 The door was open and I let myself in. Brie? Don't. Do you need a minute? A minute? I'm just trying to... What? Just trying. Don't bother. I just walked through the door, Brie. Give me a break, would you? I don't want to do this anymore than you do. I need to do this. You know what I mean. Forget it. Okay? You started it. Then I'm stopping it. Can we just talk like normal people? You think this is normal? That's not what I meant. Don't twist my words around. I'm not twisting anything. I said forget it. Fine. I told Erin I would be home by dinner, but whatever it takes. Whatever it takes? I haven't been in this room in... eight years? Nine. Nine years? Jesus. It was a long time ago. Yeah, it was. So, where's Joe? Out. Where did he... He's out, okay? I was requested. Look, it's nothing personal against the guy. Let's just get him to stand up. Well, if it's any consolation, he doesn't like you, Peter. Yeah, well, it's hard to like a guy when he's screwing your wife. Ex-wife? Not when he started screwing him. Is this really what you want to do today? Maybe you should just go. I'll be an asshole. I'm sorry. So am I. You're not being an asshole. I'm just sorry. Let's pause and catch our breath here, okay? Where do you want me to start, Bree? Bree? I don't know. I don't know. See, it's starting to pack up some of our clothes. I was going to give them to Rebecca. Your sister's kid? But the thought of them on anyone else. Well, I couldn't bear the thought. I'm going to donate them. You're welcome to see if there's anything in there you might want before it goes. Okay. Oh, my. Oh, my. Remember this? Her princess dress, of course I remember. Our Friday night dinners out were a big affair. She always insisted on dressing up. She even made me do her makeup. She wanted to be pretty like mommy. Well, this is the dress she always wore. And there's probably a tiara around here somewhere, too. Chelsea, the little princess. Chelsea, the big princess. She can't wear that until she can squeeze into it anymore. I'm going to take this if that's okay with you. Sure. I think so. Just... Just what? Don't let Carrie wear it. But she's the perfect age and it will look great on her. Just don't, promise me. Why? Because it's our memory. It's not for you and Erin. Hmm. Okay. Promise. I promise. Okay? She sends her love, by the way. Erin? She's not as bad as you think, Bree. And she loves Chelsea like her own daughter. Did she? Don't get like this. Like what, Keith? How am I supposed to get exactly, Keith? Don't get like this when I talk about Erin. But it's okay for you to get like this when I bring up Joe. Totally different than you know it. At least he never turned his back on her. Low, Bree. Neither did I. When was the last time you actually talked to her face to face? I knew what was going on. You weren't there every day. You didn't see it. I knew what was going on. You didn't see it! This isn't the time for this, Bree. No, it isn't. That time has passed. Just like her. Right in the gut. Well done, but that was always your gift. Chelsea wouldn't have wanted this. This between us. It's all we know. I texted her a few weeks ago. A text? Yeah, I know. How you doing, Champ? Smiley face? And she didn't even respond. You could have at least tried to call. I wanted to. I did. I just didn't get around to it. I didn't think- Your gift? I didn't think I'd never get another chance. Are you looking for sympathy? From me? I had to watch everything. I'm sorry, Bree. What do you want me to say to you? You should have said it to her. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for you. We need to get through this. You know what? Just take what you want. Take whatever you want. No, we said we would do this together. We did, didn't we? We said we would go through her room together. You and I. And here we are. Here we are. What's so funny? What would Chelsea say if she saw us like this? In the same room? In the same bed. Sky is falling? Armageddon. Do you think? Do you remember the last time she caught us in bed together? When she was four. Oh yes, I remember. She came walking and rubbing her tired little eyes. Marched right up to the side of the bed. I did not notice she was there. Well, we were a little busy. Do you remember what she said? Daddy, you're crushing mommy! I can hear her screaming all the way down the hall! Oops. Really? Okay. I think I'm ready. Let's go on. Yeah? Sounds good. I don't know what to do. Maybe I can work on packing up some of her books or her records. Okay. If you'll allow me. What? I'm sorry you only wanted me to find her. Like that. I'm not. I'm glad it was me. And not some stranger in a strange place she only went to get. When I walked in here I knew she was gone. I knew she was gone the moment I saw her lying there. That's a good. I couldn't even move. Not for three hours. I just sat on the bed holding her hand. And finally Joe came home and he had to call 911 and pick me up and carry me out. He's silly, isn't it? No, not silly at all, Bree. He kept saying, how did this happen? How did this happen? How did this happen? And I kept saying, please just let me go back to her. Please just let me go back. Say what you want about Joe, but he held me together. It's just too bad he didn't get that earlier. Maybe we could have- We? I don't remember seeing you there, Keith. You know what I mean. Again with that, I don't know what you mean. There is no we. Maybe if she was with me that day then- Things would have been different. She wasn't welcome in your home, Keith. You kicked her out, remember? You know why Erin made me do that. Because she's a bitch. Because Chelsea was stealing everything. There wasn't going to be a home left to kick anyone out of. What a coward. What a pile of shit. You couldn't stand up to Erin if your life depended on it. Or someone else's life. That's not fair. You know that counselor told us to stop enabling her. You were there. She said this would be the best thing for her. We thought we were making the right choice at the time. Whatever helps you sleep at night. You think I sleep? I don't think I slept at night in four years. Finally, we agree on something. I don't even know why we're fighting about this. What does it matter now? I just thought I owed you this. It's what she would have wanted. She hated that we didn't talk. Yeah, and we couldn't get past it. Not even for her. This is our fault. We used each other as a weapon against each other. So sick and twisted. We drove her to this. You don't believe that? Are we so terrible? Are we getting what we deserved? I'm going to work on the bookshelf. Why? Hello there, Mr. Puddles. I remember you. Mr. Puddles, the world's cuddliest bear. Ah, nope, nope. That's not what she said. I know, cuddliest. She couldn't say her scenes when she first got him. But he didn't like being wet. Oh, no, sir, he did not. Just because his name was Mr. Puddles doesn't mean he liked to be wet. And she made sure everyone knew it. Every single person she met. Mr. Puddles. He has seen better days. Well-worn old bear. Well-loved old bear. That he was. Do you remember that day we went to the music park just a few months after she got him? Adventure World, I remember. And Mr. Puddles had to come along. She took him everywhere. And we couldn't simply leave him in the car when we got there. Well, he'd be lonely in the car. That was her argument. Mr. Puddles had to come in. Had to. He was about as big as she was then. And she carried him around the whole day. I'll give her that. I offered to carry him, but she would have none of it. Seeing him reminds me of that log-flume ride. Do you remember that old friend? It's funny what comes to mind sometimes, isn't it? I remember us getting in line. And when Chelsea saw the water, she started to panic. I could see it in her eyes. Although, I don't know how she could see anything with that bear in her hands. He was so big. I told her we didn't have to go on the ride, but she said she really wanted to. And so did Mr. Puddles. She said, we're brave, mommy. And then you and I were looking at each other like, how is this going to work out? And finally it's our turn to get in the boat. And she looks up at me and she says, I cannot let Mr. Puddles get wet. I promised I'd take care of him. And then she burst into tears. And then that boy, he couldn't have been more than 16, that boy running the ride, he comes over and he asks if everything's okay. And Chelsea tells him about Mr. Puddles. And then he says, wait here. And then he says, wait here. And then he comes back with a trash bag. And then together he and Chelsea make a little raincoat for Mr. Puddles. And everyone had to wait in line, but he said he didn't care because he had a little sister and he knew how important Mr. Puddles was to our Chelsea. And I kissed him right on the cheek. And for one very brief moment, Chelsea did ask me to hold Mr. Puddles. Just long enough so she could give that boy a hug. This hurts so much. Tell them what to say to make it go away. I don't want it to ever go away. She was special. She was ours. Should have told Erin the old fuckers and that council I should have never let her push me into pushing her out. If I could take it back. Well you can't. But if I could. You do what, huh? Save the day? I just tell her I loved her. That's all. You know who would love Mr. Puddles? Carrie. I don't think so. No, she would. No, I mean, no, she can't have him. Is Mr. Puddles going to be donated too? I don't know yet. Fine. Well, would you at least consider it? Can I ask you something? She can't have the fucking bear. Not about Mr. Puddles. What? What is it? When she got out of her last rehab he told me you were watching her like a hawk, practically 24 hours a day, you said? I was. She wasn't even allowed to leave the house without you, you said? Poor Joe. Whatever, no friends, no visitors, nothing. Just meetings, doctors, and home. That's right, and her therapist. Well, if you were with her all the time. What are you driving at? If you were with her all the time did she get the stuff that you... Killed her? Don't you think I've asked myself that same question every minute of every day since I sat in his bed with her holding her hand for three hours every inch of his room with her every night? Do you think I like having her dump out her drawers in front of me every day? I made her piss in the goddamn cup in front of me for Christ's sakes. The humiliation she must have felt. But I refused to apologize for it because she was clean and that's all that mattered This room was clean. It just doesn't make any sense. None of this makes any sense, you self-righteous son of a bitch! Are you blaming me? No, Bree, I am not blaming you. That's what it sounds like. You were not there, remember? You do not know what it was like. You made the important. Do you know what? I'm done with this. I'm done with you. Just take whatever you want and get out! Fine. I'll take you to Mr. Puddle. No, anything but him. Listen, I'm sorry, but I'm going to override you on this. I'd rather see him go to Kerry than to Goodwill. Overriding me? Your spoiled, shitty little daughter can't have him! Heaven forbid Mr. Puddle gets a second chance to make another little girl happy and her sister no less. Bree, you would mean a lot if I could take you. No. Bree, stop. It's just a stuffed animal. If you really thought that then, you wouldn't care so badly. I would like to take something, anything away from this and maybe do something good with this. I'm begging you. I will not yield. I don't care. You never did, and that's why I left you. You cannot hurt me, Keith. I am beyond that. I will not give him up. God, I didn't shoot like this! If she were here, if Chelsea were here, she would gladly give Mr. Puddles to Kerry. But Chelsea isn't here, is she? If she'd have her ever, we'll be here again. I'm taking her. No, you're not. Bree, you're acting insane. Just let go of him. You let go of him. You may not have this in front of him. Let go! Give him to him! Give him to him! Give him to him! What is this? I don't. What is this? Why him? Who knows how long she's been hiding it in there? Once? In years? But she loved Mr. Puddles. She promised she'd keep him safe. She could have had him stuck with anything Bree, and you wouldn't have known. No matter how many jaws he turned out, no one could. She did. Do you think Chelsea knew we loved her? I'm sure she did. Then why could she stay clean and sober? You have? Fifteen years. You know, I took her to her meeting about three months ago before she went in for her last rehab. She didn't much care for meetings, and she always let me know about it. But not for everyone, I guess. As she was getting out of the car, she turned to me and she said, Dad, it's going to work this time. I know it. Don't give up on me like I ever could. And I told her, don't give up on yourself. And that was the last time I saw her. If you think you're the only one hurting, Bree, my inside serves toward a part as Mr. Puddles. Ever since, I have just been going through the motions until it hits me that I'm never going to see my Chelsea again. And I don't think I can face that. I don't think I can, and I don't even know if I want to. I tried, I tried to save her, Bree, but she was so... This, this thing, this addiction, you can't, you can't save them all. I only wanted you to save one. We made this about us. We've always made this about us. It's about her. And her pain. I, uh... I think I'm going to go, Bree. I am exhausted. Maybe I can come back later? No, wait. Let's not end like this. I have something to show you. Look, high school graduation. Oh my God, not that picture. She's the one who made us take it together. Mom and Dad, can we just be a family for one day? Just one lousy day. And we still fought her tooth and nail. I don't remember fighting her. Oh, that's right. All those years we were married, you couldn't keep your hands off me. And then for 30 seconds, she asked you to put your arm around me and... No, no, I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea, Bree. That you hated me? No. Bree, I don't hate you. Truth is, I never could. Besides, Chelsea wouldn't let me. Not that I didn't want to, if it makes you feel any better. It actually kind of does. That's some picture, isn't it? It's a good one. It's the last time I remember her looking... really happy. Look at that smile. Listen, um, this is hard. But, would you like to take it with you? I'm sure Chelsea's little sister would like to see how beautiful her big sister really was. She was beautiful. Kind. Like her mother. And that's generous, but... No. This picture belongs here. With you. Are you sure? Yeah, yeah, I'm sure. But, look at this room. Oh, we have a long way to go. Do you want me to take care of that closet? Not yet. Can we just... sit here a little longer? I'd like to. Yes, Kenny. You eat about with them idiots are up to now? What idiots? The same ones. Oh, damn. What are they up to? Shenanigans. Damn shenanigans. Idiots. That's what I'm saying. Always up to their shenanigans. What's a five-letter word means work? I don't know. Starts with an R. Rumpelstiltsken. Too many letters. It's brazen as what it is. You see here what they're doing? With their tariffs and taxes and commissions and subsidies and non-binding resolutions. Look here, Adam. I don't know much, but I know what I know. And that's enough for me to know that them, their idiots, are up to their brazen shenanigans again. And I won't stand for it, not this time. What are you going to do, Kenny? I am considering running for office. Again? I've got the backing to get my name on the ballot. Again? This time will be different. How so? I might run a post. Something smells good. Pumpkin chocolate chip fresh from the oven. Not just yet, but set aside for me for the walk home. Fresh from the oven. I like the descent of it. I'll save one for you then. Thank you. Kenny, do you want one set aside? No, thank you, Beverly. My damn doctor says I can't. He's got me on it. Adam, did I tell you what my damn doctor had me on on the cut of my blood pressure, he says? You did not. Kale. Kale chips, pale salad, pale loaf. They make a loaf. They make a loaf. Kenny, you and I should stock more kale because I'm afraid I'm out of it at the moment. Jim comes by tomorrow with a fresh bunch, but I know Molly comes by today with the potatoes. I can see if she has some kale. I don't want any kale. Seaweed crackers? What has this country come to? My day, you wanted seaweed, you went down to the shore and picked some off the rocks, and your darn well didn't eat it. What did you do with it? I'm going to eat your brother like you're supposed to. That's all this stuff is good for. Well, I heard there's a woman in Portland who makes sexual lubricant from seaweed. How is your brother, Kenny, still in Florida? Golf cards and yoga classes. That ain't my kind of living. I don't know how those folks even get up in the morning without something to do. You just said they were golfing and taking yoga classes. I mean something useful. Like what? This morning, I woke up and raped the leaves under the gutter. Well, that is something. You're right, it is. It shows I take care of my own. Down in Florida, it's all hired hands in jumpsuits using drones. I've seen them leaf-breaking drones. Kenny, I found chips. Do you want those on your town? Sure, Bev. What do the guys in the jumpsuits do? Fly the drones. Morning, gentlemen. Morning, Molly. Morning. 100 pounds. I can't really only use the 50. Half price? I'll take the ones you don't need, Beverly. We got more in the truck, Adam, if you'd like a box. We need to put a lot more potatoes than we counted on this year. Have you got any kale? Kenny's doctor says he needs some more. Stupid kale. Fresh out of kale. Plenty of potatoes, though. Overflowing with potatoes. Give away, and the kids need new winter jackets and boots. Christmas presents, maybe. Food. Aren't you a farmer? Yes. Then you have food, don't you? I've got potatoes. I could use 100 pounds after all. I can make needles. I'll take a box, please, Molly. Thank you, Adam. Why? Do you like a box of potatoes? What do I need 50 pounds of potatoes for? Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, potatoes. Oh, wow. Don't you go speaking French at me. Ah, Kenny. Fine. Box of potatoes. The wife will think of something. That's great. That's great. Thank you. I'll have the kids toss some of your trucks. Sorry. Hi. Excuse me. Hello. Do you have a few pound boxes of potatoes for everyone? Would you like one? No, I'm a one-potato at a time person. I'm a potato intolerant. Oh. I've never heard of that. It's new. I see. Is that pumpkin chocolate chip? Yes, it is, Mr. Awesome. Fresh from the oven. I should. I shouldn't. I should. Mr. Teresa, Beverly's family. How long has your family owned this store? Well, my great-great-great-grandfather opened the Graves General Store in 1845, but we've been around for so long. People just call it the store. It's wonderful. I could just... Well, Rossum, when you said it was... Well, it is, isn't it? Oh, it is. Folks from away. Very much so. That's the Richard Rossum that bought Fisher's Island. That's the guy? That's that big house on it. That guy? That guy. Ooh, Rossum. Nope, it's the beginning of it. I believe I will have that cookie, Beverly. Today is a big day. What, is that Mr. Rossum? Today is the day we turn it on. Turn what on? The box. What box? Sorry, Mr. Rossum, I have no idea what you're talking about. He's talking about a box. Yeah, I know Kenny, but what's in the box? AI. What the heck's AI? It's a computational process whereby a computer can think for itself. Also known as deep learning. Who said what now? No, that's not quite right, although that is along the right line. But the box, this box is different. Much different. Well, what is it? Oh, I shouldn't tell you, it's classified and all that. The government, what have I been saying? No, the development of the box is strictly a private enterprise endeavor. The industry? Well, eventually it will be big, though not quite now. Although on a space-time equalation, the event has already happened, and therefore it is big! From a theoretical relativity scale, this is really quite infinitesimal. It's going to be amazing. It's going to change everything. Well, not to reason. It will not change everything. Gravitational forces will remain the same on an interstellar level. We should be able to manipulate terrestrial gravitational attractions, point-specific locations, but that is still years and years away. Just what the heck are you onto? Deep learning? AI? Artificial intelligence? Well, sort of. Are you making robots as to likely replace the human race and cause us to go extinction? No. No, no, you see. Now, look here, mister. I may not know much, but I know I ain't getting replaced by no robot. Oh, you definitely could be replaced by a robot. The hell are you saying? Almost anything anyone does in the course of the day could be done by a robot. The hell it does! What have you done today? I woke up. I made coffee, raked the leaves, and came down here to have a talk with Adam. You woke up? A robot can wake up. You made coffee? A robot can make coffee. You raked the leaves? A robot can wake up. All right, but you don't see any robot coming down here to have a chat with Adam. That's something no robot could do. Actually, that is precisely what the box will do. A box? It's the box. Oh, it's a box, a prototype. The box is something more. But that is why I needed to buy the island. I needed more space. I needed a granite walled server area. But this box is linked to the box, which will not yet fully functional, should be adequate for a brief demonstration. What's it going to do? Well, let's find out. You read what the idiots are up to? What are they up to? Dancing in it. No games. The inflections need a bit of work. You don't say. I do say. Drain the swamp. Is that right? I'm going to run for office. How's it no one running for office? Oh, Kenny, again? It cross-references your social media posts and your career history. It's got my vote. I'm in place. What's a five-letter word means work starts with an R. Rumpelstiltskin. Shouldn't it know the answer to that? You have hit on the truly revolutionary principles behind my work. What is that? In order to be truly personal, the box needed to know what not to know. I don't know much, but I know enough to not know things. Good God! You've created artificial ignorance. Don't know. And think about all the things people think they know and all of the things people know they don't know but think they know and all of the things they're just too lazy to find out about and multiply that by the mysteries of the universe. It took me ten years to write that algorithm. Replace! Get a job you blow for just like that. I suppose I could be replaced just as easily just have two boxes sitting here carrying on. Oh no, if we had two boxes, they'd converse on a completely different dual-electric linguistic plane, but of course they're connected on a micro level, so it's really just one box having a conversation with itself about the vast store of knowledge it doesn't want to deal with, which, as we found out last week, nearly led to a catastrophic event. Oh! The island almost blew up. Happily I introduced a fantasy sports subroutine and that vented the accessibility. Am I supposed to be replaced too? No Beverly, no. Well, you could be. In a non-commonant scenario, there wouldn't be any cookies. Would it? No. I'm so sad. Dear, I see we've upset you. 273 years of a business gone. In what day? You've got some nerve, mister. Well, this is just theoretical. We're positing possible outcomes. I'm about depositing my foot in your butt. Yeah, let's hear a truck out there. He walked into town, always trying to lose an extra 15 pounds, Mr. Fitness, over here. What's that? The box. Oh, there's Alexa. Much different than Alexa. Oh, it's deep learning. It's organizing, it's researching, it's connecting the dots. It's ignoring any and all possible outcomes that are not correlated with deep-seated cultural prejudices and mystical beliefs. It's going to replace us all with deadly robots. This year is the prototype. These two have a bigger one out on their private island. It's going to replace me and get rid of Beverly, and there won't be any potato farms or pumpkin chocolate chip cookies ever again. Well, maybe. You're all just a bunch of lazy bastards. You want to know something? You ask Alexa. You need to get somewhere. You Google Map. You want your floors vacuumed or your leaves raked or your crops watered. You turn on a machine. We have replaced you. We are the now. You go on back to your island, Mr. We are angry and we've got lots of potatoes. Starting with our... Due to the unprecedented record snowfall, all flights in and out of O'Hare have been canceled for the night. We ask that you remain at the airport near your gate since the entire city of Chicago is shut down. All non-essential vehicles including buses and taxis are banned from the roads. We hope to have flights up and running in the morning. National Geographic, elephants, African tribes, Mount Everest. I try to avoid the articles. Why is that? So much wasted time. So, anything good? If I tell you, will you let me read in peace? I give you my word. It's an article on time management. Any white rainbows? I thought you said... Okay, you're right. I was bit by a Chihuahua once. But I bit him back. He never was the same after that. And I blame myself. You don't give up easily, do you? Not when it comes to Chihuahuas. So, how about you and me strike up a conversation? You really don't read? Oh, I was just trying to get your attention. So, where are you headed? Is it too soon to ask that question? Milwaukee. And? Stephanie. Now, don't think this is a lie about that. You look kind of familiar. Really? We weren't married, were we? No. I think I'd remember that. Identical twins? I don't think so. Let's try this. Where are you from? Houston. Houston? Me too. What part of Houston? Nassau Bay. Steph. Stephanie Marshall. Andy. Andy Wright. Andy. Oh, my God. I'll say. You look good. So do you. No, really. You look good. Thanks, Andy. Imagine that. George and Emily at O'Hanor International. It's a long way from Grover's Corners. You remember. I remember. I can still see that yellow bow in your hair. And you in those baggy pants and those shoes. It was a period piece. And a blessing for not mentioning Gagney. Our town is still my favorite play. I have a favor to ask you. That, George. Emily, if I go away to student agricultural college next year, would you write me a letter once in a while? I certainly will. I certainly will, George. And I'll try to make them interesting. You remember the Nassau players? They're doing our town this fall. I remember. Senior year we went to see Driving Miss Daisy. You know my favorite part. Afterwards, making out in the car. Woo. Let it kiss her. Oh, my God. Don't make me blush. You're just kids. I know. So what are you up to these days from the looks of it? It's not sheet rocking. You're not that far off, actually. Real estate. I took over my dad's company. Really? Wasn't it, like, cute? It still is. That's why I'm going to Milwaukee. A new downtown office building. Bunch whatever happened to the next Merrill Street. We don't all get to pursue our dreams. But didn't you go to Baylor to study theater? I did. But I still work for my dad's company. He was old school. He saw acting as a hobby, not a career. And when I got out, well... Child-seeking the parents grew up. Isn't it always? What about you? Do you ever pursue acting? You seem to entertain pretty well yourself. I never went after acting. Let's face it, what was going to confuse me with De Niro? You were the one with the chops. The only reason I got the role of George was because Stuart Lasky at Mono. Stuart Lasky? That's right. The jerk. But he did have great hair, though. I knew I wasn't going to make it acting, but I did enjoy making people laugh. Of course, Bottom and Midsummer Night's Dream, you had them howling. Those pants. And those shoes. Once again, it was a period piece. So what happened? Well, I spent a couple years at Texas on college loans, but some of us didn't have the same resources to say, your family. Which my father never failed to point out. He usually got what he wanted. So did you meet your soulmates and live happily ever after? I did, but it wasn't a person. Okay. Now I'm hooked. Well, college wasn't for me. It dropped out. I did odd jobs around Austin for a couple of years. Then I read this article about clown school in Florida, Ringling Brothers. And I must have written them a good letter because they offered me a scholarship. I was on that train, that mile-long circus train, and I rode it for nearly 23 years. You ran away and joined the circus. You can say that. Well, at least one of us pursued our dreams. Until they folded up the tents a few years back. Oh, I saw that. Did you ever get married? Married? The circus doesn't really fit with a normal family life. You know, the wife, kids, and mini-man. But there was this one gal, Angela. She trained the dogs. Beautiful. She got sick. Cancer. I'm sorry. Yeah, the circus became my family after that until we all went our separate ways. What about now? I settled in Tampa. My brother lives in St. Pete. It's a present. How well you can do between birthday parties and Uber. Don't you miss it, though? Circus? I do. And I don't. My body isn't getting any younger. It was a grind all right. All those shows and all that travel. But I did miss the kids, though. And not just the laughs. It was something in their eyes. Look into their faces. I don't know. Sometimes I think of them as my own children. I don't even give them names. Oh, birthday parties. It's not the same. It's business. You know, the contracts, deposits. It's not the greatest show on earth. What about you? You expect me to follow that? I do. I want to know everything. Do you remember that film we saw, Senior Year of High School, the Last Temptation of Christ? All the protesters outside. Yes. It was the end of the movie when Christ is on the cross and he's offered the opportunity to go back and lead a different life, a normal life. Do you ever think about that? Yeah, more than once. I never did. But then I turned 40 and it kind of crept in. And? And? Hey, I gave it up just now. Ambition. It's not all it's cracked up to be. Not just because I'm a woman. There is always a cost. Always. The time is this great compromise and eventually you've got to pay the piper. After college I moved into my dad's company and surprisingly, I loved it. For a while anyway. The deals, the business suits, power lunches. Respect. Sounds like a lot. And I fell in love. I got married. I had two beautiful children. I thought I could do it all. Loving wife. Doting mother. Still climbing the real estate ladder all the way to the top. It's a good bit of juggle. Too much, turns out. Peter, my ex-husband, he had his own career. He was a corporate lawyer. When the kids were young, we were fine. We shared the parenting. But as they got older, my job acquired more and more travel. He's gone a lot. That didn't help my marriage. Grow apart. Kids. I missed a lot of basketball games and dance recitals and honor societies. You could stop me anytime. Oh no. I did ask for it. Peter and I got divorced 11 years ago. I thought that was hard. But it was nothing compared to the custody battle. I thought it would be joint custody. Peter wanted to play hardball. He made me out to be the bad guy, the absentee parent. The judge agreed. So he got custody. And I got holidays. No do-overs in life. Steph, none of us are born with a roadmap. Or a GPS. Or a GPS. So where are your kids now? Trent is a junior at Brown. And Megan is a freshman at Rice. Do you get to see them? Every chance I get. Especially now that they're out of the house. After Milwaukee, I'm going to see Trent for the weekend. He's on the basketball team. They have a game against Yale. Big rivalry. And I get to meet his girlfriend. I can't wait. Maybe there are do-over stuff. Brand new dreams. Better dreams. How'd you get to be so smart? It's the red nose. But don't tell anyone. I could get in a lot of trouble. I promise. Speaking of dreams. Sleep dreams. Every few years I have this reoccurring dream. And you're in it. Really? So we're in this museum. With really high ceilings. And we're standing in front of this painting. But we're dressed as George and Emily. Is it a painting of the ocean? Some kind of boat? And a lighthouse? Yes. And is there a little girl in Pigtail standing between us? Holding our hands? That dream. I always wake up feeling so refreshed. So alive. Me too. How do you explain this? Maybe you don't. It's good to see you, Andrew. It's really good. Maybe... Maybe what? Maybe we could exchange contact information. Contact information. Is that code for phone numbers? Okay, you got me. You're not going to go put my number on bathroom walls, are you? Oh. Did you get the letter from NASA High about the 30-year reunion in June? I did. I never go to those things. Me either. Always afraid I'm going to run into Stuart Lasky. He's probably bald by now. Serves him right. Do you think you'll go? Maybe. You never told me where you're headed. Spokane. Spokane? What's in Spokane? It's more of a who. I met someone. Not exactly met. We met online. She and I have been e-mailing back and forth for about six months now. Really? Yeah, we agreed to reveal just three things about ourselves. First name, age, and a picture. And we spent the last six months talking about who we are, not what we are. And I don't know, we just kind of fell in love. Really? I know this sounds crazy, right? You don't know anything else about her? Nothing. Do you know that circus act with the Volkswagen bug and the clowns come piling out, like one after another, like dozens of them, and you wonder, what happens next? Yeah, that's what Spokane is for me. It's the wonder. What if? What if she's disappointed, or what if I'm disappointed? Yeah, I've thought about that. But what if she's the one? What if she's my doer? I wish I had your courage. I wish we both did, 30 years ago. Remember that part about brand new dreams, better dreams? We didn't even know where to start. What about acting? Acting, at my age. Sure, you could try out for our town. Emily will all to be Emily. But not her mother. You'd be a fabulous Mrs. Will. You think? Why, you'd bring down the house. Yes, George. I think this has been an important talk we've been having. Are you Edward James? Benz. On whether I'm selling something? Or? Canvassing for your local town manager? Or? Offering them all your lawn. Well, you're a bit old for that. You'd be surprised. I'm sorry. I usually don't get this far. With? My pitch. You got a pitch? I usually don't get this far in the conversation. Well, you're five questions deep. So I'd say you're doing pretty well. You count it? I'm making tea. I'm sorry. I'll let you get back to it. You like a cup? It's tea. It's not a date. Am I following you? This ain't a lawn party. Shoes. Sorry. Will you stop that? Sorry. That? Sorry. I have a habit of... Sorry. I don't have cream or sugar. Black is fine. Decaf. Decaf is fine. Thanks. So where does it get? Where does it what get? The conversation. You said it usually doesn't get this far. So where does it get? Are you Edward James? Like I said. It depends. Okay. I'm looking for Edward James of Boston, Massachusetts. Well, it's a pretty common name around here. What's he done? Nothing. I owe him something. Money? I'm Edward James? No. It's not money. A bill? Never heard of him. No. It's not anything. Just an apology. An explanation of sorts. Thanks for the tea. Where are you going? Like I said. What makes you think I'm not your Edward James? I'm not sure my Edward James is your way with... Landishments? Well, there's a word you don't hear every day. That's your problem with the world right there. Landishments? Words. We're losing them. We don't talk to one another. You got a point there, Mr. James. I didn't say my name was James. You know? You didn't. It's nice to meet you. You like tomatoes? I like tomatoes. You want to see my tomatoes? I grow them. I don't want to bother you. Well, you knocked on my front door. Let's see your tomatoes. Shoes. Right. They've been here before. Don't you think I know that? I mean to this art of this neighborhood. It's quaint. Yeah, that's a word you don't hear every day. Quaint? Neighborhood. Boston used to have neighborhoods. Now we have districts, zones, parcels. It's like one big giant urban jigsaw puzzle. It's a realtor's wet tree. Yes. It's an unfortunate byproduct of verticalism. And that is heard every day, at least here. Been here a long time. My wife and I bought the house after the war. GI Bill. Took care of our soldiers then. You served? No, I just know a bit about post-war America. Which one? We've had a few post-war Americas. Sorry. World War II. What do you know? Just that our government would ensure that people like you, returning veterans, had a chance to get a leg up. And affordable housing, education were the ways to ensure that those that did their duty had a more vertical climb in society. You're fast. Been told I'm a good listener. Anyway, it was the honorable thing to do for you guys. Looking after your own, taking responsibility for you. I don't think we do that anymore for our returning sons. You sure you're not canvassing? You sound like you're running for something. No, I'm not running. So what do you think? Beautiful. Yeah, they're hanging in there. Well, with the Indian summer, I usually have them all in by now. We've had our first frost, but they're still going strong. That's one resilient vegetable. I thought tomato was a fruit. Yes, and trees cause air pollution. Try one. Shouldn't we wash it first? I don't spray. I wash all my food before I eat it. Well, suit yourself. Beautiful. My wife. She made it? Sure. She's in it. Raku. She liked to throw things. It really should be. Who is this Edward James of yours anyway? And I'm still not saying I am him, but if I were him, who would I be when I was? Well, it's kind of a curiosity, really. I don't really know him. I mean, we're not well acquainted. So why is he so important to you? Another good question. I'm full of him. Yes. Yes, you are. So, well, may I? Will you stop being so damn polite? That's the way my mom raised me. You know, you've got a good mother. I do. I did. Is she fast? Yes. Cancer? Yes. Ovarian? Breast. Tough. Tough. Yes. Edward James. Yes, Edward James. I knew him. I knew of him when I was about 14. He struck me as an enigma at first. What I knew of him was, came in bits and pieces. Teacher, coach, boss, mailman, you're being a tad covert. Yeah, you sure you didn't serve special operations? I'm sure. You talk CIA. Sorry. Anyway, Edward James is a person in my life that I've known for love. And now I want to need to tell him when I meet him, see him, to tell him that you owe him something. Yes, I'm a pretty good one too. But I'm impressed. With? You don't see many homes and urban settings with this much property. That's much privacy. Yeah, there's a story there. I said there's a story there. God, I'd love to hear it. Now you're talking. So my wife and I bought this house in 1946. We're the original owners. And in 1968, the man whose land this belonged to, the man who chopped his farm up to make this neighborhood, parcel, very good. Anyway, he invited the four owners to, you know, these two on my left over here and this one on my right. He made us an offer that he was going to sell off the remaining back lots under one condition. We all four of us had to go in on the deal. Note this one or that one. We all of us had to go in. So we sat down, decided to buy, 16 years later. Very nice. Well, it's a little piece of it anyway. Pardon my intrusive question. Is it every question intrusive? Yes. I guess you're right. Intrude. Do you and your wife, did you, do you have kids? No. I'm sorry. Don't be. You know, people die, people don't have kids. It's not the end of the world. Anyway, we couldn't have kids. Why do you ask? I thought that might have been the reason to buy the extra land. Kids like to play. Yeah, well, no. We just couldn't have them. We just wanted the land. What about adoption? Intrusion. No, it's okay. It's a legitimate question. We had kids and, you know, once we knew we couldn't have them, then the desire to want them went away. Just started to get used to it being just the two of us. And we just settled into that. I can relate. After my dad, it was just mom and me. At first I was the typical kid, always wanting a baby brother or sister, but after a while I got past the nag mom point and just settled down into just being a mom. We had friends, didn't we? Yeah, I had friends, but it was always hard being around them, because inevitably they'd start bragging about my dad this and my dad that. Hey, where's your dad? Oh yeah, you don't got one, do you? Kids can be tough sometimes. Anybody? Edward James. Edward James. So, for the past 25 years I've been searching for Edward James to tell him that I'm sorry. For what? What did you do to him that you've had to track him down for all these years? I'm not sure I turned out to be the kind of man I think he would have wanted me to be. Now I'm confused. This Edward James, it seems to me, based on the little you've told me, is somebody that you either haven't met or barely knew or barely had any contact with. So what could you possibly do to a stranger or at best a casual acquaintance that would warrant searching for him for what, 25 years you said? Just about. 25 years to say what? I don't know. But have you ever had something burning inside you, eating at you, that until you resolved that thing or attempted to resolve that burning that you just felt? I don't know. Incomplete. Incomplete. Well, huh. What is it? I've been talking to you for 20 minutes and I haven't even bothered to ask your name. Talk about not being raised right. David. My name's David. Edward. Let's just stick with Edward for now, huh? All right. It's nice to meet you, Edward. Likewise. More tea? Sure. You stay here, I'll mic you with coffee. Don't get too close to the microwave. Because they leak radiation, so don't get too close. But you're a regular encyclopedia Britannica. I like when I know things. I like when I know to mine my own business. Have another tomato. One's my limit. Cautious man. Sorts. Didn't your mother ever teach you to take risks? Yes, but whenever I get too close to taking a risk, I don't know, I just somehow walk away from it. Yes. In case it leaks. Yes. My dad? Did he welcome you taking a risk? Sorry, intrusion. No, it's okay. It's a legitimate question. I'm not sure my dad and I were very close. Yeah, my old man and I didn't exactly see eye to eye either. We always kept kind of a cool distance from each other. What did he do? Automechanic. Stuff to find a good one. Head or mechanical? Both. Maybe. Maybe. Anyway, I didn't stick around long enough to find out. Once the war came, I enlisted and I never saw him again. Any desire? Desire? To reconnect. Nah, that's your generation. Mind, walk out the door and don't look back. No hard feelings. Must leave you with some questions. I sleep very soundly at night. You're lucky. So, when, if you find your Edward James, what are you going to say to him? It's nice to meet you. Well, that's a start. And then? I'm sorry I didn't turn out to be the son you wanted, dad. I missed something here. Back up a bit. This Edward James of yours is your father? I don't know. But I have questions. Can I just give you a bit of advice? I would love your advice. Before you go introducing yourself to some stranger you've been tracking for 25 years. Who you owe or you think you owe some apology explanation for something you did or did not do, said, did not say, thing. Make sure that whatever comes out of your mouth first ain't going to cause the guy to have a heart attack. How would you advise me to start? Well, I mean, if this is somebody that you're unsure of or you're confused about or you're whatever about. You might want to start with small talk and then, you know, kind of build up to dropping the bombshell. Nice weather we've been having. Yes. That exactly. Start with the weather. The weather never got anybody into trouble. It certainly isn't going to get the doors slammed in your face like, Hi, dad! Oh, listen. I didn't mean to upset you. Don't listen to me. You do whatever you need to do with your Edward James. I'm sure it's all going to work out. Anyway, you got better things to do than talk to some old kook who grows tomatoes and asks too many questions. I've enjoyed this. Me too. You got a last name? Anderson. Anderson. Huh. I knew what Anderson was. Gloria Anderson, her name lies. Hmm. She was a cocktail actress. This was during the war. Wow, did she have a set? Oh, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be crude. I know you're not supposed to talk about women that way these days. It gets you into trouble. Hey, did you see that vice presidential debate last week? That Geraldine Ferraro, she grew a pair of her quick, huh? Oh, I'm sorry. Gloria Anderson. Huh. Let's put it this way. The fellas were always very generous with her tip jar. I'm sorry. I know, I know. I'm from a different generation. I'm embarrassed, haven't I? I'm not afraid of language. Well, I should watch mine. She was something, though. Did you know her well? In the biblical sense, you mean? In any sense. Well, let's just say that Gloria and I shared a night of more than small talk. You went out on a date? We went. My one regret, though, is that I strayed from my wife that night. I mean, we weren't married yet, but we were serious, and we had planned on marrying when I got home from the war. That night with Old Gloria I sure wasn't practicing my catechism. You and Gloria were intimate. Now there's a word you don't hear every day. I'll spare you the glory details. Anyway, the next day I woke up and I tiptoed out of her room and quietly slipped back into my dutiful life, but I never have forgotten Old Gloria. Geez, I wonder what happened to her. I haven't thought about her for 40 years. What happens to any of us? We get old, we die. We grow tomatoes. We grow tomatoes. Well, I better be going. I'll have to find your Edward James, huh? Yes, I'll have to find my Edward James. Are you sure you don't owe him money? I'm sure. You know, because I could be your Edward James. Say the word. Sorry I didn't turn out to be the son you wanted, Dad. But isn't it nice weather we've been having? I don't start like that, geez. Small talk? Very small talk. Maybe I'll tell him the story of another Edward that grows tomatoes and likes decaffeinated tea and has a lovely parcel of land in what used to be a neighborhood. There you go. Tell him that story. You can even throw in ol' Gloria. In the tip jar? Very generous tip jar. It was nice to meet you, Edward. It's nice to meet you, son. I wouldn't have minded, you know, being your Edward James. I wouldn't have minded. You've been a great one. Thank you. No question. No question in my mind at all. Forgive me, Willie. Why would you ever do that? Help me, Willie. I just can't cry. It seems to me you're just on another trip. I keep expecting you. I can't cry. Why'd you do it? I search and I search and I search and I don't understand it, Willie. I made the last payment on the house today. Today, free and clear. We're free. We're free! Willie! Now, Linda, stop getting asses I can't read. This is brain language. And a bunch of crazy colors and suddenly everything's different. I'm in a strange new world. Turns out I drove right through the space-time continuum. The wind to the future. I turned down some dark side street and transported through an inter-dimensional gateway. Next thing I know, I'm racing across time. That's impossible. I mean, people can't travel through time. There's no magical portal in Brooklyn. This was in Brooklyn. It was up in the Bronx. In the Bronx? I've seen amazing things, Linda. Marvelous advances in human achievement. Medicine, technology, skyscrapers. I can't believe it. And I ate something called a panini. A panini? But, but, but, Willie, are you okay? I mean, you seem so upset when you left. Oh, so over. Everything's changed now. Will you find out what happened? Traveled into the future. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. That's crazy. He's having illusions again. People can't time travel. There was an inter-dimensional portal. Boys, I got news. Big news. Oh, all our troubles are over. It's good times ahead for the Lowman family. I got it all figured out. That's okay, huh. If that happened, we already decided on a future. See, when we thought we'd die, it made us take stock and we finally came to terms with who we are. That's right. I'm going to stay at my job and work my way to the soul-crushing ranks of middle management. And I'm going to head out west and live a life of bitter self-recrimination punctuated by occasional stints in prison. It's true, dear. They both have plans. Ah! Two boys at Dustin for greatness. Wait, are you here? Ah, we've been through this. Biff and me are never going to make it big. We're just a couple of ordinary fellas caught up in the illusionary promise of an American dream. Plus, I mean, I got Annapolish. She's like, you wouldn't believe me. But that's just it. Problems, all that stuff we were so concerned about, all that problems? Yeah. That doesn't mean anything. Not in the future. But, Willie, we taught the boys they don't stuff. They have no marketable skills or genuine abilities. They're just jerks. See, in the future, jerks are the big winners. Open stores. Oh, and mystery and women. Oh, that's gold. This is what I'm trying to tell you. The post-war dream of a just and meritocratic society based on hard work, decency, and fair-minded competition. It didn't pan out, so they called it quits. What happened? Not so sure. But somewhere between the invention of the Egbert Muffin and the debut of American Idol, it all went to hell. They tried to hold on a while longer. But by 2016, it was game over. So, you're saying guys like us do okay in the future? Okay. They thrive. They run the country. No, no, I love it. Wait, you mean you're going to be taking the... Yes, that's right. You're all coming back with me. Oh, what a sensation you boys are going to be. You're all going to indulge my overdeveloped sense of competition by pursuing women with an almost pathological intensity. Hard with lousy people skills and no demonstrable talent? I can write my own ticket. It's like us make out good in the future, then. Who are the losers? Linda, I'll be closing the cemetery soon. If you want, Bernard and I can... Oh, Jolly! Holy mother! We thought you were dead. No, no, Uncle Jolly popped over into the future. Well, I'll be. That must have been some long trip. Heck, it takes you four hours just to drive to Yonkers. Whoa! That's for holding me back all these years! Hey! I helped you. I gave you money and I defended you. A salesman has got to dream, I said. Nobody does blame this man, I said. First of all, don't say dast. Nobody knows what you're saying when you say dast. And as far as how to leave. Here, Willie, have $100 to pay your insurance this month. Can you say enabler? We should take Charles and Bernard into the future with us. A couple of well-adjusted rule follows with a strong war ethic? Then be useless. Besides, we don't even know their real name. But I'm the quintessential American success story. An archetype of virtue and humility. Ah, sorry, kid. A melody went out the window about the time lipo suction caught on. Oh, you guys are going to knock them down. In the future, personal appearance is everything. Oh, God damn it. Sounds like high school all over again. Good boys. It's all about being liked. Here, I'll show you. Wait, yeah. Willie Lohman is checked in in 1940s Brooklyn. 17. 17. Likes? What is this pop? Oh, American ingenuity at its best. The greatest minds of the future invented this. You mean they solved all the bigger problems? Like famine and cancer and global economic insecurity? Well, but this helped people communicate and access information. And when people have limitless access to information, there's no telling what incredible things they could put their minds to. Hey, what's angry birds? The point is, the future belongs to the Lomans. The follow is going to be win. I'm standing up for sanity and reason. For a world that makes sense. Don't you see, the Lomans can't prosper. It would mean America has become a parody of its former self. Correct. Of all its most cherished values. Education. Integrity. Hard work. Things I devoted myself to. America's enduring symbol of honor, justice, and fair mindedness. Don't do it. It isn't worth it. And since when do you carry a gun? Really? That's what you find improbable. What? I see tremendous things for you, boy. Okay, come on, everybody. It's time to go. Oh, as far as you two go, you can stay here and endure the 1950s. I hope you like watching Milton Berle and drag. But, Pop, they just tried to kill us. Don't worry. McCarthyism starts next week. And point Dexter, he is a member of the ACLU. He's going to have plenty explaining to do. Okay, huddle up, everybody. We don't need it. If this app will load already. Well, Willie, you should have. We should go. We should go. Will you stop interrupting? Hey, I've been losing weight, Pop. Did you notice? Palades is good, too. Really wants to core. Oh, okay. Here we go. Oh, man. Hey, you know, maybe I'll get into investment banking. I got a good feeling about the housing market. Funny how things change. I have to admit, this all seems pretty illogical. Logic? Where we're going, we won't need logic.