We expected something of each other then. We needed that.
Not me.
Getting away from you people was the best thing to ever happen to me.
I mean, how much sex, fun, friendship can one man take?
Had to get out in the world, get dirty.
No, I think Sam is right.
There was something in me then...
...that made me want to go to Harlem and teach ghetto kids.
I was going to help the scum, as I so compassionately call them now.
Some of them are scum.
Some of us are scum.
So what's the thrust here? We were great then and we're shit now?
I don't buy that.
That's not what we're saying.
I don't know.
I'd hate to think it was all just...
...fashion.
What?
Our commitment.
It wasn't. We accomplished things.
-All evidence to the contrary. -You're just taking a position.
Sometimes I think I've put that time down...
...just so I can live with how I am now.
Help me with these bleeding hearts.
I know what Alex would say.
What?
What's for dessert?
I'm not cynical about dessert.
-Want to load the dishwasher? -I'd be thrilled.
I think I've just been too slow to realize...
...that people our age with histories like ours...
...having gone through the same stuff...
...could be dishonest, unprincipled, backstabbing sleazeballs.
Could have told you that a long time ago.
I was prejudiced in their favour. I thought because they look like us...
...and talked like us they would think like us.
I know that Richard will always be faithful to me.
That's nice.
A little trust.
Fear of herpes.
It's not right.
Alex is still warm.
Can't blame Chloe. She's a kid.
Michael hasn't changed.
Wait.
What?
Ever meet Michael's girlfriend, Annie?
She's great.
She teaches the fourth grade. Still teaching in Harlem.
It's not right.
I can't keep my eyes open.
I don't want to go to bed, but I must.
-You really don't want to? -I must.
But you don't...
...want to?
Come with me.
What?
You want me to what?
Come on, Sam. Don't make me say it again.
You've given me a massive headache.
You're not going to use that old excuse, are you?
You've got good genes.
Where'd Chloe go?
She's coming right back.
No, I'm not in the mood.
Wait a minute. What is that, a lude?
You want it?
Do you take a half?
Full stomach, I'd take a whole.
Right, I'm sure you would.
What the hell. L'Chaim!
There's a shift in your perceptions of the world.
Forever you're responsible for another living thing.
It's wonderful.
But it's a huge commitment.
A commitment that has nothing to do...
...with legal names and legal obligations.
I'm sorry, Meg.
I'd love to help you but I can't.
You know, you're something.
I love you.
-Really, I can't. -I accept that!
I mean, I really love you. You're a nice person.
Really?
So you want to fuck?
Just kidding!
Then one day I was driving home.
They were running a tape of one of my shows.
I heard myself talking to someone who had called up.
Someone in real pain.
I listened for about 45 seconds. And I'm talking...
...Iike I know them and understand...
...and have something useful to say about their lives.
The worst part was they believed me.
I quit the next day.
You helped me.
I was 1 5 and my family was living in Oakland.
And I used to listen to you every night.
One night I called you up.
I was upset and thought something was wrong with me.
-Like I was a pervert. -What did I say?
That I'd be okay if I did my homework...
...and went to bed at a reasonable hour.
You were right. It was okay.
You helped.
I don't want to discuss this now.
Why? You have more people to tell about the stock thing?
It's really a charming side of you.
Remind me to get more cocaine tomorrow.
If you tell everyone about the stock deal, it will blow up in your face.
Who will you tell next? Michael?
He came down here to find investors for that moronic club of his.
-He came down for Alex's funeral. -Maybe.
You are in no condition to discuss this now.
You can't change people's lives!
Who do you think you are, John Beresford Tipton?
I'm going to sleep.
How can you go to sleep? I'm not even tired.
Some say suicide is the ultimate act of self-absorption.
Alex didn't commit suicide. It was an accident.
That's right, he was shaving. Alex had hairy wrists.
Masturbation's the ultimate act of self-absorption.
You jerk off?
Does a bear have fleas?
No, does a bear shit in the woods?
Does a bear jerk off?
I shit in the woods, but I can't jerk off.
We're trying to avoid dealing with Alex.
Every time it comes up, someone changes the subject.
It's a dead subject.
I get real tired of these jokes.
What are we afraid of? To show our emotions?
Are we mad at him for leaving no explanations?
I could say something funny about that. But I won't.
Great, they got here early.
Thanks, Toby. I appreciate it.
Yes, sir, Mr. Cooper. It was my pleasure.
Yes, sir, Mr. Cooper. Sir.
Give me a break, that's my name.
Mr. weber.
So you just fell asleep?
That's what I just said, didn't l?
About five times.
I didn't know him in the biblical sense. Is that clear?
I don't know why you're touchy.
I don't know why you're curious.
These feel great.
I'm never taking these off. I will sleep in them.
Which doesn't mean he'll have sex with them.
Is there any salt and pepper, please?
What do you think about this latest brainstorm of Michael's?
I'm not sure I want to be part owner of a jet-set greasy spoon.
Think we could stall him for a while?
What is that?
Nick wanted to take a look at the property.
He'll be back before the game starts.
Thanks.
Are we the first ones up?
You remember. Alex used to call me Sam the Sham.
Don't say that. It was real.
I stood with thousands of people listening to you. You moved them.
Now I reach millions of people every week.
Hell, it's just garbage.
That's not true. You entertain people.
God knows, we need that now.
I try.
I try once every show to put something of value in there.
-But I don't know. -You do.
I can see it.
I feel my kids have gotten something from J.T. Lancer.
Really?
Kids.
There you go. You've done something.
You and Richard have built something for yourselves.
You know the secret of Richard?
Remember my father?
I didn't want that to happen to me.
Richard looked like all that had been missing in my childhood.
A man like that could build a stable environment for children.
And he did.
It's just that now....
What?
Well, you know.
Tell me.
Well, it's not like talking to you.
All my life, deep inside...
...I felt there was something I wanted to express...
...but always felt, I don't know, stymied.
I'm proud of what I did. I'm doing a good job of raising my sons.
If it meant giving up my writing, that's the way it goes.
-You don't remember my writing. -Sure I do.
It's just poems and short stories.
I didn't show it to many people.
Why talk about it? I made my decision.
My children come first.
It's just that now it leaves kind of a...
...I don't know, a space.
And all of Richard's...
...country clubs and home improvements and business deals...
...are pretty superficial stuff.
I'm not complaining. Well, maybe I am.
Sorry.
It's just...
...being with you...
...opens me up somehow.
Forgive me?
Hail to the conquering heroes. Come on, the game's starting!
You don't want to miss any of the Blue.
Yes, you do, all right.
And you were ready to write this one off at 10-0.
0l didn't say anything about that. -I saw that smile.
That pass, I can't believe it.
Go, go, go!
A flag? What?
What are they calling that?
-What is that? -Clipping.
That was a clean hit.
-He clipped him. -What are you talking about?!
Clipping. Called against Michigan.
Sorry, Chloe.
Come on, Blue, you're not supposed to fold till the fourth quarter.
Don't heckle Bo. He's got enough pressure.
Where is Nick? I can't believe he's missing this.
Teach them the basics, Bo. Ugliest helmets in the world.
I don't know.
Sometimes I wonder if I was sick of being a good girl.
I could be counted on to do the right thing.
It's a disgusting curse.
Probably thought Alex could touch that part of me...
...that was unpredictable and magic.
The part I was always afraid of.
Who knows if it's even there?
When it was over, everything went back to how it was before.
That's what we all agreed. That's what we all said.
I was sorry everyone knew, but that was as much my fault as anything.
Of course...
...things weren't really the same.
Alex withdrew from me then.
I was probably different with him.
We never wanted Harold to think that....
You can imagine.
So we finally consummated this ancient lurking passion.
All it had done was put up a wall in our friendship.
What?
He's not passing!
Nobody in the area. Who was he passing to?
I'm sure you're happy. He threw it right to you!
Idiot!
They're flying up a new quarterback from Texas or something.
What? I didn't throw the ball.
So what am l, chopped liver?
-What are you talking about? -You know.
-No, I don't. -You know.
You asked Sam.
What is this, published somewhere?
You know we can do it. We've done it.
Remember the march on Washington? Armies of the night?
I remember.
I thought you'd be grateful.
-You're sweeping me off my feet. -I thought you wanted a kid.
Thank you, Michael.
This is a big decision.
I'll get back to you in the third quarter.
Look at this! This could be us! The next generation.
It could be. Think about it.
Think!
Shit.
-How you doing, Harold? -Not bad.
This guy claims to be a guest. That true?
Depends. what'd he do?
-For one, he ran a red light. -No, I didn't.
-He became verbally abusive. -You got etiquette laws here?
25 bucks he's hitting me for!
He could be one of them Yankee drug dealers we sometimes get...
...passing through on their way to Florida.
This is my lawyer. I don't have to take this.
It's true, officer. Do you have probable cause?
Excuse me, aren't you J.T. Lancer?
Yes, sir, Officer.
I'll be. What's that make you, Perry Mason?
You know, Pete. He does look suspicious to me too.
Let's take him out back and kick the shit out of him.
Must be quick. The second half of the game's starting.
I'd be willing to drop this whole thing...
...if you could persuade Mr. Lancer into showing us...
...how he hops into that sports car on TV.
I'd really appreciate it.
I watch that show every week and I've always wondered.
Myself, I always have to open the damn car door.
You have a hard top.
Don't do it.
Go for it.
I don't believe this.
Damn it!
It's not that bad, guys!
Don't talk. Don't try to talk.
Make sure you keep his arm up.
Am I going to need a tetanus shot?
-You won't amputate, will you? -I got to see.
What about my career?
I am sorry. I thought they could do that stuff.
It's not your fault.
-Enjoy that second half, now. -Will do.
Since when did you get so friendly with cops?
You know, you're fucking stupid.
Stupid!
That cop has twice kept this house from being ripped off.
Happens to be a hell of a guy.
And you....
Come on, what is it?
What is it with you?
Is jail another experience to try? See what it's like?
You know, I live here.
This place means something to me. I'm dug in.
I don't need this shit.
You know, I really can do it.
It's these damn running shoes. They practically kill me.
We know you can.
Being a private eye is dangerous work.
I got to get back to the game, coach.
Walk.
We're deep in the third quarter.
Just testing. A little joke.
Michael has graciously agreed to act as stud for me.
A repeat performance.
He didn't say that, did he?
Well, it's almost that romantic.
What are you going to do?
I can't do it with him. Too much history, it's not right.
I can't believe this. I'm just deciding this as we speak.
It's not going to happen this weekend.
Maybe it's a sign from God that I should reconsider.
Too bad I'm an atheist.
-Like what? -Say anything.
Tell us about your past.
-I lived with Alex. -Before that.
Before that.
Randy.
I don't like talking about my past as much as you guys do.
Okay, I'll buy that.
Can you tell us something about Alex?
Well, he was cute.
He said we made a good couple because l had no expectations and he had too many.
He believed in reincarnation.
He never ate meat.
He said he was afraid he would come back someday as a steak.
He said he should have accepted that Rutledge fellowship.
What's the matter, Nick?
Two, three, four.
The biggest mistake I made was not trying harder to steal you from Nick.
You know I always wanted you to try.
I never got that feeling.
I guess you weren't paying attention.
It's a little late now, isn't it?
Is it?
What are you saying?
I think you know.
I think you've known this whole weekend.
Wait, you mean you and Richard...?
See? You've always been able to read me.
You know my life with Richard isn't working.
Well, I knew you two weren't exactly....
But I didn't think--
I'm going to leave him.
Let's get the Wonton Express rolling.
You want to come along?
No, you go ahead.
I'll be right here.
Just climb in there regular, okay?
Listen to those guys.
Goddamn!
Remember the night we saw them in Cobo?
No, you probably don't.
You were hallucinating pretty bad that night.
We didn't even have any drugs.
Have you noticed anything unusual about this weekend?
Other than Alex dying?
I've been getting some pretty weird propositions.
I don't think I could live down here all the time.
Last year I went to Hawaii with my friend Reena.
We ate at a Chinese restaurant. When they brought the fortune cookies...
...hers said, "You'll never amount to anything."
I don't believe it.
"Friendship is the bread of life..."
Wait a minute! "...but money is the honey."
It doesn't say that.
-You're kidding. -That's great!
Even fortune cookies are getting cynical!
Cynical? It's pragmatic.
I think it's touching.
There's nothing I'd rather do right now than make love to you.
When it's over...
...come into my life.
You and your kids come out to L.A., move into my house.
There's plenty of room. It's lovely, it's great.
I can't do that.
It has to do with Robin.
No, it's not that. My marriage is completely over.
When Robin and I broke up, I had a million good reasons.
A million things that were wrong with her, wrong with us.
When I think back on it now...
...and see my daughter with her new father, I realize what broke us up.
What really did it, and I hate to admit it, even now.
What did it was...
...boredom.
I couldn't stick with it.
I'd hate to see you make that same mistake.
You're a much better person than that.
Don't give me that shit!
For 1 5 years, you've acted like I'm the one you really wanted.
You made sure everyone knew.
And now I come down here--
Don't be mad at him, honey.
Well, it's called an anus.
I'm sure it is boring to hear it 20 times, but just ignore him.
All right.
Yes. Just a minute.
She's right here.
No, just hold on.
Hello, muffin. How are you?
You got it? Great!
You did?
When I saw it, I said I have one friend in the world who'd appreciate it.
That's going to be our little secret.
As soon as your mommy and daddy say you can.
When do you get off from school?
So what would that have meant?
What do you mean? It would've told us something.
What are you talking about?
Meg is pissed off because Alex didn't leave a note.
-Could he summed it up in a note? -Maybe a long note.
I can sum up people's lives in 32 paragraphs.
I did a rock band in a page and a half and they had 2 drummers.
Do you think this is funny?
One of our best friends kills himself and we don't know why.
No one knows why anyone does anything. Why did I choose these socks today?
There's a great equation: Your socks, Alex's death.
They're pretty sad socks.
I believe that everybody does everything to get laid.
Who said that? Freud?
No, I did.
All I'm saying is how could we let Alex slip away like that?
Maybe he let us slip away. I never heard from him.
-Did he hear from you? -I tried. He resisted.
It's true.
We saw him a lot. But he didn't tell us much.
Not me anyway.
I can't speak for Sarah.
I knew he was unhappy. That doesn't tell you much.
I had no idea how bad it was.
I think he wanted to cut off from us...
...because he was so unhappy with where he was at.
Is that true, Chloe? Did you feel that?
I don't know. We had some good times.
I haven't met many happy people in my life. How do they act?
I'm sitting here and I realize...
...I don't know what he did for the last 5 years.
I remember he left that caseworker job in Boston.
That was, what, '78 or so?
I don't know why he was doing that.
He was a scientific genius. Why was he doing welfare work?
Then the construction job. What was that for?
He didn't know what to do.
I can relate to that.
If you'd been in touch with him, you could've saved his life?
You have that effect on people? Keep them all jolly, do you?
Wise up, folks. We're alone out there.
And tomorrow we're going out there again.
It was straight of him not to cook up a Reader's Digest condensation...
...of his screwed up life for our entertainment.
I am sick of people selling their psyches for attention.
He was classier than that.
It was a real classy act he pulled in the bathtub.
For some people it isn't a question of why kill yourself, but why not.
Give me a break. Spare us the tragic existential pose.
Didn't mean to get into your area.
Come on now, guys. We're all friends here.
This is a well-known dynamic.
I've seen it a million times. Some people...
...ease the pain of separation by denigrating their relationship.
You're so deep.
I think Michael's right.
I feel shitty about 10 different ways tonight.
I don't want to let any of this go.
That's healthy. The only way to avoid pain is to pretend you don't care.
I know. I've left more places than you'll ever go.
Give him your pose line, Sam.
There's the existential man for you. You're one tough cookie.
I could say you're one...
...cold, manipulative guy and it wouldn't bother you.
I'm deeply hurt.
At least our last night will be fun.
Please don't do this, guys.
This is happening because we miss him. And we're really hurting.
That's a crock of shit!
We're afraid just the opposite is true.
Alex died for most of us a long time ago.
I think you're a crock of shit.
Don't speak for me or anybody else.
You hate your life. That's your problem.
-Don't tell us how we feel, okay? -That's it.
That's all I'm saying. If I hate my life, it's my problem.
Too bad you weren't around to comfort Alex as compassionately.
We go back a long way.
I won't piss that away because you're higher than a kite.
A long time ago we knew each other for a short period.
You don't know anything about me.
It was easy then. No one had a cushier berth than we did.
It's not surprising our friendship could survive that.
It's only here in the world that it gets tough.
I don't care what you say.
I know I loved you and everybody else here.
And I'll go on believing that till I kick.
What's wrong with you? What's happened to you?
Wait!
I believe you can help other people. I really do.
Sorry about that.
I do too.
Not that you can save them, probably not.
But you can do what you can do.
That's how I feel.
So lay into me now. Really let me have it.
I was just trying to keep the conversation lively.
So you'll continue to love me no matter what?
Just don't cross me.
Could you help me in here for a sec?
Well, I think I've had enough.
I love you very much.
I'm yours.
I want you to do something for me.
Anything.
I'd marry you, if you want.
No, wait. I did that.
Yes, you did.
Thank God.
It's about Meg.
Where to?
You know, I don't do anything.
It's me.
Come on in. Nobody else will.
This bed has always been lucky for Sarah and me.
I got to try and relax.
I think I just forgot how to do it.
What, what?
It's not going to come out right.
Try me.
I feel like I got a great break on a used car.
I remember this.
I remember when he got this.
I must tell you...
...I'm picking up vibrations here at the house.
I'm almost certain there's sex going on around here.
Have I ever told you how beautiful your eyes are?
My head.
Your feet.
Tell me about the club.
Fuck the club. I couldn't deal with the hours.
It'd be nothing but aggravation.
Let's say it becomes successful. I become a star.
People magazine sends a nasty schmuck like me...
...to do interviews. Big deal.
Nope. I'm going back to my novel.
I'll write about this weekend.
What were you going to write about before?
Last weekend.
If Richard and l bring the boys to L.A....
...maybe you could get us in to see a studio.
Yeah, sure.
Absolutely.
No problem.
Good.
Richard would like that.
I'm the worst about writing.
But I promise I will, from now on, answer your letters.
-Great. -Good morning, youngsters.
So how did everybody sleep last night?
Did anybody sleep last night?
I know I did. All alone in my airplane.
No co-pilot. I slept like a baby. Even wet the bed.
Drink your coffee, Michael.
I'll come see you whether you like it or not.
Well, good morning.
Good morning.
How you doing?
Don't have to be in such a good mood.
Look what I found in Alex's papers.
I will be in Detroit sometime on this deal...
...and I'm just dying to meet your boys.
I'd love it.
-You're all welcome in New York. -Great!
Not in my apartment, you understand. But in the city.
I'll accompany you anywhere, even to Elaine's.
Thought Elaine's was dead.
That's why I can get you guys in.
What's that?
The column I wrote about Alex when he turned down the fellowship.
This is not bad. Good, clean style.
Lean, economical, the right touch of ideological fanaticism.
I remember Alex was angry about that.
What do you mean? I made him famous.
Think he saved it because he hated it?
He also saved his induction notice.
I'm collecting addresses. Do you have one?
Or should I copy down your license plate?
You can reach Nick here for a while.
Nick and Chloe will stay here and do some work at the old house.
I guess there's a certain symmetry to that.
What's the flight schedule here? Is there any way...
...to coordinate the airport transport?
I'll be glad to drive somebody.
Great, if we can take Harold's car.
Get Harold to drive it.
You're no fun.
That won't be necessary. We took a secret vote.
We're not leaving. We're never leaving.