We Strangers (2024)

[bunniefuu]

[arrows whooshing]

[cavernous ambience]

[wind blowing]

[birds chirping]

[vacuum whirring]

[garbage disposal churning]

[garbage disposal stops]

Hi.

-Hi.

-Hey.

-Hi.

-Hi.

Uh...

I-I haven't seen you

here before.

Yeah, um...

I'm Ray.

Oh, um...

What are you...

Um, Dr. Patel hired me to clean.

Oh.

Oh, oh, okay.

Um, is he here?

Yeah. He's upstairs.

I can go get him.

[Woman] No, uh... Sorry.

Um...

Just don't, don't say anything.

-[Rayelle] Okay.

-Okay.

-All right.

-Okay.

[sliding door locks]

[faucet running]

[Runnitup" playing]

b*tch you a rat

Gimme the cash,

that's 30, 40, 50

You gotta redo the math

This sh*t is wack

Open your bag

I'ma go get it and dash

I want the stash

I gotta take out the trash

I got my foot in your a*s

[song continues in headphones]

Listen up here, b*tch.

You know what it is,

you know what its been

Tryna ball out

next year with friends

Im tryna get rich

and splurge on my ken

So how bout you just pay me?

My guy gon get the gat,

just hope its on safety

Looking at my time

that you keep wastin

Damn yo, I'ma go crazy

I don't make exceptions

Or no m*therf*cking deals

Said my n*gg*s gotta eat

And I'm paying hella bills

If you funny with my money,

I ain't f*cking with you

I'm not playing with you,

dummy

You know my rent is due,

damn!

[Dr. Neeraj Patel]

Okay, this is, this is good.

b*tch, its me

Gimme the money

you owe me

Or catch these

hands for free

[Neeraj] I know, I know, I know.

We got beef,

ducking, dodging

We gonna see

I'm sorry.

I need receipts,

Ima get that cash

Just give it a week

[song continues]

[Neeraj] Okay.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

One second.

Tracy, can I call you back?

[Neeraj] Sorry about that.

Thank you for everything

you're doing here.

We just moved practices.

I didn't know what

I was getting myself into.

[chuckles]

I guess foot doctors

aren't so clean after all.

Do you want me to help

you with that?

-Uh... No, it's...

-Just here?

Yeah, just, by the door.

[light music]

Awesome.

Appreciate it.

Hey, do you do home cleaning?

[Ray] What do you mean?

[Neeraj] I need someone

to clean my home.

I don't know how it works

with your company,

but I...

I would like to hire

you directly.

-[Ray] Me?

-Yes.

Name your price.

I just need some help.

Oh.

Yeah, okay. Yeah.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Wonderful.

-Sure.

Thank you. That's terrific.

Let me give you my number...

Here.

Oh, there. There it is.

It's on the sign.

[Neeraj]

It'll light up when it's done.

[water running]

[Ray] It's like

early Destiny's Child.

Remember when everybody

used to be honey blond.

It looks good.

It looks real good.

[Ray] Now, how you

gonna tell somebody

it looks good with a

straight face?

Because I actually believe that.

Kay-Kay. Kay-Kay.

What do you think about my hair?

You like it?

Ooh, rude!

Why did you

make your hair orange?

[Ray] It's not orange.

[Marielle]

We need to work on that.

[laughing]

Oh, you just turn on

the TV and you'll be fine.

[Vera] Baby, I got these kids.

Thanks Vera, I owe you one.

[Vera] Enjoy yourself.

-Good night.

-[door closes]

[King playing]

[Feel playing]

[inaudible]

[Decay playing]

[Ray] I could fall

asleep standing up.

[Mari]

I bet you could.

[Ray] Now, I just

have to figure out

how to do my work lying down.

[Mari]

That's how it should be.

[Ray]

Yeah, be my own boss.

[vacuum whirring]

[Rascal [Superstar] playing]

All my b*tches look

like money in the bank

When they see us,

they got nothing left to say

Out the bottle, sippin

on some Dom Prignon

I look forward to

the sh*t youll never know

[song stops]

[vacuum whirring]

[footsteps ascending stairs]

[door shutting]

[song continues]

[Neeraj] You're done?

Yeah.

[Neeraj] So...

How many hours was that?

Uh, three and a half.

Started at ten.

It's almost 1:30 now.

Okay, did you take any breaks?

No, sorry, I'm joking.

It's, uh...

[Neeraj]

What's your last name?

Martin.

Rayelle Martin.

But you can just leave it blank.

I'll fill it out.

-[Ray] Thank you.

-[Neeraj] Youre welcome.

Oh...

Wow. Thank you.

So you, uh...

Well, you met Mrs. Laich.

She likes you.

Would you...

Would you clean her house too?

Please.

I paid you for it.

-Oh.

-You don't have to, of course.

[Ray] Wow.

There it is.

Right there.

The one with the...

chicken on a compass.

[Ray] A weathervane.

[Neeraj]

A weathervane, yes.

It tells you where

the wind is coming from.

Right?

[chuckles]

Why do they need

a chicken to tell them?

[Ive Got a Secret

playing on radio]

[Radio DJ]

Hey, we all got secrets.

And Dr. J ain't

telling you nothing

unless you ask nicely.

[Dr. J laughing]

[door bell chimes

to tune of Dixie]

Hi. Uh, is Jean home?

I'm here to clean.

Jean.

Jean!

-Jean!

-[Jean] What?

Come here, please.

Jean!

Come here, please.

[Jean] I'm coming! Jesus.

Did you...

Oh!

Ahh...

You ruined your surprise.

-Come on in.

-Okay, okay. Sorry, excuse me.

[Jean]

Shes here to help me clean.

[Ed] My present?

Is this like a stripper thing?

-[Jean] Stop it.

-What's your name?

Rayelle. But Ray.

Thank you for coming, Ray.

You can go back and do

whatever you were doing.

Okay.

Can I get you anything?

No. I'm good, thank you.

[Jean] Okay, Ray and I are

just gonna get started.

Okay.

[mischievous music]

Uh...

I really don't need your help.

-You don't?

-No.

Um...

Can I just ask you,

how much do you cost?

Oh, Dr. Patel already paid,

so...

What's your rate though?

Well, it...

depends.

On what?

Um...

On the size of your house.

You know,

what you want me to do.

If you want me to

organize or just clean or...

you know, rearrange, its...

just, like, scale.

Okay, uh...

[clicking tongue]

Um...

Let's start with the bathroom.

[camera snaps]

[water swishing loudly]

[cleaner fluid sound]

Oh, sorry.

No, you're fine.

You're fine.

How's it going?

Good. Yeah.

Um, you want me

to get this room?

Uh...

[hockey announcer on TV]

A 1-0 lead with 21 seconds...

Jeans got a whole

-thing going down here.

-Okay.

So youll have to

ask her about that.

I can show you these though.

I took all of these.

-Oh, wow.

-Yeah.

-That's nice.

-Yeah.

I'm gonna get one

from all 50 states,

and there's 26 so far.

But, uh, I'm gonna

get them all before I,

you know,

leave this earth.

So how do you know

which one's from where?

Ah. Well, I...

-Here.

-Oh.

-Just...

-Right.

-Little system.

-Yeah.

You were in Pittsburgh.

Yeah, in 2000 I...

Well, I go off and

I travel a lot from work.

I'm at U.S. Steel, and

they have a place.

Oh, yeah, my dad was at Inland.

-Oh yeah?

-Yeah.

Yeah, the Indian guy

took over, right?

Yeah.

I mean, that was...

That was rough stuff over there.

I mean, that guy, I guess...

You know, he just didn't care.

It's all about money

with those people and...

It doesn't matter

how long youve been there

if a machine can do it.

Right?

This one's right in

front of the house.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, it is.

I guess it could use

a little love.

If you don't mind.

[person on TV] ...Im, like,

freaking out right now.

[TV host] Oh, and by the way,

I talk to dead people.

Being a medium,

its about connecting

people with the loved ones

theyve lost.

It's about the healing.

I'm Madeline the Medium.

Hey, can...

Can you bring me a napkin?

Yeah.

[TV continues in background]

I hate this smell.

Really? I like it.

You do?

I think it starts out all fresh,

but then it mixes

with the rest of me.

[Madeline]

It's really difficult to explain

what's happening when

I'm communicating with a spirit.

I mean, talking to the dead.

It's not an easy explanation.

A spirit likes to communicate

with what I call

a spirit dictionary,

and these are just, like...

Oh, I think there's some

glasses back here or something.

Oh, yeah, I'll throw

them in the wash.

[Madeline]

Im having it bring me back

to the time of

his passing, okay?

Do you ever watch her?

No.

[Jean]

I'm into all that voodoo stuff.

You know,

not to hurt anybody too bad.

I've always been interested in

getting someone to do

whatever I want.

[Madeline]

Her soul came through you.

Before you even found out...

[TV grows distorted]

I can do that.

Do what?

I can see things.

Hmm?

-[Jean] You can?

-Mm-hm.

[gasps]

[Ray] It can be freaky.

Like,

I might just be

out running errands, you know,

and then all of a sudden

I'll see them.

Just, like, ghostly bodies.

Wow.

[sighing]

I always wanted to have that.

[Madeline] Can I hold

your hand, if thats okay?

Okay, there seems to be

a friend here, actually.

Have you lost a friend?

Did he tip you?

No, he didn't.

Well then, it's not a gift.

Have you met his wife?

Not yet.

She's a liar.

And I don't like liars.

[exhales]

[Ray groans]

[sucking in air]

[sighing]

[moaning]

Oh, I feel something.

[ominous, piercing strings]

A presence.

[sighing]

Oh, what is that?

[mysterious music]

Someone's here.

A cousin?

-Your sister?

-[gasps]

She's saying that there is

something that's

making you happy,

and you should

just move towards it.

What does that mean?

Oh, shes sensing a...

deep sadness.

But there's also light.

She's telling you to just

move towards the light.

Okay.

I keep seeing yellow.

Oh, there's a yellow...

Something about air.

I feel air.

Just feeling air there,

humming...

Its like there's

air everywhere.

[static droning sounds]

I can't believe it.

My sister died in a

yellow dress.

Oh my God.

I cannot believe it.

She choked.

The air.

[static droning intensifies]

[static droning ends]

You are so good.

You are really, really good.

[light choral music]

[puppies yelping]

[Wiliemae] Come here.

Come on. Come on.

Come on.

Oh. Okay.

Okay, Bella. All right.

Mamas got to go to work.

[Willie]

What color is that?

[Ray]

It's honey blond.

-Honey blond?

-Yeah, honey blond.

[Ray] Honey blond.

It's like blond, but

it's got a little brown to it.

Was that the color

you were going for?

A hundred percent.

Its exactly what I wanted.

-Okay.

-I got it.

-So you're happy with it?

-Perfect. I love it.

Okay. Me too.

Okay. [laughing]

[Ray] Okay, well, what is

something that you wish you had?

[Willie]

To not have to go to work.

But if you gotta go to work,

whats something you

wish you had?

-More money.

-[Ray laughing]

- [Willie] Thats Marty.

-Honk at him.

-No.

[honks horn repeatedly]

[Willie laughing]

All right, I'm outta here.

[Mari in voicemail]

Hey, love.

Thanks for picking up

Ellie today.

I didn't think

I'd have to go in today,

but you know if a shift opens

up, your girls gotta take it.

I'll bring you some cupcakes.

Yeah, they'll be

chocolate this time.

Okay. I know youre not

gonna look at this

so I'll just text you.

Love you.

Thank you. I owe you.

[Kayla giggling]

[Kayla]

I think I want to see a man

with some stringy hair and

its going to stay on forever.

Ooh, I want to see a princess.

And she's so pretty.

But then she got the

head of a dragon.

[Ray]

Wait, what's gonna happen?

Now!

There! Look!

Dragon Princess!

[Dad] Im gonna

let you go, okay?

You got it.

You got it.

[Tracy Patel on phone]

Sandy?

No... he's not gonna buy.

It's a total waste of time.

-[muffled voice on other line]

-Because...

No, they're Ativan and Klonopin.

It's been that way for years,

and it's just...

[muffled voice on other line]

Because I do my research.

That's why.

Bhatta... Bhattachu...

Dr. Bhattacharya, I think.

[Tracy] Okay,

but if he makes me late

for my next meeting,

I'm just gonna leave.

[Ray] Oh, I got it.

[Tracy] Oh, no. It's okay.

I can do it.

[Ray] No, no, it's totally fine.

-Okay.

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

[Tracy] Wow. This is

interesting.

It's what you were

talking about.

The Prisoner Dilemma.

Hello!

In 1902, Ludger Sylbaris

was jailed for life.

And the cell had no windows

and only a little strip

of ventilation.

On...

Oh, it was on your birthday.

On May 8th,

Mount Pele erupts in

what would become the

deadliest volcanic eruption

of the 20th century.

The entire town was destroyed

in less than a minute.

And the only recorded

survivor was Ludger

because he was

trapped underground

in solitary confinement.

Huh.

Well, you think

your life is over

and then the world throws you

a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Literally.

So, you know, you should just

do whatever you want

with your life.

Because in the end,

a giant volcano might erupt

and you can live your

life in peace.

Everyone will be dead.

It's not the Prisoner's Dilemma.

[Tracy sighs]

Is there anything else you need,

because I'm making a

list for Ray?

Oh, did you know that shes

working with the Laiches now?

Oh, I didn't know that.

Hey. That's great.

Your business is growing.

Is my daughter gonna

sit there all day, I wonder?

Can you take me to

Nikki's on Saturday?

Did you ask your mom?

I want to get there alive.

[Tracy]

Have you ever heard of a bus?

-Okay. I'll see you tonight.

-[Tracy] Yeah. Uh-huh.

[Tracy exhaling]

[gunk splashing]

[Dixie doorbell chiming]

Hi!

Hi.

You know, it just doesn't...

It doesn't come that easy to me.

Okay, w...

I just want to know

what you feel.

Yeah, well,

if I'd known I was

gonna do a reading,

I would have prepared.

It's sort of a process.

-Mm-hm.

-But, um...

Yeah, I mean,

if you want me to sit down

and really do it, I can.

I just have to...

Commune with the spirits.

Okay.

I mean, when you say it out

loud, it sounds silly but it...

You know, I can do it.

Okay, great.

Okay.

Hmm.

Jean, I don't mean

to be forward, but...

I do usually charge

for readings.

Oh. I'm sorry.

How much?

You know what?

You're a friend. It's...

It doesn't even matter.

-Don't even worry about it.

-No, no, I want to.

-You do?

-Mm-hm.

Okay, well then, I don't know.

Let's just...

Let's say a hundred?

Okay.

[cash register sound]

Thank you.

Okay.

Let's begin.

[rhythmic drum music]

So just

take a deep breath in

and then

close your eyes as

you let it out.

[deep breathing]

[Ray] Hmm.

I'm not...

feeling your sister.

But she was here yesterday.

Yeah. She was.

She just doesn't seem

to be with us.

-You can't feel her at all now?

-I don't. [groans]

Hmm.

No. I'm sorry.

Is there someone...

Maybe someone else that you'd

like to speak to or...

Just some sort of question

you want answered?

I don't know.

Aren't you supposed to tell me?

Yeah.

It just helps to know

what to look for.

I don't want to guide you.

I just want you to tell

me what you feel.

Yeah, I understand that.

Okay.

Okay. Let's go back into it.

Lets just do another breath.

So, in.

Mm-hm.

[Jean breathes in]

And then just let it out.

Close your eyes.

[Jean breathes out]

[rhythmic drum music]

[Ray] Oh, wow.

There's love in your life.

But it's just not...

What you want.

Oh, I'm sorry, I...

I have a feeling, but I just

dont know if I should say.

What?

Well,

there is love in your life.

There's also pain.

So this love is not

good for you.

[drums slow]

Then what should I do?

I don't know.

It's just a feeling.

Okay.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Yeah.

[plunging toilet]

[dramatic chord]

[Willie in voicemail]

Ray, I haven't heard from you.

Can you call me or text me back?

I just need to know if you're

dropping me off tonight.

If you can't,

I need to ask somebody else,

so call me.

Also, can you pick up some eggs?

Love you.

[Sunny Patel]

No, I'm at home right now. Why?

Wait, really?

What did he say?

No sh*t? Okay, all right.

That's bullshit.

No, seriously, like,

dont even worry about it.

He's not going to do anything.

Hey, can you take me to

Things N More?

Uh, yeah, sure. What is that?

It's a thrift store.

You havent been?

It's great. You can get the

best deals there.

Cool.

Yeah. Just ask your dad.

No, he doesn't care.

Did you ask him?

Yeah. And I swear,

Ill literally be so fast,

I have like two things, so...

Okay, well, as long as

your dad's fine, then...

Thank you.

Seriously, he's cool with it.

[Come On Home"

playing on radio]

[Dr. J]

Listen, we all want money,

but only some of us

have the music in our hearts.

When I'm feeling down,

a good song is all I need

to get me right.

But hey,

money wouldnt hurt either.

[Dr. J laughing]

You know, I knew a lady

that I was just so crazy about.

And you know what?

I loved her.

[Come On Home"

continues playing on radio]

[Ray scoffs]

It's such a rip off.

I got 25 bucks.

I mean, they said I could do

$70 in store credit but

why would I give them

my stuff and my money?

Oh yeah, wheres my cut?

What?

I drove you here.

I should get something.

I mean, it's my stuff.

I'm just saying.

We wouldn't be here

if I didn't drive you.

Are you serious?

I should've just walked.

[crash]

[Ray] Oh f*ck.

[Worker] Are you okay, ma'am?

Oh man.

[Worker #2] Wooo, insurance

aint gonna cover that.

sh*t, that's bad.

I know a dude, if you need

somebody to fix that.

Thank you.

Hey, you okay?

[Ray sighs]

[breathes deeply]

[rhythmic music]

[Sunny] I mean,

you havent k*lled anyone.

That would be

the worst-case scenario, right?

Like, one minute

you haven't k*lled anyone.

And the next minute

youve hit them or...

Or you make them

fall down the stairs.

That would be

really, like, really bad

because you couldn't

just get that fixed, right?

So at least there's that.

[Ray] How do you know

I haven't k*lled anyone?

[Ray laughs]

[Tracy] You are gonna

listen to me.

I have nothing to

hide from you because

I don't care...

[Neeraj] Im not

listening to this.

This is just a waste of time.

[Tracy] ...that's what you do

every time. Great talk.

[Tracy] Hey, Ray.

Can you come up here?

I need your help.

[Ray] Yeah.

[Tracy]

Keep, keep, keep...

I'm not going to wear this.

Yeah.

Do you want it?

Uh, no, that's okay.

Okay, well...

Someone could use this.

So how is it over at

the Laiches?

Its good.

Good.

I bet you've got a lot of work

to do over there.

What do we think of this?

Cute.

Yeah.

Well, do you want it?

Uh, no. That's okay.

Well, this is a nice sweater.

Neeraj got it for me.

I don't...

I don't think it would fit.

Take it.

I have...

I have too many clothes.

Like, I don't even have space

for my own clothes right now.

[Tracy sighs]

No, you know,

I'm just not gonna wear it.

And it's like you hold on

to this stuff...

Okay, well, someone can

make money from that.

Yeah, Jean said

you guys really connected.

Mm-hm.

You know, I think...

I think I'm actually gonna

hang on to all of that for Sunny

because, you know, she's gonna

want it at some point.

[echoed and distant]

I can't find my blue dress.

There's just too much

sh*t in here.

[birds chirping]

[Willie] Hurry up...

I don't want to wait for him.

Hur...

-My lord.

-[Ray] I can't, what do I do?

Okay. I'm not gonna wait.

Just stop, stop the car.

I'll get out here. Im...

[Ray] Okay, alright, night.

Have fun!

[trancelike music]

[blender running]

[dog barking]

[phone vibrating]

[groaning]

[phone beeps]

[Willie in voicemail]

Ray,

I hope you're not picking up

because you're scared

of your mother right now.

Ive been here for 30 minutes.

You think I should walk home?

If you want to forget about me,

I'd appreciate a warning

so I can get a ride

from someone else.

[Willie sighs]

All right.

[Ray] Yeah, Mom, Im five

minutes late.

Im driving now.

[other car honking]

f*ck.

[Ray sighs]

[Ray] I f*cked up.

Sorry.

[Mari laughs]

-[Ray] Mari, I'm so sorry.

-What?

-What?

-I gotta go pick my mom up.

Are you serious?

I completely forgot.

We, we talked about this.

Yeah? I'm already late.

My mom's calling me...

So you can't take them?

All right, I'll take

Ellie to school,

but I can't take Kayla.

Great. I'll just take

her to work then.

[horn honking incessantly]

Stop!

Let me take Ellie right

now and then...

I really can't deal

with this right now.

I cant either.

Im trying to tell you...

[Tracy]

God, she's so great, isn't she?

[Jean] Oh yes, yes.

Oh, I feel so grateful.

Im so relieved.

[Tracy] Me too, me too.

Yeah, you know,

I never met anybody

who had that kind of access

to other dimensions before.

[Jean] You're right. I never

thought about it that way.

[Tracy] No wonder she's

charging so much.

-Hi.

-[Ray] Hi.

Hi.

These were in the dryer.

[Tracy] God, that's Neeraj.

We were just talking about you.

Oh. How's Ed?

Oh, yes.

Thank you.

He just got the promotion.

-Oh, hey. That's great.

-Thank you.

So we're going to have

a big party on Saturday,

and I want everybody to come.

And I wanted to

ask you if you could help.

I mean, I want you to come too,

and obviously well pay you.

Um, but can you bring the

whole family?

Well, Neeraj might be working,

but I'll try and drag Sunny.

Okay, well, it's gonna go late.

He deserves it.

He's been there a long time.

Hey, just tell me when.

-I can be there.

-Oh, yes. Wait.

I wanted to tell you,

we are really excited

about your business.

Oh, yes, we are.

How do you feel right now?

Is the spirit within you?

[Jean] No, it's not a switch

that she can just

turn on and off.

-Right?

-[Ray] Right.

[Jean] It's something that

she has to feel.

Yeah, it's like I gotta be

in the right place.

You know, like the right

state of mind.

Yeah.

Right, but...

I mean, if you're going

to charge people,

then don't you sort of

have to be on their schedule?

What if I wanted to hire

you right now?

[sighs]

I guess I'm still learning.

Oh, well, let us help you.

Yeah.

We'll both pay for a reading.

[buttons clicking]

[cash register sound]

Okay.

Um...

[Ray] Jean.

Okay.

Deep breath in.

And close your eyes

as you let it out.

[exhaling]

[pensive music]

[Ray] Hmm.

There's a light.

And a path.

It's a new path.

You need to walk

towards the path.

Is there something you want

or something you got to do?

Or someone, its...

Hmm.

Uh...

Um, I don't know.

I think that um...

I'm looking forward

to Eds promotion.

No.

It's about you.

Hmm.

Theres red.

That's weird, I just see red.

Feels like it's

important to you.

[Jean] Um...

Wow. I...

I feel like you just, like,

see right through me.

Okay.

Do me.

Sure.

Hmm.

-[Tracy] What? Like this?

-Yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

Now take a deep breath.

[inhaling, exhaling]

Why don't you just

do it with me?

-[Tracy] Okay.

-Okay.

Deep breath in.

[inhaling]

And close your eyes

as you let it out.

[exhaling]

Oh.

[moaning]

[Ray] Okay.

[sighing]

You...

You have a darkness.

There's just a hole.

And it's empty.

Hmm.

You got to do something.

Ah, you've given up

way too much.

[dramatic chord]

Yeah. You have to, um...

Gotta find a way to

fill this hole.

[dramatic chord]

Or this darkness

is just gonna consume you.

[dramatic chord]

[musical wind chimes]

[fire crackling]

[distorted voice]

Wake up, wake up, wake up,

wake up, wake up, wake up!

Auntie Ray! Auntie Ray!

Auntie Ray! Auntie Ray!

[fire alarm beeping]

[coughing]

[pot sizzling]

[phone beeps]

[Ray in voicemail]

Hey, Mari, I'm calling you now,

so you can't get mad at me,

but...

I'm sorry,

I can't pick the girls up today.

Im swamped.

You know, when a shift opens up,

a girls gotta take it, so...

I love you. Bye.

[vacuum whirring]

[Neeraj] Hey...

Can I talk to you for a second?

Yeah.

[Neeraj] I don't know how

to say this, but, uh...

Tracy...

Tracy left a couple...

Two days ago.

She's, she's, she's

gonna come back.

I just...

I just thought maybe

you should know.

Did she mention anything to you?

[Ray] No.

[Neeraj] Huh.

That's probably good.

[Neeraj] She just

needed some time away.

It's temporary.

[Soccer announcer]

Robby Dambrot

with a step on Shan Gomez.

[broadcast continues faintly]

[treadmill beeps]

[Neeraj] Okay.

[Neeraj laughing]

Faster!

[treadmill beeps three times]

Faster!

[treadmill beeps]

[heavy thud]

[anxious percussive music]

Its probably a full house.

I think there's some

carpooling happening...

How much would you pay for that?

-Impressive.

-Right? Isnt it good?

Yes, yes.

People charge

hundreds of dollars

for arrangements like this.

-It's great.

-I could do it for a living.

You know, I think

we're gonna need a lot of ice.

Well, I have six bags of ice.

You think there's enough food?

[Ray] Yeah.

[Jean] You really need

more ice than you think.

Sometimes you think you have

enough ice and you don't.

And then all the

drinks are warm.

[Ed] I think six bags is plenty.

[Jean] But then you have

nowhere to put the ice.

I guess you could put it

outside if its cold enough.

[Jean] Is it cold enough?

Stop nibbling!

We're not going

to have enough food.

[Ed] Jean, you said there's

plenty of food, right?

Well, I...

I can get some chips, too.

[Jean] If its over 32 degrees,

the ice will melt.

[phone beeps]

[Mari in voicemail]

Hey Ray.

I know you're so busy,

so I asked your mom to watch

the kids for me.

Don't worry about calling

me back, okay? All right.

[Ill Be the Lover playing]

[Partygoer] And you're her

housekeeper, right?

-[Ray] Yeah.

-[Partygoer] You're so pretty.

[Partygoer]

But youre here as a guest?

[Ray] Both, I guess.

[Woman]

Honestly, I wish I was working.

Give me an excuse to

ignore these people.

So, youre a psychic.

Oh, I think everybody's

a little clairvoyant.

[Anita]

Oh, but youre the real deal.

You talk to the dead.

[Nikki] Do you really?

[Ray] I do.

But I have to be drunk first.

[all laughing]

[sighs]

[Man] Wow.

That looked horrible.

Yeah.

-It'll do what it needs to do.

-[Man laughs]

-See that guy?

-Yeah.

He told me he's

going through a breakup.

-Oh yeah?

-Mm-hm.

And he told me that he

sneaks into his ex's house

and leaves little things around

so shell think it's a sign

they should get back together.

He did not.

Oh yeah.

[Ray laughing]

[Ray]

Okay, so whos he's talking to?

[Man] Oh, that's his

girlfriend now.

But, uh...

[whispering]

But he's not really into her.

-He's not?

-Mm-mm.

-Wow. Sad.

-Yeah.

She's just using him to get

back at her boyfriend

for cheating on her.

Is he here?

-Her boyfriend. Is he here?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

Hes that guy.

[laughing] Okay.

[Man, non-sync dialogue] I was

living in Rockford,

but I'm back because

my dad wants me

to take over his

construction business.

[Ray] Oh.

[Man] Yeah, I didn't want to

at first, but...

You know, it's not a bad gig.

[Ray] Yeah. I mean, you get

to be the boss.

[Man] Well, I never thought

I was good at anything,

but then with construction...

Building things comes

naturally to me.

What do you do?

[Ray] Oh, I'm a therapist.

[Man] Oh, yeah?

[Ray] Yeah.

I listen to people,

and then I tell them

what they need to hear.

[Man] You don't tell

them the truth?

[Ray] Well, I don't lie.

[Man] I hope you're not

doing that to me.

[Ray] It feels good though,

doesn't it?

-That was quick.

-Yeah, Im a fast pisser.

It's not the only

thing I'm fast at.

[laughing]

[muffled party music

in background]

[anxious percussive

music resumes]

[Ed] Larry Bird?

[Nancy] So when the

doctors were looking,

they couldn't find it because

something was in the way.

And it was...

I had to do something.

I had to get the fake ones out,

get my real breasts sawed off,

and then get better ones

in their place.

-Oh, wow.

-Yeah.

Silicone saved me.

Can you believe that?

[Ed] Neeraj, can you help?

[Neeraj] No, I dont

feel like it.

[Ed] Come on.

We need new blood.

New blood, new blood!

Sit. Come on.

[Nancy] Theyre hard though.

Here, feel them.

No, thats good.

I'm good. Its okay.

-Feel. Feel, feel, feel.

-[hard smack]

-[Ray] Wow.

-Can't feel a thing.

-Male?

-Yes.

-Tall?

-Yes.

[Nancy]

Do you see death around me?

[Ed]

Bobby Knight? Larry Bird?

Do you see death around me?

[Ed] Mark Jackson.

Dale Davis.

Rick Smits. Pacers.

No.

[percussive music intensifies]

Hey.

Hey.

What's going on?

Nothing.

[Ray] Okay.

Put it back.

What are you talking about?

Sunny, just put that sh*t back.

It's not yours.

I'm sorry, I just

don't know what you mean.

Oh, okay. This is the part

where you show off

in front of your little friends.

You know what?

Dont you have somewhere to be?

No, actually.

[Sunny] Why are you

so obsessed with me?

No, seriously, isn't there

a toilet to clean or something?

Toilet to clean? That's good,

because I'm a cleaner.

Wow.

You are your mother's daughter.

[percussive music]

[knife slicing]

[Partygoer] What happened?

[glasses clinking, bar chatter]

[Runnin playing]

See, I got pleasure,

I got pain

And I got

fever in my veins

And I got spice,

and I'm not nice

But that's the way

you like to play

I ate the fruit,

I told the truth

And then I gave it all away

I kiss your mouth,

I grab your g*n

Cause that's

the way you like to play

Im runnin', Im runnin',

Im runnin'

Im runnin', Im runnin',

Im runnin'

Im runnin'

Im runnin', Im runnin',

Im runnin'

Im runnin', Im runnin',

Im runnin'

Im runnin'

See I got sweet

and I got heat

I got exactly what you need

And I got smoke,

I take it slow

Dont beat your chest,

just bend your knees

I drank the juice,

I called a truce

Thats not

the way you like to play

I kiss your book,

youre such a crook

And thats the way

you like to play

Im runnin', Im runnin',

Im runnin'

Im runnin', Im runnin',

Im runnin'

Im runnin'

[song continues]

[song ends]

[scrubbing]

[garbage disposal churning]

[muffled music

playing from earbuds]

-Hi Ray.

-Hi.

Hi. How are you?

Good.

How are you?

Yeah, I'm good.

Feel like I never left.

Okay. Sorry, I didn't...

[Tracy] Oh, no.

No. Stay.

I didn't plan on

leaving or anything.

I'm not that type of person.

I just finished work,

and I just kept driving

and driving.

And I went to a bar and...

[sighing]

I met someone.

He was...

He was nice. He was...

Normal.

He talked a lot.

[gentle music]

Anyway.

I went home with him.

It was fun.

[Tracy] You know when

somebody smells

so familiar,

you fill in the gaps

of who they are.

I did exactly what I wanted.

It felt so great.

And then it was fine.

It was just...

Fine.

[Tracy] And then

it didn't really feel like...

any different to anything else.

So I came home.

But you got what you wanted.

I dont know.

Can you juggle?

Yes.

Do it.

I want to see you juggle.

I don't want to.

[Sunny] I can.

[eggs breaking on floor]

[faucet running]

[dogs barking]

[Willie]

Thats so good!

[Willie]

My garden is destroyed.

Summers are just

getting shorter and shorter.

[breathing deeply]

[spoon hitting floor]

[Willie laughing]

What are you doing?

It goes in.

You drink.

Oh, come on, don't be so boring.

What do you have

to do tomorrow, Ray?

Work?

You got to go to work?

Oh, Ma, I got to go to work.

Work, work, work, work, work.

Come on, Ma! I'm tired.

I gotta go to work.

Ah, yes!

-All right, you wanna play?

-Now were talking.

Let's play. Come on.

[upbeat jazz playing]

[plate breaking]

You drink, Ma!

[plate breaking]

[laughing uproariously]

Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

[glass shattering]

Oh! See, because you're

too confident!

We still have bowls!

[laughing uproariously]

Pick up the glass. Pick up the

glass. Pick up the glass.

-Okay.

-Okay.

-[Willie laughing]

-[Ray] I feel sick.

[inhaling deeply]

Carl fired me.

Oh. I'm sorry.

He says that there are plenty

of people who want my job

who come to work on time.

But youre working so much.

It's not a problem, right?

[dogs barking outside]

I mean, I'll find

something else.

Sorry, Ma.

Do you remember your dreams?

No. Not really.

Sometimes I'll have a dream

and it will stay with

me the whole day.

And then other times I'll...

dream and it'll

fade before breakfast.

But even, even when

I can't tell you

what the dream is,

I sort of remember it.

You know,

it sort of sticks with me.

Maybe you should

write your dreams down.

Then you'll remember them.

[wind gusting, birds chirping]

[determined percussive music]

[vacuum whirring]

[Tracy] Hey, can I talk

to you for a second?

Well.

Um, Jean...

came to us

because it...

It seems like some...

jewelry went missing

from her house

the other night.

Oh, this is...

Oh, this is very uncomfortable.

Well, for all of us.

Um.

But I have to...

We have to ask.

Did you take it?

[nervous jazzy music]

Yeah.

I went into your drawer,

and I stole your bracelet

and your necklace.

And I was going to sell them

on eBay for 100 bucks.

But now you caught me,

so you guys can go

to the cops and, um...

I will go to jail.

[nervous jazzy music continues]

[eggs breaking on floor]

[train whistle]

[agitated exhaling]

[distant animal wailing]

[car approaching]

[Ray laughing]

Girl, you know you can't drive.

[both laughing]

[Mari] You know, those people

got so much damn money,

they don't even

know what to do with it.

[Ray] I know, right?

You know, I could have thought

of a thing or two, but...

[Mari] I bet Marty

could help you fix your car.

Yeah, well, you got time.

[Ray] Yeah.

[Ray] Oh.

You know,

I heard about this mountain.

Not a mountain. What was it?

A volcano that erupted in

the Caribbean.

Mount Pele.

-Pele.

-When?

[Ray] Like a long time ago.

Anyway...

When it erupted,

it k*lled everybody in the town.

Everybody except for

this one guy

who was in an

underground cellar for years.

So, after everybody dies,

-this one guy...

-Mm-hm.

[Ray] This one man

who was in jail.

He's the only one left.

[Mari] Wait, wow.

So he comes up,

but he's still alone.

[Ray] Yeah.

[Mari] Out of one prison,

into another.

[Sound of the Wind playing]

What are you looking at?

Whoa!

I like the land and the sea

Oh yeah

[Ray laughing]

One, two, three.

[keyboard tone]

Lets do another one.

-D.

-D? Okay.

I like my neighbors

and my friends

But most of all, girl

I like the wind, yeah

I like the sound of the wind

[song continues]

[Willie] If you had called me

last night, I could've done it.

Yeah. We know, we know.

[Mari] Oh, you got

your tools and everything.

[Willie] Let's see what I

can do with em.

-You good, Ma?

-Mm-hm.

-Damn.

-What? Your shoulder?

[Willie] You need

better pillows?

No, I dont.

Yeah, they're like t-shirts.

You sleep crooked,

you dream crooked.

Yeah, well, I guess I'm

living crooked.

Ooh.

Feel that? Ah, right there.

Thats good.

[speaking Spanish]

Okay. [laughing]

[Willie] Marty was...

Marty was teaching me

to talk to the stockers.

I guess I don't

need that now, huh?

[Mari] What else

you know how to say?

Me llamo, uh, Williemae.

Hey, Ma, how do you say

When are you gonna

give Marty some?

[all laughing]

We was all thinking it.

We was all thinking it.

What you worrying

about my sex life for?

I get my needs met.

Okay, okay.

Okay, okay, okay.

You know, that man doesn't

have any funeral clothes.

What, he don't have

no black pants or shirt?

I know.

[Willie] You can't

trust somebody

who doesn't have

funeral clothes.

It's like, it's like

they think nothing

bad is ever gonna happen to em.

[Ray] Right.

Like he's testing God.

[Willie] Exactly.

[Willie laughing]

[Willie] Is there a rag?

I need a rag.

[percussive music]

[indistinct chatter]

[Willie]

And see, theres one there.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Therell be one in front.

Ill bet you money.

[Willie]

What is that right there?

[Ray] Oh, blessings.

[Willie] I tell you,

it never fails.

[Ray] This spot is so small.

[Willie]

Not if you know how to drive.

[Willie laughing]

Who taught you how to drive?

Thats what I want to know.

-You?

-I did not.

[Willie] I did not teach you.

[Ray] Well, Pop taught me

how to drive, but...

[Willie laughing]

[Willie] Look, I think that

that's Mary Ellen.

-I haven't seen her forever.

-Oh yeah.

[Willie] Oh, my word.

[Ray] She was sick, right?

[Willie] Yeah, she was.

Oh, my goodness gracious.

Look at that. Oh.

Look at all these people.

[Ray]

There's Kevin, obviously.

[car doors close]

[whimsical jazz music]

You lock it?

[car locking]

[Willie] Hi!

[Mary Ellen]

Thank you so much.

-[indistinct party chatter]

-[whimsical jazz music]

[music fades out]

[wind blowing]

[rumbling]

[A Poor Wayfaring Stranger

playing]

I'm just a poor

wayfaring stranger

Travelin through

This world of woes

But there is no sickness,

toil or danger

In that bright world

to which I go

I'm just a poor

wayfaring stranger

Travelin through

This world of woes

But there is no sickness,

toil or danger

In that bright world

to which I go

Im going there

To see my father

Going there,

no more turmoil

Im just going,

going over Jordan

Im just going,

going over home

[song continues]

[song fades]

[gentle music]