Ordinary Joe (2021) s01e07 Episode Script

The Letter

1 Previously on "Ordinary Joe" When we make a choice, it leads us further down our life's path.
- Oh! Watch where you're going! - Sorry.
- I'm Joe.
- I'm Amy.
Please just come to the lake.
I really want to talk.
Where are you going? I'm going to give her your number! No, you're not! All right, well then I will go and give her my number, since you're passing, and she's fair game.
Okay, don't be an ass! There are no right or wrong roads.
Only choices.
No.
hey, for my future, I'm imagining something - - in the food food world, and utilizing my entrepreneurial acumen.
As your proud father, I'd like to thank you for making four years of tuition worthwhile in one sentence.
Oh! Yes! Little brother, people are gonna want to know at the party tonight what about you? What's your plan? Um I Well, - you know, I - Oh, I thought so.
Four years of tuition, you're more confused than ever.
No, no, I think Joe knowing that he doesn't know - is a kind of a knowing.
- No, Mom.
All right, enough with all the hoo-ha.
The police academy is waiting.
- Frank, stop.
- What? Why? I mean, when Joey was a kid, he played Cops and Robbers, and he was always the cop.
Why? Because it's in his blood.
- Music is in your soul - Oh, no, Mom.
And the world needs more music.
No, what the world needs is more heroes, and I happen to have some contacts at the NYPD.
Oh, you know what? I have a connection - at a music conservatory.
- Oh, my God.
And the Kimbreau name means something.
Joe, would you rather be a musician on the Titanic or some hero that's putting all the people in life rafts? Not helpful, honey.
None of you are helpful right now, okay? - It's time for us to go.
- Aww.
A little father and son time before the big event.
Yeah, I'm actually gonna tag along - with you guys, 'cause I'm all - No, no, no, sweetie, wait a minute, one second.
Oh.
I'm outta here.
It's just that there's There's someone here today who isn't here.
And this is a letter for you, from your father.
Dad wrote me a letter? Yeah.
And you've been hanging on to it for ten years? Well, yeah, because you would have read it, and it's not just any letter.
This is an in-an-emergency-break-glass - kind of letter.
- Yeah, he wrote it for when you might have a hard spot in life, you need a little extra guidance, and Just read it when you need it, okay? Which may be sooner than we thought.
- Celeste.
- What? I'm just saying.
He doesn't know what he wants - He knows what he wants to do.
- No, he doesn't! [ALL SPEAKING AT ONCE.]
[BILLY JOEL'S "PRESSURE.]
" Where we all respond to pressure Daddy? What are you doing? - I'm writing a letter.
- Who to? This is someone I love very much.
This kid never wanted to play a robber.
And I'm saying that's because of the Kimbreau [SPARSE, AMBIENT MUSIC.]
[SENTIMENTAL MUSIC.]
Whoo! [LIGHT UPBEAT MUSIC.]
- That's it.
Good job, boys.
- Okay.
Let me Careful.
- - Joe, why are we keeping this? 'Cause I did all my best studying in this chair.
- Careful! - Wait a minute.
[RINGTONE CHIMING.]
Wait.
You're ringing.
- Why is he doing that? - Don't ask.
- Turn around.
- Jenny! - [GLASS SHATTERS.]
- Sorry.
- Oops.
Went to voicemail.
- Hey! Hey! Uncle Frank, can you help us out here a little bit? Yeah, one of the perks of old age is watching young people struggle.
Give more of the weight to Eric.
[BOTH PANTING.]
Hey, Joe.
Please, just come to the lake.
- What am I doing? - No, don't overthink this.
You made a choice.
Yeah, but what if I made the wrong one? You're right.
You could be at the lake with the Jenny Banks, right? Oh.
- What? - Nothing.
- Dude.
- Uh, nothing.
- Come on! - Okay.
Uh Everything.
You remember that girl you met at graduation? Yeah, Amy, you don't forget a person like that.
I hate to add on to your pile, but I told you to get her number, and you didn't, so I did, and she's gonna be in the city for a few hours, and she wants to meet up with me now.
[EXHALES.]
Yeah.
[PIANO NOTES TINKLING.]
Aww, the graduates.
Joey, let's see how this fits.
Mom, must we? Another reason why I did not go to college.
I'm telling you, you can never have enough ice, so Joe, come with me.
Nope, nope, he's mine.
Don't move.
Miss K, I scored a date tonight, so it's possible that someone's not gonna be making it to the party.
Why don't you invite her here? - Or him! - Or not.
Oh, the more, the merrier.
- Oh, wow.
- Please.
- This really works.
- Yeah, it's good.
- Yeah, Joe.
- Hey, Eric, can I offer you some friend-to-friend dating advice? This coming from a guy who just turned down Jenny and also didn't ask out Amy? Why don't you take that off and put on my lucky shirt? Uh, no, I'm good.
- Okay.
- Hey, E Money out.
Have fun, Eric! Wow, not since your first communion have you looked so cute.
Yeah, why am I wearing a suit tonight? Because Joey, let's go get some ice.
- So you can talk man-to-man.
- Cop to future cop.
- Ah! - Not so sure about that.
Don't be long, okay? Okay.
Hey, where'd Eric go? Oh, he got lucky.
Hey, Joe.
Please, just come to the lake.
Do not overthink this.
Jenny had four years of chances.
What if I made the wrong choice? You made a choice.
That is the that is the miracle here, right? You went and you got that girl's number.
No, actually I gave her my number.
Look, I don't want to add to your pile, but if it was me, I would have gotten her number, because if she doesn't call, you won't have to worry for the rest of your life on the what-if.
What? Is that Jenny? Her name would be Amy.
She's in the city, and she wants to meet up now.
Man.
[CHUCKLES.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Hee-hee! Aww, the graduates.
Joe, let's see how this fits.
Oh.
Oh, Mom, really? See, this is precisely why I didn't go to college.
No You know, you can never have enough ice.
Joe, come on with me.
Mom, I kind of got to step out real quick.
- What's the rush? - Joe scored a date, Miss K.
Yeah.
- With Jenny? - No, her name's Amy.
Well, why don't you invite this Amy over to the party tonight? - The more, the merrier.
- I gotta go, 'cause it's a very narrow window of opportunity.
Joe.
Joe, I could really use your help with the ice.
- I'll carry his stuff.
- Mom, I promise, I will do dishes - for the rest of eternity.
- Mom! - I am doing all the decorating.
- Okay, okay, you can go! Just okay, when you're in the city, call up my old friend, okay? - Joe.
- Who? Why? He wants to hear you play.
He teaches at City Conservatory.
There could be a spot for you, Joe.
- Okay.
Yeah.
- Yeah.
You're gonna be late.
Keep this on.
This is great with your lucky shirt.
If things don't work out between the two of you, you know, tell her you know a guy.
What am I doing here? My brother, let me remind you that the Jenny Banks awaits.
- Yeah.
- Good-bye! And she's waiting to end whatever we are or aren't this weekend, or at the end of the summer, when she goes to law school.
I mean, there is no version of this, - Eric, that ends well for me.
- [PHONE CHIMES.]
And yes, you may regret it for the rest of your life.
Why would you say that to me? You remember that girl Amy you didn't get the number of? - Yeah.
- She's in town for the day, and she wants to see me, now.
- What? - Yeah.
Keys, please.
- Okay, you can't wear that.
- What? - No, no, you can't wear that.
Here.
- Why not? [SIGHS.]
Take my lucky shirt.
Dude, it would be an honor.
- Yeah? - Yes.
All right.
- Joe Kimbreau? - Yeah.
You are living the dream.
Mm-hmm.
[MUSIC PLAYING INDISTINCTLY.]
Hey.
Hey, Ray.
Hey, Jim, you want to give us a hand? It's Joe.
She's over there.
[BILLY JOEL'S "THE LONGEST TIME".]
For the longest time Whoa, oh, oh, oh For the longest If you say goodbye to me tonight - [RINGTONE CHIMING.]
- There would still be Hey, Mom.
Okay, gentle reminder, the party starts at 6:00, so you should be here by 7:00, okay? I wasn't gonna tell you this, but fingers crossed, there could be a special guest here.
He teaches at City Conservatory.
There could be a spot for you, Joe.
Hey, Mom, I gotta go, okay? Jenny.
Are you okay? [GROANING.]
What-what's wrong? I didn't want to take this until you got here.
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
[RINGTONE CHIMING.]
Don't you look nice.
[RINGTONE CHIMING.]
- You look - Ana! Amy! [BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH.]
- Do you need to get that? - No, not anymore.
I mean no.
And I don't need to read this right now.
So, I thought you were going back to Florida with your mom.
Oh, something better came up.
Yeah.
Me.
Just kidding.
No, I got a last-minute meeting with my political hero.
- [SPEAKS SPANISH.]
- Oh, wow.
Oh, thank you.
And that's why I'm in the city so unexpectedly.
- Incredible.
- Yeah.
You know, this is a meeting that's once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I - I don't want to - Sorry.
Sorry.
Miss, or mess up.
- You were saying? - Okay, what was I saying? You said that when you were 14, you and your friends got tickets - Beyoncé! - Yeah.
Yes, but I chose to go to a political rally with my abuela.
Like, who does that? That's kind of cool, though, like, in an uncool way.
- So I'm at this rally.
- Mm-hmm.
Right? When I hear the most amazing speech, and right then, I knew, Bobby Diaz is gonna run for president one day.
- Amazing.
- And now he's running for Congress, heavily favored to win.
- And you just knew.
- My passions are political.
What are yours? Pizza? Oh.
okay.
- Culinary arts.
- Oh.
- I'm a foodie.
- Thank you.
- And food.
- And food.
[LAUGHS.]
Doesn't it make you wonder You know what No, please, tell me.
Well, how one simple choice you make can just change your whole entire life? - All the time.
- Right? Yeah.
- Top it off.
- [LAUGHS.]
- You have a gift.
- Well, I wouldn't say that.
I would.
- I don't know.
- You have a gift.
Well, I guess, if I did, it would be a gift in seeing the gifts in others? That's not nothing.
I mean okay, and when is this big meeting with Bobby Diaz? - 6:00.
- Tonight.
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay.
This is wild, but I have a not-as-big big thing tonight - at 6:00 p.
m.
too.
- Really? - I have a thing! - Tell me! So, it's with City Conservatory, you know, 'cause music is my My thang.
I don't know why I did that, so - [RINGTONE CHIMING.]
- If you didn't know, pizza actually hits many of the four major food groups.
- You know.
- Excuse me.
- Feel like I'm off my game.
- Hello.
Anyway, so my mom thinks that this music conservatory thing is the way to go.
Wait, hold on, didn't you say at graduation that you wanted to be the next Billy Joel? Yeah, but come on, what What are the chances of that? Well, I mean, with that attitude What, are you just gonna give up before you try? - I'm just being realistic.
- Well, that's not fun! Look, sometimes you just have to go for it.
- [RINGTONE CHIMING.]
- Sorry.
Yeah, you're right.
Hello? Oh.
Should I Should I reschedule? - Did you overdress, or did I? - Oh, okay.
No, no, yes.
Yeah, I understand.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm sorry, I just got some really bad news.
No.
No, I underdressed.
It's okay, honestly.
It's just not meant to be.
- Okay.
- All right, bye.
Yep.
I'm sorry.
Well, I guess it wasn't meant to be.
Well, I know that you had your heart set on it, - so if, you know, you need to - No! No.
I mean, who knows? Maybe I went through all that so that there could be this.
All right, so what next? Ooh.
[SPEAKING SPANISH.]
[SPEAKS SPANISH.]
The position is filled.
Yes.
I understand.
Um, thank you.
- No, no, go for it.
- Oh, excuse me.
Um Even if there's no job available, I would like to keep the meeting, please.
Yes.
Yes, I understand that Mr.
Diaz is busy.
- [QUIETLY.]
Beyoncé.
- Look, you don't understand.
Okay, when I was 14 years old, my friends went to Beyoncé, and I went to a political rally.
[QUIETLY.]
Yes! That choice, and just hearing his speech, you know Look, it changed my life, okay? I just, I would like to say thank you.
- All right.
- [LAUGHING.]
Ooh.
All right, ready? - Yeah.
- Salt me up.
All right.
- Mm? - [LAUGHS.]
You know what I really like about a person? - Yeah? - A guy.
- Yeah? - Can I be honest with you? Always! Siempre.
Well, I just feel like I've often been lied to by guys.
And I'm kind of done with that.
- Yeah.
- Truth.
Truth is very important to me.
Okay.
[LAUGHING.]
Yeah? And a good fashion sense never hurts, and I really like that shirt.
Truth, it's I borrowed it.
[LAUGHS.]
That is the truth.
That is Okay.
You should also know that I'm bi.
For me, it's about a person.
I'm a one-people person, and I only date people that I like.
It's cool.
Boop.
[LAUGHTER.]
- Perks of having worked here.
- Huh? Okay, so what happened to your call? They said Bobby Diaz had better things to do.
Wait, what? No, you were so good! You were so passionate! Joe, it's okay.
Another life.
Plus, it gives me time now to go to your music thing.
It's a good life.
- You help people.
- Yeah.
Oh, get whatever you want.
- No.
- It's on me.
- I'm not I'm not hungry.
- Let your Uncle Frank treat you.
- I'm good.
- Where was I? - It's a it's a good life.
- And you'd be good at it.
'Cause the NYPD is in your blood.
That's what I was saying this morning.
We both know that I'm not my dad.
And I'm never gonna be my dad.
Joe, even he couldn't be him, okay? What does that mean? It means none of us are perfect.
You just be the best version of yourself, and that'll be enough.
Will it, though? Because I'll still be nowhere near the kind of person that my dad was Really? That's interesting.
Because of all the places to sit in this joint, you picked the exact spot that was your old man's favorite.
Now, if that's not a sign, I don't know what is.
Here's your sign.
This is just to say - Yeah.
- This isn't why I invited you.
Oh, I know.
I had a whole other speech planned.
I had practiced it as much as my commencement - Mm-hmm.
- Speech.
I'm so nervous.
- Me too.
- Yeah.
No, I'm sure.
You've been my best friend for four years.
- Yeah.
- And I know these last few months, we blurred things.
Yeah.
Yeah, we did.
And that wasn't a part of the plan.
No.
I mean, your plan, but - Right, my ten-year plan.
- Right, your ten-year plan.
I know I always have a plan for everything.
- Yeah.
- My plans even have a plan.
Come on, Jenny, just say it.
Yeah, you can just say it, Jenny.
I never told you my nickname for you.
[CHUCKLING.]
I'm kind of afraid to hear it.
T.
S.
I came up with it when we met freshman year.
You're very prominent in my journals.
"Cramming for midterms.
T.
S.
brought over hot chocolate.
" "I can't wait to talk to T.
S.
about" "It was sweet and kind of clumsy how T.
S.
tried to kiss me after history class.
" Oh, that was That was unfortunate.
That wasn't funny.
It wasn't.
What was unfortunate was when I said I liked you too much to love you.
- You were just being honest.
- But it wasn't the truth.
The truth is I've always been scared to love you, because I don't want to lose my best friend.
T.
S.
? It's for "Too Soon.
" As in, why couldn't I have met you ten years from now, when I would be ready and worthy of someone like you? - No.
- See, what I was gonna say is wait for me.
Because you are - This is - [TIMER RINGING.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Too soon.
Hey, in there, you're missing the party! I don't want you to worry.
Hey, Jenny, I was hoping that we We're actually on our way out, Roy.
It's Ray.
So, I just want you to know, whatever you want is what we'll do.
- Okay.
- Okay? 'Cause I-I will support whatever you decide, Jenny.
'Cause this This is really This is really your choice.
Okay? So, you know, if you want to, and you are I will provide, no matter what.
You know, if you don't want to - If you don't want to, then I - Oh.
No, we're having the baby.
We are? Okay.
- Okay.
- Okay.
[RINGTONE CHIMING.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Your presence is requested.
[RINGTONE CHIMING.]
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
[LINE TRILLING.]
Hey, it's Joe.
Leave a message and I'll call you back.
Hey, you're missing the party! Oh, it is a prime night to commit crime.
Half the NYPD is in our living room tonight.
- Look at this.
- Wow, you're not kidding.
- Guest of honor! - Hey.
I'm hoping you'll play a little something.
- Mom, no one needs that.
- Come on, you won't be sorry.
- Oh, no.
- Come on.
For me.
- Please.
Please.
- [GASPS.]
Joey, I want you to meet some of the brotherhood.
- No, no, Frank, he's mine.
- Hey.
Joe.
- Come on.
- Oh, yeah.
Oh, let's get this.
Come on, come on, come on.
So we can remember this moment always.
One, two, and three.
Um, hey! Hi! Hi.
Hi.
Um, look I-I stand here tonight not only as a proud mom but as a proud music teacher.
Uh, yeah.
Joe's my favorite son.
But he's also my favorite musician.
[APPLAUSE.]
Yes! [SIGHS.]
Okay.
Your mother and I go way back.
She's truly remarkable.
One of a kind.
I would agree.
In one of the great honors of my life, I give you the musical stylings of Mr.
Joseph Patrick Kimbreau.
[APPLAUSE.]
She brags about your Bach and your Chopin.
Which will you be delighting me with first? Um [CHUCKLES.]
Uh How about a little Billy Joel? [PLAYING CLASSICAL MUSIC.]
Hey.
Mallory, right? Eric, from the block.
I went away to college.
And now you're all grown up? Wouldn't want to, maybe, I don't know, get a slice of pizza sometime, huh? Sure.
- Cool.
- Cool.
That was amazing! - Really? - It was incredible! I mean, Billy who? He didn't go to a conservatory.
I mean, come on, didn't that feel great? Yeah.
I mean, most of it felt really good, but there's a part of me that feels like I just made the biggest mistake of my life.
Okay, if that was a mistake, please, please make more.
[RINGTONE CHIMING.]
- It's it's my mom.
- Well, you gotta Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
Hey, Mom.
Look, I know I sound calm, but that's only because a lot of people who love you are watching me right now.
- Yeah, so you heard.
- Oh, yeah, I heard.
A Billy Joel medley for your City Conservatory audition? - I mean - I know, I know, but Mom, it felt great.
- You understand? - Yeah.
Billy Joel's really fun.
Honey, I don't know what's gotten into you, but that was an awesome opportunity.
I know, Mom.
I know.
Am I the only one upset by this? This is not normal.
Yeah, I'm kind of feeling that way too.
I am beside myself, Joe.
- I mean - One second, Mom.
- What is it? - With your sister singing This is your conservatory.
And goodness, she has wonderful other gifts, but with you, I usually know it's safe.
You have a duty to the world, Joe Kimbreau.
But right now, I'm wishing your father was here.
I'm wait, Mom, I'm sorry, what was that? So he could talk some sense into you.
I mean, have you read his letter? We we gotta go.
We gotta go.
[LIGHT AMBIENT MUSIC.]
I know this wasn't a part of my plan.
No, it wasn't.
But Daddy, you and I both know why I have to do this.
Hey, listen, now's not really a good time here.
Au contraire, my brother from another mother.
Look, I'm calling to thank you.
I'm sure you're wondering why.
Um, it's I really like your shirt.
- [LAUGHS.]
It's hot.
- Thanks.
Look, my dude, we have graduated this morning, and we are already living the dream tonight! [STRINGS PLUCKING LIGHTLY.]
Hey, buddy.
I need just a little more time, okay? Okay.
[LIGHT PIANO MUSIC.]
[ENDING FLOURISH.]
- Yes! - All right, good.
Good, good, good, good, good, good.
Fun and games over.
Let's get real.
Joey.
Joe.
- Yeah.
- Stand up.
Stand up.
Come on.
Come over here.
Oh, God, how many drinks did he have? - Apparently all of them.
- So, as many of you know, I'm the proud uncle, and the brother of Joe, this was your father's badge.
And that's all I got to say.
Are you kidding me? Handing it to him like it's a donut? No.
It's Oh, somebody else wanted to say something.
Officer Winick.
Hey, Joe.
Hey.
Over the years, I've told you about all the lives your dad saved that day.
But what I never told you was that he also saved mine.
Your father knew my wife, Emily, was eight months pregnant.
And instead of sending me back into that North Tower, he took my place.
If he hadn't [SOMBER PIANO MUSIC.]
I would have never gotten to be a father to my Mia.
Your father did that for us.
[LIVELY MUSIC.]
[GRUNTS.]
- [SIGHS.]
- Lost, but now found.
Thanks.
Thank you so much.
- Thank you so much.
- Yeah.
[LAUGHS.]
- [RINGTONE CHIMING.]
- Oh, It's Jenny.
- Shouldn't you answer that? - Nope.
For years, I've been waiting and hoping, and I'm expected to keep answering.
I'm done with that, all right? [LINE TRILLING.]
Hey, it's Joe.
Leave a message, and I'll call you I don't know who you keep calling, but if it were me, I'd pick up on the first ring every time.
[CHUCKLES.]
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
[WHISPERING.]
Little brother.
Let's go get some air, hmm? Yeah, and I didn't even know that he had written it.
But don't you want to read it already? Yes, I do.
But it's gotta be the right time at the right place.
And I know that it's What are you looking for? I know it's right around here.
What? Oh, wow.
The perfect day just got a little bit more perfect.
Come on, let's get in line.
- There's no line.
- Yeah, there will be soon.
What am I gonna do with my life? I don't know.
And I'm not giving you any advice.
Please.
Good.
Thank you.
But I've been where you are.
Not exactly where you are.
I mean, I was in India, and my head was shaved.
I felt lost, and I felt alone and angry.
Sound like someone we both know? And before I tell you the thing that I did that saved me, Joe, I want to be clear, you are on your own path.
Celeste, will you please just tell me the thing? Yes.
So, I went to a special place, and I waited for the sun to rise, and when the first rays of light hit me, I just I reached into my bag, and I took out I took out an envelope, and it had my name on it.
And I just I started to read.
You also got one? You know, Joe, you are not the only person who got a letter.
Mom.
What are you doing here? You're supposed to be out with friends, having fun.
I know.
But What is it, sweetie? Something wrong? Hopefully what I'm about to tell you will help you to want to keep fighting.
- Mr.
Banks.
- Dr.
Banks.
Dr.
Banks, uh I know that I don't know much.
Well, that's not very comforting.
But I do know what it is like to have a great dad.
And I also know what it's like to grow up without one.
Young man, I don't think you understand.
And I think you've done enough damage here.
So here's how it's gonna go.
You are gonna go live your life and not think about us.
You are not needed.
You need to leave.
Take the check and go.
That's not a request.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[GLASS SHATTERS.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
What? Don't worry, huh? You text me that, and you expect me not to? You know, I don't even know where to start.
I don't.
Joe, you missed your own party.
My music teacher friend came, and What is it? What happened? Mom, can you just sit down for a second, please? I am not going to pursue music, Mom.
Okay? I need something more practical.
I need something more dependable.
And I am not going to become a police officer, because it doesn't pay enough.
And it's too dangerous.
I'm going to be a dad.
Eventually.
And you're gonna be a good one.
Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself? No, Mom.
I am going to be a dad.
[LIGHT PIANO MUSIC.]
Jenny? Yes.
Now, her dad doesn't think that I'm up for the task, and I hope that you don't agree.
And I have no idea how I'm gonna do this.
You're just gonna do the next right thing.
What is that, Mom? Babe, right now, it's to get some rest, okay? Everything's gonna be clear in the morning.
Hmm? Go on up.
I'll take care of the lights.
I don't think I'm gonna be able to sleep.
Well, just try.
And if you can't sleep, maybe it's time you read your dad's letter.
[STRINGS PLUCKING LIGHTLY.]
[RINGTONE CHIMING.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
Uh, yo.
I borrowed your car so I could crash Jenny's party, okay? What are you up to? I don't know, man.
I think I'm in, like, over my heart I mean, my head.
You know, talk to me, man.
Have you ever wanted to give someone the whole world? Maybe, like, one day.
Why? Because, okay, that's how I'm feeling right now.
Okay? Do you remember when my dad used to take us to that That bakery in the Village? Remember that? And they would give us those Those warm cinnamon bun bagel things? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I can still taste it, man.
In three hours, Eric, the best bakery in the world is gonna open up.
Do you understand that? And I'm going to take the most beautiful and utterly coolest Okay, well, I'm glad that you're doing so good, man.
- That's really great.
- No, I'm not good.
I'm not good, Eric.
That's what I'm telling you.
I'm not good.
Okay? Because after that after that, I have nothing.
You understand that? I got nothing.
And she's gonna figure that out.
Oh.
I gotta go.
Was that Joe? I've been calling and calling.
Where is he? [LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.]
"Dear Joe.
" "If you're reading his letter," "it means something happened to me," "and sadly, I'm not around to give you bad advice.
" "So, Joe, this letter is for when you've come "to a crossroads in your life, "a moment where you're somewhere you didn't think you'd ever be.
" I have nothing.
Nothing.
I mean this wasn't cheap.
I can help you out.
You know, actually, we're good.
Thank you.
Bing.
- What's "bing"? - I have an idea.
What do you mean? "Maybe you're scared and desperate" "and trying to figure out what to do next.
" "My suggestion: be bold.
Go for it.
" Oh, you might want to hear me sing first.
- I don't know.
- No, no.
Thank you, thank you.
The future and our stomachs thank you.
- I love it.
- [LAUGHS.]
[LIGHT STRUMMING.]
"Be brave.
" "Put yourself out there.
Speak true.
" Hey.
I just, um You were saying? Yeah.
So "See, it's simple.
"Not easy.
Just make a choice.
"Any choice.
"Then make it work.
"If you can't make it work, or if it's wrong, "no big deal.
Make another.
"Then again, what do I know? I'm just a cop from Queens.
"A dad who loves his son.
"I hope you still feel that.
"What else? - "Life is a gift.
" - Thank you.
Well, I think we got enough money, now.
Actually, I just got a call from Bobby Diaz's office, and he's agreed to see me later today, in D.
C.
You know what means.
Yeah, I do know what that means.
That means I gotta keep playing, because we need train fare for two.
"And nearly as I can tell, we just get one chance at this.
" I know now that loving you freshman year was too soon.
Sophomore year, I loved you even more.
Again, too soon.
And junior year, loving you hurt so bad that senior year, I decided to not love you at all, which backfired, because I loved you I loved you more than ever.
"There's so much more I could say: look after your mom.
"Be kind to your sister.
Be sure to floss.
Teeth aren't forever.
" Are you kidding me? Keep reading.
"One" "One last thing.
" And one last thing.
[LIGHT STRUMMING.]
It's the only thing that matters.
It's the only thing I really know.
And I know now all this has been too soon for you.
I am hoping that for once, Jenny For once, you think that I'm right on time.
It all comes down to who and what you love.
Officer Winick.
And if you are true to you, and you make choices to bring you closer to that love [LAUGHS.]
You will find my not-so-ordinary Joe.
Away you go Come on! ALL: Oh, whoa, oh Oh, whoa, oh Someday you'll know [LAUGHTER.]
Oh, whoa, oh Oh, whoa, oh - Jenny Banks - [CHUCKLES.]
Will you marry me? - Yes.
- Yeah? Yes.
Yes! That life is more extraordinary than we could ever imagine.
Love, Dad.
Daddy? Coming.

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