A New York Story (2024)

[bunniefuu]

[AIR WHOOSHING]

-[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

-[WATER SPLASHING]

-[HOOVES CLOMPING]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

LAURIE: Oh!

Wait, wait.

-What did you do lose?

-Oh, my gloves.

They're lambskin, though.

I'll be right back.

I left my gloves.

-I'll be back.

-The gloves?

-Yeah, don't leave me.

-It's always the gloves.

-They appear, they reappear.

-It's every time.

-It's like, I-

-Sir, you can't bring drinks

out onto the street.

[GROUP LAUGHS]

My apologies, sir.

Thank you.

Doing God's work.

Yeah.

-[PETALS FLUTTERING]

-[GROUP LAUGHS]

-Come on, I'm cold.

-Oh.

VIRGINIA: Hey!

Good God, man.

What are you doing?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I was taken by the image.

I'm Theo Offit,

I'm a photographer.

For the event?

No, the street. [CHUCKLES]

Wait, wait, wait,

wait, wait, wait.

Theo Offit the photographer?

Yeah.

Yes, I saw your exhibition

at the New Hudson Yard Gallery.

[THEO CHUCKLES]

Post New York Times

feature, of course.

Virginia, it's really

quite exciting for you

to be photographed

by a young Mr. Offit.

Excuse me, we're

just heading out.

-I'll wait for Laurie.

-Yeah.

Okay. [GIGGLES]

VIRGINIA: 79th and 5th, please.

Cafrey, Shulman?

CAFREY: I'm just finishing

my cig.

I'm out.

Mmm, Annabel?

-Why not?

-Go for it.

Hope you don't mind

the copilot.

-[LIGHTER FLICKS]

-[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

You all are leaving early.

Well, don't expect us

to stay till the bitter end.

[ANNABEL CHUCKLES]

That photo could be great

for your career

or catastrophic. [CHUCKLES]

[ANNABEL CHUCKLES]

That was Virginia Wyethe,

an oil heiress.

Never heard of her.

Naturally.

It's almost too clever of a ruse

to be a coincidence

that the general

American population

is so distracted by

the famous actors

and celebrities

that we are

completely unfamiliar

with our true ruling class.

The wealthy magnates,

with the exception

of a few notable

Vanderbilts here and there,

responsible for

the capitalist oppression

under which we were all thriving

here tonight [CHUCKLES].

So, what brings Theo Offit

to the blocks uptown?

I got invited by a patron who

saw my show at Hudson Yards.

That will happen. [CHUCKLES]

-[SHUTTER FLASHES]

-Oh!

I'll pretend to ignore that

because I'm not as litigious

as the Wyethe's. [LAUGHS]

Oh, the only artist that

I remember from last year...

Oh, it was a gentleman

who was very involved

in the Natural History Museum.

Yes, yes. [LAUGHS]

One year he convinced

the museum to let him

and his high school band

play their gala.

-Wow.

-But, you know,

an admiral pursuit

to participate in the arts

in one's formative years.

Mmm.

Again, not all of us are suited

to become artists

that should be expressing

their talents out in public.

Wouldn't you agree, Annabel?

Mmm, I rarely agree

with anything you say.

Well, you used to be an actress,

but dare I say,

we wouldn't see you

trotting around a stage

these days now would we?

Used to be an actress?

What? retired at 26?

Twenty-seven.

I just studied it in school.

My dad,

he's the actor [CHUCKLES].

A very famous one.

Okay.

CAFREY: Sorry, sorry.

-Ah, there she is!

-Yes!

-Yes.

-The gloves.

The gloves.

The gentleman

at the coat check

tracked them down for me.

CAFREY: Wonderful.

-Yes.

-Wonderful.

Well, shall we mosey on back

to Virginia's for a night cap?

Yes.

Enjoy your night.

Should we invite him?

No, Virginia would not want

somebody she doesn't know

at her house.

Oh, come on.

-I mean...

-Theo?

Would you like to join us?

-CAFREY: Come on.

-Oh, come on.

You know, New York is back.

It's the roaring

20's [LAUGHS].

It is the roaring 20's.

Come on!

Hey, we could use

a fellow like you.

[GROUP LAUGHS]

-All right, yeah.

-Perfect.

-[GROUP LAUGHS]

-[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

-Wow.

-Let's go.

CAFREY: That's your best move.

ANNABEL: Oh, here's a cab!

CAFREY: You and the roses.

-[ANNABEL LAUGHS]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[LIGHT PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]

[CORK POPS]

[ALCOHOL SLOSHING]

-[GROUP LAUGHS]

-[CLOCK TICKING]

Let me hear you whisper

[SIGHS] Having fun, right?

[CAFREY CHUCKLES]

Coats, ladies?

-Right.

-Right, right, right.

Okay.

CAFREY: Ladies, did that

vocal coach that you hired die?

-Aw, you made it.

-And there he is.

Oh. You have a little...

[PIANO PLAYING STOPS]

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

Hello, again.

Hi.

Oh, everyone,

you should really see

Theo's exhibition downtown.

It's going through

December 1st,

if I remember correctly.

THEO: That's right. Yeah.

FREDDIE: Freddie Wilson.

Theo Offit.

CAFREY: You have a nice smile.

All looks good.

All looks great here.

[GROUP CHATTERING FAINTLY]

CAFREY: Let's get a drink.

ELI: Oh, no,

it's because you

don't have a job.

-CAFREY: It's because I'm...

-All right.

ELI: Come on, now, look at that.

Beautiful.

Yes, a golden waterfall.

[ALL CHUCKLING]

-Wow.

-And then...

That ought to do it.

CAFREY: Beautiful.

Beautiful.

-Thank you.

-Eli, whiskey?

Theo, whiskey?

-No, thank you.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Sure, sure.

-Freddie, champagne?

-Spot of whiskey?

-Champagne, my good sir.

-Cheers.

-THEO: Cheers.

-[GLASSES CLINKING]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

I saw her at

the Autumn Dinner.

Wait, rewind.

You're telling me Emma Easton

was at the Autumn

Dinner tonight?

Oh, Theo, sit, sit.

LAURIE: I swear

I did not even see her.

Probably because

she's irrelevant

ever since she trapped

poor Oscar.

On the contrary.

We have to take

her seriously now.

She's his wife.

I don't know who

she's gonna ask

for preschool recommendations.

You know, your photos, Theo,

they really got to the heart

of the wealth inequality

on this 13 mile island.

-[THEO CHUCKLES]

-I'm serious.

They...

Hey, look,

they made me melancholy.

You've got

the backbreaking images

of the first generation

immigrants in Chinatown.

Oh, the man on the subway.

Yes, he's in

the fluorescent light.

He's fallen asleep.

You know, he's exhausted

from a day of work.

He's got his mask underneath

his nose.

I mean,

the city itself is crumbling

from stage four capitalism.

[ALL CHUCKLING]

Well, yeah.

You know, here we are.

We're well fed.

Dim offspring of immigrants

that have clawed

their way to the top with their

lily white teeth and hands.

And yet we're not even happy.

Speak for yourself, Cafrey.

I had a wonderful evening.

CAFREY: I'm glad you did.

Look, Cafrey is doing

his best to flatter you, Theo,

and appear as if

he's deeply sickened

-by this unfair world,

-Oh, appear?

which he discovered

operates with the cruel,

cruel mechanisms

of systemic greed.

Only what?

Tonight?

-Tonight, wow.

-Tonight, yeah.

No, no, no, no, no,

no, no, not tonight.

Last week at Theo's exhibition.

-Oh.

-Come on.

I'm tired of this.

Dance with me, come on.

I've seen you with three

or four c*ck in you.

-Come on.

-Oh my God.

This woman loosens up,

let me tell you.

-[LAURIE LAUGHS]

-Come on.

-My God.

-Keep that to yourself, Cafrey.

Are you gonna dip me?

Oh, the dip.

-Oh, you want a dip?

-The dip, yeah.

CAFREY: Yes,

an elegant dip, see?

That's good, that's right

in your core, that dip, yes.

You been working out?

LAURIE: Yeah.

CAFREY: Hmm.

-Yes.

-Would you like to dance?

CAFREY: And a spin.

Thanks.

-I'm not a very good dancer.

-Oh. [CHUCKLES]

CAFREY: Oh, there we go.

LAURIE: Oh, oh.

There we go, you're getting

the hang of it now, hmm?

You ready for a competition?

Did you invite this guy?

I was wondering that, too.

Do we know anything about him?

Cafrey was talking

his ear off outside.

Cafrey's drunk.

I don't know about

him taking photos.

-[FREDDIE SIGHS]

-[PIANO PLAYING CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Virginia, not to be crass...

Don't be crass then.

How much did your family

pay for this apartment?

LAURIE: Cafrey!

Was it 50 mil?

You know,

the C.P.H Gilbert design,

the Central Park views,

and mortgage wasn't allowed,

I presume?

I think it was only like 40.

I don't know.

CAFREY: Forty.

Hmm.

Oh, who can afford that?

You know, I once went

on a date with this guy

who told me he photoshopped

his bank statements

whenever he applied to an

apartment in this city.

-What?

-Yeah.

On the first date,

he just openly admits a fraud.

Laurie, my love,

when was this date?

Oh, I mean, it is impossible

to get a decent place

in this city

without generational wealth.

-That's wild.

-Mmm.

Can you blame him?

I mean, painters used

to have lofts in Soho

and musicians

used to rent rooms

at the Chelsea Hotel.

Now, it's all finance bros.

-Yes.

-Hey.

CAFREY: Quite right, Theo.

I mean, what is New York

without its artists

who have been completely

priced out of the trendy areas?

All artists need a patron.

Another whiskey exchange

for a portrait?

Okay.

CAFREY: Oh, he's all posed up.

Wow.

You're serious?

-[GROUP LAUGHING]

-[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

Oh, come on,

he's the next big thing.

Annabel's always

broadening our horizons.

Wait, is this in color

or black and white?

[VIRGINIA GROANS]

-[SHUTTER FLASHES]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

You know what?

You're doing great.

What's your inner animal?

Show me your inner animal.

-[ELI GROWLING]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[ALCOHOL SLOSHING]

ELIZABETH: What vintage is this?

VIRGINIA: I think

this is the '05.

ANNABEL AND LAURIE: Ooh.

-LAURIE: That was a good year.

-It was a good year.

-What a treat.

-[GROUP LAUGHS]

ANNABEL: Seems to me

that charity events

have replaced deb ba*ls.

Yeah, well, at least

charity events serve

some kind of purpose, though.

I think one or two

other sheltered girls

from Brearley may have had one.

I'm so glad we reconnected

at the reunion.

I didn't have anyone to talk to.

I didn't even realize

you had moved back

to the city after Wharton.

I was only gone for two years,

but it felt like an eternity.

Anaboo, your phone's

been ringing.

-ANNABEL: Who is it?

-Michelle.

[CELL PHONE VIBRATING]

I don't answer my stepmom.

Could be important.

Then she should call my dad.

May I have some?

CAFREY: I prefer the

Frick Autumn Dinner

to the Apollo Circle

quite frankly.

A quiet affair in the presence

of the Vermeers and

Whistlers and Manets,

as opposed to 400

people cramming into

the foyer of the Met.

[CHUCKLES] I mean,

one never knows half

the people at that thing.

Yeah, well, there's something

to like about both events.

ELI: What, affluence?

But the Frick being in

an old residence

brings you back

to that

gilded age elegance.

Anyone see Age of Innocence,

that Scorsese flick?

Any artist that

romanticizes polite society

has never endured it.

Eli, don't be a Philistine.

It's a sin to speak boorishly

of a film you haven't seen.

Cafrey, it's a sin to refer

to an Edith Wharton novel

as "That Scorsese flick."

I don't think Edith

Wharton was romanticizing.

I think she was just writing

about her experience growing

up in that type of circle.

Hmm.

I'm sure you're right.

I was asleep for

most of high school.

Theo, you're an artist.

Well observed, Cafrey.

Do you ever worry about

your work being misunderstood?

God, was he this boring

at Collegiate?

-Okay.

-He was top of his class

and then he made

the mistake of going

to Cornell.

So, he really hasn't had any

intellectual stimulation since.

[CHUCKLES] Well,

I'm not famous enough

for anyone to care

about what I do,

let alone misunderstand me.

I think these events

are a kind of necessary evil.

I mean, they're pieces of

art in and of themselves.

They're romantic and formal,

so people of a certain class

who long

for that Gilded Age thing

spend their money

on a party and end up

supporting the real art,

which hangs from museum walls.

That certain class being us?

Those who can afford a ticket.

Wouldn't you say that's an

improvement on the organization

of society over

family provenance?

What?

Capitalism?

No, but Theo's right.

These events have to

remain opulent to ensure

that moneyed New Yorkers

continue to fund

cultural institutions

so they remain

free or mostly free

for the general populace.

Again, we disagree.

The only redeeming aspect

of events like these

is finding a hiding place

in proximity to the open bar.

-[THEO CHUCKLES]

-[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Townspeople, wake up.

[GROUP LAUGHS]

I am very sorry to report

that last night poor Freddie...

-Yep. Knew it.

-Not Freddie!

-I knew it.

-Freddie, now that you're dead,

you're not allowed to talk.

Slipped on some black ice.

-What?

-Oh!

The townspeople tried

to fetch the doctor,

but oh, the doctor was asleep.

It's Annabel.

She k*lled Freddie

to throw off the scent.

ANNABEL: My own boyfriend?

I think it's Elizabeth.

No.

Okay, who would the townspeople

like to k*ll?

Well...

Well, here's the thing.

So, who's your

favorite playwright?

Hmm.

I think Eugene O'Neill.

-So you're a masochist.

-Hmm.

"One should either

be sad or joyful.

"Contentment is a warm sty

for eaters and sleepers."

What?

It's Eugene O'Neill [LAUGHS].

Oh, yeah. [CHUCKLES]

No clues,

he has no clues for you.

My dad was in a production

of The Iceman Cometh

playing Hickey

at the Barrymore Theatre

last year.

He started sneaking

whiskey into the theater

and it totally destroyed

his relationship

with the director.

But he ended up winning a Tony,

and then he didn't

thank the director

in his speech, so... [LAUGHS]

-Won a Tony, huh?

-Yeah, he's pretty insane.

Annabel's father

is Daniel Fleming.

He took us backstage at 30 Rock

when he hosted SNL.

sh*t after party, though.

It was some bar in Midtown.

-I think there was karaoke.

-Okay, okay, Virginia,

Elizabeth or Annabel?

I'm inclined to trust Annabel.

I can usually tell

if she's lying.

Please, she's an actress.

We've known each other

for five years.

Virginia, we've known

each other since preschool.

It's Annabel.

Annabel's the mafia.

-What?

-Well,

unfortunately the townspeople

wrongly ex*cuted.

-What?

-[LAUGHS]

-See?

-LAURIE: Poor Annabel.

-I really thought it was you.

-The mafia wins.

[ELIZABETH HUMMING AND SNAPPING]

Oh, all right, guys.

I think it's time

for me to head out,

but thank you for this.

Oh, by the way,

my exhibition is going

for another month

if any of you are interested.

No, thank you.

Yeah, thanks man.

I'll check it out.

Yeah?

He was fun.

LAURIE: So,

do you wanna play again?

-[SOFT PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]

-[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

ANNABEL:

Cafrey was horrible, too.

-Horrible.

-Thank you.

I've decided on the theme

for my Halloween party.

-Oh?

-Hmm.

-Mythical Gods,

particularly the evil ones.

-[PHONE VIBRATING]

ANNABEL: I don't think

the Gods are evil.

They all have

a higher and lower form.

VIRGINIA:

Medusa was pretty evil.

ANNABEL: No,

she was punished

by Athena

for defiling her temple,

but it was Poseidon's fault

for raping her in there.

Oh, well, then

Poseidon was evil.

[CHUCKLES] Maybe.

-Thank you.

-LAURIE: I call Medusa.

But wait, I have an idea.

-Why don't I have some

of our buyers

-Thank you.

pull a few items

at Ballinger's

-and we could all go and

find costumes there?

-I love that.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah.

-Tuesday or Wednesday?

-Mmm-hmm.

-Or any afternoon

next week, really.

-[CELL PHONE CHIMES]

GROUP: Thank you.

-[ELIZABETH SIGHS]

-[GENTLE PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]

-What is it?

-What?

Um, I just got a news update.

I'm so sorry.

Your...

Your dad, he...

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[SOBBING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Do you want me

to walk you home?

[ANNABEL GASPS]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[HOOVES CLOMPING]

[CLOMPING ECHOING]

[ANNABEL SNIFFLES]

Hey.

I promise,

I'm not going anywhere.

-[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

-[ANNABEL SNIFFLING]

[DOORBELLS RINGS]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[RINGING CONTINUES]

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[ARM THUDS]

[SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[ANNABEL WHIMPERS]

[COFFEE SPLASHES]

-[CHOIR SINGING]

-[SOFT ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING]

-[SINGING CONTINUES]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

He was a genius and people

throw that word around a lot,

but in his case it was true.

It feels like the whole city

is mourning for him.

-I think there's

some food upstairs.

-Yeah, let's go.

Didn't you try acting

for a bit?

I'm sure your father being

who he was gave you

quite a leg up.

Yeah, he always

said he would help me.

Excuse me.

Oh, that's sad.

She must be...

-Distraught.

-MAN: Distraught.

[CHOIR SINGING]

[DOORBELL RINGING]

ANNABEL: Mom, hi.

Give me a hug.

-I'm sorry I missed the funeral.

-ANNABEL: That's okay.

You know, they canceled

the flight, weather and...

You go take a shower.

[DIANE SIGHS]

Your friend is very talented.

We've only met once.

Well...

[ANNABEL INHALES]

-Your father's new wife...

-Mom, her name is Michelle.

Michelle called

me three months ago

and told me he had relapsed,

and she was kicking him out.

I had no idea.

It started with the drinking.

He thought after all these years

he could take a sip

or two of something.

I heard about what he did

during The Iceman Cometh.

Yes. Well...

I didn't know

you and Michelle spoke.

[SIGHS] She knew that I

had already been through it

with him when

he first got clean,

gosh, 28 years ago.

Then he started hanging

out with that actor

that won a Drama Desk

for King Lear.

What's his name?

I don't know.

He's an addict.

I mean, not that he's to blame.

It was nobody's fault.

It's just your father

was his own person,

and he made his own decisions.

But he loved you.

He thought you were

the greatest. [SNIFFLES]

No, he didn't. [SCOFFS]

He only kept me around to,

I don't know,

impress me at openings

or premieres or whatever.

He never cared

that I wanted to be an actor.

He never tried to help me.

He didn't want you

to be an actor.

He didn't want you to suffer.

I'm suffering anyway.

He wanted you to be happy.

Are you happy?

I have no idea what

I'm doing with my life.

[GENTLE PIANO

MUSIC PLAYING]

[ANNABEL SIGHS]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

ANNABEL: Thank you.

FREDDIE: Thank you.

Hi. So glad you could make it.

It's probably good

to be surrounded

by friends right now, right?

VIRGINIA: Hmm.

How about a drink?

Yeah?

Let's go.

CAFREY: Hello, hello.

LAURIE: Hi, guys.

Oh, look, Liberace's here.

I am Hermes.

Oh, Hermes?

No, Freddie, that's

a leather goods store.

[ALL CHUCKLING]

Annabel, I think

it's great that you came.

Make sure to stay busy.

Do you have a good therapist?

-Yeah.

-Good.

Grief can make you

do some crazy things.

When my grandfather died,

I cheated on my girlfriend.

Eli, pay attention,

you're spilling.

I'm sorry,

I can't look at you,

lest I turn to stone.

I'm not sure

you've seen some

of the paintings

in the impressionist

section at The Met,

They were actually

a gift of my family's.

They say, "Gift to the Wilson's

[CHUCKLES]."

Oh yes, you mentioned that.

My favorites in

the impressionist section

are Springtime and

The Storm by Pierre August...

FREDDIE: Oh, yes, yes, right.

The Springtime,

that's the idyllic one of

the lovers on the swing.

VIRGINIA: Yes,

but The Storm is grander.

FREDDIE: Anaboo, would

you like some more wine?

What?

-[HORNS HONKING]

-[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING]

-[PEDESTRIANS CHATTERING]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[ENERGETIC CLUB

MUSIC PLAYING]

[GROUP CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Annabel!

Annabel?

-Theo, hey.

-What's up?

Ah, you missed the show.

-Were you playing?

-What? No [CHUCKLES].

My friend's band.

-ANNABEL: Oh, okay.

-Yeah.

I was just walking downtown

-and I somehow I ended up here.

-Walked?

All the way down here?

Wow, well, happy Halloween.

[CHUCKLES]

You wanna come to a party?

No, thank you.

I'm just gonna go home.

All right, well,

let me at least...

Let me walk you to the train.

We're headed in that direction.

Yeah, I'll get a cab

from there.

-Cool.

-HELINA: Theo?

Ooh!

-Hey.

-You gonna introduce us

to your new girlfriend?

Oh my God,

ignore her, please.

-Do not listen to her.

-Okay, I'll go first.

-I'm Helina.

-[LAUGHS] Annabel.

-Stop.

-Oh.

I am so sorry about your dad.

-Oh, yeah.

-Thank you.

Yeah. I'm really sorry

about that, too.

I saw the news.

Yeah. And he would not

stop talking about you.

[CHUCKLES]

-Okay, let's go.

-Are you serious?

ANNABEL: I went to your show.

-Oh, come on, man.

-Wait, you went?

Yeah.

My mom and I.

She loved it.

THEO: And you?

Guess I was just

disappointed 'cause...

Thank you? [CHUCKLES]

What? I go for disappointing.

-No, sorry.

-[THEO LAUGHS]

I just mean Cafrey was

talking them up, you know?

Like they revealed

to him all sorts of insights

about the wealth inequality gap

in New York.

Well, I think your friend

has a lot of guilt.

Guilt? About?

Money.

But I'm not trying to

make any statements

with my work or anything.

No?

No, I think the loudest voice

in anyone's head

is usually their own,

and that's the voice

I'm interested in hearing.

Okay, but how

can you argue that?

I mean, just by being

a human behind a camera

and not just a human,

but a self-proclaimed

photographer,

[CHUCKLES] you are

making a statement.

What did you

see in the photos?

I'm a nihilist.

-[LAUGHS] So nothing?

-Mmm-hmm.

THEO: Oh.

I'm not proud of it.

The way I've become everything

I feared being as a child.

Vain, self-important,

uninterested in the world.

Annabel, for what it's worth,

I don't think you're

uninterested in the world.

Thanks.

You know, I used

to spend a lot of time

obsessing about money.

Of course [CHUCKLES],

I didn't have any.

I thought about trying to

do something else a lot,

but then, I don't know,

I just decided, f*ck it.

Now, of course, I wish

I'd become a banker.

[ANNABEL LAUGHS]

Well, you're obviously

an existentialist.

Well, that would

presume I believe

in a godless world,

which I don't.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Hey, if you like,

I can show you some of

my other photos sometime.

See if any of them

spark anything.

Where are the others?

Just at my apartment.

No.

I have a boyfriend. [CHUCKLES]

[CHUCKLES] I wasn't

asking you out.

I mean, we're all going.

My roommate is having

a party.

-[LAUGHS]

-Oh.

Yes, you were.

-sh*t, you asked me out first.

-What?

Yeah, you asked me to come

to your friend's apartment

that night, remember?

-No, that was just

being friendly.

-I... Yeah, you did.

"Roaring 20s, come along."

-You don't remember any of that?

-It's sorry for being friendly.

-I...

-Relax, I was just joking.

Annabel, just...

Just come to the party.

[ANNOUNCER SPEAKING

INDISTINCTLY]

You're gonna love Nia,

by the way.

I'm excited for you to meet her.

Excuse me, if I could just

have everyone's attention.

It's show time!

[ROCKY LAUGHS]

Whoo!

-GROUP: Hey!

-Sit down.

GROUP: Hey!

-Nah, just f*ck'

around, f*ck.

-[GROUP LAUGHS]

It's a new hat.

ANNABEL: Sorry for crashing

the party.

Oh, I don't care.

I'm not gonna know

half the people there.

Do your thing, bro. [CHUCKLES]

Um, I love your jacket.

What are you supposed to be?

Oh, I'm Edie Sedgwick.

-Oh.

-Without the Pixie cut.

Where's Andy Warhol?

This is a great

Halloween costume.

ANNABEL: Oh, okay.

Andy and Edie.

Okay, got it, got it.

Cute.

Was it not obvious?

[LAUGHS]

[GROUP CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[PARTY GOERS

CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

By the way, I love your costume.

What are you, though?

I'm Persephone.

HELINA: Oh, okay, okay.

ANNABEL: Spring, you know,

queen of the underworld.

Oh, trust me, I know.

I'm a sculptor.

-Oh, wow.

-Yeah.

I went to SVA.

-Have loans to prove it,

Theo knows.

-[THEO CHUCKLES]

You know the Christmas windows

over at Saks?

I did that with the team

for the past two years

and this year I'm doing

the windows at Ballinger's,

which I'm the lead on.

-So exciting.

-That is amazing.

-Yeah.

-Stop bragging.

Okay, let me have

this one thing.

Yo, yo, does anyone

want to stick and poke?

I'm gonna be doin' 'em

over there for free.

-HELINA: Oh yeah, me.

-Yeah?

You want a heart

with my name in it?

-Uh, no.

-You sure?

Maybe later [CHUCKLES].

Do you remember that girl

that you met at Virginia's?

She was like the mafia.

-Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Yeah?

Her family owns that

department store, Ballinger's.

-Of course.

-Yep.

-Elizabeth Ballinger.

-[THEO CHUCKLES]

Oh, Nia, hi.

Okay, Nia, I found you

a Nina for your play.

Nia got asked to direct

The Seagull

for a Chekhov series at

The Player's Theatre.

Yeah, my lead actress,

she just had to drop out

because she booked

a studio feature,

which I guess I can't

blame her for, so...

-Annabel Fleming,

Daniel Fleming's daughter.

-Mmm-hmm.

-You're joking?

-No.

-Wait, are you joking?

-No, no [LAUGHS].

I mean, you have the part, what?

-Wait, really?

-Yes.

I mean, we go up in two weeks,

but I think it'll be really fun

and we would love to have you.

Rehearsals start

on Monday [LAUGHS].

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

VIRGINIA: I've just

reserved my table

for the Snowflake Ball.

ELIZABETH: Oh, that's right.

That's coming up.

-I would love to

get more involved.

-I'll introduce you.

-I hope you all join me

at my table.

-Of course.

That's very generous of you.

Oh, and Cafrey messaged me

about Silver Racquets.

-Thanks, Laurie.

-Of course.

He's happy to host you all.

Mmm, the Racquet Club is

so cozy this time of year.

I can't wait.

Oh, are you all going

to Library Lions?

No, my parents are.

And my brother

and his girlfriend.

Yeah, same, parents.

VIRGINIA: Who are you all

thinking of wearing this year?

Oh, I'm so sorry,

I have to go.

I'm doing a production

of The Seagull

at the Player's Theatre

downtown.

It's in two weeks

if you guys wanna come.

Annabel, you would've been

perfect in the production

of Three Sisters that

they did at Lincoln Center.

You should see if you can do

something at Lincoln Center.

-Thank you.

-Yeah.

ANNABEL: See ya.

Well, all right.

Cheers.

[GENTLE PIANO

MUSIC PLAYING]

[DOOR CREAKING]

NIA: So for this scene,

can you lead the way?

When you enter a stage right,

you just kind of trail

behind her.

-He's annoying you.

-[WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY]

-[LAUGHS]

-A moment here and, yeah.

Can I see that?

-Yeah.

-Sure.

Cool, sweet. Thank you guys.

You guys are next.

Theo. Hey.

Everyone should be out

in a second.

But only you could

gimme the gossip.

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

-Okay, so what

do you wanna know?

-How's it goin'?

[ANNABEL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

And you'll be

the girl that I love

No one could take you

No other man could

make you an offer

'Cause I'll be the one

that you want

Oh

Hey, it's a comedy

show tonight.

You guys wanna see

a comedy show?

-Comedy show?

-Yeah, why not?

Here, of course.

They don't like

no dirty hair

Social media keeps trying

to get me to friend my ex.

It does that thing

where it's like,

"Hey, do you know Laura?"

And I'm like,

"I thought I did."

[AUDIENCE LAUGHS]

We have any couples

here tonight?

Yeah, you two?

You two?

You two?

No?

[AUDIENCE LAUGHS]

Just friends?

Maybe a little more

than friends?

First date?

He wants to be more than

just friends, right?

Show of hands if you think

these two are just friends.

Uh, uh, uh, uh, hate

to break it to ya,

I don't see any hands.

[AUDIENCE LAUGHS]

All right,

I ruined their first date.

I feel guilty.

ANNABEL: Do you think

that was planted?

Planted, but I mean,

I think it was a joke.

I liked that joke about the...

Look, you wanna

get your palm read?

It's only 10 bucks.

It's never only

10 bucks [CHUCKLES].

What?

Come on, it'll be fun.

-I'll pay.

-Are you serious?

ANNABEL: Yeah.

THEO: All right,

you know what?

I should...

Yes.

Perfect, 10.

No, that's okay.

-Here.

-No.

There. Come on.

There's someone older.

A man.

His energy is nearby you.

Have you lost someone recently?

Yeah, my dad.

He just passed away.

He wants to say

something to you.

If you want, I can do a tarot

or a tea leaf reading

and we can find out what?

How much

is the tea leaf reading?

One hundred.

Annabel, do not waste

your money on this.

I told you this is what they do.

They rip you off.

I know.

But don't you think it's kind

of weird that she knew that?

Maybe.

He's here.

He wants to tell you,

"I am with you always,

"and to listen to D."

Who's D?

D was my dad's nickname

for my mom, Diane,

when they were younger.

Hmm.

I see you've had

some problems with love,

with being loved,

but you can trust this love.

This one is real.

The relationship

that I'm in now?

Looks like it.

Yep.

Why do you always

wear mourning?

I dress in black

to match my life.

I am unhappy.

Why should you be unhappy?

I don't understand it.

You're healthy.

Though your father is not rich,

he has a good competency.

My life is far harder

than yours.

I only have 23 rubles

a month to live on,

but I don't wear mourning.

Happiness does not

depend on riches.

Poor men are often happy.

[SCOFFS] In theory,

yes, but not in reality.

Take my case, for instance.

My mother, my brother,

my two sisters and I must

all live somehow on my

salary of 23 rubles a month.

We have to eat and drink,

I take it?

You wouldn't have us go without

tea and sugar, would you?

Or tobacco? Answer me that.

The play will soon begin.

Yes.

Nina Zarietchnaya is going

to act in Treplieff's play.

They love one another,

and their two souls

will unite tonight

in the effort to interpret

the same idea

by different means.

There is no ground on which

your soul and mine can meet.

I love you.

I'm too restless and sad

to stay at home.

I tr*mp here every day,

six miles and back to be met

only by your indifference.

I am poor.

My family is large.

You can have no inducement

to marry a man

who cannot even

find proficient food

for his own mouth.

It's not that. [SNIFFS]

I am touched by your affection,

but I cannot return it.

That is all.

Would you take some?

[AUDIENCE LAUGHS]

This is so good.

[CHUCKLES] We are alone.

-Isn't that someone over there?

-No.

No?

TREPLIEFF:

Don't go away early.

I implore you.

No, I must. [CHUCKLES]

What if I were to

follow you, Nina?

I shall stand in your

garden all nights

with my eyes on your window.

[NINA LAUGHS]

Great job.

-I have to run.

-Okay, yeah.

Good to see you.

-Good to see you, Freddie.

-Good to see you.

Thanks for coming.

-That was nice she came.

-THEO: Hey.

-Just a little something.

-Thank you.

-You remember Theo?

-Your friend was the director?

Yeah, that's right, Nia.

-Right.

-Right, right.

So, what'd you think, man?

Yeah, uh...

Chekhov isn't everyone's

cup of tea.

[CHUCKLES]

You were great, really.

It just felt like a lot

of talking about nothing.

You know what I mean?

It could use an editor, right?

-Right.

-The characters,

they like to complain.

Right, yeah.

But you were great.

Really great.

[FREDDIE KISSING]

[SOFT JAZZY MUSIC PLAYING]

[SHUTTER FLASHES]

ANNABEL: Are you just allowed

to take photos of people?

-THEO: I'll go ask her after.

-[ANNABEL CHUCKLES]

How do you decide

what to sh**t?

I don't know.

I guess, just about whatever

captures my attention.

My stepmom,

Michelle invited me

to a dinner in East Hampton.

A celebration of my dad's life.

Are you gonna go?

I don't know.

I guess it's nice of her,

but it's gonna be sad

and I don't want to go alone.

Well, Freddie, right?

I told him it was just family.

Is it just family?

ANNABEL: I don't know.

Well, I'm always

up for an adventure.

I love to take photos

of people in the Hamptons.

sh*t, I could do like

a Patrick Lichfield,

Slim Aarons thing.

[CHUCKLES] It'd be dope.

I don't think you should come.

Why not? [CHUCKLES]

Well, don't you think that

would be crossing a line?

Come on, Annabel.

ANNABEL: Come on, what?

Why would you ask me about it

if you don't want

me to go with you?

Not everything I say

has some deeper meaning.

But it does.

Everything people

say or don't say

means something.

-Not with me.

-Not with you.

[SCOFFS]

Hey, let me know if you do go.

I'll give you my shoulder

or my hand,

or whatever it is you need.

-[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

-[KIDS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[GROUP LAUGHS]

Oh.

Lynn, what about

Angels in America?

[LAUGHS] I mean, he was brutal

sometimes during that show.

He would just stop the scene

and turn to me and say,

"You're not listening."

And I said,

"I'm hearin' every word."

And he would get within

an inch of my face

and stare deep into my eyes

like he was trying

to find my soul,

and I could smell

the coffee on his breath.

[ALL LAUGHING]

And he'd say,

"But you're not listening.

"You're not letting

the words affect you."

I was hearin' him,

but I wasn't really listening.

He was infuriatingly good.

[MICHELLE EXHALES]

Annabel, do you have

something you'd like to share?

I don't know.

I wrote something,

it just came to me

a couple days ago,

but it's not very good.

It doesn't matter.

Okay.

Read it for me, please.

"Maybe you were reincarnated

as a New York City pigeon.

"That would make sense,

wouldn't it?

"Maybe that's why I see

a tiny white feather

"every time I know

I'm on the right path.

"Or maybe you're a dove,

"but that's a little too pure

for you, right?

"You were always on the edge

"and trying to take it off

by diving into a human soul.

"You saw consciousness

to be as deep as the sea,

"but you were adrift

and movable as water.

"I hope you have finally

come up for air."

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

Annabel, come here

for a second.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Would you like one of these?

They belonged to your father.

[WATCHES TICKING]

Oh.

I like this one.

It's my favorite too.

-Well, I could choose

a different one.

-No, it should be yours.

This watch is wound by

the movement of your wrist

so you have to wear

it or it stops.

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

[WAVES SPLASHING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[WIND WHISTLING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Oh. [LAUGHS]

Whoo!

Hey, you're not

supposed to climb those.

What? I can't hear you.

No, seriously, get down.

They're protected.

From what?

-They're... Oh!

-Sorry. [CHUCKLES]

[CHUCKLES] It's okay.

They're nature preserves.

Oh.

You know,

like for birds and stuff?

For birds and stuff?

ANNABEL: Yeah.

-Can you hold my weight?

-What?

Can you hold my weight?

ANNABEL: No, no, no, I cannot.

[LAUGHS] Hey, you're not

supposed to be up there.

Can you hold my weight?

-[THEO LAUGHS]

-[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

-[MUSIC FADES]

-[WAVES SPLASHING]

THEO: See that view?

Hmm.

Doesn't cost anything.

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

I'll go back to Manhattan

As if nothin' ever happened

[CLEARS THROAT] Look,

I don't wanna make you-

That shouldn't have happened.

I'm sorry.

-It's...

-We're just friends, right?

Yeah.

I have a prince

who is waiting

And a kingdom downtown

FREDDIE: Hey, hey.

Got your favorite comfort food.

How are you?

Good.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Doing okay?

-Mmm-hmm.

-Hi.

-Hey.

It's good to see you.

Take a seat, take a seat.

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Don't have to speak at all

I won't look in your eyes

And I won't have to fall

We don't have

to speak at all

[THEO SIGHS]

But Brooklyn holds you

And it holds my heart too

What a fool I was to think

I could live in both worlds

[BLINDS WHIRRING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[ALL CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

I do not think I could sleep

on a tour bus.

I would be way too excited.

Like, when you're in a sleepover

and then everyone else is asleep

and you're like,

"Anyone else awake?"

No, I feel you but honestly,

Leo and I never sleep.

We're always up until three

or four smokin' outside

but it's cool 'cause

we sleep till 1:00

and then get up,

explore wherever we at.

-Wow.

-[THEO CHUCKLES]

What cities are you going to?

A lot of Ohio.

[ALL LAUGHING]

-Atlanta.

-Yeah.

Different places around,

you know.

sh*t!

Is everything okay?

What's goin' on?

So, you know, Ballinger's?

They gave me and my team

half our fees up front,

and I spent almost all

of mine on materials

because they said

they'd reimburse us.

We sent out everything for

the deliveries last week

and I sent them

this itemized invoice

of all the money I spent,

and now they won't even

answer my phone calls.

And no one has gotten

the second half of their fees,

which were due on delivery.

But the project manager,

he wasn't even there when

we delivered everything.

So they said to just

send him an email,

and now he's gone cold.

He won't answer my phone calls

or emails or like anything.

And now I'm completely out

like 20 grand.

-What?

-Dude!

Twenty grand?

-Damn.

-LEO: Damn, that's whack.

ROCKY: I'm really sorry.

Yeah.

-What are you gonna do?

-I don't know.

None of us can afford lawyers.

Oh, sh*t.

Can't you at least

like, I don't know,

-take back your work

or something?

-Yeah.

No, it's too late.

I can see my work

sitting in the windows.

ROCKY: Really, really sorry.

LEO: It's not right.

ANNABEL: Can I take this?

NIA: I could reach out

to my uncle.

He's a lawyer, and even

if it's just for advice.

Hey?

You have to do something.

What am I gonna do?

Tell that girl to pay Helina.

How would I do that?

She stole from my friend.

Elizabeth didn't

steal from anyone.

Theo, Ballinger's,

it's a billion dollar

corporation.

It's not like she works

for the company.

You know, she's not involved.

Yeah, but you could

tell her what happened.

She could probably do

something about it.

I think I should go

because I'm supposed

to go up to Virginia's

for game night.

THEO: You're going up there?

-Yeah, I...

-[THEO SCOFFS]

So, I think you should go.

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

[THEO SIGHS]

[POOL ba*ls CLACKING]

-[ALL CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Okay, you're literally

outta here now.

-No hope.

-Hi.

-No hope.

-Sorry.

The Friendsgiving went late.

Well, Laurie has just

been destroying Eli

in a Backgammon tournament.

-What else is new?

-Yes.

-Hmm.

-[ALL CHUCKLING]

-ANNABEL: This is for you.

-Oh, perfect.

Eli, can you open this?

-Absolutely.

-He's better suited for that.

-Oh, I see.

-LAURIE: Yes.

ELI: Oh my God.

LAURIE: Where did you

learn how to play like this?

ELIZABETH: Boarding school.

I beat all the girls.

It's criminal.

-ELI: At least getting a lot in.

-Thank you.

-Oh, thank you.

-Of course.

-Will do.

-That's so kind.

ELI: Yes, yes, Virginia?

-Annabel?

-Yeah.

Ugh, what is this?

It's raw wine.

I got it at the farmer's market.

A biodynamic natural wine.

Yes, it's a return

to the natural

wine making methods,

generally without pesticides

and such.

Wow! Mmm.

Oh, my gosh,

does it get better with age?

[LAUGHS] I don't know.

I may be wrong,

but I believe they have

very short shelf lives.

Like most pure things.

The driven snow, rose petals.

Women.

[ALL CHUCKLING]

-I never thought you

were a purist, Eli.

-Oh!

-Oh, you okay?

-VIRGINIA: Odd choice.

-I think we're gonna

have to set this aside.

-Yeah.

Just thought it

would be fun to try.

-FREDDIE: Thank you.

-Okay.

ELI: And you are.

ELIZABETH: It's ruthless.

-Oh, you're ruthless.

-VIRGINIA: No. [LAUGHS]

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

-[ELI SNORING]

[WINE SLOSHING]

VIRGINIA: Thank you.

Abysmal waste.

You wanna drink it?

[CHUCKLES] No.

I didn't think so.

It's almost good.

It's just a little sour.

Like the Chekhov play.

[VIRGINIA LAUGHS]

CAFREY: Oh [CHUCKLES].

ELI: I knew I wasn't

missing anything.

CAFREY: I heard it wasn't

The Iceman Cometh.

[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]

Hey.

-Yep.

-Thanks.

[CABINET CLOSES]

Hey.

-What's wrong?

-Huh?

Nothing.

You seem down.

Sometimes I just

wish our friends

were a little more

open, you know?

Like, open to trying

new things, new people.

Is this about the wine?

No, it's not about the wine.

I mean, Annabel,

we love your joie de vivre,

but you have to admit

the wine was pretty gross.

[GROUP LAUGHING]

CAFREY: The f*ck do I know?

I don't know.

What, would you like

some whiskey as well?

Have you had a little

couple too many or?

No.

I don't feel like I can bring

any of my other friends around,

or you guys will be

like cold to them

like that one time that

Theo came over and then...

-Hey.

-Hi.

Yeah, I mean,

our friends don't like anyone.

It's a miracle

we even like each other.

I mean, I'm honored as

a relatively new addition.

Come on.

We've known you since Episcopal.

[ELIZABETH AND LAURIE LAUGH]

I mean, I just think

we feel safe around each other.

Like, we're able

to be ourselves.

No judgment.

But doesn't it feel

a little monotonous?

Like every time we hang out,

we're just here doing

the same things,

having the same conversations.

I mean, it's what

we've always done.

What's wrong with that?

Personally, I just prefer

to be around people like me.

What I mean is,

it's better with people

like us.

PLU, people like us. [LAUGHS]

-I should coin that, right?

-I love it.

-Yeah, PLU.

-The PLU.

-LAURIE: Yeah.

-Yeah.

People like us.

[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]

Do you remember Simon?

He designed our house

in Greenwich.

I thought it's Tristan?

No, it's not Tristan.

That's Aspen.

This is Simon in Greenwich.

He has a new girlfriend.

Very exciting.

No, that's not exciting dear.

He has a wife.

-Oh.

-[SIGHS]

WAITER: Anything else?

Coffee or tea, anyone?

-No, thank you.

-I'm good.

It's a bit nippy in here.

Can you please do something

about the vent?

-I can certainly try.

-Can I get the check, please?

-Yeah.

-Thanks.

[SIGHS] Well, he's an artist.

Artists have their vices.

That's what makes him

so brilliant.

Don't you agree, Annabel?

Everyone has vices, Mom.

Look at your poor father.

He was exceptional.

-Who knew the whole time...

-Phoebe-

-...he was on, well...

-Mom.

Heroin didn't make him

a better actor.

He was sober his entire career.

Of course.

Please, could I get a bit

more cream for my coffee?

It's a bit bitter.

WAITER: Sure.

Sean, before I forget,

here's the key to Palm Beach.

Don't lose it.

Taking my girlfriend.

-Oh, fun.

-Yeah.

And Freddie, you asked me

to bring this

-for Annabel.

-Mom.

LEONARD: Let's...

For Annabel.

It was my mother's

from De Beers.

-We should...

-Annabel, here.

Will you marry him?

[FREDDIE CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]

Oh, of course.

Yes, of course.

I, um...

I... [LAUGHS NERVOUSLY]

I'll always take care

of you and always love you

and always be there for you.

That's the truth, you know it.

ANNABEL: It's really pretty.

I love you too.

FREDDIE: Thanks, Mom [LAUGHS].

[FREDDIE CLEARS THROAT]

[HOOVES CLOMPING]

Congratulations.

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

VIRGINIA: I never liked

Christmas when I was little.

ANNABEL: Why?

I always thought

it was building me up

for some sort of future sadness.

Building this one

day up to be happy.

And then when I'm older,

I would look back

on my childhood

Christmases and be sad.

-Sad that my parents

aren't around anymore.

-Huh.

-Timing is really so perfect

with you and Freddie.

-Oh, yeah.

I'm definitely not

looking forward

-to the first Christmas

without my dad.

-Oh.

Did you want to pick up

that scarf I mentioned

for Elizabeth?

Oh, I don't know.

I got her the hat and gloves.

She's going skiing

for New Year's

and it would be really nice

for her to have the set.

Yeah.

Tiny thing, and no one's mad.

We understand you're

going through a lot,

but it might be a

good idea for you

to make a little

effort this year.

Some people feel like you

haven't been our friend lately.

-Like your normal self.

-What?

You left my house

early on Halloween

and I'm not upset, of course.

And apparently Elizabeth said

you think we're boring.

It's fine.

We are boring

to the outside eye,

I suppose.

Virginia, I never

said anyone was boring.

I said sometimes sitting

in our apartments,

you know, not going out

can feel a little myopic.

And I have some other friends,

you know?

Friends of Theo's

I'd love you to meet.

It's funny how you two

have become so close.

I don't know what that means.

I mean, Theo's friends

are just like my dad

when he was starting out.

He was living off ramen noodles

in the West Village

back in the 80s

when it was like unsafe to walk

in Washington Square

Park at night.

I see.

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Um...

I think we have to

let each other go.

Sometimes I wish we never met.

Things would be easier.

Freddie.

Freddie, what's his story?

Is he someone

you've known forever

from an adjacent family?

Someone who went to

the same boarding school as you?

And you'll tell everyone

whenever they ask how you met

that you can't remember because,

"We've known each other

forever and we just happened

"to reconnect last summer

at my friend's barbecue

on Martha's Vineyard."

Deep down, do you wonder

if you're just following

the plot of other indolent

social climbing kids

from good families too afraid

to lose their money?

ANNABEL: You don't get it.

This isn't about my

friends or money.

-THEO: It is.

-No, not in the way you think.

These people are my family.

They're all I have left.

A lot of people would

think that I am lucky

to have the life that I have.

Screw what other people think.

Are you happy?

[THEO SCOFFS]

God, we have done something

wrong as humans if you,

not even you are happy,

Annabel.

I mean, your friends,

you all have so much,

but you don't see it.

I'm sorry that

they don't like you.

-Why would I care

if they like me?

-I don't know.

Why do you?

-[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

-[PEOPLE CHATTERING

INDISTINCTLY]

[ANNABEL INHALES SHARPLY]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

VIRGINIA: Where did

you get that sweater, Eli?

ELI: One question at a time.

Virginia, isn't

a Christmas exchange

being a little premature?

But every weekend is full.

There's so many events.

It's Silver Racquets

next weekend,

and then I can't remember.

Anyway, then Snowflake Ball.

I'm in Palm Beach

for the end of December

and Lyford for New Year's.

Oh, maybe I should

do Lyford for New Year?

I thought you were skiing.

Oh, Verbier is entertaining.

-Oh, will you be in Verbier?

-Oh, certainly not.

We'll be in Lyford.

[CHUCKLES] I don't enjoy

being drenched in champagne.

Is that so?

Well, only because

it's perfectly drinkable.

ELIZABETH: Oh. [CHUCKLES]

Well, if you do go skiing...

[GASPS] Thank you,

I really wanted these.

-Of course.

-Did you?

-ELIZABETH: Yeah.

-[ELI LAUGHS]

-Oh, those are great.

-Yeah, lovely.

VIRGINIA: Beautiful.

ANNABEL: And from me.

[GASPS] Oh, gosh,

Annabel, thank you.

Thank you.

It's a set.

[FREDDIE CHUCKLES]

We thought you were

off to Verbier,

but it would be fun

if you were in The Bahamas.

We'll be in Lyford, too.

Well, my family will be,

so hopefully we'll be together.

Freddie, don't get

ahead of yourself.

[ALL CHUCKLING]

Yeah, no, we'll be in Lyford.

-[ANNABEL CHUCKLES]

-[FREDDIE CHUCKLES]

Eli, please, could you

get me another eggnog?

Of course, my lady.

[VIRGINIA CHUCKLES]

Virginia, where should we meet

before the Snowflake Ball?

Oh, that's what I'm doing.

The weekend after

Silver Racquets,

I'm hosting

the Snowflake Ball

pre-drinks.

-It's such a good idea.

-Oh yeah, that's right.

A treasure hunt.

I'm hiding

a tennis bracelet here

-in the apartment for

a lucky guest to find.

-ALL: Ooh.

-Do you wanna help me hide it?

-Definitely.

I still have a few ladies

that I need to

get something for,

so it would be very nice

to find that bracelet.

Not telling you where

I'm hiding it, Eli.

What? I can't help

that I'm competitive by nature.

[ALL CHUCKLING]

ELIZABETH: My turn.

Hmm.

ELIZABETH: Okay,

Eli, that's for you.

-There you go.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Ballinger's.

Wow, that is so thoughtful.

Well, pawn them if you like.

They're 18 carats.

Very generous, Elizabeth.

-Thank you.

-So lovely.

Oh.

-Oh.

-VIRGINIA: That's so lovely.

-That's very generous.

-Hmm.

LAURIE: Let's all wear them

to Silver Racquets next weekend?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, so fun.

So fun.

FREDDIE: It's beautiful.

Thank you, Elizabeth.

[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING]

Is something wrong?

Are you okay?

Is it seven o'clock?

No, it's six o'clock.

Virginia, your clocks

are an hour ahead.

Oh, could you change it back?

Fall back.

LAURIE:

A controversial topic,

daylight savings time.

And after all these years,

what is the point?

You know, energy conservation

has so diversified

since the candle usage

that Benjamin Franklin

was referencing

when he originally

suggested the idea.

CAFREY: Show of hands,

who here is

pro daylight savings time?

The sun's set already.

Well, Annabel's for.

Virginia, does this

run on batteries?

I...

Hey, I'm not feeling well.

-Do you mind if I just go home?

-FREDDIE: Yeah.

-Okay.

-Do you need me?

-No.

-Okay.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Hi.

THEO: Hey.

Thanks for meeting me.

No, of course.

Annabel, I just,

-I wanted to say...

-No, let me go first, please.

I hate the way that

things ended last time.

-Yeah.

-Um...

I made you a Christmas gift.

-I hope you like it.

-What?

-THEO: Thank you.

-Should I open it now?

-Yeah.

-Okay [LAUGHS].

[GIFT WRAP TEARING]

ANNABEL: Flip that around.

I went and bought

your photograph

and then I photocopied it

and I cut it up.

See the paintings by the pond?

They're your photo, and then

the tiny little paintings

inside those scenes,

they're also your photo.

THEO: The Droste effect.

I just wanted to show you

that knowing you has changed me.

I'm finally caring again.

And that will continue on.

You know, no matter what.

I think it was the

Japanese philosopher, Dogen,

he talks about being

on a boat in open water

and how you could

only see three miles

to the horizon directly

around you in a circle.

Why do you always

get so philosophical?

I read a lot and the

philosophers are always on sale.

Anyway, that of course

gives humans the perception

of being the center

of the universe.

And that's how I looked at you

and completely missed you.

I saw only what I wanted to see.

I missed the bigger picture.

What's the bigger picture?

That you're not

in love with me.

That you have this whole world

[CHUCKLES] and I'm just me.

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

I shouldn't have done that.

I'm sorry. [SNIFFLES]

Wait, wait, wait,

wait, wait, wait, wait.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

I actually came here

to say something.

-What?

-Okay?

I just, I want you

in my life, all right?

We don't need to do

this stupid dance.

I don't care if we date.

I don't care if there's

a ring at the end.

Let's just not ruin our...

-What we have.

-I can't.

God, I keep messing up

around you.

You're right.

I have this whole world

and I can't keep you,

and also them.

Just let me go.

[LAUGHS] No, no, no, no.

I mean, I would say

the prison food,

cafeteria lunch, Racquet

Club dining room.

Yes.

Lower, lower.

The lowest of the low.

It's gross.

I mean, just like, ugh.

Sorry, sorry guys.

Annabel?

-Hi.

-Hi.

What are you doing down there?

My earring, I lost it.

The Ballinger ones

you girls are wearing?

It must have fallen off

at the Racquet Club.

I mean, I'm sure

that you have time

to buy a replacement

before Elizabeth

notices how careless

you've been with her

generous gift.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

[SIGHS] Did she buy these,

do you think?

-I don't know.

-Right.

Mmm, festive windows, though.

Yes.

A staple for the winter

in New York.

A girl I know,

she designed them.

Oh, well they are particularly

beautiful this year.

[WHISPERS] Apparently she's had

trouble getting paid for them.

Really?

How well do you know this girl?

Well, she was

pretty upset about it,

so it must be true.

And is she a friend of

the talented Mr. Offit?

Uh-huh.

You think highly of him.

[CHUCKLES]

But from my brief interactions,

I would say he's not

the genius your father was.

Now...

Mmm, now come on,

let's have another drink.

I've gotta find this earring.

Oh, don't worry

about it, darling.

It's entirely replaceable.

Come on.

[LIGHT JAZZY

MUSIC PLAYING]

Whiskey, neat.

-[CAFREY CHUCKLES]

-[ELIZABETH CHUCKLES]

I was just saying

how fun it is

that we're all wearing

the earrings that

you got us.

Yes, it's like

putting a photo out

of the in-laws when they

come to visit. [CHUCKLES]

Oh, ow.

Wow, strong.

Kinda hurt.

[BRIGHT HOLIDAY

MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[GENTLE HOLIDAY MUSIC PLAYING]

-[GROUP CHATTERING FAINTLY]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[PIANO KEYS THUDDING]

Virginia, one of your

keys keeps getting stuck.

Eli, what are you doing?

The bracelet's not in

your underwear drawer.

Turned the entire

thing upside down.

Put those back.

[PIANO CONTINUES]

Some news.

My brother's going to

propose to his girlfriend.

Oh, lovely.

Yes.

And I just wonder,

would it be all right

if I gave her your seat

at my table at

the Snowflake Ball

to welcome her to the family?

Uh, no, of course, you should.

[PIANO KEYS CHIMING]

It's in the piano.

VIRGINIA: Eli.

Found it.

Put it back!

Give it to me.

-It's not for you.

-Are you serious?

Go get a drink.

Okay.

CAFREY: Your mother.

[GROUP LAUGHING]

-All of the family.

-Yeah, all of the family. Yes.

Virginia, did I do something?

Are you telling people

that Elizabeth's family

doesn't pay the artists

that work for them?

ANNABEL: Did Cafrey say that?

Because you know they're

being sued right now.

-Who?

-Ballinger's.

Some artists from prior years

are claiming

they were never paid.

Elizabeth explained they're

just trying to back negotiate.

I didn't know about that.

Well, she doesn't

talk about it.

Well, I swear, I had no idea.

I would never have said

anything if I knew.

I think everyone

just feels like

you've turned your back on us.

You've known Theo

and his friends for a month

and you've known us

for five years.

It's like you're choosing

his friends over us.

I'm not choosing them.

Virginia, you have to

believe me.

Excuse me.

[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING]

Warmer.

Warmer.

Cold.

Warmer.

[GROUP MUTTERING SOFTLY]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Sometimes

It was good, sometimes

It'll be all right

in a week or two.

Virginia's different ever since

she and Elizabeth

have become so close.

You know, she hasn't

returned any of my calls?

It will blow over.

Are you still going

to the Snowflake Ball?

[SIGHS] I am, yeah.

That doesn't even bother you?

Hmm?

[FREDDIE HUFFS]

Are you okay?

You take my love

for granted, Annabel.

And I've let you

because of everything

you've been going through.

ANNABEL: No, I love you.

Of course I love you.

FREDDIE: I haven't

seen you in a week.

ANNABEL: Well,

I'm upset about Virginia.

Yeah, but it's been

since that night.

I saw you,

kiss him.

You followed me?

[EXHALES] You walked into

Central Park alone at night

so I followed you from

a distance to make sure

that you got home safely,

and then you didn't go home.

I saw you kiss him.

God.

[FREDDIE SIGHS]

Just tell me you're

never gonna see him again.

I only wanted you,

but I'm not gonna

live like this.

I can't.

-Freddie-

-I can't.

ANNABEL:

I can't lose you too.

-[DOOR CLOSES]

-[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

-[HORNS HONKING]

-[TRAFFIC WHIZZING]

[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

-[HORN HONKING]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

THEO: Annabel?

ANNABEL: I'm sorry.

Come on.

[ANNABEL LAUGHS]

[KEYS JINGLING]

ANNABEL: Maybe

I'll buy my own table

for the Snowflake Ball.

THEO: Are you serious?

ANNABEL: Yeah, why not?

[LIGHT ORCHESTRAL

MUSIC PLAYING]

[GUESTS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

LAURIE: I know, sky's blue.

-[GLASSES CLINKING]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

I like the music.

Would it be inappropriate

to start dancing this early?

Yes.

-Then let's go.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Really?

[ALL CHUCKLING]

[GUESTS LAUGHING AND CHATTERING]

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

-[GLASSES CLINKING]

[GUESTS APPLAUDING]

Good evening.

Thank you all so

much for being here.

My name is Catherine.

Welcome to the 20th annual

Snowflake Gala.

I'd like to thank

one of our sponsors,

Ballinger's Department Store.

[GUESTS APPLAUDING AND CHEERING]

And introduce my cohost,

Elizabeth Ballinger.

-[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]

-[GUESTS APPLAUDING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Is that the same Ballinger's?

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Hello.

Thank you all so much

for being here tonight.

I'm pleased to announce

that we have raised

a record, $990,000.

-[MUSIC SOFTENS]

-[WIND WHISTLING SOFTLY]

Helina, wait, wait, please.

Why did you bring us here?

To humiliate me?

No, I was thinking

I could help you.

No, thank you.

-But you know-

-Well,

I don't need your help,

nor do I want it.

Annabel, hi.

Good to see you.

ANNABEL: Good to see you.

You know them?

Who's your friend?

ANNABEL: Helina...

-Thanks for coming.

-Well, hmm.

Bye.

[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING]

[GROUP CHATTERING FAINTLY]

-Oh, it's snowing!

-How exciting!

-[MUSIC CONTINUES]

-[GROUP CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

I suppose you think

I'm a coward?

I should have told Helina

they were my friends.

Well, they're not anymore.

[GROUP CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Is that what we are, Theo?

Just friends?

THEO: Hey,

I think you could use one.

Come on, let's go.

You're literally shivering.

You want my coat [LAUGHS]?

ANNABEL: I'm all right.

THEO: You'll get cold.

ANNABEL: I'll survive.

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]