A Man on the Inside (2024) s01e03 Episode Script

[soft jazz music]
This meeting of the resident council
is called to order.
The honorable president,
Susan Yang, presiding.
As always, please unwrap your mints
and candies before we begin.
[candy wrappers rustling]
First order of business,
comments and complaints.
The entire first floor is too cold.
Who's in charge of the thermometer,
a dang penguin?
All the food is too salty.
None of the food is salty enough!
National Treasure Two
has not been returned to the library.
Helen Mirren's in that one.
It's beneath her.
She's a dame of the empire,
for God's sake.
It's not your turn, Grant.
It's a salient point, Susan.
- Your gavel is too loud.
- [Susan] It's not your turn either.
Everything tastes like pennies,
and none of us can feel our arms.
- [button beeps]
- [indistinct talk over radio]
[light clapping]
He'll be fine. Who's next?
Where's that pompous bastard?
[crowd gasping]
You!
You stole my watch.
[crowd gasps]
- "You" is me?
- [Elliott] You were in my room last night.
I stepped out for a cigar,
and, while I was gone,
someone walked in
and took my 1979 Cartier.
[laughs] Oh, you tried to steal my woman,
and you couldn't, so you stole my watch.
I'm not yours to steal!
And nothing happened.
[Elliott] Something happened, all right.
My watch was stolen!
By my sexual rival.
[crowd muttering]
Big news. There's been another theft.
- Elliott's watch got stolen.
- [gasps]
Okay. Are there any suspects?
Yes. Me. [chuckles]
Elliott accused me of stealing it
in public this morning.
No one believed him.
He's the one who left the note on my door.
Sort of my "sexual rival," if you will.
I won't.
Are there any real suspects?
[knocking at door]
Who is that, I wonder? Interesting.
[chuckles]
[mysterious music]
[screams]
[knocking]
[Emily] Dad?
Dad, I saw you.
There's a sign with your name on it.
[laughing] Sorry. Tricky door.
What are you doing here?
Uh, well, last night you mentioned
that your gardening tools were rusty,
so I drove down
to surprise you with new ones.
You weren't home, I checked the app.
But when I got here,
they told me you were in room 322,
which is apparently your apartment?
Okay. Uh.
There's a perfectly reasonable
explanation for this.
Hi. I'm Emily Nieuwendyk,
Charles's daughter.
Uh-oh.
Uh-oh.
There's a fairly complicated
explanation for this.
[theme music]
Okay. Let's get started. Busy day.
Any word from
the resident council meeting?
Just the usual complaints,
with one exception.
Elliott is claiming
Charles stole his watch.
What? Why?
He's just mad because Virginia
was all over Charles at happy hour.
Yes. Virginia and Elliott. Ross and Rachel
of the San Francisco geriatric community.
Okay. This is probably Elliott nonsense,
but we still need to do our thing.
Scour the place for the watch
and make sure everyone feels safe.
Where is Charles now?
I think he's in his room.
He has a new visitor today.
Maybe another daughter.
I thought he only had the one.
So there you are. [chuckles]
Yeah, in a way, it's kind of like
a gardening-photography-painting class.
I'm weeding out bad guys,
developing a theory of the crime,
and hoping that no one gets framed.
Wow. I am just now realizing how unlikely
a gardening-photography-painting class
actually is.
Hey, you told me to find a hobby.
I meant yoga, not espionage.
How could you put him at risk like this?
He answered my ad.
I offered him a job, and he took it.
And he's not in any danger.
- Well, I'm in a little danger.
- There is zero danger.
Nothing bad could happen to him.
- I could trip and fall.
- That can happen anywhere.
You are safer here than in your own home.
There are alarms
on the toilets if you fall off.
There is a chair in the shower.
Your dad is in no physical danger.
- I'm in emotional danger.
- Whose side are you on, man?
- I'm just saying. I
- [knocking at door]
Well, you better go get it.
Might be another daughter.
Come in.
[door opens]
- Huh.
- Ah.
Hi. I heard you had a visitor.
I just wanted to introduce myself.
Perfect timing.
This is Didi. She runs the place.
You remember my daughter, Emily?
Hiya, Froggy.
Hi.
And this is my niece, Julie.
Hi, Didi.
My uncle has told me so much about you.
It's so wonderful
when we have multiple family members
come visit residents.
It really makes a big difference.
Yeah, well, we have a big family.
I have cousins I've barely even met yet.
So, um, what could we show you?
Would you like to see the library perhaps?
Or how about a croissant?
The croissants are incredible.
I'm not hungry.
Hey, Charles.
Why don't you show Emily out?
And I will take Julie on a tour.
I'll bring her to your room.
Perfect.
Is she gonna blow up our spot?
I do not know what that means,
but from context, no, I don't think so.
Get her out as soon as possible.
As for the case,
see what you can find out about Jaylen.
Seems like our best suspect. Call me.
Unless Emily tells Didi the truth,
in which case run.
Got it.
Wait. Really?
Yeah.
So, it seems like maybe this move
was a surprise to you?
It was.
Yeah, my uncle didn't tell me anything
about you or this place.
Transitions like this can be tricky.
Every family handles them differently.
Just know that Charles
has joined a vibrant community.
Seniors lose touch with people,
so being in a place like this
can make all the difference.
[door panel beeps]
What's in there? The nuclear codes?
[chuckles]
This is our memory care facility.
We call it the Neighborhood,
mostly because the term "memory care"
causes some people
to make the face
that you're making right now.
My aunt had dementia.
It was really hard on my uncle.
Dementia's hard on everyone.
I'm sorry you went through it.
[Penny] Oh, hey, Didi.
- New master schedule for you.
- Thanks.
- Penny, this is Charles's niece, Julie.
- Hi.
Nice to meet you. Your uncle's great.
He talked to me for 20 minutes
about the architectural details
in the dining room.
Oh, yeah. That, uh
That sounds like him. Sorry about that.
[Penny] Oh, no, I loved it.
He's like if a podcast wore a suit.
Ye Nailed it. Nailed it, honestly.
[chuckles]
- Hey.
- Hi.
So, I, uh I assume
that everything is totally fine?
I mean, the place is lovely,
Didi's great, but,
Dad, this is nuts.
I mean, a couple people lose something,
and now you're a spy?
All I'm saying is that I think
I can do some good for these people.
And it's good for me.
Makes me feel useful.
Okay.
But you know that reading Sue Grafton
novels doesn't make you a detective.
I mean, how are you even gonna get
any relevant information?
It's just like any other puzzle.
There have been two different crimes.
I just need to figure out
if anyone on the staff
had access to both rooms
on the two nights
the crimes were committed.
Oh my God.
I weirdly might actually know
how to do that.
Okay. She said it was a master schedule,
so probably all the employee shifts
and their duties.
It's in that office there, on the left.
Nice work, detective. [chuckles]
[laughs]
Okay. All right, now.
- Here's the plan.
- Mm-hm.
Grab it.
- Me, grab it?
- Yeah.
[laughing] No. You grab it.
But if I'm caught, I'll get in trouble.
- If I get caught, I will get in trouble.
- You won't get into trouble.
Julie will.
Yeah. But they think I'm
[sighs] Okay. Fine. I will grab it.
But that means you're the lookout.
So if someone's coming,
you have to warn me.
Yeah. I'll give you a signal.
I'll say, "Quetzalcoatlus."
What the hell is that?
It's a prehistoric giant flying bird,
the size of a giraffe.
- I'll say "Giraffe." Okay.
- Great.
- [intriguing music]
- [indistinct chatter]
[laughing] Hey.
Quetzal
Big bird. Flying Big. Flying animal.
Hey. You know what?
I don't think
I've ever officially met you.
I'm Charles.
Hi, Charles. I'm Pilar, the RN.
Well, "RN't" you sweet? [laughs]
Are you okay? Do you need something?
No. No, I'm fine. I'm good. Thank you.
You know, actually,
something very cool is going on here. Um.
It's going to blow you away
when I tell you what it is.
My niece is here. There she is. There.
Hey, Julie. Come here.
- This is Pilar.
- Hi.
Isn't her sweater pretty?
Yes. Very nice.
[Emily] Oh. Thank you.
It's from my sweater club.
Ah. [laughs]
- [Pilar] Okay.
- You know, actually, we have to take off.
I'm showing Julie around.
She's my niece.
My brother, um, had a child,
and it grew into her.
Okay. Well, she's a medical professional,
so she knows how it works.
- Mm-hm.
- [Emily laughs]
Okay. Um, see you later.
[laughing]
- [whispering] That was amazing.
- That was amazing.
[chuckling]
[Charles] Okay. Let's see what we got.
- There's a driver named Jaylen.
- Mm-hm.
I watched him walk
into Elliott's room the other night.
And according to this, he drives Helen
to the doctor on Thursdays.
Her necklace was stolen on a Thursday.
He had means and opportunity.
Now we need a motive.
- Okay, Mr. Detective. So, what do we do?
- "We"?
I'm invested now.
- [both chuckle]
- That's great. All right.
Okay. Here's what we do.
I've seen Jaylen playing backgammon
with a resident named Calbert.
- Mm-hm.
- I'll go talk to Calbert.
You talk to Susan and Florence.
See if they give you any dirt.
According to my notes here,
they should be
in the beauty salon right now.
- They have a beauty salon?
- Mm-hm.
This is a very nice place
you've infiltrated.
Meet back in 30?
Oh, wait, wait, wait.
We should have a secret spy code
for when we pass in the hallway.
Something like, um
What does that indicate?
That we're both spies.
Just do it. It'll be fun.
Do it, do it, do it. Come on. Come on.
I said, "I don't care
if you are Gerald Ford."
"I'm not taking off my bra."
Good for you, girl.
- [woman] Hi.
- Hi. I'm Julie.
I'm Charles's niece.
I'm Florence, that's Susan,
and this is Tabitha.
She's a magician.
You're sweet. I just finished up
with Florence, if you'd like a treatment.
Oh. No, thanks.
Are you sure?
Your skin looks very dry and lifeless.
Oh. Um. [laughs nervously]
Well, it has been a million years
since I've had a facial.
I have three teenage boys.
They're not with you now. Sit.
Okay.
[Florence and Tabitha laugh]
[Susan] I like your uncle.
Smart, good jawline,
walks without assistance.
- The complete package.
- [laughs]
Well, I'm enjoying getting
to meet his new friends.
I just met that driver. What's his name?
Jaylen. Oh, we adore him.
He's a sweetheart.
He is a cutie, is what he is.
Oh, really?
[radio beeps]
President Susan for Jaylen.
We need you in the salon. Stat.
- Susan!
- [laughs]
You got three minutes, honey.
Doll up.
Hey, what is your problem with Charles?
Where do I start?
Stole my watch. Stupid face.
[Virginia scoffs]
Those are the main two.
Is this because
he and I had dinner last night?
You did?
- I told him to back off.
- For God's sakes, Elliott.
Stop interfering.
What Charles and I do
is none of your business.
The hell it isn't!
Need I remind you that
You needn't do anything,
except stay out of my life.
Wh Don't walk away from me!
Get back here, and stay out of my life!
[Charles] Whoa, my lucky day.
An open seat
with the resident backgammon champ.
Jaylen's usually hogging you to himself.
- You play?
- Oh, not for years.
But I used to love the game.
Oh.
Who was your visitor today?
Ah, that was my niece, Julie.
A wonderful person, you know.
In many ways, like a daughter to me.
'Cause, you know, her mom was
my sister-in-law.
Sounds plausible.
[laughing] I'm sorry.
I'm just babbling here.
Enough about me.
How long have you and Jaylen
been sparring partners?
A while now.
I like playing with him
because he doesn't talk much.
Yeah, the strong, silent type.
Yeah, I can identify with that.
What are the rules again?
So, final tally?
Three kids, three broken bones. [laughs]
- You need to move in here with us.
- You know, I really do. [laughs]
Hi, ladies. What can I do for you?
Aha. You could ask Tabitha out.
She thinks you're cute.
Susan.
Relax. Life is short.
Jaylen, buy yourself something nice.
No. No.
Well, buy Tabitha something nice.
You know I can't take money from you.
Rules are rules.
Goodbye, ladies.
Goodbye, Tabby.
- Ooh.
- Whoa.
- "Goodbye, Tabby."
- "Tabby."
Sounds promising. Love is in the air.
I don't know about love.
Maybe drunken hookups.
Just ask your uncle.
I'm sorry?
Don't gossip in front of his niece.
No. I want to know what he's up to.
Go ahead.
Well, the first night he was here,
he got everyone schnockered
on Manhattans, smoked grass too,
which I do not approve of.
No wonder Virginia made a move.
Huh.
Okay.
Wow.
Cool.
Well, nice meeting you, ladies,
but I probably should be going. [laughs]
Oh, you have to leave that on
for 30 minutes.
That's okay. I think it's done.
- Oh, I
- [elevator dings]
[Charles] Hey. Hey.
Never mind.
So, what'd you learn?
Also, your skin looks nice
if that's on purpose.
- Um, what did I learn?
- Yeah.
I learned that, apparently,
you had quite a night getting drunk
and stoned with your new girlfriend.
Oh. No, see, that was just
That was a welcome party
that got a little rowdy.
Okay. Can you explain to me how partying
like a frat guy is "totally safe"
or helping anybody?
Sweetheart, please.
I promise you,
I've got everything under control.
- [sighs]
- [Elliott] Hey. Nieuwendyk.
- Stay away from my wife.
- Your what?
- [gasps]
- Ow! Ah!
- What did you do?
- God.
- Oh my God!
- Did you see that?
Ah!
- You're bleeding. Uh.
- [Elliott groans]
Ow!
Ow. Ow. Ow.
Okay. All right.
- And
- Ow. Ow. Ow.
[Pilar] Okay. All right.
- All right.
- Keep the ice on it for the swelling.
Thank you.
I am so sorry, Charles.
You sure you don't want me to call Emily?
No. No need to worry her.
Julie's here.
So, to clarify, did he attack you
because you stole his wife or his watch?
Both.
No, I mean, I stole neither,
but he thinks I stole both.
Then what the hell?
How do I explain this? Um
Elliott and Virginia moved in
around the same time five years ago.
They got married, then had it annulled.
Then got engaged and called it off.
So, what? Are they currently married?
I don't know. I don't think they know.
It does not matter.
His behavior is unacceptable.
So, is anyone pressing charges here?
- Something you want to tell me, man?
- Nope.
Okay.
Well, why don't we start
with why you punched Charles in the face.
He's too tall to kick him in the face.
[sighs]
Okay. Well, it is your lucky day
because he's not gonna press charges.
Typical holier-than-thou BS.
[Didi] Dude, he saved your ass.
Do you want to get kicked out of here?
What the hell is going on?
You've been a real pill recently,
even for you.
- He stole my watch.
- He says he didn't. Do you have proof?
Hm.
Listen, I have always liked you.
Despite, you know, everything about you.
There is a nice person in there somewhere
underneath the toxic masculinity
and the even more toxic cologne.
But if you do anything like this again,
you're gone.
[smacks lips]
I'm telling you,
there's something off about that guy.
Also, that cologne is classy.
Virginia loves it.
Also, what the hell is toxic masculinity?
Never mind. I don't need
some broad explaining things to me.
[intriguing music]
Oh, look at that.
Bleeding nearly stopped. Good as new.
I'll check on you in a couple hours.
If you're asleep, I won't wake you up.
Do me a favor. Keep your door unlocked.
- Okay.
- Thank you.
Mm-hm.
So, where were we
within our investigation?
What was the last thing that happened?
Um, well, let's see.
Someone punched you in the face
after you assured me multiple times
that you were totally safe.
Safe in terms of the case.
I cannot control
the actions of my sexual rival.
- Oh, my God.
- What?
Hey, to be clear, nothing happened
between me and Virginia.
I mean, what difference does that make?
Someone physically attacked you.
I wanted to be on board with this, but
This This is just too much.
I'm I'm going home.
[melancholy music]
[sighs heavily]
[elevator dings]
Hey.
Heard you had quite a night.
Everyone knows everything around here.
Huh.
How's the schnoz?
[chuckles] It's fine.
I think Elliott's hand hurts a lot more.
"You should see the other guy."
You're going with that?
It's my first fight.
I get to say it once.
[both laugh]
You fancy a game?
You gonna talk
as much as you did last time?
No, happy not to talk at all.
- [Joel] Wow.
- [Emily] Right?
And you want to know the worst part?
We have been having the best conversations
over the past couple weeks.
And it's like is that all
because he's become a professional liar?
No. Come on.
Also, does it matter
if things were getting better?
[scoffs] I think it matters.
[sighs]
What?
I don't know.
You wanted your dad to break his routine.
You wanted him to be around people,
stimulate his brain, take classes.
Now he's doing all of those things.
Yeah, okay.
But what? Now he's also a spy?
He starts partying
at 3:30 in the afternoon.
Like, slamming whiskeys, smoking a doob.
He almost hooked up with some rando.
This does sound pretty awesome,
actually, doesn't it?
- [Joel] Yeah.
- Hey, Mom. I need a shoebox for a project.
Can I use this one?
It has some dumb papers in it.
Oh, yeah. Those are the articles
your grandpa sent me.
Why is he always sending you
boring articles?
Well, actually, he hasn't in a while.
[Joel] Oh, yep.
That's where they go.
Good job, bud.
So, only a handful of staff members were
on duty during both incidents.
Really nice work getting this.
I'm complimenting you.
Why aren't you giggling?
Emily. We were having such a good day.
We were having fun.
It was only for an hour,
but it was so easy.
Charles, she's just worried about you.
Cut her some slack.
Yeah.
[phone vibrates]
It's Emily.
I don't know what to say.
Do me a favor. You answer it.
Just tell her you're running for Congress
and you want a donation. She'll hang up.
Hey, sweetheart. Glad you called.
Well, I had to because
[sighs] I'm sorry.
Look, honestly, this is still
a lot to try to understand,
but if you say
that it's good for you, then good.
Oh, thank you. Thank you.
Yeah, and I really am sorry I lied.
But it was fun working
with you on the case.
It was fun.
Oh, and Jaylen is clean.
- Really?
- Florence tried to give him money.
He wouldn't take it, so I seriously doubt
he's stealing anything.
Well, all right.
Nice work again, detective.
[groans in pain]
Did you try to give me the spy sign
and forget about your nose injury?
I did.
- Yes.
- [chuckles]
[sniffs] Ah. All right. Talk soon.
Be safe.
- [Julie] Everything okay?
- Everything's great.
All right.
So, we have about 25 days left.
Handful of suspects.
One mildly appeased daughter.
Let's solve a goddamn crime.
That felt cool. Did it look cool?
Yes. You looked cool.
Yeah.
Medical report
from the Charles-Elliott title fight.
Perfect timing.
Here's the incident report.
And the police report just came in.
Ugh.
Look at that file.
The guy's only been here five days.
Hell of a first week.
Hey, uh, do me a favor.
Ask around. See what people think of him.
Just quietly.
[intriguing music]
[sighs]
[music intensifies]
[spy music]