazy.
Okay.
- Oh, don't drop me.
Oh, god.
(Anna laughs)
- [Anna] Oh! I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
(Kristen and Anna laughing)
Oh, my gosh. I wouldn't
have a bed if I dropped you.
- Ugh, I don't wanna stop drinking.
(both laughing)
- I'll sneak some Chardonnay
into your feeding bag
when she's not looking.
- Can you?
(Anna laughs)
She'll never know.
(Kristen sighs)
- You good?
- Yeah. Could you grab me my remote?
- Yeah.
(Kristen sighs)
Here you go.
- Thank you.
(Kristen sighs)
Anna, will you turn off the light?
- Yeah, of course.
(switch clicks)
- You can close the door.
(Charlene sighs)
So how is it going with Anna?
- She's great.
- Look, Jack did a background check on her
and there are some issues.
Do you care to know about them?
- Depends.
(device beeping)
She murder somebody?
- No, she didn't murder somebody.
- Well, then?
- She has a record for child abuse.
- Well, that's...
What are you talking about?
- Well, apparently, she
got rid of Oscar's puppy.
He was hysterical. She
slapped him a bunch of times.
He fell and hit his head on
the corner of a coffee table
and was rushed to the hospital.
She told the nurse what
happened. She got arrested.
That's why her mother has
custody of him, Kristen.
Probably shouldn't even be here.
I mean, if you look,
you can see a scar right here on his head.
I saw it.
- Wow.
That's pretty shitty.
- Isn't it, though?
I thought that maybe we could
just slowly phase her out.
- Mm, yeah, phase her out.
- There's a friend of mine
who has a exchange student
living with her from Finland.
Nice girl.
- How much did Jack have
to pay to find that out?
- I have no idea.
Jack is just wanting to care for you.
- Mm.
So we should just phase her
out, just get rid of her?
You know, so what? She hit her kid.
It's nothing my father didn't
do to me when I was a kid.
You know?
Why is Jack so worried?
- He's trying to help.
- Oh, yeah.
Why didn't he get worried
when I got sick? Huh?
Instead, he got furious
and he disappeared,
like I betrayed him.
And now he's back with
all these doctors trying
to run the whole thing.
Well, he can get his
employees to march in line,
but late in life, I decided
I don't like marching.
- Kristen, you deserve
responsible caregivers, okay?
Anybody would agree with that.
She can't even keep the
guardianship of her own child.
- Just tell him to stay
out of my business.
Tell him that I'm a hundred
percent mentally there.
It's one of the cruel things about ALS,
you're a hundred percent there
to watch your body deteriorate.
So if everyone could just stay
the fuck outta my business,
I'd really appreciate it.
- Kristen-
- Do you have any idea
what it's like?
Do you want me to tell you
so you could have a better
idea for your next patient?
Or you can relay it back to
Jack and his crack lawyers.
- I apologize for bringing
that up. I shouldn't have.
- It's like having a five-pound weights
on your hands and your legs.
And when you go to sleep,
it's like having a five-pound
sack of rice sitting on top
of your chest, making it
so hard for you to breathe.
- Take it easy, Kristen.
- Just let me finish
for Christ's sake!
(Kristen wheezing)
And then the 10-pound weights
turn to 20-pound weights
and then they turn into
30-pound weights and so on,
and making it impossible for you to walk,
so you have to use a wheelchair
for the rest of your shortened life!
(Kristen wheezing)
I can't even change my own fucking tampon!
(Kristen wheezing)
How do you think that makes
me feel?! I'm a grown woman!
I can't even wipe my own ass!
(Kristen wheezing)
- [Charlene] Hey. Calm down.
I hear you.
(Kristen wheezing)
- Whatever, Charlene.
I need you to do me a favor.
- [Charlene] Anything.
- [Kristen] Anna's taking me to Big Sur.
Okay?
For one night, I need
you to watch Oscar for me
and not tell Jack.
- Are you sure?
- [Kristen] I need you to
do this for me. Please.
- Okay.
Let's get some oxygen, sweetie.
Let's get some oxygen.
- Can you keep your phone on just in case?
(Kristen sighs)
- Of course.
Okay.
(Kristen heavily breathing)
(waves crashing)
(Kristen exhales)
- [Jack] You okay?
(Kristen sighing)
- I just feel so tired.
(doorbell chimes)
- And just no fun anymore.
(Jack chuckles)
(wind blowing)
(horse whinnies)
(Kristen laughing)
- Hey, what are you doing?
Are you okay?
- Yeah. Yeah.
Going to Big Sur tomorrow.
- Really?
- Uh-huh.
- [Oscar] Why can't I come?
- Because you need to study
so you can be a doctor, like your uncle.
Love you.
(Anna sighs)
- That's right.
- We'll be back soon, bud.
Come here, give me a hug.
- All right. Let's go.
Here, hold this.
- Well, you're gonna have to drive.
It's not my forte.
- Yeah, I figured as much.
All right.
- Don't hit anything.
(gentle piano music)
(birds chirping)
(women chattering)
(waves crashing)
(seagulls squawking)
Okay.
Let's try to do this.
(Anna laughs)
I got you.
- I know.
(both laughing)
I can't.
(Kristen laughs)
(Anna clapping)
(Kristen laughs)
(seagulls squawking)
(lighter clicking)
(Kristen chuckles)
(Anna chuckles)
Anna.
Can you kiss me?
I haven't been kissed in so long.
Touch me.
(water rumbling)
(water splashing)
I used to stay here when I was a kid.
When my parents were together,
we were like the perfect
California family,
always outside and being active.
My father used to build
swimming pools in Encino.
- Yeah?
- Like Burt Lancaster
in "The Swimmer."
Did you ever see that?
- No, I don't get the reference.
(both laughing)
- [Kristen] You didn't
see that in Senegal?
(both laughing)
- We had a swimming pool too.
It was an abandoned container
we filled with water.
My dad made it.
He found some rags and some glue.
It worked well, worked really well.
It was fun till these idiots broke in,
thinking there was
something valuable inside.
(Anna laughs)
- What happened?
- They, like, slashed it open.
Oh, my god, they're so stupid.
I wish I had have been there to see them
when that water came gushing out.
(both laughing)
It took us, like, an entire rainy season
to get it filled back up.
It was terrible.
- Aw, man.
- [Anna] I know.
(Anna exhales)
- [Kristen] I can't imagine
how you grew up, Anna.
- Yeah.
- Mm.
We're just so selfish
and spoiled over here.
We take everything for granted.
(Kristen wheezing)
- Hey, hey, hey.
You're okay.
- Why do I need those
machines if I have you?
So amazing that I found you.
Anna?
I'm scared.
I'm scared of dying.
I'm just not ready to go.
I just feel like I haven't
accomplished anything.
I'm just so angry.
I'm just so mad.
I just...
I feel like it's a lot easier to die
when you've accomplished a lot.
(Kristen wheezing)
(Kristen groans)
- You're gonna be fine.
(Kristen heavily breathing)
Shh.
Get some rest, okay?
(Anna groaning)
- Anna?
(Anna groans)
Anna, are you okay?
- [Anna] Yeah, yeah, it's fine.
- No, please don't shut the door.
(door creaks)
Can I help you?
- [Anna] I'm fine, it's just my ulcers,
they act up sometimes.
(waves crashing)
- [Group] Surprise!
(group applauding)
- He had me on a gag order.
Please don't fire me.
- Hi, baby.
(people chattering)
(dress zips)
(pills rattling)
- [Kristen] Who?
That Latin guy? What was his name?
- Oh. Ricardo.
He rides ponies. Very horny.
- If I could have everybody's attention
for a second, please?
(speaker squeals)
(microphone tapping)
Obviously, we're all here for Kristen,
and a few friends wanna speak,
so I'm gonna hand the
mic off to Cynthia first.
- First of all, Kristen is
one of the greatest friends.
I've always cherished her.
We've had our differences,
but that's what made
our friendship so rich.
Happy birthday.
(group applauding)
- My speech is gonna
be a little different,
little unorthodox.
Some of you may even be shocked.
I'm going to do something that
most people are afraid to do.
I'm going to sing.
Sorry. Sorry.
(woman laughs)
I'm a crier.
This is a song that I used to sing
for Kristen when she was a little girl.
It always put her to sleep.
Little flowers never worry
When the wind begins to blow
And they never ever cry
When they're tossing to and fro
Oh, I guess they've learned the
Shoot.
I love you.
- I love you too, Mom.
Give me the microphone.
(Jane laughs)
(group applauding)
Thank you all for coming, finally.
I'd like to thank Jack
for putting this whole shindig together.
Thank you. It's very sweet.
But most of all, thank
you, thank you, Anna.
You are a godsend.
You have made my life
so much easier these past few weeks.
Thank you.
And on that note, let's dance, or try to.
(Kristen chuckles)
(crowd applauding)
(gentle music)
- I would love to dance.
- You're so beautiful, Annabelle.
- It's Anna.
- Anna. You're so pretty.
- Thank you.
- [Jack] Hey. Why don't
you give us a few minutes?
- Of course.
- Thank you, sweetheart.
I'll meet you there.
Would you like a drink?
- No, no, I'm fine.
- George, refill, or-
- No, I'm good. Thanks.
- So what are your
intentions with Kristen?
- I have no intentions.
My intentions to do what
she's paying me to do,
to, you know, help around
the house and get her around.
- We want to offer you an
urgent business proposal.
(Anna laughs)
- That's funny. It's
more Nigerian, but okay.
- I'd like you to vacate the property
with your son, immediately.
I'm gonna pay a handsome fee for that.
- We will put it in writing
and have the money in
your account the same day.
We're talking six
figures. Am I right, Jack?
- [Jack] Yeah.
- $100,000.
- I would have to discuss
that with Kristen.
- Mm. No.
This has nothing to do with Kristen.
This contract is between
your family and us.
- But there's no business
between my family and you.
My business is with Kristen.
She's the one that hired me.
- We get that.
- Look, I don't understand what
you guys are trying to say,
but Kristen hired me.
She needs us.
She hired me.
Okay? Not the other way around.
- Agreed. All right?
And you've behaved in a manner
that is noble and
upstanding as a new citizen.
You should be proud of that.
We're proud of you for that.
I mean, we love it when an
immigrant adds something
to our society, you know?
- [Jack] And we'll give you
a recommendation or referral-
- Yes.
- For your next future place
of employment, wherever that is.
- Kristen needs us.
- Anna-
- It's Anna.
What?
- Let me tell you something,
Kristen is very confused right now
and I don't think she knows
what the fuck she needs, okay?
So George and I have to take over
as things near the end with her.
Did you hear what I said?
- Near the end, really?
Near the end? Look at her.
Who says she's nearing the end?
You know, why don't you just cherish
the moment, boys?
- Anna, we're not done
with you yet.
- Oh, Jack,
but I'm so done with you.
- Anna. There's my girl.
What were you talking about?
- [Anna] We were just chatting
about how good you look.
- [Kristen] Really?
- [Anna] Yes, really.
(Anna laughs)
Oh, my shoes,
my shoes, my shoes.
- Don't lie to me.
- Can you move us?
(Anna sighs)
Yeah, really.
- Don't lie to me. Please.
(Anna sighs)
I wanna marry you.
- What?
- I wanna make sure you're taken care of.
It's legal.
Anna.
- I don't know what to say.
- I love you.
Marry me.
Please.
Please.
(Anna groans)
Somebody!
(Anna groans)
Anna! Help!
Help us!
(Anna groans)
- What's going on here?
(Anna groaning)
What is this?
- [Anna] It's my ulcer.
- I think we should go to the hospital.
- [Mark] You're a nurse.
Take care of her upstairs.
(Anna groans)
- [Charlene] We're going to the hospital.
- It's safer that way, Mark.
(Anna groaning)
- You're okay.
It's okay. Shh.
It's okay. It's okay.
- [Woman] Just do something. Come on!
(Anna groaning)
(birds chirping)
(cellphone clicking)
(cellphone chimes)
(cellphone clicking)
(Kristen sighing)
- [Jane] Hi there.
- Mm.
Hi. How did you sleep?
- Oh. Great.
I love all the fresh
air. Gorgeous, gorgeous.
Oh, what a beautiful morning
(Jane chuckles)
How is that girl?
- Anna?
- Yes. Anna.
- I'm still waiting to hear.
It was scary.
- Well, at least she was in good hands.
Thank God Charlene was here.
You know, you have to be careful
who you let into your life.
Honey, if you would only let me,
I would love to take care of you.
- Don't touch me, Mom.
- Okay, Kristen.
- Where's Dad?
- You know where he is.
- I can't believe you're
so happy about all this.
- I'm fine with it.
- You're always fine.
You always have that fake
smile of fineness on your face.
- Why would you say that, sweetie?
- I'm insulting you and you're
still calling me sweetie.
You're unbelievable.
Do you have any idea how annoying
that has been my whole life?
Can't you see how much I hate
your idiotic responses to things?
- Well, are we getting
worked up this morning?
- You don't get it.
You'll never get it.
Nevermind.
Mom.
- Let me touch you.
You're my daughter.
Let me touch you.
- [Anna] She changed
the air, kissed my lips,
stood transfixed for half
an hour, every morning.
She changed the air, slower,
and stood transfixed for an hour.
She never planned on standing
transfixed for half an hour.
It just happened, every morning.
- Hi.
- Hi.
How are you?
- [Kristen] What's going on?
- Well, Charlene checked on your girl.
She had a peptic ulcer attack.
She left it untreated, apparently.
Her mother took she and Oscar back to LA.
They spent the night
in the emergency room.
She should be back home now.
- Okay.
Thank you for being there.
- Anything for you.
- [Kristen] What are you
doing for the rest of the day?
- I got some business to attend to.
Another house to foreclosure.
Surprise, not a fixer-upper.
(Jack chuckles)
- Poor, people.
- The world's not a fair place, baby.
(birds chirping)
(engine rumbles)
(gentle music)
- [Anna] She changed
the air, kissed my lips,
stood transfixed for half
an hour, every morning.
She changed the air, slower,
and stood transfixed for an hour.
She never planned on standing
transfixed for half an hour.
It just happened, every morning.
Maybe it was the pause
in changing the air,
the momentum running down.
There seemed to be a natural momentum
from breathing in to breathing out.
There was never any problem
breathing in to breathing out.
It just happened.
One morning, there was the
pause in changing the air.
It stunned her.
A giant pause.
And she knew what the next thing was.
She knew it very clearly.
She knew the next thing
was breathing with a pause,
but she couldn't move.
She stood a transfixed for an hour,
staring at the ocean, sometimes
staring at her big house,
sometimes staring at the empty pool.
It depended on which direction
she happened to be facing
when the transfixion struck her.
See, it got to the point
when she looked forward
to standing transfixed for half an hour.
It was the high point of her morning,
changing the air, kissing my lips.
I'm glad I was there, breathing with her.
(gentle music)
(gentle music)
(upbeat music)