Way We Speak, The (2024)

[bunniefuu]

You're doing it again.

Ohh.

Big building.

You have some time.

A dream 30 years in

the making.

Mmm.

Well that's new.

Hmm.

Here.

Ohh.

[exhales]

Did you write this?

No, why?

Public intellectual Simon

Harrington is enjoying a

meteoric rise as an essayist on

everything from futurism to

atheism.

"Meteoric?"

If that were true,

I'd have TV appearances.

-[chuckling]

-No, I'm here because of George.

Elusive f*ck, I've left him

so many voicemails.

Mr. New York Times bestseller.

It is not a competition.

Of course it is.

Everything in life is a

competition.

My manager said I might be able

to get a book deal if

-I actually win this thing.

-Honey...

Aren't you the keynote guy?

Uh... Yes, one of them.

Nice to meet you.

Simon Harrington.

Nice to meet you too.

Kudos to you for spotting me

with my ashy hair.

He's being self-deprecating.

-That's an old photo.

-Ah.

This is my lovely wife, Claire.

Hi.

Do you know Simon's work?

Absolutely.

Wanna do the autograph thing

real quick?

-Sign my brochure?

-Oh, um...

I...

[phone vibrating]

Oh. Excuse me.

Tell you what, uh, we were

just about to go inside.

Join us.

In the green room?

Yeah, for a pen.

I'd hate to miss

the opening remarks.

Well, you won't.

I'm giving them.

I-- I promise.

I'll have you back before

anything interesting happens.

[chuckling]

[mysterious synth music]

[crowd chatting]



[man] ...to the general public,

you have to sort of

put on a show.

Come on.



-[door attendant] Hi.

-Hello.

[door attendant] Come on in.

[host] And of course, we want to

thank our beautiful host

city of Portland for

providing truly top-notch

venues across the board,

as we begin this year's annual

event, featuring thought

leaders from around the globe.

What do you say, everyone, huh?

-Let's fortify?

-[audience] Our lives!

[host] All right. Ah!

Here's one of Rampart's

newer friends who will offer

this year's opening

remarks in just a few moments.

Simon is enjoying

a meteoric rise as an essayist.

And will square off

against Rampart staple,

George Rossi,

for a truly high-minded event

that some of you flew in for,

I happen to know.

Okay, turning the page.

Be sure to download the Rampart

app if you haven't already.

Where you can search events,

secure tickets, and learn

more about our roster

of head-turning speakers.

And of course,

each and every debate, panel,

and workshop will live on.

And be streamed on

demand after they've

been simulcast live

in over 20 languages.

Okay.

Uh, let's find that pen.

Can I get you some water?

-That would be great.

-Yeah.

Oh, yes.

And thank you very much.

-Get that for you.

-Thank you.

-You okay?

-Yeah, I'm just going to

catch my breath.

Dr. Harrington,

it's such an honor to meet you.

-Thank you for saying that.

-Annette.

I have to admit,

I'm just a wee bit

in awe of

your contribution to the world.

[Claire] Oh, please,

are you kidding me?

The feeling is entirely mutual.

And I'm really excited

to support Simon for a change.

Yes, there he is.

Simon.

Hi. Pleased to meet you.

Thank you for

giving me a chance.

-Um... A few minutes?

-Two or three.

And I am so sorry

that we have to meet

under such

difficult circumstances.

Oh, thank you,

but Claire's a warrior.

Yes, I am so sorry to hear about

the persistence of your cancer.

Thank you for saying that.

There's anything I can

do to make you comfortable

during the conference...

Nope. Simon takes

great care of me.

You didn't get a phone call?

I'm sorry, do you mind if I--?

-Yes, please.

-Oh yeah, uh--

Yes, you rest.

[chuckles]

-You okay?

-Mm-hm.

[Simon] Yeah, I-- I'm sorry.

You were saying?

George.

He's in an ICU in London.

Excuse me,

are you with Harrington's--?

Uh, yeah, she's with us.

Thanks for making time.

Take care of her.

[Simon] Yeah,

thanks for coming.

That's not possible.

Cardiac arrest.

How bad is it?

Cynthia says that he is stable.

He's under constant supervision.

So, we're going to have

to cancel your keynote debate,

I'm afraid.

We can have you, um...

host a workshop or two

to make the most of things.

I'm really sorry, Simon.

Honey.

Oh, forgive me.

-You need anything else?

-No, thank you.

George built Rampart

into what it is today.

He put us on the map.

[quiet orchestral score]

He's going to pull through.

We proceed.

Um, well,

I don't think that's... wise.

I don't think

it will be well received.

George is a trailblazer.

Dogged, determined.

[chuckles] You would expect

nothing less from his peers.

You feel strongly?

Yes, I'm sure of it.

He's my best friend.

Look, I know you're

going to have to find

someone new to debate.

No one sharper

than George, but...

I'll do my best.

Don't worry.

He's going to pull through.

Well, you're going

to have to get on stage

regardless

of what happens tomorrow.

Claire's right.

Do you want to come?

I'm going to catch my breath.

Thank you.



[host] So, let's give him a warm

Rampart welcome, shall we?

This is Simon Harrington.

[applause]



[man on phone]

How's it going out west?

You know, it's a little

puff for my taste, but...

They're happy to have him, so...

Good for Simon.

What are you chewing on?

None of your business.

[laughs] You've got to

give me something.

I mean, you know

everybody over here

is dying to know what you've

been up to.

-You are a legend.

-Ha ha.

[chuckles] All right,

good news first.

We can proceed

with the clinical trial.

You're-- You're a great fit,

plain and simple.

Okay.

[chuckles] Okay?

Claire, this is good news.

This is good news.

Do I, uh, do I have time to

talk to Simon about it?

Um, I mean, sure, if I can

know by the end of the week.

I mean, I don't really think

that a delay is to your

benefit.

-Fair enough?

-Fair enough.

[soft jazz music]

-So good to see you.

-It's great to see you too.

Hi, how are you? Hi.



[indistinct chatter]

Excuse me,

but did you actually

print out one of my essays?

[chuckles] Simon?

-Oh, good eye.

-Who does that?

At that moment,

I was probably the only person.

-On the west coast.

-[chuckles]

-I'm Sarah.

-Pleasure to meet you.

This is impressive.

-Thank you.

-[Sarah] How do you, like,

congeal all of your thoughts so

convincingly on the page?

Well, revisions.

You know,

writing is mostly rewriting.

Writing is rewriting?

-Okay, um...

-[chuckles]

Well, I try and think what

the objection is going to be.

And I get out in front of it.

Good tip.

I think I'm going

to waltz over and get a drink.

Nerves and all that jazz.



You met your opponent. Sorry,

I wanted to introduce you.

Ha! Very funny.

-Wait, hold on.

-I hope Claire is okay?

Yeah, Claire is resting.

Who was that?

Sarah Clausen.

Very well respected

Christian author.

Big online presence.

-Oh, but-- but she's...

-A woman.

No,

I was going to say Christian.

[chuckles]

Just messing with you.

Your keynote debate

kicks off tomorrow on time.

You two will debate

the existence or absence of God.

Oh, Annette...

I mean,

isn't that borderline pass?

Well, Sarah had a break

in her speaking schedule,

which makes this

a miracle falling in your lap.

How is it pass?

Well, in this political climate?

You know, nobody listens

to anything they say,

and they refuse to listen.

It's like trying to talk

somebody out of their favorite

dessert, which theirs

is vanilla or something.

Okay. Bet on my plan

like I bet on yours.

Oh, I don't know.

Think determined.

Dogged,

I believe the word was.

George expects

nothing less from his peers.

I wish he'd get back to me.

It says she's

a New York Times bestseller.

She said my

essays were impressive.

You know,

one of the things that I've

always liked about

my written approach is...

Did you just forget

your own compliment?

-Oh... Yeah.

-[both chuckle]

Isn't it semi-beneath

Rampart to be debating

-the existence of God?

-I'm sure that they've

had Christians here before.

Yeah, but never

defending their faith.

Isn't this supposed to

be an intellectual event?

Oh, then keep it intellectual.

Oh... God's Giant Table.

-It's gotta be good.

-Oh, f*ck me.

It's her biggest yet.

Sold 1.2 million copies.

-[whistles]

-Are you trying to get

into my head before

this thing even starts?

You should prepare.

I mean,

what if she's smarter than you?

Simon.

Not a snowball's

chance in hell.

That she's really smart

or that she'll actually study?

Aren't you supposed to be

prepping for the Zurich seminar?

Go call George.

Find out how he's doing.

You really are

trying to get in my head.

Every few years, Rampart

likes to shake things up.

I'm Terrence Stand.

Welcome to the Quadrennial

Keynote Debate Series.

Featuring two leading thinkers

in their respective fields.

Our distinguished

panel of judges is led by

Rampart President

Annette Davis.

[applause]

As well

as past speakers you can

learn more

about in your program.

Or on the Rampart app.

Three debates and

a closing argument.

The winner will find themselves

permanently enshrined.

With a lecture series

renamed in their honor.

This person will also

receive an invitation to

appear on one of

our judges panels in perpetuity.

No small thing.

And just to sweeten the pot,

Sarah or Simon will

receive a check for $50,000.

With another $50,000 awarded to

the winner's charity of choice.

This one, as they say,

is for all the marbles.

Let's meet them now.

Sarah Clausen is a sought-after

faith-based author and

speaker who Rampart

has had on its radar with

her latest book,

God's Giant Table.

Making the New York Times

bestseller list.

She's been named

one of ten essential

contemporary

writers by Christian Now.

Please welcome

Sarah Clausen to our stage.

[applause]

Simon Harrington is an up

and coming essayist.

Bringing the science

of predicting the future

and tech into the mainstream.

You may recognize

his published contributions as

a spirited proponent

of grounded rationalism.

Which he calls common

sense with our toes in the soil.

Please welcome

Simon Harrington to the stage.

[applause]

Good.

Boring stuff done.

[audience laughs]

Sarah, why God?

And the follow-up to you,

Simon, why not?

But we begin with you, Sarah.

Thank you.

C.S. Lewis said, "I believe in

God like I believe in the sun:

not because I see it,

but because by it

I see everything else."

God makes sense of things.

Both illuminated in

light and obscured in shadow.

God explains

the unlikely existence of love.

And transforms it from something

conventionally linked to status,

selfishness, and pleasure

into a movement of kindness,

grace, and unlikely community.

God clarifies

that which science,

however valuable,

simply cannot.

Survival of the fittest

gives us some insight into

initial attraction

and subsequent procreation.

But it doesn't even begin to

touch the Christian concept of

love, which is self-sacrificing

and full of surrender.

Science and rationalism

become an ill-fitted

garment in that way.

And I'll pause there.

[lightly chuckling]

Forgive me,

I'm kind of learning as I go.

-[applause]

-May I?

Please.

Well, um...

aside from the strangely inept

comparison to the sun,

which is one of the better

examples of things we can

easily measure and observe,

I would like

to challenge the idea

that somehow love is so

mysteriously counterintuitive.

People do silly

things for many reasons.

Cultures evolve over time and

slowly redefine what love is.

Take the issue of

spanking in the United States

now versus a generation ago.

Well, that's

conflating the idea--

I'd like to use my time.

Thank you.

Think of corporal punishment.

Or the realization that some

vitamin is now a known poison.

And this is witnessed with even

a cursory glance across history.

Second, surrender,

as Sarah puts it.

Well, what if that is

just indulgence by another name?

Do you follow?

I'm getting off on

denying my impulses.

You're welcome to

take a cynical position on

the motives of those

who do believe that surrender

is authored by God,

which is far broader than

the Christian faith,

I might add.

But it doesn't change

the fact that letting go

is really hard

and always has been.

And it's somewhat convenient

for you to make this sweeping

generalization that throughout

history the collective

rising of our moral tide,

think Dr. King's quote about

the arc of moral history

bending towards justice,

was... intuitive? Or easy?

-Or effortlessly won?

-[chuckles]

You're-- You're discounting

the suffering of those who came

before us to struggle to

create a more just and equal

world for all of us,

not just the fittest.

And that reveals an argument

lacking in the kind of humility

Isaac Newton

intended when he wrote,

"If I have seen further,

it is by standing

on the shoulders of giants."

Oh, I'm-- I'm not

interested in false modesty,

although I am familiar with

that sentiment, properly cited,

belonging to French

philosopher Bernard Chartres.

But aren't we here to

debate the likelihood of God?

My point is that love

defies rational thinking,

and that large groups

of people would not continue

throughout history in behavior

that seems counterintuitive and

evolutionarily disadvantageous,

if not for something else,

for the whisper of

the divine in their hearts.

[applause]

Appealing to popular

opinion is a common fallacy.

I-- I don't think you realize

the self-fulfilling prophecy

that you're constructing here.

The person of faith

learns that private and

public self-denial is to

be held in the highest regard by

their tribe, that God's

favor will thus shine upon them.

And so that person adopts

surrender in order to feel warm

and fuzzy inside and to win

praise from the people outside.

Pretty attractive rewards,

you'd have to admit,

as a person of faith yourself.

People do what makes them

feel good and feel included,

and this is crucial in

understanding basic

human philosophy.

So please, let us not

confuse misguided behavior

or Sarah's tenuous grasp of

history as proof of the divine.

[applause]

-[exhales]

-[Sarah] Simon.

-Good job.

-Thank you.

It takes time to get

acclimated, I'm told.

I thought I did pretty well.

-Wind in your sails.

-I was okay?

Had a little too much fun,

I think.

Really?

I hadn't noticed.

No nausea.

-Should we go get some food?

-Oh, I'm so glad.

Yes,

if you're feeling up to it.

-Mm-hm.

-Um...

-But can I have a minute first?

-Take your time.

I'll go get the table.

You're sure?

I'm a big girl.

-Tell them I love them.

-I will.

Cynthia, Simon here.

[melancholic music]





Funeral's in three days.

Cynthia's in shock.

Her brother-in-law's

taking over.

She wants to be done with it.

It's the same day

as my closing argument.

Maybe right now is not

the right time to be here.

I mean, maybe we need to

look out the window for

a reminder of where we are.

The world is bruised.

Nobody can afford to

pay their rent.

But we have done well, Simon.

We're so fortunate.

No, you've done well.

[Claire scoffs]

No, we're staying.

We're staying.

And I want to have

dinner with my opponent tonight.

Wow, that sounds nice.

It's combat, love.

Nothing nice about it.

Thank you. Keep it coming.

Please don't.

To George.

[Simon scoffs]

-[footsteps approaching]

-I'm gonna go.

-Oh, Sarah!

-So sorry I'm late.

-My call went long.

-This is my wife, Claire.

-You look lovely.

-Thank you.

-So do you.

-Thank you.

-[Claire chuckles]

-Would you like a drink?

Um, maybe.

Not sure-- Probably not.

[Simon] Trying to stay focused?

Drank too much at the meet

and greet?

[dry chuckle]

[Sarah] What's good here?

We're out of towners.

-Where from?

-Cambridge.

No way. I've studied

at Wellesley for two years.

Love Massachusetts.

And you left?

Got sidetracked.

By the whole

speaking and writing thing.

Definitely wasn't

part of the plan.

Or my plan.

God's will prevails.

-Drinks?

-I'm good with water. Thanks.

[Claire] So, um,

are you writing another book?

Always. A memoir.

I'm really excited about this--

You seem a little

young for that, aren't you?

Well, I guess I could

wait until I was your age.

Oh. [chuckles]

I could never pull

off a hat like that.

Oh, yeah.

I didn't think I could either.

Claire, she's French.

[whispers] It's cancer,

actually.

-Oh, my gosh.

-No, it's okay. It's okay.

It's advanced stage cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

I tend to avoid

numerical staging when

it comes to hematological

malignancies because--

Honey, honey,

speak the people's language.

What she's not telling you is

that Claire is a world-renowned

nephrologist, which sounds

like something you should be put

in jail for, but actually

all it means is that you are

sitting right next to

a one-of-a-kind kidney doctor.

Wow. Impressive.

Thank you.

It's basically

stage IV blood cancer.

I'm so sorry.

Thanks.

But, uh, yeah, that's life...

One day at a time.

Yeah, that's

an honorable approach,

one I should really learn from.

[Simon] Sarah.

Rampart. Sounded like

you didn't even know about it.

Well, I got

the call and was flattered.

And it seemed

like a good opportunity.

Well, yeah, of course.

But, I mean,

what are you after, ultimately?

I guess I want to

point people to God.

-Nothing too fancy.

-Uh-huh.

What's the angle?

I-- I'm genuinely curious.

What about you?

Tomorrow is going to be better.

Us futurists,

we've done the analysis.

It's vital for us to

show the how's and the why's

of where the human

race is headed so we can

create engagement and

excitement around progress.

He doesn't

have to work that hard.

I've made us plenty of money.

[Simon] Ah, yes, the patriarchy.

Some hope, and a paycheck.

Simon, did I read somewhere

that you have social anxiety?

And at a conference, that must

be tough to push through.

His endurance is one

of my favorite qualities.

I just hold

his hand and he calms down.

Jesus, Claire.

So how is George?

Annette said heart attack.

Do you know his work?

I mostly roll in

faith-based circles.

George died today.

[sombre music]

A tremendous loss.

And we're just waiting

to see if Claire is a viable

candidate for a clinical trial,

a last-ditch effort,

so the timing is just

perfect all the way around.

-[woman] Sarah?

-Yes?

Would you be so kind

as to sign this?

Yes, of course.

Do you have a pen?

Great.

[woman]

I thought you were great.

Thank you.

[pen scribbling]

Have a good night.

[woman]

You should let Sarah finish.

You really

kind of steamrolled her.

Thank you for the feedback.

That's very helpful.

Sorry, a clinical trial,

what does that mean for you?

Can we please just

traipse through the menu?

Is it okay if I pray

for your health, Claire?

What-- Whatever you'd like,

yeah.

We should, um, order some food.

Simon, I do have a question.

I respect

that you don't believe in God,

-or I accept that you don't.

-Okay.

But, don't you tire

of being so militant about it?

-[Claire chuckling] Sorry.

-[Claire] No.

-Honesty is beautiful.

-Militant.

That is

an unexpected description.

I don't

challenge your conclusion.

I just...

what's the reward?

You'll be on the receiving

end of it tomorrow.



You good?

-Kudos, you're a good man.

-Thank you.

-Not a problem. Here you go--

-Hey...

You're an attractive

waiter, you know that?

I wouldn't mind seeing

you taking your turns at these

two lovely ladies, a little

naked tussle and all that.

That's not okay.

I know, okay, let's go.

I'm good.

[shouting] I'm good!

Um... Nice night.

Sarah, I'll walk with you.

Oh, there's

the award-winning graciousness.

-[Sarah] Is he okay to get home?

-[Claire] He's fine.

I'm fine.

Pretty nice to have guy time.

Yeah. Absolutely.

So, do you like living

in the Pacific Northwest?

Yeah.

You can't beat the outdoors.

Oh, yeah.

Do you feel it's welcoming?

Or is it just

a box people check?

I'm still trying to

figure that out myself.

Hey, I'm a headliner

at the conference.

-Oh. Right on.

-Rampart!

Are you familiar

with futurism? Because...

-I'm kind of famous for it.

-Oh, right on.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Hey, I have to get

ready for my next debate.

Do you want to help me?

I've got flash cards.

I'm in the middle

of my shift still.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, absolutely.

Oh, right.

That's fair enough.

Uh, I-- Uh, your wife

said you'd throw me a hundred

if I took you

out the back door.

You okay to walk?

Yeah.

Have a good night, sir.

Yeah, Claire worries too much.

How do you like Portland?

Um, I like it.

[both chuckle]

I mean,

it's no East Coast, but...

No, it's not.

And I'm here

in a debate I don't belong in.

Sarah, that is nonsense.

No, I mean, I'm

grateful for the opportunity.

It's just that I have to take

everything that comes along,

so I've been

on the road for forever.

I'm our only source

of income while my husband

waits for his dream

job to magically appear.

He likes to remind me

that he doesn't like me being

on the road this much,

but he really wants kids.

[Claire chuckles]

I'm sorry.

This must sound so

insensitive and small

based on what you're facing.

Do not be.

Marriage is hard.

Yeah.

I can tell you what

I strive for.

Go first.

So instead of signaling that

you're frustrated,

say how you really feel.

Yeah.

But the really

hard part is forgiveness.

-Yeah.

-It'll all be imperfect,

but so is love.

[tense music]

[Sarah] Do you and

Simon have any kids?

Because you found your calling.

Something like that.

I feel like

I'm up against Goliath.

I mean, Simon is really

good at constructing his points,

but he's really, really good

at deconstructing my points.

Yes, he is.

Good morning.

I'm Sarah Clausen,

and you're having coffee

with Christian Now.

[host] Don't be nervous.

We're excited to have you.

This morning's cup of

coffee is shared with speaker,

influencer,

and author Sarah Clausen,

whose third book,

God's Giant Table,

just passed a

milestone that is rare--

[button clicking]

[Claire] He has

grown a bit of a chip on

his shoulder after

the last couple years.

[Sarah] How so?

[Claire] He and I are both

atheists, and I'm calm about it,

but he is Simon Harrington.

I don't follow.

Well, he doesn't come from

academia like the rest of them.

[Claire] I feel

kind of bad for him.

He's been a bit of

an outsider ever since

he was kicked out of seminary.

Well, a bit of an outsider

up until now, anyway.

You're joking.

No.

No, the same

dependency that made

tonight's dinner

less than comfortable.

Do you want to come in?

I shouldn't have said that.

-I am way too trusting.

-Oh, I won't say anything.

I think I'm going to go.

-Oh, let me walk you back.

-No, no.

It's just down the street.

Okay. Um... Thanks for the chat.

[Claire] Mm-hmm.

[sombre music]

[masturbatory sounds]



[distant waves crashing]

George?



Raise your arms.

[gasping]

So what did you two talk about?

We have a very serious

agreement.

Yes, I know.

And that's why I've

been sober all these years.

That I need to be able

to hang my hat on in this

marriage or things

fall apart right quick.

"Right quick?"

Don't mock me.

-You did this.

-Come on.

Don't you think my pounding

skull is punishment enough?

[scoffs]

Claire...

Do you remember

that time I skipped my speaking

arrangement in New York

to watch my sister's kids?

Vaguely.

Okay, well, little Max was

very content with his handful of

chips until his sister

walked in with a whole bag.

And seeing her have more

than him made him flip out.

Yeah, I follow,

but look, I'm not jealous

of some young Christian author.

Studying up?

Ah, I guess I got curious.

Like you.

You know, she's the kind of

person that likes to make people

desire her so she can

feel mighty and then reject.

I'm just making conversation.

Oh, here, let me get this.

Oh! f*ck.

-I-- I can move.

-I'm sorry.

You good?

Great.

[typing]

"While it makes

for good cinema and doesn't

sound like a bad way

to k*ll an afternoon,

there's no reason to fear

a passive dystopia where we'll

spend our lives in a hover

chair sipping meals from a cup.

In reality,

the near future, we'll see

people taking greater

ownership of their health

and paying far less

for improved results.

By 2040,

65% of health spending will

support care models

that incentivize prevention and

wellness, with technology

improving early detection for

doctors and real-time

feedback for the rest of us.

[snorts] It won't be

long before our bodies

and our bank

account feel the benefits

of an early morning jog."

Are you still good?

-Do you need anything?

-I'm making it work.

Hey, when are we gonna

hear about the clinical trial?

Soon, I'm sure.

You should be prepping

for your next conference.

You should

mind your own business.

Or "f*ck me," like

you're so fond of saying.

Huh.

[typing]

[audience applause]

We gave Sarah the floor at

the start of the first debate.

Simon, will

you kick things off for us?

Gladly.

Although it is

undoubtedly stimulating for

the purposes of this

Rampart keynote debate series to

ponder the likelihood of God--

and I'm happy to do it--

I would be remiss if I didn't

acknowledge what was missing

in today's houses of worship.

We don't need God.

We are in

the midst of our own story.

Humanity has pressing issues

to address, and-- and...

we're answering them

with science and reason

and technological advances.

Just look around.

There are urgent challenges

and breathtaking victories.

But a significant portion

of the planet's population still

spends so much of

their time and energy

on a lifelong fishing

expedition into an empty pond.

That's a profound loss.

Imagine what we could

do if we could refocus all

of that brain power.

So my conviction is also a plea.

Rejoin the human race.

Become fully present

in every way imaginable.

Don't miss out.

We welcome you.

We need you.

And I promise you,

the rewards are

self-evident now and tomorrow.

Surely, Simon

understands that science grew

out of the 16th

and 17th centuries,

where it largely

evolved from a bunch of theists.

That makes it relatively new on

the scene of human history and,

as originally intended,

limited in scope.

See, these theists

expected science to confirm

their understanding

of the laws of nature and

mathematics built on

a faith-based understanding

that a deity once

authored natural law.

You're implying

that the first thing

trivializes the next thing.

But if I bring up the Egyptian

god Horus, who predates

the Christ mythology by

3,000 years, you'll dismiss my

argument outright or say

that somehow the absentee savior

story is more authoritative

because it came later.

-I'm going to finish my point.

-[Simon] Which is it?

Is earlier or later best?

Contrary to the rebuttal

that I can only imagine is

boiling up inside of Simon

-at this very moment...

-[audience laughing]

...I do not discount

the value of science,

which allows me to

see things in a new way,

not to mention the ways

it helps society to advance.

Let's try it this way.

Science allows me to understand

the molecular structure of

a flower and the way

it is pollinated, as an example.

But if I stay too

close to that flower,

if I live inside the microscope,

I will miss a great deal about

what that flower means

to people.

As I back away from those

molecules and take in the bigger

picture, I begin to

observe the flower's beauty.

I feel the emotional impact

of its brilliant red color

set against a bland kitchen

table or some drab walls.

That contrast stirs

something in my soul.

And it's a disservice

if I don't linger on

those feelings or

begin to wonder why.

Perhaps I begin to reflect

on purpose as I consider the way

a flower holds itself

together so delicately.

And as I let nature

speak to me

beyond a mere

clinical observation,

I remember to cherish

small moments with a loved one

as I recall that my own life

is as fragile as that flower.

You see,

it is only when I believe

in God that I begin to

find answers beyond mere

comprehension about who we are

and why it all matters.

I can't appreciate a flower

without invoking a higher power?

[mysterious music]

[Sarah] Of course you can.

But appreciation and worldview

are two different things.

Simon, what do you make

of the likelihood of God when

there's such

widespread disagreement--?

A great point.

Disagreement not only

about the existence of it,

but the character

and nature of God,

which continues

to split believers

into opposing factions.

It is notable that

Christians love to pick

on Muslims and Mormons

for their outrageous tales,

but they're utterly

comfortable with their own.

Yet the burden

of proof lies squarely

on my distinguished

opponent's shoulders

because I cannot prove

the absence of something,

let alone something

as outlandish as God.

It would be like

trying to calculate

our collective

disbelief in leprechauns.

[audience laughing]

It's amazing

that you don't see how

you fit the mold

of your own criticism.

My opponent,

ladies and gentlemen,

demonstrating the religious

propensity for sleight of hand,

front and center,

for all of you to see.

On one hand,

they love to trot out

the Genesis fable

to show God's generosity.

Eat of any tree

in the garden except one.

Really? Almost nothing?

Off limits?

Well, not so fast,

say abuse survivors,

divorcees, members

of the LGBTQIA community,

and anyone who has been

hammered by Christians

for living outside of Paul's

archaic definition of sexuality,

which includes one man,

one woman,

one marriage for all time.

Pretty limited buffet.

Just ask Adam and Eve.

Try to stay focused, Simon.

Are you really saying

that by disagreeing with tenets

of Islam or aspects

of the Mormon faith

that the Christian

cannot believe in God?

That a hole

in one belief system anywhere

invalidates

all belief systems everywhere?

That's like

promoting anarchy

because we've had

one bad president.

I am waiting for you

to make a credible assertion,

and I'm wondering why you're

trying to sound like me.

I am trying to respond.

You are vomiting non-sequitur.

-Best foot forward.

-That's the point.

Excuse me?

It is senseless

because it mirrors

the confused nature

of your own argument.

I think my opponent

prefers her verbal acrobatics

to actually

making a case of her own.

You're...

[sighs]

...very confusing.

[laughs]

Well...

[somber piano music]

I mean,

that was a mess, right?

She's insane.

[Claire] This is not

her usual forum.

[Simon] Come on, hurry up.

I don't even know

why she's invited to this thing.

Can we please slow down?

The fatigue is real,

-like, insane.

-You have cancer.

No joking for cancer patients.

-[Claire laughing]

-[Simon sighs]

Ready?

Why haven't we heard

from the doctor?

What's up with him?

[Claire] Um, I'm sure

they're just inundated.

Glad you could make it.

-Simon.

-Sorry we're late.

[Annette] Would you like

to say a few words?

[Simon] Yes, yes, thank you.

Hello, everyone.

George Rossi

was a pioneer in the fields

of science,

rationality, and futurism.

He was also my closest friend.

It's funny,

and a little bit tragic,

that we were

so busy in recent years.

So we made an agreement

that, if nothing else,

we would always meet out of town

as often as we could,

far from the crowds

and the attention.

And it was in those moments

that the public and private

George Rossi

were one and the same.

Endless curiosity.

That he was

a father and a husband

and an earnest supporter

of the arts,

as well as a humanitarian,

are all worthy of note.

But his rigorous thirst

for knowledge

is what will linger with me.

The world truly has lost

one of its finest minds.

Thank you, Simon.

I'd like

to introduce someone who might

be something

of an unknown in this room.

It speaks

to the inclusive strides

George made

throughout his life.

His curiosity,

as Simon alluded to,

was so ever-present that

George quietly crossed divides

to promote voices that

challenged even his own beliefs.

Sarah Clausen, everyone.

Thank you.

I'm not going to wax poetic,

and I promise

to keep this brief.

Tonight is all about George.

I wrote to him

asking to be pen pals.

Imagine my surprise

when he said yes.

I learned

a great deal from George,

and it rarely amounted

to what felt

like a betrayal

of either of our beliefs.

And I hope

I don't offend

when I say that I too...

considered him a dear friend.

And I continue to offer

my prayers to his family.

[Annette]

Everyone came together.

Yeah. Turned out to be

kind of perfect actually.

I think it was.

-You should be really proud.

-Excuse me.

Well, he was well-remembered.

Thank you for sharing.

How come I feel like I'm not

getting the whole story here?

-I'm sorry?

-That she knew George.

-Like that.

-I don't--

-Simon--

-His replacement

just happens

to be a secret pen pal.

You think I owe you

an explanation

for solving

something you insisted on?

Huh.

Well, I think that--

Thank you for coming.

Good night.

It is beneath this institution

to even have her here.

And you know it.

I mean,

she wrote a children's book

about the resurrection,

for Christ's sake.

Are you really about

to dress down this proud

Black woman

who gave you this platform?

No.

And no.

Not tonight.

Work it out,

the two of you,

and I expect an improvement

over yesterday's belligerence.

You know what? I've known

a lot of great feminists

in my time,

but I've also known women

who perverted

the cause for selfish gain.

George always

spoke so highly of you.

But I see something different.

Well, that's

because you have a worldview

where you expect

to see angels in the sky.

You know,

I'd like to win this thing

to honor his legacy,

but I'll settle

for being the woman

who knocks you down in public.

Oh, well, look at all

your schemes coming to light.

You really are a subterranean

creature, aren't you?

George recommended me.

In light of the health concerns

over the past six months,

I was his contingency plan.

He didn't

have any health issues.

How well were

you paying attention?

[somber music]

George.

George?



Rough night?

Strange dreams.

George...

like he's

aware of what happened.

Like he knows he's gone.

I feel like I'm being

haunted for being here.

[laughs] I don't even

believe in that nonsense.

Your mind is trying to cope.

Dreams are good for that.

It's like the more

I share the stage with her,

the more she hurts

my reputation.

Remember you used

to tell me that your father

was never

the same after he got sick?

And your mom responded

with an iron fist?

I remember.

She was stressed out.

[Claire] Loss is trauma.

And you have to let go.

How are you feeling?

[sighs] Tired.

Dizzy.

Getting ready

really zapped my energy.

-I'm sorry.

-Mm-mm.

I'm not gonna let

this cancer get me down today.

I'm gonna get there

early to get a good seat.

Said the toughest woman

I ever met.

-Sarah. Hi.

-[Sarah] Hey.

I'm sorry, I didn't

mean to interrupt you.

-It's fine.

-[Claire] How are you feeling?

You good?

You know, if I can decipher

my own handwriting.

I'm sure you're gonna be great.

Thanks.

Where's Simon?

Oh, I think he's on his way.

I just, I wanted to ask

you a quick question.

Yeah.

Why did you tell us

you didn't know George?

I don't want

to talk about George.

I guess it felt

like Simon's moment.

Good luck out there today.

Thanks.

[audience applauding]

[Terence] I know you're

all looking forward to this.

Our third and final debate

before tomorrow's

closing remarks.

Can I get you some water,

Mr. Harrington?

-Or we have coffee?

-Um, water, yes, thank you.

[Terence] And,

of course, the one and only

Simon Harrington.

[audience applauding]

Good morning, Sarah and Simon.

-Good morning.

-Thank you.

I want to pose a question

to kick things off

that I think will lend itself

to some fertile answers.

And by that, I mean,

I am intrigued by something

Sarah said earlier

about an ill-fitting garment.

Simon, try faith on for size.

Can you stretch it to fit

your rationalist

or godless conviction?

I'll take the bait.

Setting aside the gaping

issues of history

and so-called evidence,

I will focus squarely

on the morality of God.

I am an anti-theist.

-Sorry.

-[Simon] Uh, thank you.

The travails of live

broadcasting, everyone.

I'm an atheist.

As popularized

by Christopher Hitchens,

or I should say

an anti-theist for many reasons,

but I'll give you

an obvious one first.

What's taking God so long?

How can you justify

a righteous deity that allows

so much suffering to play out

without direct intervention?

I don't know, Simon.

If I had Jesus

himself on the stage,

you would just say he was

infringing on your free will.

Oh, you're dinging me

for my consistency.

This coming from someone

who has to reaffirm

her fantastical beliefs

every Sunday

lest they vanish

into thin air.

[audience chuckling]

Let's veer away

from the ad hominem.

My opponent, ladies

and gentlemen, running low

on intellectual and moral fuel.

As I said, let's veer away

from the ad hominem.

Back on track.

Name one thing

we need religion for

that we can't

infer ourselves.

She can't, although

she'll damn well try.

Pride.

The idea that

your private motivation matters,

not just

your public persona.

I'm sorry. Are you saying that

Jesus invented self-awareness?

That's right, everyone.

Don't follow Christ.

Follow Simon.

Sage advice.

If I were in charge,

it would be multiplied

meats and cheeses for everyone.

Jesus had culinary issues.

-[audience applauding]

-[Sarah] You're bitter.

And you don't have to be.

I've been there.

Bitterness leads us all astray.

It's true that you

once attended seminary.

Isn't that correct?

Maybe it was God

who broke your heart.

-Sarah.

-And maybe that's why

you still

struggle with alcoholism.

Perhaps an addiction

bad enough to get you

kicked out of seminary.

Perhaps you're

a subterranean c**t.

[tense music]

Excuse me.

We're going to table

this for now

and resume tomorrow

when each side will present

its final argument.

Thank you

for your thick skins today.

[door opens]

[Annette]

What n*zi-ing was that?

-[stutters] My friend is gone.

-Exactly.

-Dr. Harrington.

-Annette.

Sarah was way out of bounds.

And my response

was also out of bounds.

There is nothing

to salvage here.

Oh, come on, look,

I'll make a heartfelt apology

at the closing arguments.

Sarah can forgo an apology.

I'm okay with that.

I just want to know that

I am still eligible to win.

I'm not going to make another

hasty decision on your behalf.

I need time to think.

I'll own it.

I promise.

I would really rather you

step away at this point, Simon.

That doesn't seem necessary.

Not necessary.

Not for you. Nope.

No true payment is ever required

for the misdeeds of men.

I would really appreciate

it if you didn't heap

your entire experience

on my husband's

moment of weakness.

I will address

what happened in a way that...

affirms the values

of this institution.

But it is not going

to be pleasant.

Whatever you have to do.

As far as your eligibility

is concerned,

you will learn my decision

along with everyone else.

But I expect

an apology either way.

This is my conference.

It sounds like we both

have something to safeguard.

I don't need you to rescue me.

Really?

Did you just miss

the last half hour?

[dramatic music]

Tide's coming in.

My reputation is my career.

Decades late

and poorly timed as it may be.

I was upset.

I mentioned seminary.

-That is it.

-But why?

Because she's a Christian

and I didn't have any reason

to think she would

say anything about it.

Right. And now she's told

the whole world

that I hate religious people

because once upon a time,

God gave my heart a boo-boo.

Oh, also, I'm a drunk.

Well, that is her mistake.

And anybody who knows you

knows that's not true.

[both moaning]

Do you want my hand?

No, no, just let me...

Okay, what about my mouth?

Just give me a second.

Sorry.

[Simon sighs]

-Great.

-Okay, it is okay.

When are we going to hear

from the oncologist?

We talked.

No more treatments,

no more clinical trial.

When?

I've just been trying to keep

you focused while you're here.

[scoffs]

Well...

Well, there's the rub.

First you share secrets

with my sworn enemy

and then you

withhold information.

Come on,

you are being so dramatic.

Oh, well, that's great.

Don't apologize.

Just drip with contempt.

It's much more effective.

Simon...

I'm dying.

And I am a doctor,

so I know what it's like

when a body

is failing and I want peace.

I don't want to live what's left

of my life as an experiment.

I don't...

I need it to stop.

Claire!

For God's sake,

are you giving up?

Wow.

I thought you

were going to call me a c**t.

I have never heard you say that.

What does it say that

some short-term debate opponent

can evoke more passion

out of you than I can?

You know the rest of us women,

we're not your mother.

I'm getting pretty tired

of these little f*cking

therapy sessions.

You just don't want me

to fight for the thing

that makes me feel alive.

Not when it's the only thing

that makes you feel alive.

What are you even trying

to salvage at this point?

Annette is right.

We're barely surviving,

you and I.

And I know this whole thing

seems trivial to you, but...

I need something

like this to get me through,

or else

I'm going to go crazy.

Ha! You fought dirty

because you saw an opening.

Sarah gave you

a real chance to win.

Well, it must be

just wonderful to just sit there

and dispense wisdom

on the tail end

of a wildly

successful career.

That you supported.

Kind of.

I traveled

to all of your lectures,

cheering you on

without interruption.

Do not talk to me

like you're on some stage.

Yeah, you were there.

With a glazed look

on your face,

I could see the obsession

in your eyes,

planning your future,

desperate for it to hurry up.

Well, I'm sorry that

my support meant so little.

That I can't

be the g*dd*mn toast

of the town

for one f*cking minute

without running into

your pioneering perfection.

Wow.

That was really mean.

You know, I married you for

your mind and your friendship.

And after

all these years, Simon,

I really wish that there

was something else.

And I will

not spend what's left

of my life watching you

go down in flames.

But enjoy your moment.

All this talking

and all this knowledge,

and you still haven't

learned the obvious.

Be careful

what you say out loud,

because

the universe is listening.

And that stuff boomerangs.

Yeah, and...

for the record,

people are drawn

to power and prestige.

They don't like you for you.

They're gonna forget about you

the moment you're gone,

and I promise you,

you will be gone.

Maybe not like me,

and maybe not as soon,

but you will

fade away just the same.

And then you'll be a footnote in

some book that nobody remembers.

Because this world,

it runs on competition.

And none of it matters.

I...

have been trying so hard

to get you to be close to me.

Is that even in you?

I wanted you to see

me succeed

before you weren't

around anymore.

That's why we're still here.

[somber music]

This-- This is my side.

Okay.

[Terence] Mm-hmm.

[light clattering]

Um, will Simon and Sarah

please join me on the stage?

I was ready

to recite this to all of you.

Another carefully

worded statement.

All seem to run together

at some point, don't they?

Mine was going to tell

you how disappointed I am.

And with conviction.

Dismayed was

the word I chose to write down.

But what I really am...

is tired.

Aren't you tired?

What happened on this stage

violates the standards.

And the values

of this institution.

Full stop.

We bother with all of this,

supposedly,

to contend for humankind

at its absolute best.

It's the very reason

Rampart exists.

You might say

it's the only reason.

And I'll tell you

what happened

makes me miss

George Rossi all the more.

Someone dear to our hearts.

A friend who embodied

the values of this institution.

With his every waking moment.

And his loss.

And people are

struggling because of it.

Suffering.

Whether they know it or not.

So, what do we do?

Now I acknowledge

that my decision...

will not be popular.

It may have its detractors.

But Simon will be

allowed to remain

in this competition should

he offer a heartfelt apology.

Now I tend

to distrust the word sorry

because it's been exploited

time and time again.

But...

maybe I too need to evolve.

Maybe my own beliefs

demand it

that I practice

what it means to be charitable.

Accepting the risks.

If I'm no longer

willing to extend mercy,

does that not mean

I need some forgiveness too?

Now, Simon owes

Sarah and the rest of us

something better,

to be sure.

And as we respond, perhaps

we can offer something better.

In return.

Simon.

Thank you, Madam President,

for those important words.

Painful,

though they are to receive.

Appropriate, yet painful.

My father said that

a long apology merely dilutes.

That a, um,

apology that goes on to...

Claire!

Here. Here.

Let's, uh, take

a brief intermission if we can.

I'm just gonna catch my breath

and then we'll go back in.

Yeah, we'll rest here

a few minutes.

And then we're leaving.

I'm gonna call 911.

You need help, baby.

And a seriously

huge hospital.

Gonna miss you.

I'm gonna miss you too.

What are you doing here?

Thanks for having my back.

[sharp inhale]

[somber music]

Your manager said that...

Hi.

Come in.

Uh, please, have a seat.

Thanks.

Oh, thirst.

What brings you to Cambridge?

Book tour.

It's hard,

being on the road.

And I'm pregnant,

so I'm gonna be taking

a step back

from travel and appearances.

Congratulations.

That's the hope, anyway.

My husband,

um, has a part-time thing,

but he spends

the rest of the week

practicing

with the worship band.

Guitar's great,

but it doesn't pay the bills.

No speaking engagements for you?

I poked

around on your website.

Uh, there has not

been many offers recently,

ever since, uh, you

and I had our little kerfuffle.

Which is fine.

Not really feeling it

much that lately.

And, uh...

speaking of...

Congratulations.

Oh.

[Simon] Well, you were

the last man standing.

Well, Claire collapsed,

and Annette called

the whole thing off, so.

What was she supposed to do?

She sent flowers, though.

Annette's a good person.

And I really admired your wife.

It's actually why I'm here.

I felt sick betraying her trust.

And yours.

Oh, please.

I would have done

the same thing myself.

I've been thinking about

that debate a lot recently.

Oh, boy.

Oh, I'm not

gonna convert you.

-Praise God.

-[Sarah laughs]

Jesus told me to go

easy on the widowers.

Oh, did he tell

you that directly?

I guess I've been

thinking about it a lot, too.

I should have called you.

You did not deserve to be

on the receiving end of a--

How are you holding up

these days?

Oh, um...

I hadn't really thought

about it like that.

People die. Right?

And you think, or at least

I thought, that, um...

the only thing that

really leaves is them.

I mean, I'm sure it's some

sort of coping mechanism

that I always forget

every time a new loss arrives,

but you realize too late

that they're also a feeling.

Being with them is a, uh...

What's the word? It's, um...

Not electrical, not circuitry.

Um, like a current.

Charge.

It's a charge...

that is uniquely

shared by you and them.

And when that feeling

starts to fade away,

not so fun.

Oh.

I thought that Claire was,

uh, working on her next lecture.

Turns out

she was writing a poem.

Um, can I share it with you?

Yeah.

Okay. Ahem.

[laughs]

"I strolled through

the market hoping to be seen."

Ha!

Christ.

It's so sentimental. Okay.

"I strolled through the market

hoping to be seen.

Strangers connected

by kindness and warmth.

A surge of humanity,

eyes that expressed life.

But no one noticed me."

[sentimental music]

[book shuts]

[sobbing]