Grassland (2024)

[bunniefuu]

-[nature din]

-[birds chirping]

[reporter] ...today's weather

is looking up

with [indistinct] reporting

record highs,

while south,

closer to the Jersey shore,

will receive

some rainfall tonight

with temperatures letting up

later this week.

We'll begin with

a staggering new milestone.

There are a lot of arrests

and 2008 will now be the second

highest total ever recorded

for a single year,

now comprising almost one half

of all drug arrests

-reported in the United States.

-[cicadas chirping]

[leaf sizzling]

[boy mimicking g*nf*re]

[boy] Whoa, whoa!

[mimicking g*nf*re continues]

Sha-da-da-da.

-[soft piano music]

-[mimicking airplane engines]

[boy humming]

[boy barking]

[Brandon barking]

[Brandon]

[laughing] My bad.

Woo!

There we go. Watch this.

Check this out.

[Brandon cawing]

[boy cawing]

[both cawing]

-[Brandon] Leo, come back. Leo.

-Leo.

Hey, sweetie.

Sorry, Sof.

I tried to tell him that

you was down here working.

[Sofia]

Time to go upstairs.

Your queen mother commands it.

[speaking Spanish]

-Leo.

-Okay.

Sorry.

No worries.

Uh, I come bearing gifts.

-How much?

-[Brandon] 270.

-No one's buying.

-sh*t.

Yeah, I know. It's slow.

Hey. You good?

What's up?

I'm fine.

You still good to watch him?

I got my PJs on, don't I?

[Sofia chuckling]

-Idiot.

-Yeah.

I think you might

have missed a spot, too.

-Oh, f*ck off.

-[Brandon] All right.

[Brandon chuckling]

[loud thumping]

[speaking Spanish]

Come on. Pick up,

pick up the phone.

Oh, hey. Hi. Hi, Bill.

Yeah, well, I'm still calling

because the oven is broken.

-[Bill] Really?

-Yeah.

-Well, I need to use my oven.

-[Bill] Did you turn the knob?

-Yeah, I am turning the knob.

-[Bill] Which one?

[Sofia] The middle one. I do

know how ovens work. Yeah.

[indistinct phone chatter]

Yeah, I get it.

Yeah, you--

you'll have it Friday

with last month's, too.

[indistinct phone chatter]

No, I understand. I understand.

There's a recession,

and you gave me a great deal.

Yeah, I know.

[indistinct phone chatter]

-Well, I'm sorry if I offended--

-[line cutting]

[Sofia scoffing]

[cursing in Spanish]

Sof, you ain't gotta--

It tastes better.

Yeah.

You talk to the guy?

[Brandon] Mm.

Thanks, Sof.

Yeah, he's been blowing

my phone up all week.

What?

Chirping about the bugs

in the product, I guess.

I don't know. I don't--

Bugs? They're mites.

They don't hurt you.

Yeah, that's what

I was trying to tell him.

And I even

gave him some free sh*t,

but I guess he's still pissed,

I don't know.

What are mites?

Mites are tiny, tiny,

tiny little bugs

that don't hurt anybody

and you can hardly see,

just like you.

Well, I could see 'em.

I could.

I'm not a bug.

Yeah, well, you're a little

bit of a bug, though.

No, you're

a little bit of a bug.

But you're like an itty-bitty,

itty-bitty, bitty bug.

Well, you're like

an itty-bitty, itty-bitty,

itty-bitty, skinny bug.

But you're so small,

I can't even see you.

[Sofia] The tale was that

your father had come home,

therefore I came.

I see the gods delay him,

but never in this world

is Odysseus dead.

Only detained somewhere on

the wide sea, up on some island.

Savages, they must be,

to hold him c*ptive.

[Leo] Mama,

you're not doing the voices.

Well, because Prince Leopoldo

needs to get ready for bed.

Now.

[both chuckling]

Hm. I'm not tired.

Well, tomorrow he has a full day

of noble quests,

and he needs his full energy

to fight off

all his fiendish enemies.

[both chuckling]

[speaking Spanish]

He can't stay up late this time.

-Okay?

-[Brandon] Mm-hmm. I got you.

[soft ethereal music]



[Leo yawning]

[Leo]

When's my mom coming up?

Soon, buddy.

I had a dream where I was

flying on a pigeon in the city,

and then it started

pooping on everybody,

and then they got so mad,

they shot it down,

and then I fell off.

Whoa, that sounds crazy.

Yeah, but I know

it was a dream, though.

I wouldn't let

my pigeon poop on nobody.

I didn't let it poop on people,

it just did it.

Mm-hmm. I don't know.

It sounds like you need to go

back to sleep,

go apologize to some people.

What are those bottles

my mom gives you?

Uh, it's, uh,

medicine for my grandma.

Your mom's really sweet

and makes them for her.

Mm-hmm. Is your grandma sick?

A little bit.

I think you better get

back to bed, little man.

Hm. Mm-mm. I don't want that.

-[Brandon] No?

-[yawning] Uh-uh.

Hm. Okay, well.

Well, maybe the tickle monster

-might help you get--

-[Leo giggling and squealing]

Oh, [indistinct].

This is what happens

to little kids

that don't wanna go

to sleep on time.

[Sofia] Hey.

I owe you one.

Yeah, for sure.

I, um, also...

What?

I've been looking for jobs.

Like, you know, a real job.

Why?

A guy in Camden,

he just, uh, got ten years.

Was he careful?

I'm almost done with this batch.

They're healthy now.

Then-- then we're out.

You said that

two months ago, Sof.

Oh, I'm sorry.

-Yeah, I...

-[Sofia] Hey.

I'm sorry for

roping you into this.

Don't be, Sof.

Night.

See you tomorrow.

[Sofia sighing]

[soft piano instrumental]



[indistinct TV chatter]

[loud thud]

-[loud thumping]

-[furniture dragging]

[loud footsteps]

Mm.

[man] Sofia?

Yes?

You're Sofia, right?

Yeah, I, I'm sorry,

uh, I'm John.

Hi.

Me and my grandson

are moving in downstairs.

Oh, uh, Bill didn't tell me.

Oh, uh...

God, I hope the car

didn't give you a scare.

No, the car, not at all.

I--

-Welcome.

-Thank you.

Uh, this is you here, yeah?

Yeah. Yeah, we live here.

Well, we'll stay out of your

hair.

Uh, just...

Hey, Tommy!

Come say hi to our neighbor.

It's just...

my grandson. It's--

I'm late,

but I'll be seeing you.

Oh, all right.

Um. Oh, wait,

uh, where is our storage?

Uh, basement?

Yeah, um...

It's, uh...

It's a mess.

I'll clean it up for you.

Give me, um, an hour.

Great. Thanks.

Nice to meet ya.

Hm.

[dramatic music]

Mama?

[Sofia panting]

Take these.

Take these.

Mom, are we getting arrested?

[Sofia]

No, no one's getting arrested.

We just gotta clean up.

Just, just do what I say, okay?

Hi.

-Come on.

-Okay.



Hey! [speaking Spanish]

[Tom] Freeze!

[g*n c*ck]

[John grunting]

Oh, my God. Yeah.

Tommy! You wanna

come give me a hand?

[John grunting]

Tom?

[Sofia panting]

[airsoft b*ll*ts firing]

[airsoft b*ll*ts firing]

Leo?

f*ck. Come on.



[airsoft b*llet firing]

Tom!

Oh, for Christ's sake. What--

-Tom?

-[Sofia panting]

Tom?

-[airsoft b*llet firing]

-[item shattering]

Tommy!

What are you doing?

Come on. Jesus. Make yourself

useful, all right?

[Sofia panting]

Mama?

Jesus, Leo.

-Is anyone with you?

-No.

[speaking Spanish]

Come with me. Come on.

Just push. Here.

Wait, I push?

-Just push.

-Okay.

-[John] Hey!

-Hi!

Uh, the basement's ready.

[John] Oh, fantastic.

Is this your boy?

[Sofia] Yeah.

What's your name, little man?

-Leo.

-[John] Leo.

Great to meet you.

I'm John.

Oh, God!

You gotta be careful

with that handshake.

[speaking Spanish]

Have you met my grandson, Tom?

It'll be so nice

having a new friend

in the building, won't it?

Okay. Come.

[John]

Uh, where's the mister?

Oh, there's no mister.

Same here. Just me and him.

Riding solo.

[Brandon humming]

Totally, dude

Mm, mm, mm, hey

[Brandon humming]

[John] If you ever wanna

come over and play with Tom

or have a ride around

in the cruiser, just, uh...

Hey, buddy.

Can I help you?

No, man, sorry. Wrong house.

[quietly] f*ck.

-Do you know him?

-[Sofia] No. No.

[speaking Spanish]

I have to cook

this kid some breakfast.

-He's really hungry.

-[John] Okay.

[Sofia] Sorry.

Great to meet you, Leo.

-[Sofia] Bye.

-Bye.

[paper rustling]

[Sofia exhaling]

Why did you say

that we didn't know Brandon?

Well, you know how we cannot

tell anyone about Mama's plants?

Well, we really cannot

tell our new neighbors.

They can get us into

a lot of trouble.

And if John ever asks you

what I do for a living,

what's my job, you can say

I'm a gardener, you know?

A landscaper. Yeah.

So it's like, pretend.

-Landscaper.

-Mm-hmm.

-[Leo] Okay.

-Okay.

Thank you for listening.

[Leo humming]

They got me.

The boys got me.

Oh, oh!

[gate creaking]

[Tom] I'm gonna get you.

f*ck you.

You're gonna be locked away

for a long time.

[Tommy mimicking g*nf*re]

Hey.

Can you even

start a fire with this?

Mm-hmm.

Can I try?

[leaf sizzling]

It's so cool.

[Leo mimicking g*nf*re]

-No! No!

-I'm getting you!

-No!

-[both mimicking g*nf*re]

Oh. Oh, I've been hit.

[soft ethereal music]

[Leo] No!

[Leo mimicking g*nf*re]

[Sofia]

Why would you say wrong house?

It-- it was fine.

You could have just--

Yeah, Brandon. Of course,

the car is in the driveway.

He f*cking lives here.

Okay. I'll just see you in--

see you in ten minutes.

Just wait for me.

Baby, I'm gonna go out, but

I'll see you very soon, okay?

Mm, can you read to me?

Uh, not tonight.

Mama has to work.

But read a chapter by yourself,

and I'll be back in no time.

-Okay.

-[Sofia] I love you.

[door shutting]

[Leo] God. Whoa!

[Leo mimicking g*nf*re]

[Leo humming]

[whooshing] Oh, no.

[Leo humming]

[John]

What you doing under there?

Checking for a tracker?

[evil laughter from TV]

[villain] [indistinct]

[indistinct TV chatter]

[John] Back when I was

young and handsome.

Do you still have that big g*n?

Oh, no.

Nothing like that.

No.

[cartoon playing on TV]

Tommy?

Do you see where I put Mom?

Right in the center.

[cartoon continues]

[music playing on TV]

[sighs]

Well, I'm off to the station.

You boys guard the house.

[door closes]

[Tom]

You wanna see something cool?

How do you do this?

How do you...

You pull it back, and then

you sh**t it with the trigger.

What's this one called?

A shotgun.

My grandpa gets me one

every year for my birthday.

Does it hurt?

-To get shot?

-Yeah.

It's not that bad.

[gentle music]

Did your grandpa

ever k*ll someone?

Probably.

Why do you live with him?

[Tom] My mom died.

How?

[Tom] She overdosed.

What does that mean?

[Tom] She had too many pills.

Oh.

Wanna take 'em out?

[pellet g*n pops]



-Boom!

-[pellet g*n pops]

Here.

Go on, soldier.

Copy that.

-[pellet g*n pops]

-[Sofia] Inside.

You're not seeing him again.

What did I say? [speaks Spanish]

It was just a toy.

It's not about that, Leo.

You and I can get into

a lot of trouble.

Leopoldo, look at me.

Look at me.

I'm saying this

'cause you're getting to be

big and responsible, okay?

I could go to jail.

Do you understand?

I'm sorry, but it's...

You can't see him, baby.

[solemn music]

[door slams]



No, I just don't think

you're listening.

Just-- just-- just stop

and think for a second, okay?

Just being stupid.

[Brandon]

You know this is crazy.

[Sofia] Brandon.

I don't f*ck with police, Sof.

There's no tying it back to you.

You're good.

You live above a cop now.

It's a whole

different situation.

-Stop!

-No! You need to move now.

-This sh*t is stupid.

-Shh!

[hushed] When the plants

are ready, we'll move.

Throw out the plants.

Get a f*cking job.

I owe two months

of f*cking rent.

[scoffs] Then you going to jail.

That's not gonna happen.

Hmm?

I'm scared.

I'm the one living above him.

It's crazy.

Well, I'm a little more

visible than you, Sof.

Only drop-offs.

I promise, I won't be followed.

I don't know anyone your age,

and that's, like--

That's all my customers.

Please.

Hey,

why don't you take the day off?

Take him to the beach

or something.

That's a thing, right?

The beach?

I feel like

that's where people go.

I guess.



[cell phone buzzing]

[beep]

Hello, Brandon speaking.

Yes, yes. How are you?

Great.

Yeah, well, thank you for

checking out my application.

Mm-hmm.

I see.

May I ask why?

Oh, come on, man.

I-- I stole some groceries.

No, but--

Yeah. Yeah.

Thanks for the call.



[chuckles]

-[Tom] Hey, Leo!

-Hey.

Wanna get some ice cream?

Sorry, he has chores.

[John] Hey, guys.

-Hi, John.

-[John] Leo!

What do you say we go

get some ice cream, huh?

Oh, no.

-Sorry, not today.

-It'll be fun.

Not everybody gets

to ride in the cruiser.

It is such a hot day.

I just think it would be

really good to cool off a bit.

-It is hot, yeah.

-Please, please, please, please,

please, please, please,

please, please, please.

This kid clearly

needs an ice cream.

Please? Please, please,

please, please, please.

-Fine.

-Yes!

-Let's go.

-[Tom] Yes!

I'll bring him right back.

[police radio chatter]

You boys comfy?

-Mm-hmm.

-Yeah.

These people... [chuckles]

now, these people are comfy.

They're in a whole

other world, boys.

[sighs] They don't have a clue.

On our side, things are

starting to get dicey.

I'm not trying to scare you,

but if you saw

some of the people

cycling through the station,

it's just...

I mean, it makes sense

with the economy, and...

it's just every man

for himself out there.

You get desperate.

Like us, Tommy.

I know you didn't wanna move.

I didn't wanna

move either, but...

g*dd*mn world is

getting expensive.

Where'd you grow up, Leo?

-In my house.

-[John chuckles]

I mean, uh,

where's your mom from?

Argentina.

Oh, boy,

that's quite the journey.

You got any other family

around here, or...

Um, my abuela,

but my mom hates her.

[John] Family can--

can be tough.

But your mom seems

like a strong lady.

It's-- it's hard to do it alone.

What line of work

is your mom in?

Um...

she does a lot

of different things, I think.

Well, you wanna be

a little more specific?

Uh... oh, she's a landscraper.

[John chuckles]

A landscaper, buddy.

That-- that's some tough work.

I always think

making things look nicer is--

[cop over radio]

Duffy, you copy?

Oh. You boys might

be in for a treat.

Yeah, I'm here, fellas.

Just taking Tom and his buddy

out for some ice cream.

What can I do for you?

[cop] You mind swinging

by the station?

Got some paperwork

here for you.

Yeah,

I'm coming to work tomorrow.

I'll just swing by then.

[cop] Deadline was yesterday,

John. You gotta come in.

Oh, for f*ck's sake.

Uh... copy.

[police radio chatter]

Quick pit stop, boys.

[officer] I just wanted to say

before really

getting into it that...

seeing you so dedicated

day in and day out, selfless,

showed me what being

a real officer is all about.

You know, even past your prime,

you still kick some a*s,

and it was never about

the medals or the titles.

It was really just showing up

every day and caring.

Past my prime, huh?

You've been

an incredible officer.

That's what I'm trying to say.

But you're saying

now I'm just not capable.

These are department rules

for everyone.

Sixty-five is the state max.

You know this.

I was in line for your job.

Trust me,

you weren't even considered.

I'm gonna level with you.

You've lost more

than I can imagine,

and I am so sorry for that,

and you know I am.

But in the last few years,

you've lost focus. You're--

you're not helping anyone.

I'm a good cop, you f*ck.

You were a good cop.

Don't ruin your

last six months here.

[somber music]

[sighs]

Get the f*ck out of my car.

[car door slams]

[inhales]

Don't. No, no, no.

[choked sob]

Oh, g*dd*mn it. g*dd*mn it.

[grunts]

[thudding]

[country music playing

over speakers]

I ordered chocolate.

You're serious?

This place is

really going downhill.

Uh, ma'am? Excuse me?

Yeah, my, uh, grandson

ordered chocolate,

and you gave him vanilla.

Oh, I don't do

the ice cream, so...

Yeah, but you work here,

don't you?

Can you just go in

and let 'em know?

You're gonna have

to talk to a manager.

Can you talk to a manager?

Grandpa.

And-- and ask what happened

to the police discount.

You know I paid full price here.

Okay.

Come here four years,

first time you've heard

of respecting the police?

Who raises that kind of person?

Jesus Christ,

this town's gone to sh*t.

Oh, this is f*cking ridiculous.

[Sofia]

"When you have done all this,

or seen it done,

it will be time to ponder

concerning these contenders

in your house:

how you should k*ll them,

outright or by guile.

You need not bear

this insolence of theirs.

You are a child no longer."

I miss the room the way it was.

Yeah, me too.

"Have you heard what glory

Prince Orestes won

when he cut down

that two-faced man?"

When will it go back to normal?

You know,

we're gonna need to move,

'cause it's, um--

it's not safe for us

here anymore.

Yet, we will make it

into a huge adventure.

Are we criminals?

Why did you say that?

Who told you that?

Is that why Abuela

kicked you out?

Did John use that word? I mean--

-What did you tell him, Leo?

-Nothing!

So why would you say criminals?

-Well, 'cause we're lying.

-No. No.

We are hiding.

We hide. And...

sometimes--

sometimes we lie,

but just to protect ourselves.

Hey.

[speaking Spanish]

[melancholy music]

I promise.

We're not doing

anything bad, and-- and...

we're not hurting anyone.

I'm not moving.

Leo...



[cell phone buzzing]

[buzzing stops]



[beep]

[line ringing]

[Maria] Hola.

Hello?

Ma?

Sofia?



[basketball thudding]

[Tom] Come and get it!

Nice. There you go.

Hey, Grandpa.

Oh! Jesus.

You've done this before, right?

Okay, come on, Tommy. Come on.

You got this. Come on.

[grunts]

All right, this time,

aim for the basket.

Oh, for Christ's sake.

Aw, Jesus.

Just... put it in.

You've played this!

[panting]

What, you're gonna p*ssy out?

[huffs]

Aw, Tommy! Come on.

I was joking around.

[knock at door]

[Tom sniffling]

[Tom] What do you want?

Wanna play spies?

[Tom] No.

Sergeant Tom, do you copy?

You wanna see some real sh*t?

This is how real spies do it.

Name's Tom.

Tom Bond.

Maybe we should

just use your pistols?

Why are you so nervous?

I--

Take it.

[serious music]



[door lock clicks]

Headed to the station.

-Okay.

-Okay.

[exhales]

This son of a b*tch.

You m*therf*cker.

-Let's go, soldier.

-What do we do, Sarge?

Be quiet. There's an enemy!

Shh.

-I see cover!

-Go, go, go!

-[Tom] I see them.

-[Leo] Fire!

[pellet g*ns popping]

-[Leo grunts]

-[Tom] No!

Sarge, I've been hit.

I'll avenge you.

You want seven?

Okay.

Yeah, I'll come by this evening.

Oh--

This is, like,

a last-minute request, Dave.

Sure, I'll just drop everything

and come right now.

Okay, you got it.

What a jerk.

[knocking at door]

-Yo.

-Brandon, why are you here?

Well,

I thought something happened.

He ain't here. We good--

You didn't answer.

I thought something happened.

What are you thinking?

I wanted to make sure

y'all was all right.

I am all right. I'm fine.

If something was wrong,

I would call.

I got worried.

What?

What? Tell me.

See, I...

I just feel like

you're only nice to me

when you want something.

Look, I... I have a family.

I have a kid.

There's so much sh*t

I have to take care of.

I'm exhausted.

I don't know.

I guess I just thought

that we were family.

[emotional music]

I'm sorry.

I'm... I'm...

I'm sorry.

But can we talk about it later?

Please.

Yeah, yeah.

Cool. Yeah.

All right. I'm gonna go.

You know, I was thinking,

because you're already here,

um, would you do

a quick run for me?

Sof, you are not

serious right now.

[scoffing]

You are such a jerk.

You know that, right?

It's for Dave.

And you love Dave.

I do love Dave.

I got you.

Thank you.

-I'll go grab it.

-All right.

[siren blares]

[John] Hey, kid!

Hold up a second.

Do you know if the person living

here is registered to vote?

You were here a few days ago.

Me?

No, no, I'm sorry.

You must be mistaken, sir.

I'm not mistaken, son.

What are you doing

snooping around my house?

Nah, I really wasn't snooping.

Why don't you just take a seat

for me?

sh**t.

[police radio chatter]

Thanks, Mike.

So you got a record. Yeah?

Shoplifting in Patterson.

I asked you a question.

I wasn't charged.

That's-- that's not

what I just heard.

I'm sorry, Brandon, but, uh,

I'd like you to laid

on the ground for me.

Laid down on?

Why? What did I do?

Just get on the ground.

Wait, no. Why?

Am I being arrested?

Get on the f*cking ground.

For walking?

I was walking in the driveway.

Now I gotta be on the ground?

Get on the ground.

Come on.

Leo...

I bet you can't hit it.

[bird chirps]

[bird flutter]

[Sofia] Are you kidding me?

-Give me that.

-[Brandon] I ain't do nothing.

[men arguing in distance]

I didn't do sh*t, man.

-[Sofia] Come here, come here.

-[Brandon] What are you doing?

Don't I get a lawyer

or some sh*t? Come on, man.

-Don't make this difficult.

-f*ck, that hurt, man.

-Come on.

-Stop moving. It won't hurt.

-[Brandon] I didn't do nothing.

-[John] Right.

-Come on. This is ill*gal.

-Stop!

[Brandon] You cannot

search me without giving me

some reason or some sh*t,

ain't it?

Ain't that a law or some sh*t?

You supposed to be

the police, man.

Come on, man.

You ain't gotta do this.

I didn't do sh*t.

-[John] Yeah, I need backup.

-[police chatter]

[John] Central,

I'm at 20 Hilltop Place.

Right up the driveway.

[police chatter]

[John] I have a 911 with

resisting arrest.

Suspect is unarmed.

-[police chatter]

-[John] Copy, Central.

[sighing]

[voicemail]

You have one new message.

[Brandon] Hey,

they only gave me a minute.

This is f*cked up. You know?

I told you.

You know what? f*ck you.

Oh, f*ck you. I told you.

I f*cking told you.

I mean, how much...

How much is your pride

worth? f*cking mo--

Wanna go on an errand?

Leon.

I'm not gonna leave you alone.

I think I'm ready to move.

Me too.

Where?

I'm working it out, okay?

[knocks on door]

[speaking Spanish]

[speaking Spanish]

I see you've kept

my soldier safe.

We were just...

You know, we were

in the neighborhood and we...

drove by somewhere here.

[speaking Spanish]

[soft music]

[Leo humming]

[speaking Spanish]

Thanks, ma.

[speaking Spanish]

[TV reporter] The Democratic

presidential nominee

senator Barack Obama arrived

in Baghdad this morning.

He reiterated the need

to withdraw from Iraq

by the end of 2008.

[indistinct chatter]

-Grandpa.

-Yeah, Tommy?

Why did you arrest that man?

Come on, it's my day off.

No work talk.

What did he do?

He was snooping

around our house.

He had a criminal record.

He wasn't a good guy.

You hurt him.

[sighing] Come here.

Come on, Tom.

Have a seat. Relax. It's fine.

What's wrong with you?

Oh, you think

you know all about it now.

I don't make the rules.

It's my job.

That's how it's done.

I wasn't gonna tell you,

but this guy had

drugs on him, Tommy.

We know what that sh*t does.

Come on.

You think I'm the bad guy?

You think I'm the bad guy?

g*dd*mn it, you speak to me.

You're a p*ssy.

[exclaims]

I'm sorry.

Get away!

Oh, f*ck!

Who are you?

[Sofia] Um...

I'm Sofia,

and this is Leo, my son.

We're Brandon's friends.

Where's Brandon?

Um...

Brandon was arrested.

[breathing heavily]

Here.

[emotional music]

[sighs]

He was a good boy.

He would never do...

[Sofia] Yeah, uh, I think

my neighbor needs help.

She's, um, elderly and sick,

and I haven't seen her

in a few days.

Yeah, the address is

5543 Pleasant Avenue.

Mm-hmm.

Claudia.

Yeah, my name's Claudia.

Thank you.

Wanna get some dinner?

Any place you want. Uh...

Leone's?

How about that

new fancy Italian place?

What's it called?

-Primavera.

-Yeah, right.

Listen, Tom, I--

let's go in 20.

-[knocks on door]

-[John] Sofia?

Are you at home?

[knocks on door]

Hey.

Boy, you got

good security up here.

Look, I really wanna say

I'm sorry about the whole thing.

Turned out the guy had

an eighth of pot on him,

and he had a shoplifting record,

so I had to take him in.

But I know how difficult

it is to see that kind of

a situation go down,

so I'm sorry.

Is he going to jail?

Hopefully. It's at least

ten years for the pot.

Um, unless maybe if

he rats out the dealer.

But anyway,

I thought it might be nice

if we all had dinner tonight.

My treat.

I-- I don't know.

We're just winding down here.

Okay, here's the truth. Um...

I've been having

a real time with my boy.

I'm just not doing it well,

and I really think

it would be nice to have a--

a-- a female presence.

It would be so good for Tom.

Please?

It's my treat.

I don't think so, John.

How about if I cook something

downstairs and we bring it up?

I haven't had the grand tour,

and I know Tom would love

a change of scenery, so...

Okay. Okay, we'll go out.

Just give us ten minutes.

Oh, Jesus, thank you.

Thank you.

[ambient music playing

over speakers]

[sighing]

This place has some

of the best linguine

I've ever tasted, so that's...

Oh, good to know.

You've never been here before,

Grandpa.

[chuckling] Okay.

Uh,

some guys at the station told me

it was the best in town, so...

All right.

[speaking Spanish]

Okay.

Uh, Leo told me that

you're in landscaping.

Uh, yeah. Um...

I garden for people,

like, around town.

[John] I had some gardening jobs

back in the day.

That is really tough work.

Good for you.

Mmm.

[John]

What's your favorite flora?

I-- I think of myself

as kind of a lilac guy.

Um, dandelions.

Your favorite flower is a weed.

They can still be beautiful.

Yeah.

[stammering]

I've been meaning to tell you,

if you ever need help with Leo,

he's welcome

at our place anytime.

Thanks, John.

God knows I know what

it's like not to have any help.

Sometimes that extra hand

just makes all the difference.

[Sofia] Yeah,

we have it covered.

[John] Yeah, I remember when

we were first starting out

and I had to swallow my pride

finally and ask for help.

It was awful, but it-- it really

was the best thing for Tommy.

I know what's best for Leo.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't

mean to suggest anything.

I just...

I-- I just see how sad he gets

when he's alone, that's all.

Don't tell me what to do

with my kid after what

-you exposed them to, okay?

-Just--

-Refill?

-Yes, please.

-Thank you.

-You guys ready?

[Sofia] Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Ca-- Can you

give us a second, please?

I said I was sorry.

That was f*cking traumatizing.

You-- You want

criminals in your house?

Criminals? So...

Having a little pot

makes you a criminal?

Having a controlled

substance makes you a criminal.

And we have kids.

It's literally never

k*lled anyone.

It is a direct

gateway to the hard stuff.

Where did you hear that?

That's like a myth.

That never happens.

It happened to my daughter.

[clattering]

Jesus! f*ck, Leo!

-Sorry.

-Don't yell at him!

-You okay?

-He shouldn't be messing around

like that in a place like this.

They're kids.

They're playing.

Well, Tom knows better

than to play like that.

[tense music]

[sighs] Yeah, but just...

Take the day off, John.

Says the mother who

leaves her kid alone at night.

I would do anything for my kid.

What the f*ck

do you do for yours?

I look out for both

these kids and you and

everyone else

in this f*cking town.

-You should be thanking me.

-Thanking you?

Well, thank you.

Thank you for what?

For beating the sh*t

out of people?

[John] Beating the sh*t?

That guy was

a threat to our household.

You are a f*cking pig.

Excuse me?

[speaking Spanish]

All done?

You're past your bedtime.

Go up.

[Leo moans] Okay.

Put that in the fridge.

Hey.

[soft somber music]

[Tom sobbing]

[Sofia] I got you.

It's okay.

I'm sorry

I spilled the soda, Mama.

It's not your fault, baby.

None of this is.

You know,

we're leaving.

We're going to go to

Abuela's just for a little.

Will she be nice?

Maybe to you.

You know,

she's going to help us, so...

One day, we won't have to

worry anymore about our kingdom.

We'll get a whole

house in the mountains.

We'll have many rooms.

We can invite all your friends,

our family.

You and your kids.

Oh, I don't want kids.

Mhm, that's what you say now.

I love you, Mama.

I love you too, baby.

[lawnmower whirring]

[motor stops]

[soft intriguing music]

What do you mean,

it's difficult?

-[Leo laughing]

-It's so simple, like this.

One time, two time.

And hand in the bottom,

and one last fold.

You got it? Okay,

now you help me, okay?

-[Leo] Okay.

-Here's your sweet sheets.

[knocking on door]

Stay here, mhm?

[flicking]

[knocking on door]

Uh, just a minute!

Keep going.

[sighing] sh*t.

Hey.

Hey.

Yeah, I just, uh...

wanted to come by and

apologize for last night.

It's okay, I--

I got carried away too.

Maybe we can talk inside,

just kind of clear the air.

Um... I'm-- I'm--

I'm really good.

I mean,

thank you for apologizing.

It's just, it's not necessary.

Yeah, but come on, I'd-- I'd

really like to see your...

your place.

Leo's still asleep, and I

don't want to wake him up, so...

I'm going to need

to come inside.

Well, you can't.

-[thudding]

-[tense music]

You can't!

Open the g*dd*mn door.

-[thudding]

-[Sofia grunting]

What are you doing?

This is against the law!

You can't just come in!

Leo, ven. Ven!

Come on!

Come here! Now!

Leo!

[grunting]

Get the f*ck off me!

-[thudding]

-[grunting]

Get off me!

You son of a b*tch.

-[grunting]

-[Leo] Mama!

-[Tom] Stop!

-[g*n charging click]

Stop.

What the f*ck are you doing?

[somber music]

Grandpa...

Just... just stay--

stay calm, Tom.

Just-- just--

just give me the g*n.

We can-- we can work

this all out later, okay?

Stand up, please.

-Give me the g*n--

-Just stand up!

Okay! Okay.

Mom!

What are you--

what are you doing?

-Let's go.

-[John] Okay, just...

What-- what--

what are you going to do here?

Just give me the f*cking g*n.

Come on, just... Give it here.

Give it here.

Give me the f*cking g*n!

-Seat belt!

-[engine turning]



[crickets chirping]

[Leo] Where are we gonna go?

[sighing]

Leo!

Leo!

[Leo] Mama!

Leo!

[Leo] Mama!

Mama!

Look!

[soft music]

-I'm gonna get you, Mama!

-[Sofia laughing]

-Come!

-I'm coming!

I'm gonna get you!

-I'll get you, Mama.

-No! Don't get me!

-[laughing]

-No!



[weather reporting on the radio]

...we're looking at 70

degrees by 1 a.m.

Now let's come in over to

Craig for the local news.

[Craig] Thanks, Jane.

Tonight, we have a troubling

story coming out of Montclair.

Yesterday, local officer John

Duffey discovered an ill*gal

marihuana operation

right above his home.

His neighbor, New Jersey native

Sofia Vega is suspected of

possessing six

marihuana plants and

roughly a pound of

the illicit substance.

She escaped arrest

with her nine-year-old

son and is currently

wanted by the Essex County

and State Police for

cultivation and possession of

marihuana with the

intent to distribute.

Witnesses spotted a brown

-Honda civic...

-[click]

[dialing beeps]

[automated voice]

You have one new message.

[Brandon] Hey.

They only gave me

a minute, um...

This is f*cked up.

You know?

I told you.

You know what? f*ck you.

Oh, f*ck you, I told you.

I f*cking told you.

I mean, how much...

How much is your pride

worth f*cking my life up?

I didn't even want to...

[Brandon sighing]

You need to make

sure he's safe.

He don't deserve this sh*t.

You shouldn't have

him worrying about your

bullshit because you

can't keep your sh*t together.

I know you love him,

so act like it.

[automated voice]

End of message.

To delete this message,

press seven.

[melancholic piano music]

[vehicle whooshing by]

[engine turning]

[music fades]

[melancholic piano music]

[soft melodic guitar music]

[soft melancholic music]