The Arrival (2023) Movie Script
1
[dramatic orchestral music]
[operatic vocalizing]
[music ends]
[street din]
Jayce!
Hey! Uh...
Yeah, there's a--
No, over here. [laughs]
Hey. [exhales]
What is this place?
-It's quiet is what it is.
-There's no one here.
Mmm.
-Thanks for coming.
-Of course.
-Come.
-They have food?
Yeah,
I'm sure they have everything.
I got us a little
special something.
[Jayce] Mmm.
[exhales]
I'm on a tight deadline.
[laughs] You reporters always
claim to be on tight deadlines.
Well, it's the nature
of the beast, babe!
I'm starving.
This is
a Woodford Reserve Bourbon.
I would like to point out
that you are drinking
at 1:30 in the afternoon.
Yeah, it's 1:30,
which is almost 3:00,
which is close to 5:00,
which means that it's okay.
I mean, I don't see a bartender.
[sniffles]
Damn, girl.
Um, excuse me?
Can I get another Heineken 0.0?
What's up with her?
People are sensitive
these days about everything.
Maybe it was your tone?
Oh, yeah, no, I'm sure I'm to
blame for her attitude. Mm-hmm.
You're certain
this is the place?
Can we be certain
about anything?
No. No, no.
Don't get all existential on me.
Cora, calm down.
I'm not gonna make you do
anything that
you don't wanna do.
I should get back to school.
I have, uh, this
three o'clock afternoon thing.
Middle school, right?
Third grade.
-Right.
-Did you forget what I teach?
-I totally remember.
-Mathematics.
-I knew that.
-Oh, my gosh, Darbs.
-I teach art.
-Ah.
I even gave you
a sketch I did of you
back in the tenth grade,
remember?
Yes, I remember. I am sorry.
I have been very busy
with law school.
I can't keep track
of everything.
Oh, um, I was just wondering if
I could get
a correction on this drink?
I-- I actually ordered tea,
but I think I received coffee.
Yoo-hoo?
-[chuckles]
-Yoo-hoo?
Uh, yeah,
I was just wondering if--
[sighs] Who says "Yoo-hoo"?
I was just trying
to get your attention.
Okay, well, then
just call out "bartender".
"Yoo-hoo" makes you
sound like...
I don't know what
it makes you sound like.
-Apologies.
-But then why do I care?
-Apologies again.
-Please stop repeating yourself.
I took three years of Meisner.
I'm over the whole
repetition thing.
Right. Okay. Interesting.
Get to the point.
Tea here, please.
That's coffee.
I am aware.
So we good?
Well, look, the point being
that I requested tea,
-not coffee. But...
-[sighs]
no worries.
Tea as in tea and crumpets
or tea as in Long Island?
The tea and crumpets sort,
but you can hold the crumpets.
We don't have tea.
Okay.
Look,
I'm having a really bad day.
Um, actually, a string of them.
I-- I'm sorry to hear that.
[sighs] You don't know me
well enough to be truly sorry.
A string of bad days?
A very long string.
Like a string of pearls.
[soft chuckle]
-You'd look good in pearls.
-Okay,
I'm not interested in having
small talk with a guy at a bar.
Okay. Um, yeah, I--
I completely understand.
I-- I just thought
this was part of your job, so.
Yeah, at night,
when tips are good.
Well, I see this palaver
isn't going anywhere, so--
Oh, "palaver." You think I don't
know what that word means?
You think I'm illiterate
or something?
Oh, that was not my intention.
I don't want that
to come across.
The point is, this conversation
is making me anxious, so.
All right,
so about the apartment number.
You sure you don't recall?
Look, I wasn't in
the right state of mind
to take notes, Darby.
Prospect Park West.
That's an exclusive building.
-The man has money.
-Didn't notice.
You don't remember
anything else?
I have flashes.
Um, but nothing
really specific, except...
Except...
It was, like,
this thing that he kept saying.
Like, when he was mad,
he just kept repeating it.
Like, "F something." Just, I--
"F something."
Uh...
"Fucking Judas Priest."
[Darby] What?
"Fucking Judas Priest."
That's it.
[Darby] Fucking Judas Priest?
Yeah.
Uh, he said it a few times.
-[typing]
-"Fucking Judas Priest."
Okay, it's a band,
and they got their name from
a Bob Dylan song,
who got it from
an old swear word.
"It is better to say
Judas Priest than Jesus Christ,
Judas being the one
that betrayed Jesus."
Okay, so it's a swear word.
Okay, so, you said that when
you walked out of the apartment,
you went down the hall
and approached elevators
-on the left, right?
-I did.
There are two apartments
at the end of every hall,
including the fifth floor,
which you're sure you were on?
Pretty sure
it was the fifth floor.
Okay, so was it
the apartment on the left
-or the apartment on the right?
-Uh...
Look, it was not easy
to assemble all of this.
I actually had to borrow
the real estate board's database
on all leases, and the lease
on the apartment on the left
turned up an R. DuPont,
and the one on the right
a Jennifer Morgan.
Okay,
so it's the one on the left.
Googling turned up
a River DuPont.
River DuPont?
Ring a bell?
No.
[quirky string music]
What are you doing, with
your notebook and your pencil?
I'm just writing.
Wow. Well...
I hate writers, so.
-Is that so?
-Well, I hate playwrights.
Okay.
Why do you hate playwrights?
Because I'm never cast in
anything they've ever written.
So, I hate them.
What are you writing?
That would be a play.
Huh.
Um, you might wanna know--
I'm not interested.
Okay. You might-- you might be
interested to know that
I've actually been
observing you.
Um, from your walk to
your voice and your rhythm.
So you're flirting?
No, no, no. Not my intention.
Oh. I'm kind of in
an "I hate all men" phase, so.
It's very common these days.
Well, all men as well as
all playwrights, it seems, so.
[pills rattling]
[tender music]
Whatever phase I was going
through will... end soon.
Just a few minutes.
I just don't really have
a family anymore.
You know, I don't have a mother,
I don't have a father.
No brother, no sister,
not even a cousin.
Just a lot of money
and unanswered questions.
Well, when your mother died,
I don't think it was the right
idea to drop out of Cornell.
Well, I was never
really happy at Cornell anyway.
Hmm. I mean,
maybe I'd do the same thing
if I came into a lot of money.
Would you like to try?
I'm more than happy
to take it off your hands.
Here.
This is a list of everyone
that I'm genetically related to,
or at least everyone that
also did the 23andMe thing.
These are all
third and fourth cousins.
There's like, over 50 of them.
I know. Crazy, right?
The top person has
51% of your genes.
Mm-hmm. Yep. That's my brother.
And he has a name.
-R. DuPont. Wow.
-Mm-hmm.
Do you think he's related
to the DuPonts,
as in, you know,
the chemical empire?
All I know is
that he's my brother,
and he works at this restaurant.
Okay.
You know, I'm impressed that
you found all of this out.
I'm a lawyer, Cora. It's my job.
Whoa, whoa. Ego down here.
You're in law school, Darbs.
Okay?
It's a little early
to call yourself a lawyer.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Is that a "thank you"
for all the work that I've done?
-You're an idiot.
-[chuckles]
Look, let's just get
all the facts straight, okay?
Nothing would be worse
than accusing the wrong guy.
Okay, well, if you're right
about the address
and the apartment
being on the fifth floor
at the end of the hall
to the elevators,
-the perp is de--
-Where?
The-- Like you said,
the end of the hall
to the elevators on the left.
-Yeah, yeah. Right, right.
-Yeah.
-Right?
-Yes, yes. Sorry.
Then the perp is
definitely River DuPont.
"Perp"?
Yes, perp. You watch TV.
You know what a perp is.
Yeah, it's just funny
to hear you say it.
There's nothing funny about
what happened to you.
We don't know that, okay?
I have no memory of anything.
Literally nothing.
Okay, all I know is that
I woke up with my clothes
neatly folded on a chair
in a strange apartment
with no one else there.
Okay,
there was no one else there.
[Lincoln] You feeling better?
To be accurate,
I'm not feeling like shit.
Remarkably honest.
Why shouldn't I be honest?
I don't know you.
I don't care what you think.
So, I can be honest.
It's only with people
that I really care about
where dishonesty seems to be...
what I do.
Well, your philosophy
seems a bit, uh, twisted.
Ah, yes. Well, you noticed, so.
Like a Gordian Knot.
[laughs] Um...
I don't know what that is,
but it sounds like me.
No, no, no. Let me guess. Um...
Is it a knot
that can't be untied?
[laughs] Oh, my gosh.
Please tell me I'm right.
I need-- I need
the affirmation that my...
I don't know,
brain is, like, still working?
Still functioning.
Like the Death Star.
The Death Star?
Star Wars.
[Lincoln] I didn't
make the connection.
Okay, ready?
[Admiral Ackbar voice]
"Until the battle station
is fully operational..."
[laughs]
"we... we are vulnerable."
Admiral Ackbar said that.
You know, I-- ugh,
I could've played that role.
Is there any reason why
a woman couldn't play
admiral of the battle station?
Well, I'm sure it would've
been more interesting.
I'm sure it would've been
more than interesting.
That thing that you're writing.
Is there a role for me
as an actor?
Um... I-- I'm sure I could
figure something out.
No, you must. You're just--
you're bursting with,
you know, all this creativity
just in seeing me.
What if we work together?
Uh, well, the issue is, uh,
playwrights are not always
the final, uh, decider
in these sorts of affairs.
God, there you go again,
trying to wiggle your way
out of casting me. Why?
You use me.
You deplete me.
You squeeze me
of everything that I've got.
And then your name's
on the marquee,
and I'm still
a fucking bartender.
God, this place is a mess.
If my boss comes,
I'm gonna be fucked or fired.
Do you mind if I ask
what it is you took?
Oxy.
Didn't I tell you to get
a drug test right away?
-Oh, my God.
-Did you?
No. Okay, so we have no proof
that you were drugged.
I must have been.
Okay, it's the only
reasonable conclusion.
You don't wanna believe me?
Really?
I'm just looking
for possible solutions.
No, I was dancing with,
like, everyone.
You know,
Eurotrash music pumping away,
and then, bam.
I'm out,
and I don't even know it.
I did talk to the staff
at the Avant Gardener.
None of them remember you.
They weren't very helpful.
You actually went
to the Avant Gardener?
[Darby] Yeah.
Wow. Thank you.
You don't have to thank me.
I'm just doing my job.
[Cora scoffs]
You're the best.
[Darby sighs]
River DuPont does work here.
His shift starts soon.
Sheesh. How'd you learn that?
You don't wanna know.
He's coming here?
A few anonymous phone calls
enlightened me
as to his schedule.
Wait, no.
I am not confronting anyone.
Okay, let's take this
one step at a time, okay?
You know, I think I need
the bathroom. I'll be back.
Maybe my father had
a kid with someone else
and that we just
didn't know about.
Maybe your mother
had an affair and...
your father isn't your father?
No, because then if
my mother gave birth
to someone my age,
then I would've known.
Or at least my father
would've known.
Did you message this R. DuPont?
God, no. No, I wouldn't.
I wanted to, like,
check him out first.
What do you mean, check him out?
Well, I-- What if
he's a horrible person?
Well, I mean,
he'd still be your brother.
We can't pick our relatives.
I mean...
Yeah, but then I can, like,
choose not to embrace him
as a brother or something.
I still think it would be safer
just to message him on the app.
And Google shows that there's,
like, too many R. DuPonts
that live in New York,
but, um, this one's
-the only one in Manhattan.
-[cell phone ringing]
Uh, sorry, honey.
I gotta take this.
-Sorry.
-How so reporter of you.
I'm going to the loo.
You take your call.
Yes.
[sighs]
[quirky music]
[sighs, laughs]
Okay. This is what I look like.
This is...
this is what we're
working with today.
[sighs] Fuck.
These heels are stupid.
This is stupid. This is dumb.
So this is the outfit that
you're gonna be meeting
your brother in.
Stupid. You're so stupid.
These rings are stupid.
And your hair.
[laughing dryly]
[sighs]
[exhales] It's gonna be fine.
It's gonna be fine.
This is great.
You look good.
You're dazzling.
You're gonna dazzle him,
and he's gonna love you.
Don't worry,
I didn't hear anything.
Oh, I wasn't-- I wasn't
really saying anything.
So it's okay.
-[water runs, stops]
-[Cora] Yeah. I do that too.
Yeah. [chuckles]
Well, it's... just silly.
The mirror's a great option,
to-- to talk to yourself,
when you have no other options.
I use it all the time.
Sometimes it's my best friend.
Sure.
You, um...
look great.
Don't worry.
At least, um, well...
whatever it is.
Or whoever it is.
Never mind.
Um, do you recognize this guy?
Hmm? Uh, no. This is...
Uh, River DuPont?
Don't know.
Um, he lives in this building
in Slope Park.
He lives on the fifth floor
at the end of the hall.
Uh...
maybe if I heard his voice.
I don't remember.
Well, I don't have that.
Yet.
Okay.
And let's assume
this guy shows up.
And-- and
it turns out to be him.
Then what the hell
am I supposed to do?
Then we set the wheels
of justice in motion.
Even if I don't
remember anything?
Look, you woke up in a guy's
bed with nothing on, right?
Yeah, it's circumstantial, but
you could still go to a doctor.
You might have
evidence inside you.
Ew, excuse me?
A lot of these cases
go unchecked because
women feel too--
like it's too traumatic,
or, understandably,
they don't wanna know.
Yeah, it never ends well
for the woman.
Okay, chill.
Um, did you go to
the club alone?
Yeah.
You have a problem with that?
No, I can just see the headlines
on the New York Post now:
"Third grade art teacher has
secret life at dance clubs."
Seriously?
I'm just trying to think of what
the jury would make of this.
So I'm right.
I-- I should not be here.
They're gonna
turn me into a slut.
No. No, no, no, no, no.
No, not at all.
If we handle this smartly,
which we are,
and we take this
one step at a time,
we can avoid that outcome.
You know,
I think we should just...
-drop all of this.
-Cora.
I found the guy.
I found the guy!
Yeah.
[sighs]
I could still use something
other than this
cold coffee beverage here.
Gosh, you are
so high-maintenance.
Gosh, I'm like, always attracted
to high-maintenance people.
But don't let that
get to your head, okay?
You're not
high-maintenance enough.
Well, look, I can assure you
I'm not insolent
in any capacity.
Oh, insolent.
Yeah, that's what all guys say.
[chuckles]
Look, I don't wanna
sound arrogant, but...
I am somewhat of a nice guy.
You're writing a play,
using me as your muse,
and you won't even cast me.
Perhaps if you tried being
a bit more helpful.
Well, the pills used
to make me helpful.
Guess not anymore.
I-- I'm sorry.
I have to tell you something.
-Okay. Listening.
-Um... I can tell.
[chuckles]
Um...
You have really nice eyes.
Uh...
so do you.
[chuckles] Really?
I've always thought my eyes
were rather ordinary.
Well,
you are anything but ordinary.
What were we talking about?
Uh, you-- you were
trying to tell me something.
Oh.
I'm pregnant.
Wow. Uh, that's-- that's...
What?
Well, you seem
really happy about it, so.
Um...
but at least now it's like,
you know, I feel-- I feel calm,
and I feel...
like I don't care.
You know... so.
So, uh,
how are you gonna proceed?
Well, you know, I have--
You know,
it's early days, so, um...
You know, they're just
in there multiplying, and,
uh, you know...
E equals MC squared.
Uh...
going very fast, light speed.
-You know, uh--
-Physics.
Physics, yeah. [laughs] So...
I gotta-- I gotta take
some action or something, but.
You know, I once--
I once had a crazy dream,
and I was married
to Albert Einstein.
Oh, my God. Having sex with
a genius rather than a loser?
[exhales]
It's a game-changer.
So. [laughs] Um...
Yeah. But, you know,
everything's relative.
Can I ask you your name?
Just because
we're talking like this,
you wanna know my name now?
Oh, well, look,
I didn't mean to overstep.
Oh, yeah?
Um... well, what's your name?
Lincoln. Lincoln Larue.
Is that a made-up writer's name?
Well, actually, um,
everything is rewritten.
-[laughing]
-It's relative.
Ember Net.
You sure you don't have any tea?
Of course we have tea.
Do you think that guy down there
at the bar is your R. DuPont?
[Vera] Nah,
he just looks like a customer.
So, when I was on the phone
with my office,
I asked them to run a quick
check on this restaurant.
It is apparently owned
by DuPont Enterprises.
Not the chemical company,
but a Hunter DuPont
who owns several businesses
and buildings in New York.
And he's got quite a reputation.
He's one of those guys,
a lot of money,
uses it to get what he wants.
Your R. DuPont must be his son.
Well, did you get
the name of his son?
Or, like,
what's the "R" stand for?
Not yet. But I'm thinking
of going down there
and see what I can find out,
and get something to eat.
Uh, no. No, I know you.
You're gonna go have a chat,
and then you're gonna
blow my cover.
[Jayce laughs]
-Your cover?
-Uh, yeah, my cover.
Okay, honey, you're watching
way too much TV, sweetheart.
Okay, whatever it is, I--
Please, just don't
say anything about me.
It'll be fine.
I'm just gonna feel it out.
No, you're gonna promise me
that you're not gonna
say anything about me.
-I promise. I promise.
-Okay.
Yes, I'm good. We're good.
Yeah. We're good. Okay.
Okay.
Then let's say we drop this.
Right here, right now,
and we walk away
from it completely.
Then what are you left with?
A black hole.
A gaping black hole that
lasts all night in a man's bed.
You wanna live like that?
No, I don't want any of it.
Okay. So, you said that
you remember dancing.
You remember being at the club,
admittedly with a lot of people,
and someone handed you
a drink, right?
Yeah. People were passing around
beers with straws in them,
and I thought that was funny.
So I handed it to someone else,
and eventually another one
ended up in my hands.
Okay. I see, I see.
I remember going to
the restroom,
which was mobbed with girls,
because... yeah.
And it was a long line,
so I waited for a stall to open.
Do you remember feeling okay
when you were in the stall?
Yeah.
I-- I think.
I-- I don't really know...
I guess.
[low, tense music]
Oh, shit.
I think I remember something.
I remember, um...
I remember in the bathroom,
there was banging
and yelling that started,
and-- and I put
my hand in my head,
and I think
I must have nodded off,
for, like, a second
or something, because...
I remember that my heart--
my heart literally
jumped out of, like, my chest
because of the banging
and the yelling.
And it got so violent
that I got scared,
so I wanted to get out.
So I got out fast, and--
and as I opened the door,
someone just pushed it
back hard, because I-- I fell.
Like, I fell back
onto the toilet.
And then-- and then, uh...
And then I--
I was feeling woozy,
so he, like, held me up.
Like, he was, like, hugging me.
No, like-- like, holding me
and moving to the music.
-Like he was dancing?
-No, not really. Like...
Like he-- like we were walking.
Yeah. Yeah. We walked out.
I-- I remember
because it was raining,
and the rain hit my face,
and it felt kind of good.
-[Darby] And then?
-And then-- and then...
[sighs]
Nothing.
And then nothing.
The next thing that I remembered
was waking up in that bedroom.
And...
and I remember waking up
and looking around.
And it took me the longest time
to figure out...
where the hell I was,
and what I was doing there.
And who I was.
I didn't even
remember who I was.
So I looked around,
and then I saw my clothes.
Folded on the chair,
with my shoes perfectly
aligned at the bottom.
Like, perfectly symmetrical.
Symmetrically,
like, below the chair.
That's a statement.
Yeah, he's trying to show
that he's in control.
So then I got up and I ran.
I ran as fast as I could.
Okay, okay. Let's not be upset.
I'm not upset. I'm not upset.
Okay, I'm angry.
Okay, I'm-- I'm mad.
I'm pissed off. I'm furious.
Just-- Ugh!
I hate men.
[quirky music]
-Hi.
-Hi.
I was wondering if you have
any non-alcoholic whiskey.
And, uh, a menu.
What is going on in here today?
Tea?
Non-alcoholic whiskey? What?
Yes, please.
Well, it's actually
quite popular these days, so,
-great choice.
-[Ember] What's the point?
Like, why drink whiskey
if you're not gonna get drunk?
I take it you don't have any.
Are you the owner?
Or related to the owner?
Girl, I wish.
The owner is...
Why are you asking?
Doesn't Hunter DuPont
own this place?
Yeah.
What can you tell me about him?
Again, why are you asking?
I'm a reporter.
A reporter.
Hmm. Well,
I'm not talking to any reporter.
Uh,
does Hunter DuPont have a son?
Uh, I said I can't talk
about any personal things, so.
I'll go check in the back for
your non-alcoholic whatever.
So I'll be back.
Okay.
-[door opens, closes]
-Well, that went great.
Well, hello there.
Uh, you work here?
I do not.
Um, I'm just, I suppose,
working here temporarily.
Yeah, but I meant for the bar,
not at the bar momentarily.
Oh. Um...
well,
as you can probably assume,
I'm a writer.
What kind of a writer?
What do you write?
Um, I'm a playwright.
-I write...
-Oh, okay.
...plays.
Great.
You-- you seem...
apathetic, unimpressed.
[laughs] Oh,
you sound like a writer.
No, I'm sure when I do have
the pleasure of seeing
one of your plays,
I will be very impressed.
Have I had the pleasure of being
impressed by one of your plays?
To be frank,
I doubt that you have.
But hopefully, hopefully soon.
Hmm. I like you.
What's your name?
-Lincoln Larue.
-Yeah, I don't know that name.
But it's
definitely unforgettable.
You know, I can see it
on the marquee, kid.
Oh, yeah.
I'll definitely remember you.
So, do you come here often?
This is actually my first time
here, believe it or not.
Oh. Okay, then. Never mind.
Thank you.
Uh, good luck with your play.
Leaving so soon? You're--
Oh, no, I'm not leaving.
I just--
There's not a whole lot to say.
Well, that's fair enough.
-Also, you seem very busy.
-Well, I am, but, uh...
You're a journalist?
Yeah, but I personally
prefer "reporter."
Oh. Well, that's-- that's fair.
Um, well,
if you're a reporter, then you--
then there must be
a beat of some kind.
You've been watching
too many movies, kiddo.
-[Lincoln laughs]
-Yeah, I do have a beat.
It's New York City. I mean...
it's New York City, so,
anything and everything
interesting that happens here.
-There's always something.
-Right.
So you think there's a story
here, then, at this restaurant?
I mean, look at this place.
There's a story somewhere.
I mean, you know, wherever there
are people, there's a story.
I just have to find it.
[door creaks, thuds]
[Ember] Okay. Um...
so we do not have
any alcohol-free whiskey,
but I do have alcohol-free beer.
Yeah, no.
Uh, thank you, though. Um...
can I have a menu?
Well, lunch is over,
uh, and the kitchen's not gonna
be open for a few hours. Um...
How about some bar nuts?
Sure.
Um, and a seltzer,
if you don't mind.
-On the house.
-[Jayce] Um...
I really would love to meet
and hopefully interview
the owner's son.
Is that possible?
Does he come around much?
You really don't let up, do you?
[Jayce] No.
[chuckles] I told you,
I can't-- I can't talk to you.
I don't know anything.
Okay.
Well, thank you for
the seltzer and the nuts.
[Jayce] The kitchen's closed,
but I was able to get us
a bowl of nuts.
The bartender
was actually rather put off
by my questions
about Hunter Dupont,
which makes me think
that she was actually
trained to keep her mouth shut.
Hmm. Really?
What's your passcode?
-Hmm.
Your birthday.
-You remember.
-Mm-hmm.
Hmm. V, have you looked at
the health section of the app?
What do you mean?
I didn't see anything.
You, my dear, you have
the E4 variant.
Okay, like I know
what that means.
Also, you have none of
the three variants that
cause breast cancer.
Oh, my God.
Yeah.
That's what my mother died of.
Well, I guess that's possible.
She must have had the variant,
but you were lucky enough
not to get it.
[sighing] Science is
a magnificent and glorious
human pursuit, okay? Yes.
But as it produces
these floods of information,
then that information needs to
be labeled and categorized,
and then people who control the
money and politics and power,
they can use
those appellations to, um,
use it as a tool to oppress,
to segregate, to abuse.
I mean, look at history.
Ever heard of ethnic cleansing?
I'm saying we should just
remain vigilant, super vigilant.
God knows when the next thing
or next person is going to be
who's going to come around
and change everything.
Enough for the better.
Okay, well, like I said,
I did this to find out about
my DNA relatives, not to...
look at the fine print.
[ominous orchestral music]
Hi.
Okay, then.
Someone has arrived.
What are you doing?
Look, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
River!
Well, we have a confirmation
on his name.
I barely touched you.
You know what?
Can we not do this here?
You can't just walk out on me
like that.
Yeah, well, I have
to get to work.
There's no one here.
You're a customer, right?
Yes.
Amber, you can't just...
Can't just walk out on me
like that. All right?
I can't do a show like that,
you know that.
Can I get you
something to drink?
Um, well, I-- I could do
a non-alcoholic beer,
perhaps, if-- if you
have one of those. Um...
What's non-alcoholic beer?
Yeah, it's a thing.
Very popular.
You should try it.
I have a double Heineken Zero.
Is that okay, Lincoln?
Sure.
Lincoln?
Yes, that would be my name.
Look, we're a bit busy
for the minute. Can you just...
can you wait on that beer?
I got you.
Yeah, get him his beer,
and then just...
can-- could you leave us alone
for a little bit?
Thanks.
Do you recognize him?
No, he's not jogging any memory.
Well, he looks like an asshole.
Clearly someone who would drug
and assault a woman.
How could you
possibly know that?
Okay, okay, yeah, maybe I am
jumping to conclusions.
Oh, he's not charming.
But that's about
all you can say.
[intriguing string music]
Really? Binoculars?
River.
He's a customer,
plus he's a really nice guy.
[River] Yeah,
how do you know that?
[sighs] That he's a customer
or a really nice guy?
Don't-- don't be cute.
Okay, I am cute.
Well, I can't say that about
your fucking apartment.
I mean, it's a mess.
Jesus Christ.
Do you ever clean up?
Babes, don't worry so much
about the apartment, okay?
I'll clean it up.
Come on, go sit down.
I know things haven't
worked out for either of us.
But maybe we can start fresh.
You just can't be
so upset, okay?
Plus, we need to talk.
Wait, okay, you take them.
She's saying something to him.
I can't-- I can't tell--
What--
[Jayce] Trying to
read her lips...
He wants to talk to her
about something.
This is actually kind of cool.
I feel like Angela Lansbury
in Murder, She Wrote.
Okay.
You good?
I sure am.
[River] Hey.
[Ember] Yes, yes, I'm coming.
I'm feeling lightheaded.
I think I need
a glass of water.
Oh, I'll go get you some.
What, you're just gonna go up
and grab it yourself?
It's called initiative.
I swear,
I am never drinking again.
You can drink at home
with your girlfriends.
That's about it these days.
Listen, I'm not sure
the-- the bartender
will return soon to help you.
Not really.
You are sure?
-[Lincoln] Yes.
-Well...
I have a glass in my hand,
and all I need is this.
Who needs a bartender
when you have me?
Um, I can see that.
So, um, you seem pretty,
uh, familiar with the drama
that's been going on
up here at the bar.
Well, I am just
a bystander, so...
Well, you're sitting,
not standing, so there's that.
Yes, um, there's that.
You're taking notes?
I'm a writer.
Ah, a writer.
And with a pencil.
You even have
a pencil sharpener.
Makes me feel like
I'm back at high school.
Um, the-- the pencil is really
my preferred weapon of choice,
so to speak.
-They're so tactile.
-Yes.
So, I know you know
who this guy is, uh,
who's treating the bartender
rather severely.
Is that the right word? Severe?
Um, I-- I would say
that harshly
is perhaps the-- the more
adequate, uh, terminology.
-What were they arguing about?
-I-- I'm not sure.
I don't really know them, so...
You're a writer.
You observe people.
You draw conclusions based
on your observations.
Stop being so obstreperous.
I know you know something that
you're not telling me.
Come on.
Obstreperous.
[eerie instrumental music]
Okay, okay, okay.
Are you calm?
Why do I need to be calm?
Why do I need to be calm?
What?
What? What?
-Do you have any more?
-Of...
Of, um, you know what I mean.
You don't have a--
Ember, you gotta be careful.
I need like a hundred of them.
You're losing control.
I'm fine. I'm fine.
-You're not fine.
-I'm fine.
You're not fine.
We need to talk, okay?
Why? What--
What-- what is it?
I'm pregnant.
You're sure?
Yes.
Fuck.
Well, we'll-- we'll just,
we'll take care of it.
Make the problem go away.
It'll all be fine. Just--
Can you not say that?
Like, it's like your decision?
Well...
-That's your response to me?
-What, what, what...
Don't tell me you want
to keep it.
Like, someone you love,
you don't talk to like that.
You care how they feel.
You should want
to make sure I'm okay--
Okay, it's-- it's--
it's not a discussion.
It's not a discussion. It's--
What do you mean,
it's not a discussion?
It's the discussion.
Ember, what?
You want to keep it?
-I don't know.
-What-- what do you want?
-Why-- why do you--
-I'm confused.
I'm confused.
What, so you want to
have some kind of
like, phony-ass discussion
where we wind up at
the same conclusion anyway?
Oh, my god, please stop yelling.
[Ember sighing]
Oh, um, excuse me.
Can I get
a glass of water, please...
[Ember] What are you doing?
I just figured I was helping.
Helping who? Yourself?
Chop this up
at the table, please.
[dishes clinking]
Here.
[energetic house music]
[music abruptly ceases]
You've lost your binocular
privileges, they're mine.
My brother looks upset.
Do you think it's judicious
to refer to him
as your brother yet?
I like saying it.
I don't like that girl.
She's making my brother upset.
Okay, girl, you're having
a lot of assumptions.
It feels like you're rushing
towards a train wreck.
Okay, can we just like let me
have this moment about
fantasizing about my brother?
Thank you.
Okay, have your moment.
[intriguing orchestral music]
[Lincoln] You okay?
-Yeah.
-You sure?
Yeah, no, I'm fine, actually.
As fine as a woman can be.
Which is pretty
fucking fine, so...
All right.
Um, I'm not.
Okay, okay, I'm-- I'm pregnant.
Yes, you mentioned that.
Look, I don't-- I don't
wish to make any assumptions,
but, um, by chance, is that
what you and your boyfriend
-were fighting about?
-He's not my boyfriend.
-Right.
-He's just-- a guy.
Right.
[intriguing orchestral music]
What the fuck
are you talking about?
That's ridicu--
Holy fucking shit.
Nah, yeah, yeah, no.
I'll call you back.
Oh, Jesus.
What the hell
are you doing here?
I just came by to say hi
to Ember, okay? That's it.
You came by to say hi to Ember?
[River] Yeah.
Well, we know that's bullshit.
-Okay.
-Right. Are you strung out?
-No.
-You need money.
I came by to help, that's it.
To help? Well, that's what
we have your brother for.
Yeah, well,
Richard's not here, okay?
Oh? Hi, Mr. Dupont.
[Hunter] Yeah, Ember.
So let me ask you, are you
the reason that he's here?
Uh, yeah,
he just stopped by to talk.
[Hunter] What the hell
is going on?
I mean, we have 85 people
coming tonight.
There's not enough top shelf
liquor up there.
These-- these-- these--
these-- these boxes
are all over the place.
There's no tablecloths
on the tables.
Well, I mean, what the hell
are you thinking?
Right, right. Uh, I was just
about to get to those.
I like you.
You know?
I mean, you're a good kid.
That's why I have you here.
But, uh...
I mean, you need to do better.
Am I right?
God put his hand on you when
you arrived in this world.
-Sorry, I'm sorry.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa.
What's that about?
-Uh...
-What was that about?
-I don't...
-What are you doing?
-I'm sorry--
-Come on, what, what is this?
-You scared me.
-I scared you?
-I'm sorry.
-You scared me.
I don't mean to scare you.
No, it's okay.
It's just this...
I don't know why,
but it just really scared me.
All right, listen to me.
Listen, take it easy.
Take it easy. Take it easy.
I'm your friend.
-Okay, yeah. Uh-huh.
-I'm your friend, okay?
-Mm-hmm.
-I'm here to help you.
Okay.
You gotta take care of
what He gave you, right?
Don't waste what
your maker gave you.
I don't really know anything
about your heart, but, uh...
Well, I'd say that
you lack courage.
Good.
Good.
You still here?
You don't get it.
She needs me here, okay?
I don't get it.
I don't get it. Jesus Christ.
How many times have I heard you
say that, I don't get it?
Why don't you play
another record?
All right. All right, look.
Like I said, Dad, I can help.
Yeah, well,
I don't need your help.
All right, well,
maybe you don't have a choice.
All right? You chose to piss
away everything
that I ever gave you, right?
Money, education, a job.
You're right. Thank you so much
for doing your job as a father.
What about your job as a son,
as a human being?
I mean, not just to me.
What about your mother?
No, don't.
Don't bring Mom into this.
You know I'm not the one
who brought her down.
Well, Jesus Christ, not to me.
You were a fucking drug addict.
God, it's--
it's never on you, is it?
It's-- it's always my fault.
It's all my fault, right?
-She loved everything about you.
-No, no, no, you're right.
-She loved you.
-You're right.
-There's no accountability.
-Your weaknesses.
Oh, my God.
Yes, she loved me.
She loved me.
Because we were close,
and she was my mother.
And, I mean, where the fuck
were you? Where were you?
-Where the fuck was I?
-Yeah.
I was paying the bills,
and I was bailing your ass
out of every fucking problem
you ever had.
It's never you.
It's never you, is it?
Jesus. Can you believe
this fucking kid?
Can you believe him?
Everybody, let's--
let's give him
a round of applause for
this wonderful performance.
Look, if you're gonna go,
just go. All right? Go.
Nobody here wants to see you.
I-- I don't want to see you.
Your brother
doesn't want to see you.
And stay away from Ember.
She's off limits to you.
Give everybody a round
on the house, all right?
Come on, come on.
Let's--
let's get this place cooking.
We got people coming.
[ambient street noise]
[mysterious piano music]
[horn honking]
Dad?
Richard.
Know you're gonna make me proud.
[intriguing music]
Oh, my God, Darbs.
There's two of them.
Wait, what the fuck?
He's a twin?
Looks that way from here.
Oh, there is no way that
I am related to these people.
They are fucked up.
No wonder my mom was a mess.
Well, there's definitely
a story with this Dupont family.
Yeah, okay.
I love that for you,
but I just want to
get out of here.
Okay.
And that's another R. Dupont
perp that we're looking for.
-You're kidding me, right?
-Twins?
How are we supposed to know if
it's him or if it's his brother?
[Darby] Um...
I really don't know how
we're ever gonna figure
that one out.
You know, Ember,
was that just River I saw?
Yeah, he was here.
Yeah, what was he doing here?
[drawer closing]
But the one thing
you've gotta fix is River.
He's no good for anyone,
especially someone
as fragile as you.
-Fragile?
-Fragile.
Hmm. Thanks for the advice.
[liquid pouring]
[dishes clinking]
[Richard] Tell River that, uh,
he's got the apartment back.
-Your dad's apartment?
-Yeah.
[chuckling] Yeah. Yeah.
Uh, hey, buddy, what's up?
[mischievous music]
Hey.
Keep the change.
[camera clicking]
Thanks for the entertainment.
[River] Have a good day.
How are you getting home?
Uh, subway.
No, you're coming in
the car with me.
-Oh, am I?
-Yeah.
There's a story here.
Mmm. No, the story
is that 23andMe is a scam,
and I'm gonna get my money back.
Good luck getting your money
back from Google.
Oh, I need a drink of water.
Otherwise, I am going
to literally faint.
Yeah, yeah, take your time.
You know it's not just for you.
You know that, right?
Yeah.
You okay?
That's the third time
you've asked me that.
Sorry, I keep repeating myself.
What are you thinking?
I think that
you will be all right.
Sublime, even.
I don't know what that means.
It-- it means
that there's, uh...
There's --
there's something, um...
Uh, Je ne sais quoi about you.
Thanks, I...
I also don't know
what that means.
There's something, uh...
Alluring about you.
I suppose.
I don't know. I'm--
I'm at a loss for words. Um--
A playwright...
at a loss for words?
You know,
I'm very attracted to you.
Uh, you're very appealing.
You're very kind.
But I don't think it's--
it's good for me
to be doing anything...
Right now.
I just need to be alone.
Figure shit out.
Well, listen, I-- I would be
delighted to take you out
to a restaurant in--
in whatever capacity
you would like, if that's...
No. Sorry.
-Hi.
-Hi. Uh, we'd like to pay.
Yeah, yeah, sure.
Just settle up with me.
Thank you.
[machine whirring]
It was nice chatting with you,
by the way.
Oh, uh, likewise.
I don't need that.
I have my own pen.
Okay.
Okay, Ember, we have
a lot of organizing to do.
Um, if you do
need anything else,
my card is at the front.
Thank you for the...
incredible evening.
Thanks, guys.
Fucking Judas Priest!
[eerie orchestral music]
[gentle orchestral music]
[horn honking]
[haunting vocal music]
[man shouting]
Hey, so the kitchen
is not open yet,
but do you want to look at
the menu in the meantime?
How about, uh, two cups of tea?
Can you do that?
-For two?
-Um, Earl Grey, if you have it.
Okay. Sure.
I'll get that for you.
Thank you.
[dishes clattering]
[Lincoln] Hello.
-Hi.
-You have arrived.
[chuckling] Yeah.
This is my arrival.
Please.
Um, well, thank you for coming.
-I appreciate it.
-Oh, yeah. Of course.
Uh, thank you so much
for reaching out.
Yeah.
You know, I've been really busy
just going from, like...
I just figured I could stop in
for a coffee,
you know, catch up.
You're busy. That's good.
-Yeah, yeah, yeah.
-Excellent, yeah.
Um, you know, it's crazy.
I haven't seen you
in, like, a year.
You know what, it's actually...
I think it's been, like, nine
months or so, to be exact.
-But who's counting?
-Oh, yeah, right.
No, who's counting?
-You are.
-Uh, well...
Okay. I-- I am.
I can't--
I can't help myself.
Well, I don't know if
you remember, but...
last time we were together...
You--
You wouldn't remember because
you're a man, you know,
sometimes they
don't remember things.
Um, no offense.
But you asked me out to dinner.
I didn't forget.
I'm sorry if
I was rude at all. I--
No, no, no, it--
it's okay. Don't...
No need
to apologize, okay? Um...
If I can recall,
you were actually busy, I think,
cleaning up for an event.
I figured I'd call later,
but when I did,
they said you had quit.
And wouldn't give me a number
for you, so...
Yeah, it was a bad day. Um...
-But you found me.
-I did, I did. I-- I--
I tracked you down, finally.
Yeah, I don't like being
tracked down.
Okay, uh...
Um...
So what have you been up to?
Um, what's going on
in Lincoln's land?
-I've been writing.
-Oh, good.
-I've been writing, so...
-Good, good.
Yeah. Well, you--
you-- you look great.
Uh, oh, my...
you think?
Just, uh... threw it on.
Uh, and you look...
I mean...
Honestly, I don't even remember
what you looked like.
You know,
I was so screwed up, so...
So I just...
I went cold turkey.
I've been sober for,
like, nine months.
On-- on the pills?
-Yeah, I've been...
-You're going through-- oh.
Well, that-- that's great.
I'm happy to...
I'm happy to hear that.
That's good.
Yeah, it was necessary.
I was...
not in a good headspace, and...
-Yeah.
-I had to break up with River.
Oh, River.
Yeah, yeah, because him
and the-- pills are just--
just too connected, you know?
-Right.
-Um, so...
Yeah, so I don't drink.
I don't... drugs.
Uh, no red meat.
I'm a pegan.
Um...
I'm sorry. I'm not--
I'm not exactly sure
what a pegan is.
Yeah, yeah, no.
No, a pegan, so it's, uh, vegan
and, uh, paleo.
So it's basically, like,
twigs, nuts, berries, leaves,
branches, and an occasional
wild-cut salmon.
Um...
That seems like a very limited
array of options.
No, no. Oh, my God.
No, I can eat a lot of stuff.
That seems very healthy, and...
Well, I'm just trying to,
you know, get out from there.
-Right.
-And control's good for me.
-Absolutely.
-I don't know if you've read
what happened
with Richard Dupont.
-Oh, yeah, I mean, goodness.
-River's brother.
I-- I-- I actually haven't heard
about Richard, no.
Basically, three women came
forward and...
spoke on how he had drugged them
and sexually assaulted them.
-Horrible.
-Yeah.
So he was arrested, thank God,
but his father
just bailed him out, you know?
You know what?
Speaking of--
of reading up on--
on the Duponts, um, there was
a New Yorker piece about Hunter.
It was an expos of sorts
on how his clubs have illegal
betting services and--
and other, you know, escort...
Um...
So, are you-- are you acting?
You still...
Oh, God, no. No.
I gave that up with also, like,
all the other things.
Drugs, alcohol.
I just-- I mean, I started
therapy, right, so I can't--
I can't really afford her,
so I just go, like,
I've only gone a couple times.
-Only-- only--
-It's really useful, though.
But only a couple times
it's useful?
What? Like, why are you saying
that like-- [both chuckling]
[both chuckling]
-I don't...
-No, no, no, it's okay.
-You're saying I need therapy.
-I'm-- I'm not, I apologize.
-I'm hurt.
-I don't mean to...
-I don't mean to pry.
-No, I'm hurt.
And I'm never gonna
forgive you.
No, no, no. [chuckles]
I-- I don't really
have much experience
with the whole therapy thing,
so I...
Yeah, I can tell.
I think you need therapy.
-Yeah.
-Oh, okay.
I think you need therapy.
You think I need therapy.
-Mm-hmm.
-Um. Why-- why is that?
Why do I need therapy?
Uh, you have extreme
procrastination issues.
Look how long it took you
to track me down.
Oh. Okay.
Speaking of which, have you
even finished your play?
Okay, well, that-- that's
interesting you mention that,
because, in fact, I did.
-Oh! Congratulations.
-I-- I did.
I-I did finish my play, um,
and that's sort of
the reason why
I made an effort to find you.
Why?
I'm gonna be having a reading
of my play this Saturday,
and I was gonna ask you
to play the lead.
What?
Yes, but-- but if you--
if you aren't interested, I...
Wh-- why me?
Um...
I'm...
I'm sorry. Um...
Okay, this Saturday,
a reading, me the lead.
I just don't even know if
I'm that good anymore,
you know what I mean?
I haven't, like, acted
in a really long time,
and, like,
I have a lot
of anxiety around it,
which is why
I haven't really decided if
I want to go back, and, like,
I think people said I was good,
but also maybe it's just my ego?
Like, maybe it's just, like,
I think I'm good, and, like,
maybe I, like, lost my touch.
Maybe I feel like I'm good,
and I'm gonna start
and make a big fool of myself
-in your play...
-Yeah.
...that you worked so hard on.
Whoa, I'm sorry. Uh...
No, no, no, no,
don't apologize.
I just-- I--
I think this, right now,
what-- what you've
just expressed is...
...you know, is all the--
the little doubts of--
of every artist that--
that's, you know,
trying to find their way,
and... that's okay.
-Thanks.
-Ah.
But, uh, okay, yeah,
so now that you're,
I guess, no longer acting...
Well, I-- I didn't say that.
I'm honestly thinking about it.
-Okay, so-- so...
-Okay.
...you-- you--
you might be interested
in doing the reading.
I'll do it.
-Yeah.
-You'll do it?
-Yeah.
-Great.
That's-- that's--
that's amazing. Thank you.
-Yep.
-Thank you.
Okay.
So, now that that is settled,
now that you are gonna be doing
a reading in my play,
um, are--
are you okay with playwrights?
I'm okay with this playwright.
[upbeat music]
[eerie orchestral music]
[dramatic orchestral music]
[operatic vocalizing]
[music ends]
[street din]
Jayce!
Hey! Uh...
Yeah, there's a--
No, over here. [laughs]
Hey. [exhales]
What is this place?
-It's quiet is what it is.
-There's no one here.
Mmm.
-Thanks for coming.
-Of course.
-Come.
-They have food?
Yeah,
I'm sure they have everything.
I got us a little
special something.
[Jayce] Mmm.
[exhales]
I'm on a tight deadline.
[laughs] You reporters always
claim to be on tight deadlines.
Well, it's the nature
of the beast, babe!
I'm starving.
This is
a Woodford Reserve Bourbon.
I would like to point out
that you are drinking
at 1:30 in the afternoon.
Yeah, it's 1:30,
which is almost 3:00,
which is close to 5:00,
which means that it's okay.
I mean, I don't see a bartender.
[sniffles]
Damn, girl.
Um, excuse me?
Can I get another Heineken 0.0?
What's up with her?
People are sensitive
these days about everything.
Maybe it was your tone?
Oh, yeah, no, I'm sure I'm to
blame for her attitude. Mm-hmm.
You're certain
this is the place?
Can we be certain
about anything?
No. No, no.
Don't get all existential on me.
Cora, calm down.
I'm not gonna make you do
anything that
you don't wanna do.
I should get back to school.
I have, uh, this
three o'clock afternoon thing.
Middle school, right?
Third grade.
-Right.
-Did you forget what I teach?
-I totally remember.
-Mathematics.
-I knew that.
-Oh, my gosh, Darbs.
-I teach art.
-Ah.
I even gave you
a sketch I did of you
back in the tenth grade,
remember?
Yes, I remember. I am sorry.
I have been very busy
with law school.
I can't keep track
of everything.
Oh, um, I was just wondering if
I could get
a correction on this drink?
I-- I actually ordered tea,
but I think I received coffee.
Yoo-hoo?
-[chuckles]
-Yoo-hoo?
Uh, yeah,
I was just wondering if--
[sighs] Who says "Yoo-hoo"?
I was just trying
to get your attention.
Okay, well, then
just call out "bartender".
"Yoo-hoo" makes you
sound like...
I don't know what
it makes you sound like.
-Apologies.
-But then why do I care?
-Apologies again.
-Please stop repeating yourself.
I took three years of Meisner.
I'm over the whole
repetition thing.
Right. Okay. Interesting.
Get to the point.
Tea here, please.
That's coffee.
I am aware.
So we good?
Well, look, the point being
that I requested tea,
-not coffee. But...
-[sighs]
no worries.
Tea as in tea and crumpets
or tea as in Long Island?
The tea and crumpets sort,
but you can hold the crumpets.
We don't have tea.
Okay.
Look,
I'm having a really bad day.
Um, actually, a string of them.
I-- I'm sorry to hear that.
[sighs] You don't know me
well enough to be truly sorry.
A string of bad days?
A very long string.
Like a string of pearls.
[soft chuckle]
-You'd look good in pearls.
-Okay,
I'm not interested in having
small talk with a guy at a bar.
Okay. Um, yeah, I--
I completely understand.
I-- I just thought
this was part of your job, so.
Yeah, at night,
when tips are good.
Well, I see this palaver
isn't going anywhere, so--
Oh, "palaver." You think I don't
know what that word means?
You think I'm illiterate
or something?
Oh, that was not my intention.
I don't want that
to come across.
The point is, this conversation
is making me anxious, so.
All right,
so about the apartment number.
You sure you don't recall?
Look, I wasn't in
the right state of mind
to take notes, Darby.
Prospect Park West.
That's an exclusive building.
-The man has money.
-Didn't notice.
You don't remember
anything else?
I have flashes.
Um, but nothing
really specific, except...
Except...
It was, like,
this thing that he kept saying.
Like, when he was mad,
he just kept repeating it.
Like, "F something." Just, I--
"F something."
Uh...
"Fucking Judas Priest."
[Darby] What?
"Fucking Judas Priest."
That's it.
[Darby] Fucking Judas Priest?
Yeah.
Uh, he said it a few times.
-[typing]
-"Fucking Judas Priest."
Okay, it's a band,
and they got their name from
a Bob Dylan song,
who got it from
an old swear word.
"It is better to say
Judas Priest than Jesus Christ,
Judas being the one
that betrayed Jesus."
Okay, so it's a swear word.
Okay, so, you said that when
you walked out of the apartment,
you went down the hall
and approached elevators
-on the left, right?
-I did.
There are two apartments
at the end of every hall,
including the fifth floor,
which you're sure you were on?
Pretty sure
it was the fifth floor.
Okay, so was it
the apartment on the left
-or the apartment on the right?
-Uh...
Look, it was not easy
to assemble all of this.
I actually had to borrow
the real estate board's database
on all leases, and the lease
on the apartment on the left
turned up an R. DuPont,
and the one on the right
a Jennifer Morgan.
Okay,
so it's the one on the left.
Googling turned up
a River DuPont.
River DuPont?
Ring a bell?
No.
[quirky string music]
What are you doing, with
your notebook and your pencil?
I'm just writing.
Wow. Well...
I hate writers, so.
-Is that so?
-Well, I hate playwrights.
Okay.
Why do you hate playwrights?
Because I'm never cast in
anything they've ever written.
So, I hate them.
What are you writing?
That would be a play.
Huh.
Um, you might wanna know--
I'm not interested.
Okay. You might-- you might be
interested to know that
I've actually been
observing you.
Um, from your walk to
your voice and your rhythm.
So you're flirting?
No, no, no. Not my intention.
Oh. I'm kind of in
an "I hate all men" phase, so.
It's very common these days.
Well, all men as well as
all playwrights, it seems, so.
[pills rattling]
[tender music]
Whatever phase I was going
through will... end soon.
Just a few minutes.
I just don't really have
a family anymore.
You know, I don't have a mother,
I don't have a father.
No brother, no sister,
not even a cousin.
Just a lot of money
and unanswered questions.
Well, when your mother died,
I don't think it was the right
idea to drop out of Cornell.
Well, I was never
really happy at Cornell anyway.
Hmm. I mean,
maybe I'd do the same thing
if I came into a lot of money.
Would you like to try?
I'm more than happy
to take it off your hands.
Here.
This is a list of everyone
that I'm genetically related to,
or at least everyone that
also did the 23andMe thing.
These are all
third and fourth cousins.
There's like, over 50 of them.
I know. Crazy, right?
The top person has
51% of your genes.
Mm-hmm. Yep. That's my brother.
And he has a name.
-R. DuPont. Wow.
-Mm-hmm.
Do you think he's related
to the DuPonts,
as in, you know,
the chemical empire?
All I know is
that he's my brother,
and he works at this restaurant.
Okay.
You know, I'm impressed that
you found all of this out.
I'm a lawyer, Cora. It's my job.
Whoa, whoa. Ego down here.
You're in law school, Darbs.
Okay?
It's a little early
to call yourself a lawyer.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Is that a "thank you"
for all the work that I've done?
-You're an idiot.
-[chuckles]
Look, let's just get
all the facts straight, okay?
Nothing would be worse
than accusing the wrong guy.
Okay, well, if you're right
about the address
and the apartment
being on the fifth floor
at the end of the hall
to the elevators,
-the perp is de--
-Where?
The-- Like you said,
the end of the hall
to the elevators on the left.
-Yeah, yeah. Right, right.
-Yeah.
-Right?
-Yes, yes. Sorry.
Then the perp is
definitely River DuPont.
"Perp"?
Yes, perp. You watch TV.
You know what a perp is.
Yeah, it's just funny
to hear you say it.
There's nothing funny about
what happened to you.
We don't know that, okay?
I have no memory of anything.
Literally nothing.
Okay, all I know is that
I woke up with my clothes
neatly folded on a chair
in a strange apartment
with no one else there.
Okay,
there was no one else there.
[Lincoln] You feeling better?
To be accurate,
I'm not feeling like shit.
Remarkably honest.
Why shouldn't I be honest?
I don't know you.
I don't care what you think.
So, I can be honest.
It's only with people
that I really care about
where dishonesty seems to be...
what I do.
Well, your philosophy
seems a bit, uh, twisted.
Ah, yes. Well, you noticed, so.
Like a Gordian Knot.
[laughs] Um...
I don't know what that is,
but it sounds like me.
No, no, no. Let me guess. Um...
Is it a knot
that can't be untied?
[laughs] Oh, my gosh.
Please tell me I'm right.
I need-- I need
the affirmation that my...
I don't know,
brain is, like, still working?
Still functioning.
Like the Death Star.
The Death Star?
Star Wars.
[Lincoln] I didn't
make the connection.
Okay, ready?
[Admiral Ackbar voice]
"Until the battle station
is fully operational..."
[laughs]
"we... we are vulnerable."
Admiral Ackbar said that.
You know, I-- ugh,
I could've played that role.
Is there any reason why
a woman couldn't play
admiral of the battle station?
Well, I'm sure it would've
been more interesting.
I'm sure it would've been
more than interesting.
That thing that you're writing.
Is there a role for me
as an actor?
Um... I-- I'm sure I could
figure something out.
No, you must. You're just--
you're bursting with,
you know, all this creativity
just in seeing me.
What if we work together?
Uh, well, the issue is, uh,
playwrights are not always
the final, uh, decider
in these sorts of affairs.
God, there you go again,
trying to wiggle your way
out of casting me. Why?
You use me.
You deplete me.
You squeeze me
of everything that I've got.
And then your name's
on the marquee,
and I'm still
a fucking bartender.
God, this place is a mess.
If my boss comes,
I'm gonna be fucked or fired.
Do you mind if I ask
what it is you took?
Oxy.
Didn't I tell you to get
a drug test right away?
-Oh, my God.
-Did you?
No. Okay, so we have no proof
that you were drugged.
I must have been.
Okay, it's the only
reasonable conclusion.
You don't wanna believe me?
Really?
I'm just looking
for possible solutions.
No, I was dancing with,
like, everyone.
You know,
Eurotrash music pumping away,
and then, bam.
I'm out,
and I don't even know it.
I did talk to the staff
at the Avant Gardener.
None of them remember you.
They weren't very helpful.
You actually went
to the Avant Gardener?
[Darby] Yeah.
Wow. Thank you.
You don't have to thank me.
I'm just doing my job.
[Cora scoffs]
You're the best.
[Darby sighs]
River DuPont does work here.
His shift starts soon.
Sheesh. How'd you learn that?
You don't wanna know.
He's coming here?
A few anonymous phone calls
enlightened me
as to his schedule.
Wait, no.
I am not confronting anyone.
Okay, let's take this
one step at a time, okay?
You know, I think I need
the bathroom. I'll be back.
Maybe my father had
a kid with someone else
and that we just
didn't know about.
Maybe your mother
had an affair and...
your father isn't your father?
No, because then if
my mother gave birth
to someone my age,
then I would've known.
Or at least my father
would've known.
Did you message this R. DuPont?
God, no. No, I wouldn't.
I wanted to, like,
check him out first.
What do you mean, check him out?
Well, I-- What if
he's a horrible person?
Well, I mean,
he'd still be your brother.
We can't pick our relatives.
I mean...
Yeah, but then I can, like,
choose not to embrace him
as a brother or something.
I still think it would be safer
just to message him on the app.
And Google shows that there's,
like, too many R. DuPonts
that live in New York,
but, um, this one's
-the only one in Manhattan.
-[cell phone ringing]
Uh, sorry, honey.
I gotta take this.
-Sorry.
-How so reporter of you.
I'm going to the loo.
You take your call.
Yes.
[sighs]
[quirky music]
[sighs, laughs]
Okay. This is what I look like.
This is...
this is what we're
working with today.
[sighs] Fuck.
These heels are stupid.
This is stupid. This is dumb.
So this is the outfit that
you're gonna be meeting
your brother in.
Stupid. You're so stupid.
These rings are stupid.
And your hair.
[laughing dryly]
[sighs]
[exhales] It's gonna be fine.
It's gonna be fine.
This is great.
You look good.
You're dazzling.
You're gonna dazzle him,
and he's gonna love you.
Don't worry,
I didn't hear anything.
Oh, I wasn't-- I wasn't
really saying anything.
So it's okay.
-[water runs, stops]
-[Cora] Yeah. I do that too.
Yeah. [chuckles]
Well, it's... just silly.
The mirror's a great option,
to-- to talk to yourself,
when you have no other options.
I use it all the time.
Sometimes it's my best friend.
Sure.
You, um...
look great.
Don't worry.
At least, um, well...
whatever it is.
Or whoever it is.
Never mind.
Um, do you recognize this guy?
Hmm? Uh, no. This is...
Uh, River DuPont?
Don't know.
Um, he lives in this building
in Slope Park.
He lives on the fifth floor
at the end of the hall.
Uh...
maybe if I heard his voice.
I don't remember.
Well, I don't have that.
Yet.
Okay.
And let's assume
this guy shows up.
And-- and
it turns out to be him.
Then what the hell
am I supposed to do?
Then we set the wheels
of justice in motion.
Even if I don't
remember anything?
Look, you woke up in a guy's
bed with nothing on, right?
Yeah, it's circumstantial, but
you could still go to a doctor.
You might have
evidence inside you.
Ew, excuse me?
A lot of these cases
go unchecked because
women feel too--
like it's too traumatic,
or, understandably,
they don't wanna know.
Yeah, it never ends well
for the woman.
Okay, chill.
Um, did you go to
the club alone?
Yeah.
You have a problem with that?
No, I can just see the headlines
on the New York Post now:
"Third grade art teacher has
secret life at dance clubs."
Seriously?
I'm just trying to think of what
the jury would make of this.
So I'm right.
I-- I should not be here.
They're gonna
turn me into a slut.
No. No, no, no, no, no.
No, not at all.
If we handle this smartly,
which we are,
and we take this
one step at a time,
we can avoid that outcome.
You know,
I think we should just...
-drop all of this.
-Cora.
I found the guy.
I found the guy!
Yeah.
[sighs]
I could still use something
other than this
cold coffee beverage here.
Gosh, you are
so high-maintenance.
Gosh, I'm like, always attracted
to high-maintenance people.
But don't let that
get to your head, okay?
You're not
high-maintenance enough.
Well, look, I can assure you
I'm not insolent
in any capacity.
Oh, insolent.
Yeah, that's what all guys say.
[chuckles]
Look, I don't wanna
sound arrogant, but...
I am somewhat of a nice guy.
You're writing a play,
using me as your muse,
and you won't even cast me.
Perhaps if you tried being
a bit more helpful.
Well, the pills used
to make me helpful.
Guess not anymore.
I-- I'm sorry.
I have to tell you something.
-Okay. Listening.
-Um... I can tell.
[chuckles]
Um...
You have really nice eyes.
Uh...
so do you.
[chuckles] Really?
I've always thought my eyes
were rather ordinary.
Well,
you are anything but ordinary.
What were we talking about?
Uh, you-- you were
trying to tell me something.
Oh.
I'm pregnant.
Wow. Uh, that's-- that's...
What?
Well, you seem
really happy about it, so.
Um...
but at least now it's like,
you know, I feel-- I feel calm,
and I feel...
like I don't care.
You know... so.
So, uh,
how are you gonna proceed?
Well, you know, I have--
You know,
it's early days, so, um...
You know, they're just
in there multiplying, and,
uh, you know...
E equals MC squared.
Uh...
going very fast, light speed.
-You know, uh--
-Physics.
Physics, yeah. [laughs] So...
I gotta-- I gotta take
some action or something, but.
You know, I once--
I once had a crazy dream,
and I was married
to Albert Einstein.
Oh, my God. Having sex with
a genius rather than a loser?
[exhales]
It's a game-changer.
So. [laughs] Um...
Yeah. But, you know,
everything's relative.
Can I ask you your name?
Just because
we're talking like this,
you wanna know my name now?
Oh, well, look,
I didn't mean to overstep.
Oh, yeah?
Um... well, what's your name?
Lincoln. Lincoln Larue.
Is that a made-up writer's name?
Well, actually, um,
everything is rewritten.
-[laughing]
-It's relative.
Ember Net.
You sure you don't have any tea?
Of course we have tea.
Do you think that guy down there
at the bar is your R. DuPont?
[Vera] Nah,
he just looks like a customer.
So, when I was on the phone
with my office,
I asked them to run a quick
check on this restaurant.
It is apparently owned
by DuPont Enterprises.
Not the chemical company,
but a Hunter DuPont
who owns several businesses
and buildings in New York.
And he's got quite a reputation.
He's one of those guys,
a lot of money,
uses it to get what he wants.
Your R. DuPont must be his son.
Well, did you get
the name of his son?
Or, like,
what's the "R" stand for?
Not yet. But I'm thinking
of going down there
and see what I can find out,
and get something to eat.
Uh, no. No, I know you.
You're gonna go have a chat,
and then you're gonna
blow my cover.
[Jayce laughs]
-Your cover?
-Uh, yeah, my cover.
Okay, honey, you're watching
way too much TV, sweetheart.
Okay, whatever it is, I--
Please, just don't
say anything about me.
It'll be fine.
I'm just gonna feel it out.
No, you're gonna promise me
that you're not gonna
say anything about me.
-I promise. I promise.
-Okay.
Yes, I'm good. We're good.
Yeah. We're good. Okay.
Okay.
Then let's say we drop this.
Right here, right now,
and we walk away
from it completely.
Then what are you left with?
A black hole.
A gaping black hole that
lasts all night in a man's bed.
You wanna live like that?
No, I don't want any of it.
Okay. So, you said that
you remember dancing.
You remember being at the club,
admittedly with a lot of people,
and someone handed you
a drink, right?
Yeah. People were passing around
beers with straws in them,
and I thought that was funny.
So I handed it to someone else,
and eventually another one
ended up in my hands.
Okay. I see, I see.
I remember going to
the restroom,
which was mobbed with girls,
because... yeah.
And it was a long line,
so I waited for a stall to open.
Do you remember feeling okay
when you were in the stall?
Yeah.
I-- I think.
I-- I don't really know...
I guess.
[low, tense music]
Oh, shit.
I think I remember something.
I remember, um...
I remember in the bathroom,
there was banging
and yelling that started,
and-- and I put
my hand in my head,
and I think
I must have nodded off,
for, like, a second
or something, because...
I remember that my heart--
my heart literally
jumped out of, like, my chest
because of the banging
and the yelling.
And it got so violent
that I got scared,
so I wanted to get out.
So I got out fast, and--
and as I opened the door,
someone just pushed it
back hard, because I-- I fell.
Like, I fell back
onto the toilet.
And then-- and then, uh...
And then I--
I was feeling woozy,
so he, like, held me up.
Like, he was, like, hugging me.
No, like-- like, holding me
and moving to the music.
-Like he was dancing?
-No, not really. Like...
Like he-- like we were walking.
Yeah. Yeah. We walked out.
I-- I remember
because it was raining,
and the rain hit my face,
and it felt kind of good.
-[Darby] And then?
-And then-- and then...
[sighs]
Nothing.
And then nothing.
The next thing that I remembered
was waking up in that bedroom.
And...
and I remember waking up
and looking around.
And it took me the longest time
to figure out...
where the hell I was,
and what I was doing there.
And who I was.
I didn't even
remember who I was.
So I looked around,
and then I saw my clothes.
Folded on the chair,
with my shoes perfectly
aligned at the bottom.
Like, perfectly symmetrical.
Symmetrically,
like, below the chair.
That's a statement.
Yeah, he's trying to show
that he's in control.
So then I got up and I ran.
I ran as fast as I could.
Okay, okay. Let's not be upset.
I'm not upset. I'm not upset.
Okay, I'm angry.
Okay, I'm-- I'm mad.
I'm pissed off. I'm furious.
Just-- Ugh!
I hate men.
[quirky music]
-Hi.
-Hi.
I was wondering if you have
any non-alcoholic whiskey.
And, uh, a menu.
What is going on in here today?
Tea?
Non-alcoholic whiskey? What?
Yes, please.
Well, it's actually
quite popular these days, so,
-great choice.
-[Ember] What's the point?
Like, why drink whiskey
if you're not gonna get drunk?
I take it you don't have any.
Are you the owner?
Or related to the owner?
Girl, I wish.
The owner is...
Why are you asking?
Doesn't Hunter DuPont
own this place?
Yeah.
What can you tell me about him?
Again, why are you asking?
I'm a reporter.
A reporter.
Hmm. Well,
I'm not talking to any reporter.
Uh,
does Hunter DuPont have a son?
Uh, I said I can't talk
about any personal things, so.
I'll go check in the back for
your non-alcoholic whatever.
So I'll be back.
Okay.
-[door opens, closes]
-Well, that went great.
Well, hello there.
Uh, you work here?
I do not.
Um, I'm just, I suppose,
working here temporarily.
Yeah, but I meant for the bar,
not at the bar momentarily.
Oh. Um...
well,
as you can probably assume,
I'm a writer.
What kind of a writer?
What do you write?
Um, I'm a playwright.
-I write...
-Oh, okay.
...plays.
Great.
You-- you seem...
apathetic, unimpressed.
[laughs] Oh,
you sound like a writer.
No, I'm sure when I do have
the pleasure of seeing
one of your plays,
I will be very impressed.
Have I had the pleasure of being
impressed by one of your plays?
To be frank,
I doubt that you have.
But hopefully, hopefully soon.
Hmm. I like you.
What's your name?
-Lincoln Larue.
-Yeah, I don't know that name.
But it's
definitely unforgettable.
You know, I can see it
on the marquee, kid.
Oh, yeah.
I'll definitely remember you.
So, do you come here often?
This is actually my first time
here, believe it or not.
Oh. Okay, then. Never mind.
Thank you.
Uh, good luck with your play.
Leaving so soon? You're--
Oh, no, I'm not leaving.
I just--
There's not a whole lot to say.
Well, that's fair enough.
-Also, you seem very busy.
-Well, I am, but, uh...
You're a journalist?
Yeah, but I personally
prefer "reporter."
Oh. Well, that's-- that's fair.
Um, well,
if you're a reporter, then you--
then there must be
a beat of some kind.
You've been watching
too many movies, kiddo.
-[Lincoln laughs]
-Yeah, I do have a beat.
It's New York City. I mean...
it's New York City, so,
anything and everything
interesting that happens here.
-There's always something.
-Right.
So you think there's a story
here, then, at this restaurant?
I mean, look at this place.
There's a story somewhere.
I mean, you know, wherever there
are people, there's a story.
I just have to find it.
[door creaks, thuds]
[Ember] Okay. Um...
so we do not have
any alcohol-free whiskey,
but I do have alcohol-free beer.
Yeah, no.
Uh, thank you, though. Um...
can I have a menu?
Well, lunch is over,
uh, and the kitchen's not gonna
be open for a few hours. Um...
How about some bar nuts?
Sure.
Um, and a seltzer,
if you don't mind.
-On the house.
-[Jayce] Um...
I really would love to meet
and hopefully interview
the owner's son.
Is that possible?
Does he come around much?
You really don't let up, do you?
[Jayce] No.
[chuckles] I told you,
I can't-- I can't talk to you.
I don't know anything.
Okay.
Well, thank you for
the seltzer and the nuts.
[Jayce] The kitchen's closed,
but I was able to get us
a bowl of nuts.
The bartender
was actually rather put off
by my questions
about Hunter Dupont,
which makes me think
that she was actually
trained to keep her mouth shut.
Hmm. Really?
What's your passcode?
-Hmm.
Your birthday.
-You remember.
-Mm-hmm.
Hmm. V, have you looked at
the health section of the app?
What do you mean?
I didn't see anything.
You, my dear, you have
the E4 variant.
Okay, like I know
what that means.
Also, you have none of
the three variants that
cause breast cancer.
Oh, my God.
Yeah.
That's what my mother died of.
Well, I guess that's possible.
She must have had the variant,
but you were lucky enough
not to get it.
[sighing] Science is
a magnificent and glorious
human pursuit, okay? Yes.
But as it produces
these floods of information,
then that information needs to
be labeled and categorized,
and then people who control the
money and politics and power,
they can use
those appellations to, um,
use it as a tool to oppress,
to segregate, to abuse.
I mean, look at history.
Ever heard of ethnic cleansing?
I'm saying we should just
remain vigilant, super vigilant.
God knows when the next thing
or next person is going to be
who's going to come around
and change everything.
Enough for the better.
Okay, well, like I said,
I did this to find out about
my DNA relatives, not to...
look at the fine print.
[ominous orchestral music]
Hi.
Okay, then.
Someone has arrived.
What are you doing?
Look, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
River!
Well, we have a confirmation
on his name.
I barely touched you.
You know what?
Can we not do this here?
You can't just walk out on me
like that.
Yeah, well, I have
to get to work.
There's no one here.
You're a customer, right?
Yes.
Amber, you can't just...
Can't just walk out on me
like that. All right?
I can't do a show like that,
you know that.
Can I get you
something to drink?
Um, well, I-- I could do
a non-alcoholic beer,
perhaps, if-- if you
have one of those. Um...
What's non-alcoholic beer?
Yeah, it's a thing.
Very popular.
You should try it.
I have a double Heineken Zero.
Is that okay, Lincoln?
Sure.
Lincoln?
Yes, that would be my name.
Look, we're a bit busy
for the minute. Can you just...
can you wait on that beer?
I got you.
Yeah, get him his beer,
and then just...
can-- could you leave us alone
for a little bit?
Thanks.
Do you recognize him?
No, he's not jogging any memory.
Well, he looks like an asshole.
Clearly someone who would drug
and assault a woman.
How could you
possibly know that?
Okay, okay, yeah, maybe I am
jumping to conclusions.
Oh, he's not charming.
But that's about
all you can say.
[intriguing string music]
Really? Binoculars?
River.
He's a customer,
plus he's a really nice guy.
[River] Yeah,
how do you know that?
[sighs] That he's a customer
or a really nice guy?
Don't-- don't be cute.
Okay, I am cute.
Well, I can't say that about
your fucking apartment.
I mean, it's a mess.
Jesus Christ.
Do you ever clean up?
Babes, don't worry so much
about the apartment, okay?
I'll clean it up.
Come on, go sit down.
I know things haven't
worked out for either of us.
But maybe we can start fresh.
You just can't be
so upset, okay?
Plus, we need to talk.
Wait, okay, you take them.
She's saying something to him.
I can't-- I can't tell--
What--
[Jayce] Trying to
read her lips...
He wants to talk to her
about something.
This is actually kind of cool.
I feel like Angela Lansbury
in Murder, She Wrote.
Okay.
You good?
I sure am.
[River] Hey.
[Ember] Yes, yes, I'm coming.
I'm feeling lightheaded.
I think I need
a glass of water.
Oh, I'll go get you some.
What, you're just gonna go up
and grab it yourself?
It's called initiative.
I swear,
I am never drinking again.
You can drink at home
with your girlfriends.
That's about it these days.
Listen, I'm not sure
the-- the bartender
will return soon to help you.
Not really.
You are sure?
-[Lincoln] Yes.
-Well...
I have a glass in my hand,
and all I need is this.
Who needs a bartender
when you have me?
Um, I can see that.
So, um, you seem pretty,
uh, familiar with the drama
that's been going on
up here at the bar.
Well, I am just
a bystander, so...
Well, you're sitting,
not standing, so there's that.
Yes, um, there's that.
You're taking notes?
I'm a writer.
Ah, a writer.
And with a pencil.
You even have
a pencil sharpener.
Makes me feel like
I'm back at high school.
Um, the-- the pencil is really
my preferred weapon of choice,
so to speak.
-They're so tactile.
-Yes.
So, I know you know
who this guy is, uh,
who's treating the bartender
rather severely.
Is that the right word? Severe?
Um, I-- I would say
that harshly
is perhaps the-- the more
adequate, uh, terminology.
-What were they arguing about?
-I-- I'm not sure.
I don't really know them, so...
You're a writer.
You observe people.
You draw conclusions based
on your observations.
Stop being so obstreperous.
I know you know something that
you're not telling me.
Come on.
Obstreperous.
[eerie instrumental music]
Okay, okay, okay.
Are you calm?
Why do I need to be calm?
Why do I need to be calm?
What?
What? What?
-Do you have any more?
-Of...
Of, um, you know what I mean.
You don't have a--
Ember, you gotta be careful.
I need like a hundred of them.
You're losing control.
I'm fine. I'm fine.
-You're not fine.
-I'm fine.
You're not fine.
We need to talk, okay?
Why? What--
What-- what is it?
I'm pregnant.
You're sure?
Yes.
Fuck.
Well, we'll-- we'll just,
we'll take care of it.
Make the problem go away.
It'll all be fine. Just--
Can you not say that?
Like, it's like your decision?
Well...
-That's your response to me?
-What, what, what...
Don't tell me you want
to keep it.
Like, someone you love,
you don't talk to like that.
You care how they feel.
You should want
to make sure I'm okay--
Okay, it's-- it's--
it's not a discussion.
It's not a discussion. It's--
What do you mean,
it's not a discussion?
It's the discussion.
Ember, what?
You want to keep it?
-I don't know.
-What-- what do you want?
-Why-- why do you--
-I'm confused.
I'm confused.
What, so you want to
have some kind of
like, phony-ass discussion
where we wind up at
the same conclusion anyway?
Oh, my god, please stop yelling.
[Ember sighing]
Oh, um, excuse me.
Can I get
a glass of water, please...
[Ember] What are you doing?
I just figured I was helping.
Helping who? Yourself?
Chop this up
at the table, please.
[dishes clinking]
Here.
[energetic house music]
[music abruptly ceases]
You've lost your binocular
privileges, they're mine.
My brother looks upset.
Do you think it's judicious
to refer to him
as your brother yet?
I like saying it.
I don't like that girl.
She's making my brother upset.
Okay, girl, you're having
a lot of assumptions.
It feels like you're rushing
towards a train wreck.
Okay, can we just like let me
have this moment about
fantasizing about my brother?
Thank you.
Okay, have your moment.
[intriguing orchestral music]
[Lincoln] You okay?
-Yeah.
-You sure?
Yeah, no, I'm fine, actually.
As fine as a woman can be.
Which is pretty
fucking fine, so...
All right.
Um, I'm not.
Okay, okay, I'm-- I'm pregnant.
Yes, you mentioned that.
Look, I don't-- I don't
wish to make any assumptions,
but, um, by chance, is that
what you and your boyfriend
-were fighting about?
-He's not my boyfriend.
-Right.
-He's just-- a guy.
Right.
[intriguing orchestral music]
What the fuck
are you talking about?
That's ridicu--
Holy fucking shit.
Nah, yeah, yeah, no.
I'll call you back.
Oh, Jesus.
What the hell
are you doing here?
I just came by to say hi
to Ember, okay? That's it.
You came by to say hi to Ember?
[River] Yeah.
Well, we know that's bullshit.
-Okay.
-Right. Are you strung out?
-No.
-You need money.
I came by to help, that's it.
To help? Well, that's what
we have your brother for.
Yeah, well,
Richard's not here, okay?
Oh? Hi, Mr. Dupont.
[Hunter] Yeah, Ember.
So let me ask you, are you
the reason that he's here?
Uh, yeah,
he just stopped by to talk.
[Hunter] What the hell
is going on?
I mean, we have 85 people
coming tonight.
There's not enough top shelf
liquor up there.
These-- these-- these--
these-- these boxes
are all over the place.
There's no tablecloths
on the tables.
Well, I mean, what the hell
are you thinking?
Right, right. Uh, I was just
about to get to those.
I like you.
You know?
I mean, you're a good kid.
That's why I have you here.
But, uh...
I mean, you need to do better.
Am I right?
God put his hand on you when
you arrived in this world.
-Sorry, I'm sorry.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa.
What's that about?
-Uh...
-What was that about?
-I don't...
-What are you doing?
-I'm sorry--
-Come on, what, what is this?
-You scared me.
-I scared you?
-I'm sorry.
-You scared me.
I don't mean to scare you.
No, it's okay.
It's just this...
I don't know why,
but it just really scared me.
All right, listen to me.
Listen, take it easy.
Take it easy. Take it easy.
I'm your friend.
-Okay, yeah. Uh-huh.
-I'm your friend, okay?
-Mm-hmm.
-I'm here to help you.
Okay.
You gotta take care of
what He gave you, right?
Don't waste what
your maker gave you.
I don't really know anything
about your heart, but, uh...
Well, I'd say that
you lack courage.
Good.
Good.
You still here?
You don't get it.
She needs me here, okay?
I don't get it.
I don't get it. Jesus Christ.
How many times have I heard you
say that, I don't get it?
Why don't you play
another record?
All right. All right, look.
Like I said, Dad, I can help.
Yeah, well,
I don't need your help.
All right, well,
maybe you don't have a choice.
All right? You chose to piss
away everything
that I ever gave you, right?
Money, education, a job.
You're right. Thank you so much
for doing your job as a father.
What about your job as a son,
as a human being?
I mean, not just to me.
What about your mother?
No, don't.
Don't bring Mom into this.
You know I'm not the one
who brought her down.
Well, Jesus Christ, not to me.
You were a fucking drug addict.
God, it's--
it's never on you, is it?
It's-- it's always my fault.
It's all my fault, right?
-She loved everything about you.
-No, no, no, you're right.
-She loved you.
-You're right.
-There's no accountability.
-Your weaknesses.
Oh, my God.
Yes, she loved me.
She loved me.
Because we were close,
and she was my mother.
And, I mean, where the fuck
were you? Where were you?
-Where the fuck was I?
-Yeah.
I was paying the bills,
and I was bailing your ass
out of every fucking problem
you ever had.
It's never you.
It's never you, is it?
Jesus. Can you believe
this fucking kid?
Can you believe him?
Everybody, let's--
let's give him
a round of applause for
this wonderful performance.
Look, if you're gonna go,
just go. All right? Go.
Nobody here wants to see you.
I-- I don't want to see you.
Your brother
doesn't want to see you.
And stay away from Ember.
She's off limits to you.
Give everybody a round
on the house, all right?
Come on, come on.
Let's--
let's get this place cooking.
We got people coming.
[ambient street noise]
[mysterious piano music]
[horn honking]
Dad?
Richard.
Know you're gonna make me proud.
[intriguing music]
Oh, my God, Darbs.
There's two of them.
Wait, what the fuck?
He's a twin?
Looks that way from here.
Oh, there is no way that
I am related to these people.
They are fucked up.
No wonder my mom was a mess.
Well, there's definitely
a story with this Dupont family.
Yeah, okay.
I love that for you,
but I just want to
get out of here.
Okay.
And that's another R. Dupont
perp that we're looking for.
-You're kidding me, right?
-Twins?
How are we supposed to know if
it's him or if it's his brother?
[Darby] Um...
I really don't know how
we're ever gonna figure
that one out.
You know, Ember,
was that just River I saw?
Yeah, he was here.
Yeah, what was he doing here?
[drawer closing]
But the one thing
you've gotta fix is River.
He's no good for anyone,
especially someone
as fragile as you.
-Fragile?
-Fragile.
Hmm. Thanks for the advice.
[liquid pouring]
[dishes clinking]
[Richard] Tell River that, uh,
he's got the apartment back.
-Your dad's apartment?
-Yeah.
[chuckling] Yeah. Yeah.
Uh, hey, buddy, what's up?
[mischievous music]
Hey.
Keep the change.
[camera clicking]
Thanks for the entertainment.
[River] Have a good day.
How are you getting home?
Uh, subway.
No, you're coming in
the car with me.
-Oh, am I?
-Yeah.
There's a story here.
Mmm. No, the story
is that 23andMe is a scam,
and I'm gonna get my money back.
Good luck getting your money
back from Google.
Oh, I need a drink of water.
Otherwise, I am going
to literally faint.
Yeah, yeah, take your time.
You know it's not just for you.
You know that, right?
Yeah.
You okay?
That's the third time
you've asked me that.
Sorry, I keep repeating myself.
What are you thinking?
I think that
you will be all right.
Sublime, even.
I don't know what that means.
It-- it means
that there's, uh...
There's --
there's something, um...
Uh, Je ne sais quoi about you.
Thanks, I...
I also don't know
what that means.
There's something, uh...
Alluring about you.
I suppose.
I don't know. I'm--
I'm at a loss for words. Um--
A playwright...
at a loss for words?
You know,
I'm very attracted to you.
Uh, you're very appealing.
You're very kind.
But I don't think it's--
it's good for me
to be doing anything...
Right now.
I just need to be alone.
Figure shit out.
Well, listen, I-- I would be
delighted to take you out
to a restaurant in--
in whatever capacity
you would like, if that's...
No. Sorry.
-Hi.
-Hi. Uh, we'd like to pay.
Yeah, yeah, sure.
Just settle up with me.
Thank you.
[machine whirring]
It was nice chatting with you,
by the way.
Oh, uh, likewise.
I don't need that.
I have my own pen.
Okay.
Okay, Ember, we have
a lot of organizing to do.
Um, if you do
need anything else,
my card is at the front.
Thank you for the...
incredible evening.
Thanks, guys.
Fucking Judas Priest!
[eerie orchestral music]
[gentle orchestral music]
[horn honking]
[haunting vocal music]
[man shouting]
Hey, so the kitchen
is not open yet,
but do you want to look at
the menu in the meantime?
How about, uh, two cups of tea?
Can you do that?
-For two?
-Um, Earl Grey, if you have it.
Okay. Sure.
I'll get that for you.
Thank you.
[dishes clattering]
[Lincoln] Hello.
-Hi.
-You have arrived.
[chuckling] Yeah.
This is my arrival.
Please.
Um, well, thank you for coming.
-I appreciate it.
-Oh, yeah. Of course.
Uh, thank you so much
for reaching out.
Yeah.
You know, I've been really busy
just going from, like...
I just figured I could stop in
for a coffee,
you know, catch up.
You're busy. That's good.
-Yeah, yeah, yeah.
-Excellent, yeah.
Um, you know, it's crazy.
I haven't seen you
in, like, a year.
You know what, it's actually...
I think it's been, like, nine
months or so, to be exact.
-But who's counting?
-Oh, yeah, right.
No, who's counting?
-You are.
-Uh, well...
Okay. I-- I am.
I can't--
I can't help myself.
Well, I don't know if
you remember, but...
last time we were together...
You--
You wouldn't remember because
you're a man, you know,
sometimes they
don't remember things.
Um, no offense.
But you asked me out to dinner.
I didn't forget.
I'm sorry if
I was rude at all. I--
No, no, no, it--
it's okay. Don't...
No need
to apologize, okay? Um...
If I can recall,
you were actually busy, I think,
cleaning up for an event.
I figured I'd call later,
but when I did,
they said you had quit.
And wouldn't give me a number
for you, so...
Yeah, it was a bad day. Um...
-But you found me.
-I did, I did. I-- I--
I tracked you down, finally.
Yeah, I don't like being
tracked down.
Okay, uh...
Um...
So what have you been up to?
Um, what's going on
in Lincoln's land?
-I've been writing.
-Oh, good.
-I've been writing, so...
-Good, good.
Yeah. Well, you--
you-- you look great.
Uh, oh, my...
you think?
Just, uh... threw it on.
Uh, and you look...
I mean...
Honestly, I don't even remember
what you looked like.
You know,
I was so screwed up, so...
So I just...
I went cold turkey.
I've been sober for,
like, nine months.
On-- on the pills?
-Yeah, I've been...
-You're going through-- oh.
Well, that-- that's great.
I'm happy to...
I'm happy to hear that.
That's good.
Yeah, it was necessary.
I was...
not in a good headspace, and...
-Yeah.
-I had to break up with River.
Oh, River.
Yeah, yeah, because him
and the-- pills are just--
just too connected, you know?
-Right.
-Um, so...
Yeah, so I don't drink.
I don't... drugs.
Uh, no red meat.
I'm a pegan.
Um...
I'm sorry. I'm not--
I'm not exactly sure
what a pegan is.
Yeah, yeah, no.
No, a pegan, so it's, uh, vegan
and, uh, paleo.
So it's basically, like,
twigs, nuts, berries, leaves,
branches, and an occasional
wild-cut salmon.
Um...
That seems like a very limited
array of options.
No, no. Oh, my God.
No, I can eat a lot of stuff.
That seems very healthy, and...
Well, I'm just trying to,
you know, get out from there.
-Right.
-And control's good for me.
-Absolutely.
-I don't know if you've read
what happened
with Richard Dupont.
-Oh, yeah, I mean, goodness.
-River's brother.
I-- I-- I actually haven't heard
about Richard, no.
Basically, three women came
forward and...
spoke on how he had drugged them
and sexually assaulted them.
-Horrible.
-Yeah.
So he was arrested, thank God,
but his father
just bailed him out, you know?
You know what?
Speaking of--
of reading up on--
on the Duponts, um, there was
a New Yorker piece about Hunter.
It was an expos of sorts
on how his clubs have illegal
betting services and--
and other, you know, escort...
Um...
So, are you-- are you acting?
You still...
Oh, God, no. No.
I gave that up with also, like,
all the other things.
Drugs, alcohol.
I just-- I mean, I started
therapy, right, so I can't--
I can't really afford her,
so I just go, like,
I've only gone a couple times.
-Only-- only--
-It's really useful, though.
But only a couple times
it's useful?
What? Like, why are you saying
that like-- [both chuckling]
[both chuckling]
-I don't...
-No, no, no, it's okay.
-You're saying I need therapy.
-I'm-- I'm not, I apologize.
-I'm hurt.
-I don't mean to...
-I don't mean to pry.
-No, I'm hurt.
And I'm never gonna
forgive you.
No, no, no. [chuckles]
I-- I don't really
have much experience
with the whole therapy thing,
so I...
Yeah, I can tell.
I think you need therapy.
-Yeah.
-Oh, okay.
I think you need therapy.
You think I need therapy.
-Mm-hmm.
-Um. Why-- why is that?
Why do I need therapy?
Uh, you have extreme
procrastination issues.
Look how long it took you
to track me down.
Oh. Okay.
Speaking of which, have you
even finished your play?
Okay, well, that-- that's
interesting you mention that,
because, in fact, I did.
-Oh! Congratulations.
-I-- I did.
I-I did finish my play, um,
and that's sort of
the reason why
I made an effort to find you.
Why?
I'm gonna be having a reading
of my play this Saturday,
and I was gonna ask you
to play the lead.
What?
Yes, but-- but if you--
if you aren't interested, I...
Wh-- why me?
Um...
I'm...
I'm sorry. Um...
Okay, this Saturday,
a reading, me the lead.
I just don't even know if
I'm that good anymore,
you know what I mean?
I haven't, like, acted
in a really long time,
and, like,
I have a lot
of anxiety around it,
which is why
I haven't really decided if
I want to go back, and, like,
I think people said I was good,
but also maybe it's just my ego?
Like, maybe it's just, like,
I think I'm good, and, like,
maybe I, like, lost my touch.
Maybe I feel like I'm good,
and I'm gonna start
and make a big fool of myself
-in your play...
-Yeah.
...that you worked so hard on.
Whoa, I'm sorry. Uh...
No, no, no, no,
don't apologize.
I just-- I--
I think this, right now,
what-- what you've
just expressed is...
...you know, is all the--
the little doubts of--
of every artist that--
that's, you know,
trying to find their way,
and... that's okay.
-Thanks.
-Ah.
But, uh, okay, yeah,
so now that you're,
I guess, no longer acting...
Well, I-- I didn't say that.
I'm honestly thinking about it.
-Okay, so-- so...
-Okay.
...you-- you--
you might be interested
in doing the reading.
I'll do it.
-Yeah.
-You'll do it?
-Yeah.
-Great.
That's-- that's--
that's amazing. Thank you.
-Yep.
-Thank you.
Okay.
So, now that that is settled,
now that you are gonna be doing
a reading in my play,
um, are--
are you okay with playwrights?
I'm okay with this playwright.
[upbeat music]
[eerie orchestral music]