The Act (2019) s01e02 Episode Script
Teeth
1 MEL: Gypsy, Dee Dee, you guys okay? DEE DEE: Gypsy's different.
She's got the epilepsy, paraplegia, a heart murmur.
She can barely take anything by mouth.
I was just wondering if Gypsy wants a makeover.
DEE DEE: Here, wash all that stuff off of your face.
Girls wear makeup, Mom.
You're not like other girls.
Gypsy! No! - SHELLEY: Dee Dee, what's wrong? - MEL: She's allergic.
DEE DEE: I gotta get her to the emergency room.
Your daughter does not have a sugar allergy.
DEE DEE: Well, something's wrong with her.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[GASPS SOFTLY.]
Get in bed.
- Ugh.
- FLORES: We found Mrs.
Blanchard.
What about Gypsy? Where is Gypsy? [INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER.]
[DISTANT SIRENS WAILING.]
MEL: So what are you gonna do now? Put out an AMBER alert on Gypsy? It's not like she could have just ran off.
She's really sick, I mean I mean, she needs her meds.
- "Sick" how? - Epilepsy.
- Stomach tube - Muscular dystrophy.
Wait, I thought it was cerebral palsy? No, no, she has, like, a spinal injury.
MAN: No, it was chromosomal.
She was born with it.
Okay, guys, if we could go one at a time, that'd be helpful.
She had too many problems.
We must have lost track.
[TENSE MUSIC ESCALATES.]
BEAUTY VLOGGER #1: All right, go ahead and just let that sit for a minute or two, just to make sure that everything really soaks in there, and your lips are nice and soft and moisturized.
All right, so the next thing you're gonna wanna do is use a lip pencil.
I have a really nice moisturizer.
It's a Softlips.
This one I like in particular because it has sunscreen in it.
So, just go ahead and start filling in your entire lip.
So, I like to start from the middle BEAUTY VLOGGER #2: And I just make my way up.
Not so bad, just takes a little bit of practice.
But I wanted to use these because they just look so princess-y.
If you wanna go for, like, the full brow, and it'll suit your face, then go for it.
Her brows are really strong, so, you know.
- You need fake eyelashes.
- Lots to love trio If you want to impress your man, your crush, your boyfriend Very white and just very sparkly-shimmery.
BEAUTY VLOGGER #3: The light-skinned girls, they usually use, like, a dark brown, but the darker-skinned girls can usually use, like, a black.
If you're lonely and single, just do as I say.
Before you know it, you'll have someone paying your bills.
That looks good.
I'm excited.
[OVERLAPPING CHATTER.]
[SPOON CLATTERS.]
[GASPS.]
[GROANS SOFTLY.]
Ow.
Ow.
BEAUTY VLOGGER #5: A nice, like, highlight.
[TOY SQUEAKS.]
[KIDS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY.]
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY.]
Yes! Oh, yes, yes, yes.
Oh, yes Oh, thank you.
Thank you, Lord.
Gypsy! [CPAP MACHINE WHIRRING.]
- Gypsy, Gypsy, Gypsy! - [GASPS.]
DEE DEE: Oh [LAUGHS.]
Oh, I scared you awake, didn't I? - [LAUGHS.]
- It's okay, Mom.
Oh, look what came today [GRUNTS.]
Let me see.
What is it? [SIGHS DEEPLY.]
"Springfield Gives"? Oh.
They help the special kids like you.
I'm their "Child of the Year"? Yes! Oh.
But I'm not surprised after that nomination I sent in.
I worked so hard on it.
I worked hard on it every morning for a week so they would know how special you are.
Oh, and there's gonna be a celebration right here in Springfield.
Think of it.
People coming from all over to see us, to see you [CHUCKLES.]
There are gonna be other people my age there, right? I can dress up in my my princess dress and make friends.
DEE DEE: Oh [LAUGHS.]
Oh, of course there'll be all kinds of kids.
[SIGHS.]
You've always been my princess, but now you'll be everybody's.
[SHARP INHALE.]
DEE DEE: Are you okay, hun? Mm-hmm, I'm fine.
I just [GASPS.]
DEE DEE: Oh, Gypsy Rose.
- [WHIMPERS.]
DEE DEE: Gypsy Rose, open up.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Open.
Wider.
[HISSES.]
- [GASPS.]
- DEE DEE: Lord.
Oh, how long has it been hurting? A little while.
I just thought maybe if I brushed harder, it would go away, or Well, your teeth can't be going bad all on their own.
There's gotta be some kind of underlying condition.
Okay, okay, okay.
Okay.
Oh, is your throat hurting first thing in the morning? And you got a burning in your chest and in your tummy? I know what this is.
[PILL BOTTLES RUSTLING.]
- Oh [SIGHS.]
- [DRAWER THUNKS.]
[BOYS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY.]
- Hi, good to see you again.
- Hi.
WOMAN: Hi, Gypsy.
How are you? I'm good.
Thank you.
WOMAN: Oh, you're back.
- Oh, yeah, we're back.
- [WOMAN CHUCKLES.]
- [BABY CRYING.]
DR.
HARLEY: Uh-oh.
Now, hang on just one minute.
I don't know what they told you at the store, young lady, but that model is not gonna turn into a prince no matter how many times you kiss it.
Oh, Dr.
Harley, you're too much.
DR.
HARLEY: Say hello [CHUCKLES.]
So, what are my favorite patients doing here? Oh, it's Gypsy.
Her teeth are like Swiss cheese.
Now, here.
See? Has had reflux issues since she was a baby.
She got the feeding tube put in in 2002.
Then they prescribed 15 milliliters of Zantac, but now Gypsy's complaining of a sore throat, and her stomach is burning, and I just know that that acid is back - and it's ruining her teeth.
- Okay, okay.
Okay, I give up [BOTH LAUGH.]
How about, why don't I bring a gastroenterologist down here, huh, for a checkup right now.
DEE DEE: Oh, you're such a dear.
- Yeah? Save you a step? - DEE DEE: Thank you.
- DR.
HARLEY: Ah, it's no trouble at all.
There is a new specialist here that apparently everyone is raving about.
DEE DEE: Ooh.
DR.
HARLEY: So I am gonna get her down here for you.
Her name is oh, Dr.
Chandra.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- DR.
HARLEY: So, very fancy.
All right, I'm gonna give her a call.
Gypsy, your regular dentist should have caught this a long time ago.
DEE DEE: That's what I been saying.
I been trying to make an appointment, but you know how it is with government health care.
I swear, they'd rather you die on the side of the road.
And you're scared of dentists, aren't you, hun? Okay, Mom, I would make a new appointment, and I would tell them that it's urgent.
And I would get in there as soon as I can.
Thank you, I have, but we're really here about her underlying condition - Um - DEE DEE: Acid reflux.
Well, I I mean, it could explain the decay, especially without salivary glands, but, um Gypsy, do you take any food orally? Oh, barely anything, just enough to get a taste.
- Maybe 20%? - DR.
CHANDRA: 20%? DEE DEE: Well, she can swallow, but then you pay the price with those tummy aches and such.
But she never has candy.
She's allergic to sugar.
Okay, let me check out a few things.
Do you mind if I touch your neck? Okay.
All right, just swallow.
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Again.
Mm-hmm, again.
Okay, that's good.
I'm not a doctor, but, uh but I think she has a hiatal hernia When did you say she had her salivary glands removed? Well, let me check [SIGHS.]
- DR.
CHANDRA: Is he cuddly? - [CHUCKLES.]
Just a ballpark, Mom.
Is that Gypsy's full medical records? Could I just take a quick look at them? I'm sorry, the records that you want were all lost during Katrina.
DR.
CHANDRA: Ah, I see.
All right, well, the good news is that feeding tubes don't have to be permanent.
- They don't? - Oh, enough is enough.
First things first.
We got a dental emergency here.
Gypsy, I gotta get you home, honey, so I can get on the phone and find you a new dentist.
- [SIGHS.]
- Waste of time.
All right, honey.
Gotta be in so much pain, poor thing.
Wait.
This might help with the reflux.
[SIGHS, LAUGHS.]
Oh, if it wasn't screwed on.
I swear.
Have a nice day.
Let me help you with the door.
GYPSY: Bye.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
DR.
CHANDRA: So, Gypsy and Dee Dee Blanchard.
Sounds like you've known them for a while.
Oh, only about a year or so.
Um, but they're like royalty here.
Have you been able to obtain, uh, a complete medical history for Gypsy? Well, you know how Katrina affected hospitals DR.
CHANDRA: Right, no, no.
Of course, of course.
What I meant was, have you been able to confirm the girl's medical history? Which part? Any of it.
[FAINT MUSIC PLAYING OVER RADIO.]
What if Dr.
Chandra was right, Mom? Maybe I don't need my tube anymore.
DEE DEE: Oh, Gypsybug.
Sometimes, people like to paint a rosy color on things when the truth really isn't very pretty.
You let your mama do the talking when it comes to doctors.
[PAPER RIPS.]
[THINGS RUSTLING.]
Be back in a jiffy.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS.]
[WATCH CHIMING.]
MAN: What a pretty uniform.
[CHIMING STOPS.]
[INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER.]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
MEL: Just doesn't make any sense.
I mean, who would want to kill Dee Dee? SHELLEY: Didn't you tell me once how Dee Dee's been in trouble with the law? And, I mean, what about her ex? Ain't she always saying how he was after her? Yeah, but Dee Dee said a lot of things.
I mean, we all know Dee Dee could be - a pain in the ass sometimes.
- Oh, for God's sakes, Mom.
I'm just saying, how does a woman like that end up on somebody's hit list? What if she wasn't? What do you mean? LACEY: I I don't know.
What if whoever did it was after Gypsy, not Dee Dee? You know something? I don't know.
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[SODA HISSES.]
[SIGHS.]
[EXHALES HARSHLY.]
[GASPS.]
[FOREBODING MUSIC.]
[HEAVY BREATHING.]
[WHIMPERS.]
DOLLY PARTON: When you love somebody With all your heart and soul [KNOCKING ON TABLE.]
[ROCK GRINDING.]
What do you do What do you say When you know they want to leave As bad as you want them to stay? And there's nothing quite as sad As a one-sided love When one doesn't care at all And the other cares too much [MUFFLED CHATTER.]
It's a sad situation, I must say Mm.
As bad as you want them to stay - [GAME SOUNDS FROM TV.]
- BOY #1: No, I'm not.
You're just bad at this game.
Leave me alone.
[MUFFLED RADIO CHATTER.]
- BOY #2: No, I'm not! - [SIRENS WAILING.]
No, I'm not! Just leave me alone.
Mom, he's cheating on the game.
- BOY #1: No, I'm not! - BOY #2: Yes, you are.
[MUFFLED ARGUING CONTINUES.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
[MUFFLED UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
MEL: Oh, shit.
Oh, hello.
We made these for you [LAUGHS.]
Gypsy was hoping to have a little girl time with Lacey, if y'all ain't too busy.
Uh, well, the boys are on PlayStation.
Lacey's with her friends.
I was just coming out to the porch to escape.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh, what the hell.
Maybe Gypsy will be a positive role model on them girls, huh? Follow the music.
Okay.
Oh.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Mom, I told you we'd be out in two oh, hey, Gypsy.
Hi, Lacey.
Come in.
[DOG BARKING.]
HALEY: Hey.
[GROWLING.]
Oh, my gosh, did you get a puppy? LACEY: Mm-hmm, yeah.
He ran right across Farm Road in front of me.
Mom's pretty pissed that I brought him home, but whatever.
- He's cute, isn't he? - HALEY: So cute.
Hi.
LACEY: Oh, Gypsy's cool.
- [LAUGHS.]
- HALEY: What's up? Oh, stay still.
Sorry.
Does it hurt? LACEY: No [LAUGHS.]
It doesn't hurt that bad.
Oh, I just hate needles.
[LAUGHS.]
Is it a moon? [LAUGHS.]
It's gonna be a dolphin.
Yeah? - Oceans are so important.
- HALEY: Mm.
Oh, yeah.
I think so, too.
LACEY: I wanna be a marine biologist someday.
So, Gypsy, do you, like, go to school? Um, oh, I'm homeschooled.
- My mom's a really good teacher.
- JUSTINE: That's cool.
Yeah, wish I was fucking homeschooled.
JUSTINE: Here, you wanna hit this? LACEY: Why? You do nothing.
- You sit at home.
- HALEY: I wanna be stuck here.
[GIRLS LAUGHING.]
LACEY: No.
JUSTINE: Oh, fuck, are your teeth okay? Oh, God, those don't look so good.
- [GIRLS LAUGHING.]
- Oh, shit.
It's okay, Gypsy.
It's okay.
- I'm sorry.
- You're being a dumb-ass, for real.
- Sorry.
- GYPSY: No, it's my fault.
It's fine.
It's not your fault.
No, it is, like I've been sneaking out of bed at night to go and eat sweet stuff, and now my teeth are messed up, and I'm scared because my mom will be so mad at me if she figures it out, you know what I mean? I do a lot worse than that when I sneak out, right? - BOTH: Yeah.
- LACEY: Wait, wait.
Aren't you, like, allergic to sugar? HALEY: Yeah.
I used to be allergic to walnuts.
Now I eat them just fine.
I must just be growing out of it, yeah.
Oh, yeah, well, I mean, dentists suck, but we've all been there.
Look out, though.
Making out with braces takes practice.
- [ALL GIGGLE.]
- Just be brave.
A pretty smile is worth all the pain.
HALEY: [INHALES.]
Just like this tattoo.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Hi, uh, this is Doctor Lakshmi Chandra.
I'm calling from the Blessed Heart Children's Hospital.
I'm actually just calling to see if I can speak to any physicians who may have treated a patient who I believe visited your hospital.
Thank you, yes.
Yes, yes, uh, I was the one who requested those records.
Could you just tell me just complete a couple of details that, um that were left out last time? Could you tell me about the leukemia? And I don't know if I asked you, but did she have her feeding tube at that time? Gypsy Rose Blanchard.
[STAMMERING.]
The whole okay.
G-Y-P-S-Y And the mother requested that, too? I'm I'm sorry, can you just repeat that? How many times? Hello, Doctor, sor Doctor? Hello? [PHONE RINGING.]
Uh, hi, this is Doctor Lakshmi Chandra.
[PHONE LINE RINGING.]
WOMAN: Children and Family Services.
How can I help you? [GEAR CRANKS.]
[DOG BARKING.]
[TV CHATTERING.]
BABE: That looks stupid, Mom.
FLY: Not as stupid as she might, but things are definitely stupid.
Oh.
BABE: Excuse me.
No, we're not.
Oh, Gypsy, I forgot to give you one of your medications in your meal this morning.
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
Okay.
Okay, here.
Okay.
- GYPSY: Wait, Mom, who's at the door? - DEE DEE: Okay.
- Okay.
- [PILL BOTTLE CLACKS.]
- Here, open.
- [DOORBELL RINGS.]
- Now.
- [GROANS.]
No.
DEE DEE: Under your tongue.
- GYPSY: [COUGHING, GAGGING.]
- Oh.
Okay.
One more.
- [WHIMPERS.]
- DEE DEE: Open.
- Now, Gypsy.
- [COUGHING.]
- Stay.
- [KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
[WHINES.]
Wait, Mom.
- DEE DEE: I'll be right back.
- [DOORBELL RINGS.]
[GROANS.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
DEE DEE: Oh.
Oh, I'm sorry.
We had the volume turned up on the television.
- Claudinea Blanchard? - DEE DEE: Oh, yes.
Everyone calls me Dee Dee.
I'm Allison Granger with the Children's Division of Missouri Social Services.
The law requires me to inform you that a report has been filed by a member of your community concerning the safety of your daughter, Gypsy.
What? Oh, who would do that? ALLISON: May I come in? Oh, yes.
[TV CHATTERING.]
Oh, I can't imagine who would be worried about Gypsy.
Oh, can I offer you anything? I just made a pitcher of sweet tea.
No, thank you.
Do you own this home, ma'am? Oh, yes, yes.
Habitat for Humanity built it for us after we lost our home in Katrina.
Lost everything Can you show me around, Ms.
Blanchard? Oh, yes.
Uh, this way.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Well, I can understand why people misunderstand Gypsy's conditions.
She's in pain most days.
She's got epilepsy, MS.
She almost choked to death on her own saliva once.
The hospital is really our home away from home.
Poor thing.
She's been through so much.
Do you have kids? Oh.
Oh, oh, I'm so sorry.
I usually keep the room cleaner.
I have to keep everything off the floor, what with Gypsy's wheelchair and all.
It's just the two of you? DEE DEE: Oh, yes, but she has her own room, though.
Once in a while she wants to sleep with her mama.
Snug as bugs [LAUGHS SOFTLY.]
[PEN SCRATCHING.]
- Where is Gypsy? - Oh, she's in the restroom.
Bless her.
It takes a while.
I can bring her out to you.
Okay.
Yeah [LAUGHS SOFTLY.]
Gypsy's a little slower than children her age.
She's got the mind of a seven-year-old.
You can ask her anything you want [CHUCKLES.]
Gypsy, baby? This is Allison.
She's come to pay you a visit.
- [LAUGHS SOFTLY.]
- Thank you.
You can feel free to wait in the next room.
Excuse me? ALLISON: Some of the questions can be hard for a child to answer in the presence of a caretaker.
Oh, of course, but Gypsy is ill, and if she has a seizure, I need to be nearby.
- In the doorway's fine.
- Okay.
I'll be right back.
Hi, Gypsy.
I'm Allison.
May I sit next to you? [SOFTLY.]
Sure.
ALLISON: I see here you're 15 years old.
How long have you lived here with your mom? Um a year? And would you say the two of you usually get along, or are there some days that you don't? GYPSY: What do you mean? Well does your mom ever get angry with you? GYPSY: Sometimes, yeah.
ALLISON: And what happens then? GYPSY: She takes away my plushy toys.
But then she always gives them back.
ALLISON: I see.
Does your mom ever make you do something you don't wanna do? Something that makes you unhappy? GYPSY: Mostly we like the same things.
Okay.
Gypsy, honey GYPSY: [MUMBLES.]
ALLISON: Do you ever feel scared? When do you feel scared? GYPSY: When I have bad dreams.
But then when I wake up my mom is always there, so I'm not scared anymore.
Um, just one more question, then, for you, Ms.
Blanchard.
The name listed on your address and the name on your Social Security Card don't match.
Both the first and last names are spelled differently.
Oh, it's wrong.
- "Wrong.
" - DEE DEE: Yes, they're wrong.
I don't know if it was the divorce or everyone losing everyone's paperwork after Katrina, but the the place that keeps those records is wrong.
I've been calling and calling trying to get it changed.
Oh, you work for the government.
Oh, maybe you could help.
Oh, I'd be so grateful.
If I could just have your number and your email? Then I could reach out to you any time I have a question.
I'm sorry, Ms.
Blanchard, that's a whole different part of the system.
Uh, I think I've seen all I need to today.
Did you want this up louder, honey? Okay.
ALLISON: Okay.
Enjoy your movie.
[TV CHATTERING.]
Okay.
Thank you for your time.
I just don't understand who would call in that report.
Have a good day.
[JAUNTY MUSIC PLAYING OVER TV.]
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[HEAVY BREATHING.]
[CAR DOOR SHUTS, ENGINE STARTS.]
[GROANING.]
[SOBBING.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[KEENING.]
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
MEL: If that dog fucks up one more thing I'm taking him to the pound where you should have took him.
LACEY: Leave me alone, for fuck's sake! MEL: While you're cleaning up after him, you can clean up after yourself, too.
LACEY: Clean your own house! You're one to talk! [DOOR SLAMS.]
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
Who would call them on me? What kind of a person would try to take a child from her mama? A child who needs care all the time? Of course, they didn't find anything.
Because there was nothing to find.
Well, someone thought there was, and I wonder who.
[SCOFFS.]
Dee Dee.
I know I give you a hard time, but I give everybody a hard time.
Look, everybody knows you take good care of Gypsy.
I'm sorry.
It's just Gypsy is so happy here.
I don't want us to have to move again.
Why would you have to move? It's just so much to handle.
All of it, all the time, all at once.
Coming from different directions.
Like any minute it it could all just fall apart.
- [SIGHS.]
- Tell me about it.
Lacey's driving me out of my fucking mind.
Oh.
[LAUGHS.]
They don't see it.
All that we do for them.
[SIGHS.]
It's our cross to bear.
Whoever called CPS is just some nosey bitch from the Price Cutter sticking her nosey face where it don't belong.
Forget about it.
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
- Hi, have you seen my mom? - She's right outside.
- Okay, thank you, bye.
- Bye.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[PHONE RINGS.]
- Gypsy Blanchard? - Oh.
Showtime for you and Mr.
Bluebeard.
Almost done, sweet pea.
- She hates needles.
- DENTIST: Oh, it's okay.
GYPSY: It's okay.
It's like a tattoo.
DENTIST: Pretty soon you'll have that beautiful smile back again.
You know what they say: The teeth are the eyes of the mouth.
[ALL LAUGH.]
Let's give her a little something - to make her feel better.
- ASSISTANT: Yes, Doctor.
- [BREATHING SHAKILY.]
- ASSISTANT: You're okay.
- Deep breath.
- DENTIST: All right.
Now, Mom, you may want to wait in the lobby.
Could be a little while given the number of extractions that we have to do.
Mom? Extractions? Mom? - [WEEPING.]
No, no, please.
- DEE DEE: Honey bee I don't wanna do this! It'll all be over soon.
- [SOBBING.]
- DENTIST: It's okay, honey.
Just relax and lay back.
It'll be better soon.
[LIGHT ARM CREAKING.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[AIR HISSING SOFTLY.]
[DENTAL DRILL WHIRRING.]
[GROANING.]
[WHINES.]
[WEEPING.]
[MOANS.]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
[GROANS SOFTLY.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[SOBBING.]
No [WHIMPERS.]
No [SOBBING.]
DEE DEE: It's all right, sweetheart, it's all right.
[WHIMPERS.]
DEE DEE: You'll get new teeth soon, baby.
It just takes time.
Oh, honey.
Like a little bird.
Hmm? Oh [WEEPING SOFTLY.]
Oh, no.
[SOFTLY.]
It's all right, sweetheart.
It's all right.
Aw.
You want more bubbles, hm? Okay.
[MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY.]
It's all right, mama's here.
It's all right.
[SNIFFLING.]
DEE DEE: All right.
Oh [BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[THE JACKSON 5'S "I'LL BE THERE".]
MICHAEL: You and I must make a pact DEE DEE: [SINGING ALONG.]
We must bring Salvation back Where there is love I'll be there MICHAEL: I'll be there [LAUGHS.]
Come on, it's our song! [SIGHS.]
It's coming, you know.
Child of the Year.
We gotta think about what we're gonna wear.
We gotta buy something to put in your hair.
I was thinking of wearing mine up.
MICHAEL: And I'll be there DEE DEE: Oh, I don't know.
Dentist said it could be a few weeks.
Your gums are still swollen.
- [SIGHS.]
- [MUSIC STOPS.]
Gypsy.
[CRYING.]
My teeth My face.
DEE DEE: Aww [CLICKS TONGUE.]
It's nothing a little foundation can't help.
Besides, you're always pretty.
Gypsy! I know what "pretty" looks like, Mom.
What has gotten into you? It's not like you.
You always look on the bright side.
I got you this award.
Out of all the kids in the world, they chose you.
- I don't wanna go.
- Gypsy! You are going to this event.
[PHONE RINGS.]
- [SMACKS TABLE.]
- Are we clear? [CALM.]
Hello? DR.
CHANDRA: Ms.
Blanchard? It's Dr.
Chandra calling from Blessed Heart.
I'm I'm just calling to follow up and, uh, see how Gypsy was doing.
Oh, Dr.
Chandra, how sweet of you.
Well, you'll be happy to know that Gypsy just had all her dental work done.
We're focused on her recovery right now.
She has been through so much.
DR.
CHANDRA: Of course, I know.
And so have you.
You know, you have a very sick little girl, um, Ms.
Blanchard, and you're dealing with so much.
And actually, that's that's really why I called.
I am calling to see if I can take anything off your shoulders.
Well, I can't imagine that.
DR.
CHANDRA: For instance, uh, changing her feeding tube.
Dr.
Harley tells me you like to have a physician do it.
Well I do sometimes come in for that, but I can do it here, though.
Oh, I well, I would be more than happy to take care of it for you.
And and while, uh, we're at it I can, um, discuss with you the underlying, uh, causes for the acid reflux.
Uh, we can discuss treatment options.
Um, I I can recommend specialists to you that that could really weigh in and help us solve it.
I I just really want to make, uh, it as easy for you to deal with all of Gypsy's issues.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Oh, well, that's very kind of you.
I know.
We moms [SIGHS.]
We have to look out for each other, right? I'm gonna have my, uh, nurse set up an appointment, and I will see you two very soon.
Thank you.
Oh.
[SIGHS.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Can't rush it if you want it done right.
[PEPPY POP MUSIC PLAYING.]
Oh.
[SMOOCHES.]
Oh [LAUGHS.]
Oh.
Okay.
WOMAN: Suddenly It's looking like it's gonna be okay On a day like today I could take a chance On someone new On a day like today Oh, you look so pretty, Gypsy Rose.
WOMAN: On a day Like today [CLICKS TONGUE.]
[CAMERA SHUTTERS SNAPPING.]
SPEAKER: And that's what so many people get wrong about philanthropy.
It's not just for billionaires to feel better about themselves.
Anytime you reach out DEE DEE: Okay.
Do we still have a few minutes? - WOMAN: Uh, yeah.
- DEE DEE: Okay.
You know how I always tell you that everything will always work out? [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
SPEAKER: Each and every one of them.
[SPEAKER CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY.]
Go on.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Oh, Gypsy Rose! You're beautiful! [LAUGHS.]
WOMAN: [GASPS.]
Oh, my goodness.
Do we have an award for "mother of the year" too? Oh.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
GYPSY: Thank you, Mom.
- Mm.
But why didn't you give these to me before? Well, they just come this morning.
Fresh from the dentist.
And we were so rushed I almost forgot.
And this way, by gosh, it's like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight.
Does the glass slipper fit? [LAUGHS.]
Oh Okay, ladies, it's time.
DEE DEE: Oh, okay.
Oh.
[SIGHS.]
SPEAKER: It's a smile that will melt your heart.
It's hard to imagine anyone more deserving of the 2009 Child of the Year Award than Gypsy Rose Blanchard.
[APPLAUSE.]
[CELEBRATORY MUSIC.]
And that award comes with a gift from the community.
To help her devoted mother, Dee Dee, and with Gypsy's medical needs.
DEE DEE: Oh.
[APPLAUSE.]
Oh, oh.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE.]
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
Gypsy's feeling a little shy, so I'll just say a few words on her behalf.
I heard what you said before, about helping people saving them.
How anyone can do that.
But I don't think that's true.
I think it takes a special kind of person.
[SNIFFS.]
Raising a child like Gypsy, people wanna turn you into that kind of person.
They hear what we been through and they say, "Oh, Dee Dee, you saved that little girl's life.
But I'm not special.
I never saved Gypsy.
Gypsy saved me.
I was born to be your mama.
I carried you into this world, but you've been carrying me ever since.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[OFF-KEY.]
You and I Must make a pact We must bring salvation back Where there is love I'll be there I'll reach out my hand to you I'll have faith in all you do So just call my name And I'll be there [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[TENDER MUSIC.]
BOTH: I'll be there To comfort you Build my world of dreams around you [LYRIC ECHOES.]
WOMAN: Dr.
Forest, dial 118, please.
DR.
CHANDRA: Well, well.
Hello, Gypsy and Dee Dee.
How are you doing? Come on back.
You ready? NURSE: Actually, Ms.
Blanchard, I forgot to get you to fill out a few medical release forms, and I need a copy of your new insurance card.
Well, we won't get started without you anyway, Mom, so NURSE: Yeah, if you could just come with me for just a second.
DEE DEE: Oh, I'll be right behind you.
- GYPSY: Okay.
- NURSE: All right? - It won't take a sec.
- DR.
CHANDRA: Yeah.
DEE DEE: Okay, let's go quick.
DR.
CHANDRA: Wait, what happened to Riley the frog? Um, well, I get a new stuffed animal to hold every time we go to the doctor.
[LAUGHS.]
Oh.
Um, and I heard your dental work was a success.
Can I take a ee.
Oh, my goodness.
Your teeth look excellent.
Are you able to eat more as a result of it? Um, I still mostly use my tube.
Oh, yeah? Well, if that's what you're, um, comfortable with.
That that makes sense.
My mom says it's the best that I can do.
Mm.
But I hope that one day I can not maybe have to use the tube anymore, like you said.
Gypsy, maybe that day isn't too far away.
And remind me, what foods can you eat? Um, only soft foods.
And no sugar, 'cause I'm allergic.
So if I have sugar I could die.
Mm, okay.
And how do you know that? W well, my mom did all the tests.
DR.
CHANDRA: Okay.
Gypsy, I have some really good news for you.
I spoke to a doctor who had treated you earlier this year in one of your ER visits, and he's not too sure that you're allergic to sugar.
And frankly, I'm not too sure, either.
In fact I'll make you a bet.
I will bet you a can of Coke that you're not allergic.
There you go.
Here.
Just take a sip.
And and don't be scared, because if you drink it and you are allergic, I'm right here.
I'll take care of you right away.
And if you drink it and you are not allergic, well, that just means you can you can go crazy and have as much sugar as you want from now on.
And maybe we will discover that there are other things that you can do, too.
[SHAKY BREATHING.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
My mom is my best friend.
All she wants to do is keep me safe.
I believe you, sweetheart.
I know that, I do.
And it's really clear that she loves you very much, right? But sometimes, um Even parents can get confused.
And sometimes even parents need help.
And maybe this is the help that that both of you need.
Go ahead.
Just take one sip.
And I promise, I will do the rest.
My mom needs me.
[DOOR OPENS.]
DR.
CHANDRA: Mom.
GYPSY: Mom, I was waiting for you! DEE DEE: Mm-hmm.
DR.
CHANDRA: Good.
We're all ready.
[SHAKY BREATHING.]
DR.
CHANDRA: There we go.
Just breathe normally.
Okay.
Okay, all right.
Good job.
[MUMBLING COMFORTINGLY.]
DEE DEE: All right.
[RADIO CHATTER.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
What a fucking nightmare.
BUTLER: All this is for one kid? MEL: How you doing? Are you hanging in there? LACEY: There's just some stuff I keep thinking about.
MEL: Yeah? Like what? Oh, Gypsy.
I mean, you know how they'd talk all that fairytale fantasy stuff? You can't tell what's real or not.
And she told something, and I'm just wondering Lacey, what are you talking about? [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
COP: Detective Flores, here they are.
You have something you wanna tell us? Tell them what you told me, Lace.
Um, I don't know I don't know if this would be helpful, but, um Gypsy used to kind of confide in me sometimes, and [SIGHS.]
One thing she told me, like, years ago was that she, um, had a secret Facebook account.
And I think she might have used it to make [SNIFFLES.]
Uh, friends.
"Friends"? Yeah, like men.
Romantically.
I don't know, sometimes it was hard to tell what was her imagination and and what wasn't, but I think Gypsy might have a a boyfriend.
DEE DEE: I reach out my hand to you I'll have faith in all you do Just call my name And I'll be there MAN: Oh DEE DEE: I'll be there to comfort you Build my world of dreams around you I'm so glad that I found you I'll be there with a love that's strong I'll be your strength I'll keep holding on [HUMMING.]
MICHAEL: Let me fill your heart With joy and laughter [DEE DEE SINGING INDISTINCTLY.]
MICHAEL: Whenever you need me I'll be there DEE DEE: Gypsy, come on, honey! Come sing with me, it's our song! MICHAEL: I'll be there to protect you MAN: Yeah, baby MICHAEL: With an unselfish love [DOOR SLAMS.]
Just call my name And I'll be there ALL: I'll be there MAN: Oh I'll be there to comfort you Build my world of dreams around you I'm so glad that I found you I'll be there with a love that's strong I'll be your strength I'll keep holding on Ooh-ooh-ooh, yes, I will MICHAEL: Holding on, holding on MAN: Yes, I will MICHAEL: If you should ever find someone new I know he'd better be good to you 'Cause if he doesn't I'LL BE THERE ALL: I'll be there MICHAEL: Don't you know, baby Yeah, yeah ALL: I'll be there I'll be there Just call my name I'll be there MICHAEL: Just look over your shoulders, honey OOH ALL: I'll be there I'll be there
She's got the epilepsy, paraplegia, a heart murmur.
She can barely take anything by mouth.
I was just wondering if Gypsy wants a makeover.
DEE DEE: Here, wash all that stuff off of your face.
Girls wear makeup, Mom.
You're not like other girls.
Gypsy! No! - SHELLEY: Dee Dee, what's wrong? - MEL: She's allergic.
DEE DEE: I gotta get her to the emergency room.
Your daughter does not have a sugar allergy.
DEE DEE: Well, something's wrong with her.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[GASPS SOFTLY.]
Get in bed.
- Ugh.
- FLORES: We found Mrs.
Blanchard.
What about Gypsy? Where is Gypsy? [INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER.]
[DISTANT SIRENS WAILING.]
MEL: So what are you gonna do now? Put out an AMBER alert on Gypsy? It's not like she could have just ran off.
She's really sick, I mean I mean, she needs her meds.
- "Sick" how? - Epilepsy.
- Stomach tube - Muscular dystrophy.
Wait, I thought it was cerebral palsy? No, no, she has, like, a spinal injury.
MAN: No, it was chromosomal.
She was born with it.
Okay, guys, if we could go one at a time, that'd be helpful.
She had too many problems.
We must have lost track.
[TENSE MUSIC ESCALATES.]
BEAUTY VLOGGER #1: All right, go ahead and just let that sit for a minute or two, just to make sure that everything really soaks in there, and your lips are nice and soft and moisturized.
All right, so the next thing you're gonna wanna do is use a lip pencil.
I have a really nice moisturizer.
It's a Softlips.
This one I like in particular because it has sunscreen in it.
So, just go ahead and start filling in your entire lip.
So, I like to start from the middle BEAUTY VLOGGER #2: And I just make my way up.
Not so bad, just takes a little bit of practice.
But I wanted to use these because they just look so princess-y.
If you wanna go for, like, the full brow, and it'll suit your face, then go for it.
Her brows are really strong, so, you know.
- You need fake eyelashes.
- Lots to love trio If you want to impress your man, your crush, your boyfriend Very white and just very sparkly-shimmery.
BEAUTY VLOGGER #3: The light-skinned girls, they usually use, like, a dark brown, but the darker-skinned girls can usually use, like, a black.
If you're lonely and single, just do as I say.
Before you know it, you'll have someone paying your bills.
That looks good.
I'm excited.
[OVERLAPPING CHATTER.]
[SPOON CLATTERS.]
[GASPS.]
[GROANS SOFTLY.]
Ow.
Ow.
BEAUTY VLOGGER #5: A nice, like, highlight.
[TOY SQUEAKS.]
[KIDS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY.]
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY.]
Yes! Oh, yes, yes, yes.
Oh, yes Oh, thank you.
Thank you, Lord.
Gypsy! [CPAP MACHINE WHIRRING.]
- Gypsy, Gypsy, Gypsy! - [GASPS.]
DEE DEE: Oh [LAUGHS.]
Oh, I scared you awake, didn't I? - [LAUGHS.]
- It's okay, Mom.
Oh, look what came today [GRUNTS.]
Let me see.
What is it? [SIGHS DEEPLY.]
"Springfield Gives"? Oh.
They help the special kids like you.
I'm their "Child of the Year"? Yes! Oh.
But I'm not surprised after that nomination I sent in.
I worked so hard on it.
I worked hard on it every morning for a week so they would know how special you are.
Oh, and there's gonna be a celebration right here in Springfield.
Think of it.
People coming from all over to see us, to see you [CHUCKLES.]
There are gonna be other people my age there, right? I can dress up in my my princess dress and make friends.
DEE DEE: Oh [LAUGHS.]
Oh, of course there'll be all kinds of kids.
[SIGHS.]
You've always been my princess, but now you'll be everybody's.
[SHARP INHALE.]
DEE DEE: Are you okay, hun? Mm-hmm, I'm fine.
I just [GASPS.]
DEE DEE: Oh, Gypsy Rose.
- [WHIMPERS.]
DEE DEE: Gypsy Rose, open up.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Open.
Wider.
[HISSES.]
- [GASPS.]
- DEE DEE: Lord.
Oh, how long has it been hurting? A little while.
I just thought maybe if I brushed harder, it would go away, or Well, your teeth can't be going bad all on their own.
There's gotta be some kind of underlying condition.
Okay, okay, okay.
Okay.
Oh, is your throat hurting first thing in the morning? And you got a burning in your chest and in your tummy? I know what this is.
[PILL BOTTLES RUSTLING.]
- Oh [SIGHS.]
- [DRAWER THUNKS.]
[BOYS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY.]
- Hi, good to see you again.
- Hi.
WOMAN: Hi, Gypsy.
How are you? I'm good.
Thank you.
WOMAN: Oh, you're back.
- Oh, yeah, we're back.
- [WOMAN CHUCKLES.]
- [BABY CRYING.]
DR.
HARLEY: Uh-oh.
Now, hang on just one minute.
I don't know what they told you at the store, young lady, but that model is not gonna turn into a prince no matter how many times you kiss it.
Oh, Dr.
Harley, you're too much.
DR.
HARLEY: Say hello [CHUCKLES.]
So, what are my favorite patients doing here? Oh, it's Gypsy.
Her teeth are like Swiss cheese.
Now, here.
See? Has had reflux issues since she was a baby.
She got the feeding tube put in in 2002.
Then they prescribed 15 milliliters of Zantac, but now Gypsy's complaining of a sore throat, and her stomach is burning, and I just know that that acid is back - and it's ruining her teeth.
- Okay, okay.
Okay, I give up [BOTH LAUGH.]
How about, why don't I bring a gastroenterologist down here, huh, for a checkup right now.
DEE DEE: Oh, you're such a dear.
- Yeah? Save you a step? - DEE DEE: Thank you.
- DR.
HARLEY: Ah, it's no trouble at all.
There is a new specialist here that apparently everyone is raving about.
DEE DEE: Ooh.
DR.
HARLEY: So I am gonna get her down here for you.
Her name is oh, Dr.
Chandra.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- DR.
HARLEY: So, very fancy.
All right, I'm gonna give her a call.
Gypsy, your regular dentist should have caught this a long time ago.
DEE DEE: That's what I been saying.
I been trying to make an appointment, but you know how it is with government health care.
I swear, they'd rather you die on the side of the road.
And you're scared of dentists, aren't you, hun? Okay, Mom, I would make a new appointment, and I would tell them that it's urgent.
And I would get in there as soon as I can.
Thank you, I have, but we're really here about her underlying condition - Um - DEE DEE: Acid reflux.
Well, I I mean, it could explain the decay, especially without salivary glands, but, um Gypsy, do you take any food orally? Oh, barely anything, just enough to get a taste.
- Maybe 20%? - DR.
CHANDRA: 20%? DEE DEE: Well, she can swallow, but then you pay the price with those tummy aches and such.
But she never has candy.
She's allergic to sugar.
Okay, let me check out a few things.
Do you mind if I touch your neck? Okay.
All right, just swallow.
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Again.
Mm-hmm, again.
Okay, that's good.
I'm not a doctor, but, uh but I think she has a hiatal hernia When did you say she had her salivary glands removed? Well, let me check [SIGHS.]
- DR.
CHANDRA: Is he cuddly? - [CHUCKLES.]
Just a ballpark, Mom.
Is that Gypsy's full medical records? Could I just take a quick look at them? I'm sorry, the records that you want were all lost during Katrina.
DR.
CHANDRA: Ah, I see.
All right, well, the good news is that feeding tubes don't have to be permanent.
- They don't? - Oh, enough is enough.
First things first.
We got a dental emergency here.
Gypsy, I gotta get you home, honey, so I can get on the phone and find you a new dentist.
- [SIGHS.]
- Waste of time.
All right, honey.
Gotta be in so much pain, poor thing.
Wait.
This might help with the reflux.
[SIGHS, LAUGHS.]
Oh, if it wasn't screwed on.
I swear.
Have a nice day.
Let me help you with the door.
GYPSY: Bye.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
DR.
CHANDRA: So, Gypsy and Dee Dee Blanchard.
Sounds like you've known them for a while.
Oh, only about a year or so.
Um, but they're like royalty here.
Have you been able to obtain, uh, a complete medical history for Gypsy? Well, you know how Katrina affected hospitals DR.
CHANDRA: Right, no, no.
Of course, of course.
What I meant was, have you been able to confirm the girl's medical history? Which part? Any of it.
[FAINT MUSIC PLAYING OVER RADIO.]
What if Dr.
Chandra was right, Mom? Maybe I don't need my tube anymore.
DEE DEE: Oh, Gypsybug.
Sometimes, people like to paint a rosy color on things when the truth really isn't very pretty.
You let your mama do the talking when it comes to doctors.
[PAPER RIPS.]
[THINGS RUSTLING.]
Be back in a jiffy.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS.]
[WATCH CHIMING.]
MAN: What a pretty uniform.
[CHIMING STOPS.]
[INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER.]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
MEL: Just doesn't make any sense.
I mean, who would want to kill Dee Dee? SHELLEY: Didn't you tell me once how Dee Dee's been in trouble with the law? And, I mean, what about her ex? Ain't she always saying how he was after her? Yeah, but Dee Dee said a lot of things.
I mean, we all know Dee Dee could be - a pain in the ass sometimes.
- Oh, for God's sakes, Mom.
I'm just saying, how does a woman like that end up on somebody's hit list? What if she wasn't? What do you mean? LACEY: I I don't know.
What if whoever did it was after Gypsy, not Dee Dee? You know something? I don't know.
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[SODA HISSES.]
[SIGHS.]
[EXHALES HARSHLY.]
[GASPS.]
[FOREBODING MUSIC.]
[HEAVY BREATHING.]
[WHIMPERS.]
DOLLY PARTON: When you love somebody With all your heart and soul [KNOCKING ON TABLE.]
[ROCK GRINDING.]
What do you do What do you say When you know they want to leave As bad as you want them to stay? And there's nothing quite as sad As a one-sided love When one doesn't care at all And the other cares too much [MUFFLED CHATTER.]
It's a sad situation, I must say Mm.
As bad as you want them to stay - [GAME SOUNDS FROM TV.]
- BOY #1: No, I'm not.
You're just bad at this game.
Leave me alone.
[MUFFLED RADIO CHATTER.]
- BOY #2: No, I'm not! - [SIRENS WAILING.]
No, I'm not! Just leave me alone.
Mom, he's cheating on the game.
- BOY #1: No, I'm not! - BOY #2: Yes, you are.
[MUFFLED ARGUING CONTINUES.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
[MUFFLED UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING.]
MEL: Oh, shit.
Oh, hello.
We made these for you [LAUGHS.]
Gypsy was hoping to have a little girl time with Lacey, if y'all ain't too busy.
Uh, well, the boys are on PlayStation.
Lacey's with her friends.
I was just coming out to the porch to escape.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh, what the hell.
Maybe Gypsy will be a positive role model on them girls, huh? Follow the music.
Okay.
Oh.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Mom, I told you we'd be out in two oh, hey, Gypsy.
Hi, Lacey.
Come in.
[DOG BARKING.]
HALEY: Hey.
[GROWLING.]
Oh, my gosh, did you get a puppy? LACEY: Mm-hmm, yeah.
He ran right across Farm Road in front of me.
Mom's pretty pissed that I brought him home, but whatever.
- He's cute, isn't he? - HALEY: So cute.
Hi.
LACEY: Oh, Gypsy's cool.
- [LAUGHS.]
- HALEY: What's up? Oh, stay still.
Sorry.
Does it hurt? LACEY: No [LAUGHS.]
It doesn't hurt that bad.
Oh, I just hate needles.
[LAUGHS.]
Is it a moon? [LAUGHS.]
It's gonna be a dolphin.
Yeah? - Oceans are so important.
- HALEY: Mm.
Oh, yeah.
I think so, too.
LACEY: I wanna be a marine biologist someday.
So, Gypsy, do you, like, go to school? Um, oh, I'm homeschooled.
- My mom's a really good teacher.
- JUSTINE: That's cool.
Yeah, wish I was fucking homeschooled.
JUSTINE: Here, you wanna hit this? LACEY: Why? You do nothing.
- You sit at home.
- HALEY: I wanna be stuck here.
[GIRLS LAUGHING.]
LACEY: No.
JUSTINE: Oh, fuck, are your teeth okay? Oh, God, those don't look so good.
- [GIRLS LAUGHING.]
- Oh, shit.
It's okay, Gypsy.
It's okay.
- I'm sorry.
- You're being a dumb-ass, for real.
- Sorry.
- GYPSY: No, it's my fault.
It's fine.
It's not your fault.
No, it is, like I've been sneaking out of bed at night to go and eat sweet stuff, and now my teeth are messed up, and I'm scared because my mom will be so mad at me if she figures it out, you know what I mean? I do a lot worse than that when I sneak out, right? - BOTH: Yeah.
- LACEY: Wait, wait.
Aren't you, like, allergic to sugar? HALEY: Yeah.
I used to be allergic to walnuts.
Now I eat them just fine.
I must just be growing out of it, yeah.
Oh, yeah, well, I mean, dentists suck, but we've all been there.
Look out, though.
Making out with braces takes practice.
- [ALL GIGGLE.]
- Just be brave.
A pretty smile is worth all the pain.
HALEY: [INHALES.]
Just like this tattoo.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Hi, uh, this is Doctor Lakshmi Chandra.
I'm calling from the Blessed Heart Children's Hospital.
I'm actually just calling to see if I can speak to any physicians who may have treated a patient who I believe visited your hospital.
Thank you, yes.
Yes, yes, uh, I was the one who requested those records.
Could you just tell me just complete a couple of details that, um that were left out last time? Could you tell me about the leukemia? And I don't know if I asked you, but did she have her feeding tube at that time? Gypsy Rose Blanchard.
[STAMMERING.]
The whole okay.
G-Y-P-S-Y And the mother requested that, too? I'm I'm sorry, can you just repeat that? How many times? Hello, Doctor, sor Doctor? Hello? [PHONE RINGING.]
Uh, hi, this is Doctor Lakshmi Chandra.
[PHONE LINE RINGING.]
WOMAN: Children and Family Services.
How can I help you? [GEAR CRANKS.]
[DOG BARKING.]
[TV CHATTERING.]
BABE: That looks stupid, Mom.
FLY: Not as stupid as she might, but things are definitely stupid.
Oh.
BABE: Excuse me.
No, we're not.
Oh, Gypsy, I forgot to give you one of your medications in your meal this morning.
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
Okay.
Okay, here.
Okay.
- GYPSY: Wait, Mom, who's at the door? - DEE DEE: Okay.
- Okay.
- [PILL BOTTLE CLACKS.]
- Here, open.
- [DOORBELL RINGS.]
- Now.
- [GROANS.]
No.
DEE DEE: Under your tongue.
- GYPSY: [COUGHING, GAGGING.]
- Oh.
Okay.
One more.
- [WHIMPERS.]
- DEE DEE: Open.
- Now, Gypsy.
- [COUGHING.]
- Stay.
- [KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
[WHINES.]
Wait, Mom.
- DEE DEE: I'll be right back.
- [DOORBELL RINGS.]
[GROANS.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
DEE DEE: Oh.
Oh, I'm sorry.
We had the volume turned up on the television.
- Claudinea Blanchard? - DEE DEE: Oh, yes.
Everyone calls me Dee Dee.
I'm Allison Granger with the Children's Division of Missouri Social Services.
The law requires me to inform you that a report has been filed by a member of your community concerning the safety of your daughter, Gypsy.
What? Oh, who would do that? ALLISON: May I come in? Oh, yes.
[TV CHATTERING.]
Oh, I can't imagine who would be worried about Gypsy.
Oh, can I offer you anything? I just made a pitcher of sweet tea.
No, thank you.
Do you own this home, ma'am? Oh, yes, yes.
Habitat for Humanity built it for us after we lost our home in Katrina.
Lost everything Can you show me around, Ms.
Blanchard? Oh, yes.
Uh, this way.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Well, I can understand why people misunderstand Gypsy's conditions.
She's in pain most days.
She's got epilepsy, MS.
She almost choked to death on her own saliva once.
The hospital is really our home away from home.
Poor thing.
She's been through so much.
Do you have kids? Oh.
Oh, oh, I'm so sorry.
I usually keep the room cleaner.
I have to keep everything off the floor, what with Gypsy's wheelchair and all.
It's just the two of you? DEE DEE: Oh, yes, but she has her own room, though.
Once in a while she wants to sleep with her mama.
Snug as bugs [LAUGHS SOFTLY.]
[PEN SCRATCHING.]
- Where is Gypsy? - Oh, she's in the restroom.
Bless her.
It takes a while.
I can bring her out to you.
Okay.
Yeah [LAUGHS SOFTLY.]
Gypsy's a little slower than children her age.
She's got the mind of a seven-year-old.
You can ask her anything you want [CHUCKLES.]
Gypsy, baby? This is Allison.
She's come to pay you a visit.
- [LAUGHS SOFTLY.]
- Thank you.
You can feel free to wait in the next room.
Excuse me? ALLISON: Some of the questions can be hard for a child to answer in the presence of a caretaker.
Oh, of course, but Gypsy is ill, and if she has a seizure, I need to be nearby.
- In the doorway's fine.
- Okay.
I'll be right back.
Hi, Gypsy.
I'm Allison.
May I sit next to you? [SOFTLY.]
Sure.
ALLISON: I see here you're 15 years old.
How long have you lived here with your mom? Um a year? And would you say the two of you usually get along, or are there some days that you don't? GYPSY: What do you mean? Well does your mom ever get angry with you? GYPSY: Sometimes, yeah.
ALLISON: And what happens then? GYPSY: She takes away my plushy toys.
But then she always gives them back.
ALLISON: I see.
Does your mom ever make you do something you don't wanna do? Something that makes you unhappy? GYPSY: Mostly we like the same things.
Okay.
Gypsy, honey GYPSY: [MUMBLES.]
ALLISON: Do you ever feel scared? When do you feel scared? GYPSY: When I have bad dreams.
But then when I wake up my mom is always there, so I'm not scared anymore.
Um, just one more question, then, for you, Ms.
Blanchard.
The name listed on your address and the name on your Social Security Card don't match.
Both the first and last names are spelled differently.
Oh, it's wrong.
- "Wrong.
" - DEE DEE: Yes, they're wrong.
I don't know if it was the divorce or everyone losing everyone's paperwork after Katrina, but the the place that keeps those records is wrong.
I've been calling and calling trying to get it changed.
Oh, you work for the government.
Oh, maybe you could help.
Oh, I'd be so grateful.
If I could just have your number and your email? Then I could reach out to you any time I have a question.
I'm sorry, Ms.
Blanchard, that's a whole different part of the system.
Uh, I think I've seen all I need to today.
Did you want this up louder, honey? Okay.
ALLISON: Okay.
Enjoy your movie.
[TV CHATTERING.]
Okay.
Thank you for your time.
I just don't understand who would call in that report.
Have a good day.
[JAUNTY MUSIC PLAYING OVER TV.]
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[HEAVY BREATHING.]
[CAR DOOR SHUTS, ENGINE STARTS.]
[GROANING.]
[SOBBING.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[KEENING.]
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
MEL: If that dog fucks up one more thing I'm taking him to the pound where you should have took him.
LACEY: Leave me alone, for fuck's sake! MEL: While you're cleaning up after him, you can clean up after yourself, too.
LACEY: Clean your own house! You're one to talk! [DOOR SLAMS.]
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
Who would call them on me? What kind of a person would try to take a child from her mama? A child who needs care all the time? Of course, they didn't find anything.
Because there was nothing to find.
Well, someone thought there was, and I wonder who.
[SCOFFS.]
Dee Dee.
I know I give you a hard time, but I give everybody a hard time.
Look, everybody knows you take good care of Gypsy.
I'm sorry.
It's just Gypsy is so happy here.
I don't want us to have to move again.
Why would you have to move? It's just so much to handle.
All of it, all the time, all at once.
Coming from different directions.
Like any minute it it could all just fall apart.
- [SIGHS.]
- Tell me about it.
Lacey's driving me out of my fucking mind.
Oh.
[LAUGHS.]
They don't see it.
All that we do for them.
[SIGHS.]
It's our cross to bear.
Whoever called CPS is just some nosey bitch from the Price Cutter sticking her nosey face where it don't belong.
Forget about it.
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
- Hi, have you seen my mom? - She's right outside.
- Okay, thank you, bye.
- Bye.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[PHONE RINGS.]
- Gypsy Blanchard? - Oh.
Showtime for you and Mr.
Bluebeard.
Almost done, sweet pea.
- She hates needles.
- DENTIST: Oh, it's okay.
GYPSY: It's okay.
It's like a tattoo.
DENTIST: Pretty soon you'll have that beautiful smile back again.
You know what they say: The teeth are the eyes of the mouth.
[ALL LAUGH.]
Let's give her a little something - to make her feel better.
- ASSISTANT: Yes, Doctor.
- [BREATHING SHAKILY.]
- ASSISTANT: You're okay.
- Deep breath.
- DENTIST: All right.
Now, Mom, you may want to wait in the lobby.
Could be a little while given the number of extractions that we have to do.
Mom? Extractions? Mom? - [WEEPING.]
No, no, please.
- DEE DEE: Honey bee I don't wanna do this! It'll all be over soon.
- [SOBBING.]
- DENTIST: It's okay, honey.
Just relax and lay back.
It'll be better soon.
[LIGHT ARM CREAKING.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[AIR HISSING SOFTLY.]
[DENTAL DRILL WHIRRING.]
[GROANING.]
[WHINES.]
[WEEPING.]
[MOANS.]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
[GROANS SOFTLY.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[SOBBING.]
No [WHIMPERS.]
No [SOBBING.]
DEE DEE: It's all right, sweetheart, it's all right.
[WHIMPERS.]
DEE DEE: You'll get new teeth soon, baby.
It just takes time.
Oh, honey.
Like a little bird.
Hmm? Oh [WEEPING SOFTLY.]
Oh, no.
[SOFTLY.]
It's all right, sweetheart.
It's all right.
Aw.
You want more bubbles, hm? Okay.
[MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY.]
It's all right, mama's here.
It's all right.
[SNIFFLING.]
DEE DEE: All right.
Oh [BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[THE JACKSON 5'S "I'LL BE THERE".]
MICHAEL: You and I must make a pact DEE DEE: [SINGING ALONG.]
We must bring Salvation back Where there is love I'll be there MICHAEL: I'll be there [LAUGHS.]
Come on, it's our song! [SIGHS.]
It's coming, you know.
Child of the Year.
We gotta think about what we're gonna wear.
We gotta buy something to put in your hair.
I was thinking of wearing mine up.
MICHAEL: And I'll be there DEE DEE: Oh, I don't know.
Dentist said it could be a few weeks.
Your gums are still swollen.
- [SIGHS.]
- [MUSIC STOPS.]
Gypsy.
[CRYING.]
My teeth My face.
DEE DEE: Aww [CLICKS TONGUE.]
It's nothing a little foundation can't help.
Besides, you're always pretty.
Gypsy! I know what "pretty" looks like, Mom.
What has gotten into you? It's not like you.
You always look on the bright side.
I got you this award.
Out of all the kids in the world, they chose you.
- I don't wanna go.
- Gypsy! You are going to this event.
[PHONE RINGS.]
- [SMACKS TABLE.]
- Are we clear? [CALM.]
Hello? DR.
CHANDRA: Ms.
Blanchard? It's Dr.
Chandra calling from Blessed Heart.
I'm I'm just calling to follow up and, uh, see how Gypsy was doing.
Oh, Dr.
Chandra, how sweet of you.
Well, you'll be happy to know that Gypsy just had all her dental work done.
We're focused on her recovery right now.
She has been through so much.
DR.
CHANDRA: Of course, I know.
And so have you.
You know, you have a very sick little girl, um, Ms.
Blanchard, and you're dealing with so much.
And actually, that's that's really why I called.
I am calling to see if I can take anything off your shoulders.
Well, I can't imagine that.
DR.
CHANDRA: For instance, uh, changing her feeding tube.
Dr.
Harley tells me you like to have a physician do it.
Well I do sometimes come in for that, but I can do it here, though.
Oh, I well, I would be more than happy to take care of it for you.
And and while, uh, we're at it I can, um, discuss with you the underlying, uh, causes for the acid reflux.
Uh, we can discuss treatment options.
Um, I I can recommend specialists to you that that could really weigh in and help us solve it.
I I just really want to make, uh, it as easy for you to deal with all of Gypsy's issues.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Oh, well, that's very kind of you.
I know.
We moms [SIGHS.]
We have to look out for each other, right? I'm gonna have my, uh, nurse set up an appointment, and I will see you two very soon.
Thank you.
Oh.
[SIGHS.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Can't rush it if you want it done right.
[PEPPY POP MUSIC PLAYING.]
Oh.
[SMOOCHES.]
Oh [LAUGHS.]
Oh.
Okay.
WOMAN: Suddenly It's looking like it's gonna be okay On a day like today I could take a chance On someone new On a day like today Oh, you look so pretty, Gypsy Rose.
WOMAN: On a day Like today [CLICKS TONGUE.]
[CAMERA SHUTTERS SNAPPING.]
SPEAKER: And that's what so many people get wrong about philanthropy.
It's not just for billionaires to feel better about themselves.
Anytime you reach out DEE DEE: Okay.
Do we still have a few minutes? - WOMAN: Uh, yeah.
- DEE DEE: Okay.
You know how I always tell you that everything will always work out? [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
SPEAKER: Each and every one of them.
[SPEAKER CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY.]
Go on.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Oh, Gypsy Rose! You're beautiful! [LAUGHS.]
WOMAN: [GASPS.]
Oh, my goodness.
Do we have an award for "mother of the year" too? Oh.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
GYPSY: Thank you, Mom.
- Mm.
But why didn't you give these to me before? Well, they just come this morning.
Fresh from the dentist.
And we were so rushed I almost forgot.
And this way, by gosh, it's like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight.
Does the glass slipper fit? [LAUGHS.]
Oh Okay, ladies, it's time.
DEE DEE: Oh, okay.
Oh.
[SIGHS.]
SPEAKER: It's a smile that will melt your heart.
It's hard to imagine anyone more deserving of the 2009 Child of the Year Award than Gypsy Rose Blanchard.
[APPLAUSE.]
[CELEBRATORY MUSIC.]
And that award comes with a gift from the community.
To help her devoted mother, Dee Dee, and with Gypsy's medical needs.
DEE DEE: Oh.
[APPLAUSE.]
Oh, oh.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE.]
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
Gypsy's feeling a little shy, so I'll just say a few words on her behalf.
I heard what you said before, about helping people saving them.
How anyone can do that.
But I don't think that's true.
I think it takes a special kind of person.
[SNIFFS.]
Raising a child like Gypsy, people wanna turn you into that kind of person.
They hear what we been through and they say, "Oh, Dee Dee, you saved that little girl's life.
But I'm not special.
I never saved Gypsy.
Gypsy saved me.
I was born to be your mama.
I carried you into this world, but you've been carrying me ever since.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[OFF-KEY.]
You and I Must make a pact We must bring salvation back Where there is love I'll be there I'll reach out my hand to you I'll have faith in all you do So just call my name And I'll be there [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[TENDER MUSIC.]
BOTH: I'll be there To comfort you Build my world of dreams around you [LYRIC ECHOES.]
WOMAN: Dr.
Forest, dial 118, please.
DR.
CHANDRA: Well, well.
Hello, Gypsy and Dee Dee.
How are you doing? Come on back.
You ready? NURSE: Actually, Ms.
Blanchard, I forgot to get you to fill out a few medical release forms, and I need a copy of your new insurance card.
Well, we won't get started without you anyway, Mom, so NURSE: Yeah, if you could just come with me for just a second.
DEE DEE: Oh, I'll be right behind you.
- GYPSY: Okay.
- NURSE: All right? - It won't take a sec.
- DR.
CHANDRA: Yeah.
DEE DEE: Okay, let's go quick.
DR.
CHANDRA: Wait, what happened to Riley the frog? Um, well, I get a new stuffed animal to hold every time we go to the doctor.
[LAUGHS.]
Oh.
Um, and I heard your dental work was a success.
Can I take a ee.
Oh, my goodness.
Your teeth look excellent.
Are you able to eat more as a result of it? Um, I still mostly use my tube.
Oh, yeah? Well, if that's what you're, um, comfortable with.
That that makes sense.
My mom says it's the best that I can do.
Mm.
But I hope that one day I can not maybe have to use the tube anymore, like you said.
Gypsy, maybe that day isn't too far away.
And remind me, what foods can you eat? Um, only soft foods.
And no sugar, 'cause I'm allergic.
So if I have sugar I could die.
Mm, okay.
And how do you know that? W well, my mom did all the tests.
DR.
CHANDRA: Okay.
Gypsy, I have some really good news for you.
I spoke to a doctor who had treated you earlier this year in one of your ER visits, and he's not too sure that you're allergic to sugar.
And frankly, I'm not too sure, either.
In fact I'll make you a bet.
I will bet you a can of Coke that you're not allergic.
There you go.
Here.
Just take a sip.
And and don't be scared, because if you drink it and you are allergic, I'm right here.
I'll take care of you right away.
And if you drink it and you are not allergic, well, that just means you can you can go crazy and have as much sugar as you want from now on.
And maybe we will discover that there are other things that you can do, too.
[SHAKY BREATHING.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
My mom is my best friend.
All she wants to do is keep me safe.
I believe you, sweetheart.
I know that, I do.
And it's really clear that she loves you very much, right? But sometimes, um Even parents can get confused.
And sometimes even parents need help.
And maybe this is the help that that both of you need.
Go ahead.
Just take one sip.
And I promise, I will do the rest.
My mom needs me.
[DOOR OPENS.]
DR.
CHANDRA: Mom.
GYPSY: Mom, I was waiting for you! DEE DEE: Mm-hmm.
DR.
CHANDRA: Good.
We're all ready.
[SHAKY BREATHING.]
DR.
CHANDRA: There we go.
Just breathe normally.
Okay.
Okay, all right.
Good job.
[MUMBLING COMFORTINGLY.]
DEE DEE: All right.
[RADIO CHATTER.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
What a fucking nightmare.
BUTLER: All this is for one kid? MEL: How you doing? Are you hanging in there? LACEY: There's just some stuff I keep thinking about.
MEL: Yeah? Like what? Oh, Gypsy.
I mean, you know how they'd talk all that fairytale fantasy stuff? You can't tell what's real or not.
And she told something, and I'm just wondering Lacey, what are you talking about? [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
COP: Detective Flores, here they are.
You have something you wanna tell us? Tell them what you told me, Lace.
Um, I don't know I don't know if this would be helpful, but, um Gypsy used to kind of confide in me sometimes, and [SIGHS.]
One thing she told me, like, years ago was that she, um, had a secret Facebook account.
And I think she might have used it to make [SNIFFLES.]
Uh, friends.
"Friends"? Yeah, like men.
Romantically.
I don't know, sometimes it was hard to tell what was her imagination and and what wasn't, but I think Gypsy might have a a boyfriend.
DEE DEE: I reach out my hand to you I'll have faith in all you do Just call my name And I'll be there MAN: Oh DEE DEE: I'll be there to comfort you Build my world of dreams around you I'm so glad that I found you I'll be there with a love that's strong I'll be your strength I'll keep holding on [HUMMING.]
MICHAEL: Let me fill your heart With joy and laughter [DEE DEE SINGING INDISTINCTLY.]
MICHAEL: Whenever you need me I'll be there DEE DEE: Gypsy, come on, honey! Come sing with me, it's our song! MICHAEL: I'll be there to protect you MAN: Yeah, baby MICHAEL: With an unselfish love [DOOR SLAMS.]
Just call my name And I'll be there ALL: I'll be there MAN: Oh I'll be there to comfort you Build my world of dreams around you I'm so glad that I found you I'll be there with a love that's strong I'll be your strength I'll keep holding on Ooh-ooh-ooh, yes, I will MICHAEL: Holding on, holding on MAN: Yes, I will MICHAEL: If you should ever find someone new I know he'd better be good to you 'Cause if he doesn't I'LL BE THERE ALL: I'll be there MICHAEL: Don't you know, baby Yeah, yeah ALL: I'll be there I'll be there Just call my name I'll be there MICHAEL: Just look over your shoulders, honey OOH ALL: I'll be there I'll be there