Épisode Le rapatriement de Mr. Mossback S02E04

Prelude

Scene: Roadway Tours Bus in Seattle, WA, daytime

A Roadway Tours Bus filled with senior citizens drives through Seattle, passing the Public Market Center. A tour guide, KAREN, stands in the front of the bus and does her schpiel into a microphone.

Karen: Pike Place Market was born in 1907 from citizen outrage at the high cost of produce, when Seattle City Councilman, Thomas Revelle, proposed a public street market. On opening day, August 7th, 1907, eight farmers brought their wagons to the corner of 1st and Pike, and were overwhelmed by an estimated 10,000 eager shoppers. (while Karen talks, Mr. Mossback arm drops and he quietly dies) By 11 AM, they were completely sold out. Well, that concludes the morning half of our tour. Once again, my name's Karen, and you've just been a super-duper group this morning, and we'll see you back here on the bus at half past 1 o'clock.

The bus stops and many of the passengers applaud. Everyone starts to exit the bus. As each passes KAREN, they thank her or smile. She leans over to the busdriver.

Karen: (whispers) I don't know about you, but I could sure use a fucking cigarette. (to various departing passengers) Bye, bye.

She looks in the back and notices an unconscious old man near the back of the bus.

Karen: Excuse me, sir? (takes her microphone) Sir, it's lunchtime. You can get off the bus now. We're at Pike Place Market. (goes to the back of the bus) Sir... (touches the old man on the shoulder; he doesn't move) Oh, shit. (calls to busdriver) We've got another dead one back here, Larry.

The screen fades to white.

"HAROLD MOSSBACK
1932-2001"

Act One

Scene One: Gary's Office, early afternoon

CLAIRE stands in GARY's office, mad as hell. GARY sits at his desk.

Gary: You've missed your last three sessions.

Claire: Yeah, well, sometimes coming in here talking about my life gets in the way of me having one.

Gary: (puts down his coffee cup, which is inscribed, "Gary") So, why'd you bother coming in today, then?

Claire: Because they sent a letter to my mother and threatened to suspend me if I didn't.

Gary: I thought maybe you had something you wanted to talk about.

Claire: (starts pacing) With you? Yeah, right.

Gary: Are you angry with me?

Claire: How can you tell?

Gary: I was obligated to cooperate with the police, Claire. It's my job. And, just so you know, I was here for you, not for them. They wanted to interrogate you alone. And they haven't found him yet, in case you're curious.

Claire: (stops pacing) Well, I'm not.

Gary: You haven't heard from him?

Claire: Fuck, no. Not that I'd tell you if I had.

Gary: For the record, you did the right thing when you called the police that night, Claire.

Claire: I know I did the right thing. This isn't a question of whether or not I did the right fuckin' thing.

Gary: Given the circumstances, it's completely understandable that you're feeling this angry, Claire.

Claire: If you don't stop saying my name at the end of every sentence, I am gonna--

Gary: What?

Claire: I don't know. Just don't. Okay.

Gary: You feel like throwing something?

Claire: Excuse me?

Gary: You could, you know, just pick something up off my desk and chuck it.

Claire: (yeah, right) I'm so sure you'd let me trash something off your desk.

Gary: If you thought it might help, I would.

There’s a beat. Then she approaches the desk, trying to figure out what to take, and then stops.

Claire: No, thanks. (sits down at the chair near his desk)

Gary: You're angry with Gabe, and you're scared 'cause you don't know what's gonna happen to him.

Claire: At this point, I don't give a flying fuck about him.

Gary: You don't really feel that way, do you?

Claire: No.

She sits very still for a while and then suddenly jumps up and knocks over GARY's full cup of coffee. She scares him and he backs his chair away from the spilled coffee. He doesn’t say a word, just nods a little.

Claire: I do feel better, thank you.

Scene Two: Fisher Intake Room

DAVID has an intake meeting with MR. MOSSBACK's two grown children, KIMBERLY and ADAM.

Kim: He was on one of those package bus tours.

Adam: He'd been going on a lot, three or four times a year, ever since Mom died. Sometimes he went with his friend, Pete. This time he went alone.

Kim: They think his heart just gave out.

Dave: I'm very sorry. And where is your father now?

Kim: He's still up there in Seattle.

Adam: (reads off a piece of paper) The Columbia Funeral Home's holding him for us. They're on Rainier Avenue.

Dave: Not a problem. We can make arrangements to have him flown back to L.A.

Adam: Flown back?

Kim: Dad won't fly. It was always a sore spot with Mom. She wanted to travel, but Dad flat-out refused, and then, after she died, he started taking all these package bus tours.

Adam: He has-- had a thing about flying.

Kim: He never flew.

Dave: I'm sure, given the circumstances--

Kim: No, it isn't what he would have wanted.

Adam: Isn't there some other way?

Dave: We can make arrangements to have him shipped, via rail or freight.

Adam: Like Fed-Ex? You can do that?

Dave: It's done all the time. They brought Abraham Lincoln home to Illinois by train, all the way from Washington, packed in ice.

They look oddly uncomforted.

Dave: It shouldn't be a problem.

Scene Three: Karla's Apartment

LUCILLE CHARLES, KEITH and KARLA's mom, gets her bags ready to leave. KEITH stands nearby, helping her. TAYLOR sits at the table.

Lucille: Now, Keith, I'll be back up here just as soon as your father's back on his feet.

Taylor: What if Grandpa dies? My friend Neisha's brother had an operation and he died.

Lucille: I told you, Taylor, it's just a hernia. It's nothing for you to worry about.

Keith: I'd sure like to know where the hell Karla is. She still up in Oakland with Derrick? Did she even offer to come back down here and take care of her kid when you told her you were leaving?

Lucille: (looking down) We haven't heard from her.

Keith: Jesus. I thought you had a number for her.

Lucille: It's been disconnected.

Keith: Oh, shit!

Lucille: I told you, Keith, hush that kind of mouth around your niece! Maybe I should just take the child with me.

Keith: Look, she'll be fine, alright? My new place has an extra room and, between Eddie and me, we'll make sure she's--

Taylor: I don't wanna come stay with you! How come you can't come stay here?

Keith: Because my things are at my place.

Taylor: What about my stuff?

Keith: You can bring it with you.

Taylor: Uh-uh. You'd probably steal it.

A car horn honks outside.

Lucille: There's my cab. Taylor, come on, honey, and give your grandma a hug.

TAYLOR gets up and does so.

Taylor: I love you, Grandma.

Lucille: Now, you be good and you mind your Uncle Keith. I'll try to come back as fast as I can.

She strokes the back of KEITH's neck, smiles and leaves.

Taylor: I know a lot worser words than "shit," you know?

Keith: So do I.

Scene Four: Fisher Kitchen, dinnertime

The whole family sits at dinner.

Nate: So, how'd the Mossback intake go?

Dave: We need to come up with a way to get a body shipped back from your old stomping ground.

Ruth: Why can't you just fly it back? That's what your father always did.

Dave: Apparently, the deceased was afraid of flying.

Nate: I don't think he's gonna give a shit now, David.

Dave: The family doesn't want him to fly, and the freight companies are backed up until next week, and Amtrak can't bring him back until next Tuesday.

Nate: Well, no problem. I'll fly up, rent a refrigerated van, drive back.

Dave: You don't need a refrigerated van, just a one-way rental. He's already been enbalmed.

Nate: Even easier.

Dave: You'd do that? You'd fly up there, then turn around and drive all the way back?

Nate: Sure. I haven't been back since Christmas. I can see a few friends. I still have some stuff up there. I'd love to.

Dave: I suppose we could mark up the cost of shipping to cover your travel.

Nate: When do you want me to leave?

Dave: Tomorrow?

Nate: Done.

DAVE seems a little surprised that this worked out so easily. A few seconds of silence and then...

Ruth: Have you met any nice men recently, David?

Dave: No one to speak of.

Ruth: Well, I wish you'd put yourself out more. The door to your house only opens from the inside, you know. (NATE can’t help laughing) We haven't seen your friend, Gabriel, around much lately, Claire.

Claire: So?

Ruth: Have you not been seeing as much of him?

Claire: No, I haven't.

Ruth: Did you two have a falling out?

Claire: Yeah, Gabe joined the Hare Krishna, okay?

Ruth: (completely believes her, laughs) Those people with the orange robes and tambourines?

NATE smiles.

Claire: That try to sell you books in the airport. Yeah, that's them.

Ruth: (laughs) Oh, my goodness! He never struck me as a religious person.

Claire: Well, he is now, big time.

Ruth: Did he shave his head?

Claire: (impatient) Yeah, he shaved his head. Can we talk about something else, please?

RUTH's expression turns from one that is happy that CLAIRE is finally letting her in, to one of disappointment.

Nate: Hey, Claire, do you want to come up to Seattle with me?

Claire: You're asking me to come to Seattle with you?

Nate: Yeah, why not?

Dave: I'm not sure we can stick the Mossbacks with another plane ticket, Nate.

Nate: I'll pay for it.

Claire: You will?!

Nate: Yeah. Look, I could use the company and, besides, you could help with some of the driving on the way back.

Ruth: She'll miss school.

Claire: (begging) We're not doing anything in class I can't miss, and I can bring my homework with me.

Nate: It's just for a couple of days.

Ruth: Fine. I'm tired of trying to be the architect of this family. It's high time you drew your own blueprints.

RUTH gets up and puts her plate in the sink. They all give her weird looks as she leaves the room.

Dave: Does anyone know what the fuck she's talking about anymore?

NATE and CLAIRE shake their heads.

Scene Five: Brenda's Bathroom, later that night

NATE stands at the mirror, flossing his teeth. BRENDA enters, in her nightgown, to find the toilet seat up.

Brenda: (annoyed) Nate!

Nate: What?

She slams the toilet seat down, and sits on it. She urinates, while using her right leg to drag a magazine from another part of the floor, closer to her. She leans over and reads the magazine while doing her business.

Nate: Oh, hey, by the way, I'm flying up to Seattle tomorrow.

Brenda: You are?

Nate: Yeah. I'm picking up a body and driving it back for David. I'm gonna take Claire with me.

Brenda: Sounds like fun.

Nate: You don't mind that I didn't ask you?

Brenda: Ask me what?

Nate: To go with me.

Brenda: No, not at all.

Nate: Good. You sure?

Brenda: (with no sense of irony) Nate, I'm trying to read, and you know I hate it when you floss in front of me.

Nate: Sorry.

Scene Six: Brenda's Bedroom

BRENDA gets into bed. NATE stands near the bed.

Nate: Is it weird that I didn't ask you to come up to Seattle with me?

Brenda: No, why would it be?

Nate: I don't know. It just feels a little weird.

Brenda: Okay, now it is a little weird, but only because you're making it a little weird.

Nate: But you're not mad about it?

Brenda: Not at all.

NATE gets into bed.

Brenda: I think it's really good for you to spend some time with your sister.

Nate: That's what I think.

He looks at her. After a few seconds, she gets uncomfortable and looks away.

Nate: You sure it's not too weird?

Brenda: Oh, God, Nate, give it a rest.

She turns off the light.

Nate: Good night, Bren.

Brenda: Good night.

He touches her, but she brushes him off and turns her body to sleep in the opposite direction, on her left side. Frustrated, he turns to his right to sleep, and stares at the wall, worried.

Act Two

Scene One: Plane, afternoon

CLAIRE sits at the window seat; NATE sits beside her. CLAIRE is reading through a Seattle-based magazine.

Claire: Cool! Sleater Kinney's playing at this place called “Showbox” tonight.

Nate: I hate to break it to you, but Showbox is 18 and over.

Claire: What makes you think I don't have a fake I.D.?

Nate: You have a fake I.D.?

Claire: You're not gonna pull some pseudo-parental bullshit on me, are you?

Nate: No. I had a fake I.D. once, too. Maybe I'll go with you.

Claire: I don't need a babysitter, Nate.

Nate: I love Sleater Kinney.

Claire: (laughs in disbelief) You love Sleater Kinney?

Nate: Would you just try to get over yourself for a second, and let me be your friend and your brother?

Claire: (taken aback) Did you bring me on this trip because you thought I needed a little distraction?

Nate: No, I invited you on this trip because I thought it would be fun to bring you along. Now I'm having second thoughts.

Claire: Okay.

Nate: Okay?

Claire: (genuinely) I believe you. (a pause) So, like, where are we staying, anyway?

Nate: My friend, Lisa's.

Claire: Is she an old girlfriend?

Nate: No. No way, not even close. We were strictly roommates, nothing more. Worked at the food co-op together.

Claire: Is she all crunchy granola, back packy, and way into grunge?

Nate: Um. Crunchy granola, maybe a little. Back packy, definitely. Into grunge, no way. Grunge died long before Kurt Cobain did. Besides, Lisa is-- not so easy to categorize. (CLAIRE looks intrigued)

Claire: You guys did it a few times, though, right?

Nate: We're not having this discussion. (smiles)

Claire: (smiles) Fine.

Scene Two: Lisa's House, exterior

NATE drives a "U-Pack-'Em Movers" van to LISA's house. CLAIRE is in the passengers' seat. NATE pulls up to the house.

Nate: This is it.

Claire: Sweet.

They both get out and walk up the stairs to the front porch. NATE looks slightly dazed. CLAIRE is excited. She looks to her right and sees a perfect view of the Seattle skyline, including the Space Needle. LISA KIMMEL runs out of the front door with one of the sweetest, most excited expressions on her face one is ever likely to see. She raises her arms.

Lisa: Nate!

Nate: Hey, Lisa!

They give each other a big hug.

Lisa: It's so good to have you back home!

Nate: It's good to be back!

When the hug has stopped, NATE introduces CLAIRE to LISA.

Nate: Lisa, this is my sister, Claire.

Lisa: (gives CLAIRE a big hug) Claire! (CLAIRE looks amused) Come in.

LISA leads them inside.

Scene Three: Fisher Dining Room

RUTH sits in the dining room. On the table she has a small pad and pen. She picks up the phone and dials.

Ruth: Hello, Hiram? It's me, Ruth. I'm fine. How are you? Um, listen. The reason why I'm calling is-- (laughs) I just wanted to let you know that I've been drafting a new blueprint for myself. (pause, laughs) No, not for the house. Well, yes, it is for the house. My house. I mean, not the actual, physical structure I live in with my family. I'm speaking more of the emotional structure in which I've chosen to live my life. (pause, laughs) No. I most certainly have not been drinking. I'm just trying to let you know, Hiram, that I harbor no hard feelings against you, and... (pauses) No, I do not want to get back together. How presumptuous! (pauses) You know something, Hiram?, FUCK OFF! (hangs up)

Scene Four: Fisher TV Room

RUTH does the ironing, while talking on the phone to her friend, AMELIA's, answering machine.

Ruth: Amelia? It's Ruth. I know we haven't seen each other in a while, and I feel a little funny leaving this on your machine, but I just wanted to let you know I've been drafting a new blueprint for myself, and if you're ever looking for an opportunity to renew our friendship, my front door is open to you. That's all I wanted to say. You can call me back if you want to, okay? (way too enthusiastically) Bye!

Scene Five: Fisher Front Room

RUTH dusts the banister, coming down the stairs and leaving a message on her sister, SARAH's, answering machine.

Ruth: Sarah? Sarah, are you there? If you're there, pick up. Okay, fine. I know we don't talk to each other very much anymore, but I've left you three messages in the last two weeks and you haven't returned any of my calls. I'm beginning to think you don't ever want to talk to me again, and if that's the case, well, we really need to talk! There are some things I would like to say to you about the cracks in my foundation and your part in helping me repair them. This is your sister, Ruth.

She hangs up, and picks up her pad. We now see there is a list written on it. HIRAM and AMELIA's names have a line drawn through them. RUTH draws one through SARAH's name. The last three names on the list are NATE, DAVID and CLAIRE.

Scene Six: Street, exterior/Fisher Prep Room

KEITH stands outside his cop car, talking to EDDIE on his cell phone. KEITH'S PARTNER stands near the opposite car door.

Keith: (annoyed) What do you mean you can't? Eddie, I need you to pick up Taylor from school. Look, I realize you're in the middle of a shift-- (pause) Can't you get somebody to cover for you? Fuck, man, I'm caught between a rock and a fuckin' hard place here. I need you to do this for me. Alright, never mind, fuck it, then. (hangs up)

Keith's Partner: This is a bullshit detail. I wish the guy would just shoot her and get it over with. I've got tickets for the Dodgers tonight. (KEITH gives him a face) What did I say?

Cut to the prep room. DAVID is shaving the face of the corpse of a middle-aged man. His phone rings and he answers it, using a headset.

David: David Fisher.

Keith: David?

David: (a little surprised) Keith?

Keith: Yeah, listen, I've got a huge favor to ask.

David: What is it?

Keith: I'm stuck in Koreatown. Some guy is holding his mother-in-law hostage, claims she put his TV remote down a garbage disposal. I don't know when I'm gonna get out of here. Eddie's pulling a double shift. (DAVID smiles secretly) I hate to ask, but... is there any way that you can pick up Taylor from Bridgebrook Elementary at three?

David: Yes. I mean, sure. I'd be glad to.

Keith: You sure?

David: Yes, of course.

Keith: Alright, thanks. I'll call ahead to the school so they'll be expecting you. I'll pick Taylor up from your place later.

David: Great.

Keith: Thanks, man. I owe you one.

David: No problem. (hangs up, smiles)

Scene Seven: Lisa's House, interior

NATE and CLAIRE sit at a low table, with plates of vegetarian meatloaf in front of them. CLAIRE tries her best to eat it, even though she is clearly not enjoying it. LISA enters and sits down at the table as well, with bread and ketchup.

Claire: What is this?

Lisa: Tofu meatloaf. It's completely vegan. No dairy, no eggs. No animal products of any kind.

Claire: No meat?

Lisa: None whatsoever.

Claire: Why do you call it "meatloaf"?

Lisa: (laughs) You're a pisser just like your brother, aren't you? Anyway, it used to be his favorite.

Nate: It's delicious, Lisa.

Lisa: I didn't put in too much garlic?

Claire: No, not for me.

Nate: No way.

Lisa: Garlic is a miracle herb. It helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, it stimulates the immune system, and it inhibits the growth of parasites in the intestines. (smiles)

Nate: So how's life at the co-op?

Lisa: Our membership is up 15% since you left. In spite of the bigger corporate outfits breathing down our necks.

Nate: Oh, wow, sounds like things are going great.

Lisa: We miss you. You should stop in and say "Hello" while you're here! So, how's life back in L.A.?

Nate: Oh, you know, it's okay. You know, what can I say? I may have finally found something I'm good at.

Lisa: I always knew you had a spiritual calling.

Claire: Yeah, right. (they give her a look) What? Being a funeral director is proof of a spiritual calling?

Lisa: Well, it's not exactly what I imagined for Nate, but it doesn't surprise me.

Nate: Nothing ever surprises you, Lisa.

Lisa: (brushes his arm, sweetly) That's true. (smiles, looks down shyly, pauses) So last time I spoke to you, back in January, I suppose, you had met somebody?

Nate: Brenda.

Lisa: Yeah. Anything ever happen with that?

Nate: We're still together.

Lisa: Wow! 8 months! That's gotta be an all-time record for you, Nate!

Nate: (laughs) It might be.

Lisa: Sounds like a real relationship to me.

Nate: Well, what can I say? It is what it is. I mean for me, for where I am right now, it's a good thing. (CLAIRE gives a look, wondering why he's so hesitant to talk about BRENDA)

Lisa: (nods, smiles) It's all good.

Nate: It is. It's all-- (loses enthusiasm) well, mostly, you know-- good.

Lisa: I'm really happy for you, Nate. You know, I got offered a job in L.A.

Nate: Really?

Lisa: Yeah. Some big-time producer came through town, shooting a movie. She's looking for a vegan chef, and she offered me a job.

Claire: Really, what movie?

Lisa: I'm not good with titles. I don't go to the movies. Film is processed with gelatin. Gelatin comes from horses' hooves.

Claire: Huh. I didn't know that.

Lisa: Most people don't. Hence the global slavery of animals.

Nate: (smiles to himself) Were you thinking about taking the job?

Lisa: I don't know. I mean, L.A. is such a godless place. Besides, my life is really full here. (nods)

Nate: (nods) Yeah.

Claire: May I use your bathroom?

Lisa: Yeah. It's down the hall, second door on the left.

CLAIRE gets up and leaves the room, hiding her napkin in her left hand.

Lisa: (whispers) She's a lot like you.

Nate: You think?

Lisa: (nods) God, I've missed you, Nate.

Nate: I've missed you too.

Scene Eight: Lisa's Bathroom

CLAIRE enters the bathroom. There's a wooden, carved sign over the toilet that reads, "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."

Claire: Give me a break.

She opens the napkin she's taken, and drops a large piece of tofu meatloaf she's hidden in it into the toilet. She flushes it down, then turns on the water to make it sound like she's washing her hands. Then she stays there for a beat.

Scene Nine: Brenda's Living Room

BRENDA is giving a shiatsu massage to a woman around her age, named MELISSA.

Melissa: Wow. I think you totally cleared out my sinuses.

Brenda: Not too hard? Some of my clients find me a little intense.

Melissa: No, I love it. Feels great.

Brenda: I have to say, you're pretty loose. (gets up, crosses the room) Not a lot of tension in the usual places. I'm curious, Melissa, what do you do? I'm just asking 'cause I'm thinking of changing professions and, well, I'm curious.

Melissa: (stretching) I'm a prostitute.

Brenda: No shit?

Melissa: (sits up, looks at her) No shit.

Brenda: (smiles) Wow. Cool. (laughs, throws her a towel. Melissa looks at Brenda a little weird, then wipes her brow with the towel)

Scene Ten: Brenda's Living Room, a little while later

MELISSA is getting dressed. BRENDA enters.

Brenda: Hey, I was just gonna make a cup of tea. You want one?

Melissa: Oh, I'd love to, but I've gotta get to work. Same time next week?

Brenda: Absolutely. (escorts her out the door)

Melissa: See ya.

Brenda: (smiles) See ya.

MELISSA leaves. The phone rings, BRENDA answers. It's MARGARET.

Brenda: Hello?

Margaret: Bren, hi, honey, it's Mom. I'm at Tranquility Spa. I need you to meet me over here.

Brenda: Why?

Margaret: Sweetheart, it's an emergency. I need you over here, please?

Brenda: What's happened?

Margaret: I'm at Tranquility Spa, Brenda, in La Cañada. I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important.

Scene Eleven: Tranquility Spa, exterior

BRENDA walks slowly up to the door of the spa. Suddenly, MARGARET jumps up out of the bushes and grabs BRENDA's arm, pulling her away from the spa and scaring her, for a second.

Margaret: Brenda! Don't go in there!

Brenda: Mother, let go of my fucking arm! You're hurting me!

MARGARET leads her to BERNARD's car, which is parked out in front.

Margaret: This is your father's car!

Brenda: So, Dad's here. Who cares?

Margaret: He's not here. He's at work. I checked. Look on the dash. (BRENDA sees a pack of Virginia Slims on the dashboard) Well, your father doesn't smoke Virginia Slims! Look on the gear shift. (a scrunchie is wrapped around the gear shift)

Brenda: (mock surprise, gasp) Ah! A scrunchie! Big fuckin' deal!

Margaret: Your father hasn't had enough hair to need a scrunchie since 1975!

Brenda: So you think Dad's fucking somebody...

Margaret: Bingo!

Brenda: Oh, my God, is that all this is? I thought you'd heard from the hospital, that something had happened to Billy.

Margaret: Oh, don't be do dramatic, Brenda.

Scene Twelve: Fisher TV Room

TAYLOR sits on the couch and DAVID brings her a glass of milk and a plate of cookies.

Dave: Now, Taylor, I have to go downstairs and work for a little while. Do you have everything you need?

Taylor: Can I have some chocolate milk?

Dave: I'm sorry, we don't have any chocolate milk.

Taylor: I want some goddamn chocolate milk!

Dave: Yes, well, I'm sorry, but we only have white milk.

Taylor: Ain't you got any other cookies besides these?

Dave: Those are all we have.

Taylor: I don't like these kind. These kind tastes like shit.

Dave: Well, then just color in your coloring books, and I'll check on you in a little bit.

Taylor: I don't like coloring books.

Dave: You picked them out yourself at the drug store.

Taylor: You told me I had to.

Dave: I thought you liked coloring books.

Taylor: I don't. I told you I like to draw.

Dave: Well, then draw.

Taylor: (picks up a coloring book, talks condescendingly while showing him) These are coloring books. You can't draw in coloring books, because they already have the drawings in them. You can only color in coloring books. That's why they're called “coloring books.”

Dave: (pauses) You wanna watch TV?

Taylor: Okay.

Dave: (turns on the TV and hands her the remote) You know how to use that?

Taylor: What, do you think I'm stupid?

Dave: I didn't say you were stupid.

Taylor: Bitch, I know how to use a remote.

Dave: Fine, knock yourself out. (leaves)

Taylor: Dumb-ass cracker!

Scene Thirteen: Fast Food Restaurant, exterior

NATE drives CLAIRE in the van to a fast food restaurant. They are currently in a long line of cars waiting for the drive-thru.

Claire: Oh, man, I am starving for a cheeseburger. I want something that walked the earth, with the works.

Nate: Man, I'm having a double.

Claire: I thought you liked the meatless meatloaf.

Nate: I lied.

Claire: No shit. (laughs) And what's with the "it is what it is" purposely vague bullshit about you and Brenda?

Nate: I didn't want to hurt Lisa's feelings, okay?

Claire: You definitely slept with her.

Nate: Okay, yes. We had occasional sex together, but it was strictly on a friendship basis.

Claire: (laughs) You were fuck-buddies?

Nate: (smiles) Yeah. And nothing more.

Claire: Does Lisa know that?

Nate: You know what? Every time we did have sex, and I'm only talking about five, maybe six times tops, I was very honest with her about what it meant and what it didn't mean.

Claire: Well, she's got it bad for you.

Nate: Well, I was always honest with Lisa.

Claire: If you say so...

Nate: (as they get to the drie through speaker) What do you want?

Claire: I want a Chubby Cheese with everything, and medium skinny fries, and a coke.

Nate: (pulling up to the speaker; starts making a weird face) Oh, my God, do you smell that?

Claire: What, burgers and fries?

Nate: No, it's like rotten eggs! Jesus! Oh, man, deja fuckin' vu.

Waiter's Voice: Welcome to Chubby's. May I take your order?

NATE begins to have a mini-seizure. He starts by speaking quickly and erratically, stuttering. For a moment, CLAIRE laughs, thinking he's messing around, but quickly gets very concerned and upset.

Nate: Yeah, I'll have a double dub--uh--uh--a--a Chubby--a double Chubby--a Chubby Chubby--a double double--a double chubby--a chubby chubby--a chub--I'll have a doub--I'll have a double Chubby cheeseburger. (scrunches his eyes, in a major headache) Oh, fuck me!

Waiter's Voice: Okay, sir, was that one or two double cheeseburgers?

NATE covers his left eye with his left hand and holds it, in agony.

Nate: Ow! Jesus, my head!

Claire: Nate...

Nate: Oh, fuck! (opens the door and gets out of the car)

Claire: (extremely worried) Nate! (moves to the driver's side and looks outside the door)

NATE hunches over and pukes on the sidewalk.

Claire: Nate, are you okay?

Nate: Oh, fuck... (gets back in the car)

Waiter's Voice: Sir, I didn't get that... Can I take your order please?

NATE gets back in the car, breathing heavily. He closes his eyes.

Waiter's Voice: Hello, sir?

CLAIRE looks at him, very concerned.

Nate: (looks back at Claire, trying to focus) You drive. I'm gonna-- I'm gonna get some air and make a phone call.

Claire: Okay.

NATE gets out of the car, takes out his cell phone and gets out his wallet. His hands are shaking a bit and he has difficulty getting out his doctor's business card.

Waiter's Voice: Sir, I didn't get that... Can you please repeat your order?

Claire: (into the speaker) Shut up!

Nate: (into phone) Yeah, is Dr. DiPaolo in? Yeah, yeah, it's definitely an emergency.

Waiter: Sir, can I take your order, please?

Claire: Shut the fuck up!

Waiter: Okay, sir, I'm going to have to contact the manager.

Scene Fourteen: Margaret's Car, Tranquility Spa Parking Lot

MARGARET sits in the driver's seat, BRENDA in the passenger seat. They are waiting for BERNARD's affair to come out, spying.

Brenda: I can't believe I'm doing this. Can't we at least go inside? I could get a seaweed wrap while I pretend to listen to you.

A young, dark-haired woman comes out.

Margaret: That couldn't be her!

Brenda: I'm eating your protein bar. (does so)

Margaret: Maybe it is...

Brenda: This is like eating upholstery.

The woman walks on.

Margaret: I knew it! Bern couldn't get anyone that good-looking to jump his saggy ass. (laughs, BRENDA does too)

Brenda: I thought you and Dad had an agreement about this sort of thing.

Margaret: We did. We do. Only this time, he broke one of the rules: he didn't tell me first.

Brenda: Oh, so you're not upset that Dad's fucking somebody else. You're upset that he didn't tell you he was fucking somebody else.

Margaret: That's right. The rule is, if you step outside the holy bonds, you have to tell your wife first.

Brenda: Oh.

Margaret: (laughs) So she can line up some young hottie of her own!

BRENDA laughs in spite of herself.

Brenda: Well, I guess that sounds fair. You have other rules?

Margaret: Yeah, a whole slew of them.

Brenda: Go on, tell me. I'm curious.

Margaret: You can't fuck my friends, I can't fuck yours. No fucking of mutual friends. Never in Hawaii. Never in a hotel that costs more than $300 a night. And never in a hotel that's under $75 a night. (BRENDA laughs) Not on holidays. And there are others, I just can't remember all of them at the moment.

Brenda: Wow. Oh, is one of them: "Never fuck anybody else in front of your kids"? Oh, I guess not, since there was that time that I watched you in the hot tub with some old guy, with a hairy back.

Margaret: Darling, your father was there. And there was absolutely no penetration, I can assure you of that.

Brenda: Yeah, I'll bet that wasn't your choice.

Margaret: And you were supposed to be in bed...

Scene Fifteen: Fisher Prep Room

DAVE and RICO try to loosen up the arms of the corpse, which has gone in major rigor mortis.

Dave: I was only gone a couple of hours, Rico.

Rico: Every hour you're gone is an hour I have to stay late. I'm sorry about your buddy's kid, but I have kids of my own at home.

Dave: Is this about us not giving you the loan for the house? Because you never used to complain about having to work a little overtime.

Rico: This is about me not wanting to be taken advantage of by my employers.

Dave: We're more than just your employers, Rico.

Rico: Oh, that's bullshit, David, and you know it! When it's convenient, we're like family, but, in a pinch, I'm just an employee and you and Nate are just my bosses. (there’s a beat as RICO looks behind DAVE, a little unsure) Hey, little lady. (TAYLOR has entered the room and is staring in shock at the dead guy)

Dave: (turns left, then right and sees her) Taylor, I told you to wait upstairs.

Taylor: My tummy hurts...

Dave: Let's go.

Taylor: Is that man dead? (DAVE pushes her out as she struggles to look over her shoulder)

Scene Sixteen: Basement Hallway

DAVE leads TAYLOR into the hallway. She sits down on the stairs.

Taylor: That man was totally dead.

Dave: (sits down beside her) Yes, that man was totally dead.

Taylor: Did you kill him?

Dave: No.

Taylor: Did that other man in there kill him?

Dave: No. He died of natural causes.

Taylor: My friend Renee said, sooner or later, we'll all be dead.

Dave: That's true.

Taylor: So someday I'll be dead, lying on a table like that?

Dave: Not for a very, very long time.

Taylor: My mom says my dad's good as dead, as far as she's concerned.

Dave: Yes, well, that's just her way of expressing anger at him for not being around.

Taylor: Sometimes my mom says she wishes she was dead.

Dave: That's just something that people say when they're upset about something.

Taylor: Did that dead man in there have any kids?

Dave: Yeah, he had a wife and three children and five grandchildren.

Taylor: I don't ever want to die.

Dave: Me neither.

Scene Seventeen: Drug Store, exterior

NATE and CLAIRE exit the drug store. NATE has a bag with his prescription in it, and a bottled water. They walk to the van.

Nate: It's called arteriovenous malformation, "AVM" for short. Lots of people have it their whole lives and never even know.

He takes a pill and swallows it with a swig of water.

Claire: And the pills?

Nate: They're an anti-seizure medication.

Claire: (very worried) So, what happened to you-- that was a seizure?

Nate: Sort of.

Claire: (not convinced) “Sort of”?

Nate: It was a mild seizure.

Claire: Does David know about this?

Nate: Yes, he does. But I don't want Mom to know, 'cause she'll just freak out. Alright? It's no big deal, I promise.

Claire: (still not convinced) You know?, people don't just spaz out and hork all over their shoes for no good reason, Nate.

Nate: Two words: Tofu Meatloaf. (smiles, she doesn't think it's funny) Look, besides, now I have these pills. It'll be totally under control.

Claire: You swear?

Nate: I swear. I just have to take them for the rest of my life is all.

Claire: I don't believe you.

Nate: Just do me a favor and don't tell David about this, okay? (turns and goes into the van, looking very worried. CLAIRE looks worried too. Stays put for a beat then walks to the van too)

Scene Eighteen: Margaret's Car

Brenda: So, this client of mine's a prostitute...

Margaret: So, is that supposed to shock me?

Brenda: What? God, not everything is about you. You're such a classic narcissist.

Margaret: Brenda, just because your parents are shrinks doesn't mean you know anything about psychology.

Brenda: Yeah, and just because you're a shrink doesn't mean that you're not out of your fucking mind.

Margaret: You know, I've treated several prostitutes over the years, and they're not as uncommon as you'd th-- (stops mid-sentence when she sees a young, blonde woman exit the spa and go to BERN's car) Oh! That's her? (the girl unlocks the car and gets in) She's your age! I have to talk to her.

Brenda: (grabs her mom's arm) Oh, Mom, don't. Please, don't.

Margaret: No, no, wait, wait, wait, I'm not angry. I'm not gonna make a scene. I just need to personalize the experience and humanize the situation. It's for all of us. (gets out of the car)

Brenda: (calling to her) You'll just regret it!

BRENDA watches MARGARET go up to BERN's car.

Margaret: Oh, miss! Oh, missy! (approaches) Hello, I'm Margaret, Bern's wife.

MARGARET seems very friendly, smiling and speaking happily. We don't see the girlfriend, who's in the car.

Margaret: You know?, Bern and I have a really open relationship, and I just want you to know that it's okay with me.

Girlfriend: You know?, I'd love to chat, but I've gotta go meet Bern for lunch.

MARGARET starts laughing hysterically. All of a sudden, she grabs the woman by the throat and attacks her, trying to pull her out of the car window, tugging at her hair and clawing at her face. The woman screams. BRENDA looks mortified. She hides in her seat.

Girlfriend: Get off, you bitch! I can't believe you!

The woman pushes MARGARET off and zooms out of the driveway.

Margaret: You slut! I'll see you in Hell! I hope you like herpes! (goes back into her car) You know?, I thought she'd be more evolved.

Brenda: Evolved? Mother, you just attacked that woman... repeatedly! She could have you thrown in jail!

Margaret: I seriously doubt that. (lightens up) Are you hungry?

Brenda: Why am I here? Why was it necessary for me to be here with you for this? Because you needed a fucking audience!

Margaret: Not everything's about you, Brenda.

Brenda: (mimics her) Look at Mommy. Isn't Mommy pretty? Isn't Mommy fabulous and free-spirited and uninhibited? Validate Mommy, kids, because she's incapable of doing it herself. No wonder Billy ended up in a psych ward. Not that you care.

Margaret: For your information, Miss High-and-Mighty, this is life. People have crises. They push each other's buttons. They inflict pain on one another. And once in a fucking blue moon, they bring out the best in each other. But mostly, they bring out the worst.

Brenda: You're pathetic.

Margaret: Don't you dare judge me. You think you're the paragon of mental health just because you've been dating a sane man for the past few months? That's real compared to what your father and I have?

Brenda: You're just jealous.

Margaret: Of what?!

Brenda: The fact that I haven't allowed you to totally destroy my life like you have everyone else's!

Margaret: What life? You've spent 32 years being your little brother's nursemaid...

Brenda: Oh, fuck you!

Margaret: ...to avoid having any emotional life of your own. And now that he's been put away, you're gonna have to face your own demons, and, sweetheart, they're legion.

BRENDA slaps her across the face, hard. MARGARET is stunned silent.

Margaret: Get out of my car.

Brenda: I would be happy to. (leaves without closing the door)

MARGARET starts to cry.

Scene Nineteen: Fisher Kitchen, early evening

RUTH serves TAYLOR dinner. DAVE sits at the table also.

Ruth: I hope you like pork roast and mashed potatoes.

Taylor: They're okay. (picks up her plate and starts to leave the room)

Ruth: Where are you going, dear?

Taylor: To watch TV.

Ruth: In this house, we eat dinner at the table.

Taylor: You don't watch TV while you eat?!

Ruth: No, we don't.

Dave: Maybe we can watch some TV when we're done eating.

TAYLOR, dejected, comes back to the table with her plate.

Ruth: So what grade are you in, Taylor?

Taylor: Fourth.

Ruth: Oh! David was in the fourth grade once.

TAYLOR gives him a surprised look.

Dave: It's true.

Taylor: Did you know David used to be my Uncle Keith's boyfriend?

Ruth: Yes, I did.

Taylor: (laughs) Sometimes my momma calls my Uncle Keith a punk-ass fudgepacker! Cause he likes men instead of women. (RUTH and DAVE freeze. To DAVE) I guess that makes you a punk-ass fudgepacker too, don't it?

Dave: We don't use those kinds of words at this table. In fact, we don't use those kinds of words at all.

Taylor: How come?

Dave: Well, because those words are--

Ruth: Hateful. Those are hateful words.

Taylor: What words do you use? (RUTH can’t answer, so DAVE does)

Dave: Homosexual.

TAYLOR nods.

Taylor: My Uncle Keith has a new boyfriend. His name's Eddie. He drives an ambulance, but I don't like him too much.

Dave: (secretly happy) Why not?

Taylor: He looks at himself in the mirror a lot, and he talks to me like I'm stupid.

Dave: I'm sure that's not true.

Taylor: Yes, it is.

Ruth: Well, it is true. Some people just don't know how to talk to children.

Taylor: Tell me about it.

DAVE smiles.

Ruth: I think I'll start the dishes. (she has barely touched her food)

TAYLOR smiles to DAVID and opens her mouth, revealing a mush of chewed-up mashed potatoes. He laughs, then shakes his head at her.

Scene Twenty: Lisa's House

CLAIRE sits in the living room, reading a book, when she hears LISA yelling in the kitchen.

Lisa: It's time for you to leave now! Go! Go! Go! Go!

CLAIRE enters the kitchen to see LISA on her hands and knees on the floor, calling to something under her pantry.

Claire: Is everything okay?

Lisa: (startled) Oh, Claire, I thought you were taking a nap.

Claire: I was reading. Where's Nate?

Lisa: He's outside, making a phone call.

Claire: Who were you talking to?

Lisa: (smiles) Ants. I'm being overrun by them. At first I tried setting a little food aside for them next to the back door. Then I tried coaxing them out with some citrus oil. And now I'm trying to reason with them.

Claire: At home, my dad used to squirt them with lighter fluid and torch them.

LISA looks horrified and looks down.

Lisa: I'm not still in love with your brother, if that's what you're thinking.

Claire: Actually, I wasn't thinking that.

Lisa: I used to be. I used to think one day he would realize I was the one for him. He never asked. (beat) Do you think he ever will?

Claire: I'm probably not the person to be asking that question. He's my brother and all, but, to tell you the truth, I'm just getting to know the guy.

Lisa: Well, he's a heartbreaker, that's for sure. There are a dozen women all over Seattle who would freak if they knew he was back here. You must think I'm so stupid.

Claire: (sweetly) No, I don't.

Lisa: Do you have a boyfriend?

Claire: No. Not anymore. We broke up.

Lisa: You're better off, trust me. Fuckin' ants.

Scene Twenty-One: Lisa's Front Porch/Brenda's Bathroom

NATE talks on his cell phone to BRENDA, who's sitting on the rim of her bathtub.

Nate: I just wanted to hear how your day went.

Brenda: My mother practically beat the shit out of a woman in a parking lot but, apart from that, I'm fine. How's Seattle?

Nate: Seattle's good. What's this about your mother trying to beat the shit out of somebody?

Brenda: Oh, I really don't feel like reliving it right now. How's it going with Claire?

Nate: Yeah, great. We're getting along great.

Brenda: Is everything okay?

Nate: No. I just have a headache. We're gonna hit the road first thing in the morning.

Brenda: Okay, well, I'll see ya, then.

Nate: Yep.

Brenda: Listen, Nate, I just ran a bath and it's getting cold, so--

Nate: I miss you.

Brenda: (pauses for a moment, and then speaks, unconvincingly) I miss you too. (hangs up, then puts down her head and cries)

Scene Twenty-Two: Brenda's House, a little later, nighttime

BRENDA lies in her bathtub, smoking pot. She hears a knock at the door. She exhales and gets out of the bath. She puts on a robe and answers the door. It's SCOTT, the man she talked to at the bar in "The Plan."

Scott: Hey.

Brenda: Hi.

Scott: You never called.

Brenda: How did you know where I live?

Scott: Well, that's not really important. (enters the house, closes the door behind him)

Brenda: I think maybe it is.

He hushes her.

Scott: You wanna know what's really important?

He kisses her full on the lips.

Brenda: Show me.

He starts making out with her and removes her robe. He kisses her all over and starts descending. Soon he is down on his knees, giving her head in the middle of the living room. She starts moaning.

Cut to BRENDA lying in her bathtub, masturbating with the showerhead.

Scene Twenty-Three: Fisher TV Room

TAYLOR is asleep on the couch. DAVID and KEITH stand over her.

Keith: She give you a hard time?

Dave: Not really.

Keith: Let me grab her and we'll get out of your way.

He picks her up.

Keith: Thanks again.

Dave: It's no problem whatsoever. She's... (he smiles) She's a great kid, Keith. She really is.

Keith: Considering everything she's been put through, it's kind of a miracle. Well, we should go.

DAVID hands him her backpack.

Keith: (laughs) Oh, yeah. Well, good night, David.

Dave: Good night.

KEITH leaves.

Scene Twenty-Four: Lisa's Guest Room

NATE lies in bed, staring at the ceiling. LISA enters with a quilt.

Lisa: I thought you might need an extra quilt. It gets cold in this room.

NATE sits up.

Nate: Thanks, Lis. (sounds choked-up)

Lisa: Are you okay?

Nate: Yeah. I'm fine.

Lisa: Are you sure.

Nate: Yeah. I'm good.

Lisa: You can't fool me, Nate. I know you too well.

Nate: I'm fine. (looks down and starts to cry)

She rubs his shoulder and he puts his head in her lap and sobs.

Lisa: Oh, poor baby. It's okay. I'm here. I'm right here. It's okay.

The screen fades to white.

Act Three

Scene One: Lisa's House, the next morning

CLAIRE packs her bag.

Lisa: Are you sure you don't want any breakfast?

Claire: Oh, no, I'm good. I never eat breakfast.

Nate: (going through some clothes) Lisa, have you seen my old brown flanel shirt?

Lisa: I'm pretty sure it got donated to the co-op garage sale.

Nate: (finds it) No, here it is. (smiles)

Lisa: Oh, I love that shirt! It's so Nate.

Nate: (thinks of something) Why don't you hang onto it?

Lisa: No, I couldn't.

Nate: No, come on, I want you to have it.

Lisa: It's your shirt. What would I want with it?

Nate: Would you just keep it? (hands it to her, she smiles, there’s a moment. CLAIRE watches the scene dumbstruck. Then LISA looks at her and she looks down) We should probably hit the road, pick up Mr. Mossback.

Claire: Right.

Nate: Lisa... (hugs her) As always, it's been great...

Lisa: Mm hmm...

Nate: ...seeing you.

Lisa: Take care of yourself, Nate.

Nate: (kisses her on the forehead) You too. (leaves)

Claire: It was nice to meet you.

Lisa: (hugs her hard again) Nice meeting you, Claire.

Claire: (leaves) Thank you.

Lisa: You're welcome.

LISA closes the door behind her, and looks sad and a little lonely.

Scene Two: Fisher Kitchen

DAVID enters with the newspaper. RUTH sits at the kitchen table, drinking coffee.

Dave: Morning, Mom.

Ruth: It's awfully quiet around here with Nate and Claire being gone.

Dave: I suppose it is.

Ruth: What time did your friend come by to pick up his niece?

Dave: Half past one.

Ruth: That's awfully late for a child her age to be up.

Dave: She was asleep on the sun porch.

Ruth: Oh. (pauses)

Dave: Is there something you'd like to say to me, Mom?

Ruth: No. Yes, yes, there is.

Dave: I'm all ears.

Ruth: Your father used to say that to me all the time: "I'm all ears." Sometimes you remind me of him.

Dave: What's on your mind?

Ruth: You have to be careful with children, David, because their blueprints are still being drafted by the adults in their lives, and this little girl... well, it seems to me that her foundation is probably unstable enough without you bringing your--

Dave: My what?

Ruth: Well, your relationship with her uncle, you have to admit, might be a little confusing to someone her age.

Dave: Mom, I'm happy for you if this whole "Plan" thing of yours has enabled you to "draft your own blueprint" or "patch up some of the cracks in your foundation," but, just between you and me, you're starting to sound like a crazy person. And I think it's time you kept that shit to yourself and minded your own fucking business. (leaves. RUTH stays there and sips her coffee, looking pensive)

Scene Three: Columbia Funeral Home, exterior

A group of undertakers load MR. MOSSBACK, who's in a packaged box, into the back of the van. NATE signs paperwork with the funeral director.

Nate: Thank you.

The man nods. NATE gets into the passenger seat. CLAIRE is in the driver's seat.

Claire: Okay, it's a little weird driving a dead guy all the way back to L.A.

Nate: It's only weird if you make it weird.

Claire: (looks at the box in back) It's a little weird.

Nate: It's not.

Claire: You know, Nate, I don't know why, but it's comforting to know you're just as fucked up as the rest of us.

Nate: I'm not anywhere near as fucked up as the rest of you.

Claire: You are.

Nate: I'm not.