Original subtitles

Previously on So Help Me Todd...I am a private detective.

You were.I lost my job.

Two years ago.

My mother, Margaret Wright, works here,

and I work for her.

Yep, it's true. I work for my mother.

Susan.I haven't seen you since we...

We? Since you...Well, it ended.

I think Harry has left me.

How are you doing with everything?

I just want to move past it.

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Nobody's looking to see what's in your mind... ♪

[doorbell rings]Oh, hey, look who's here.

Oh. Hey.

Feels like old times, huh?

Elliot drops off the map for a few years,

and then boom, Saturday party.

It's like being back in college again, right?

Did you read the Evite?

Wait, is this a birthday party?

Why do you have a gift? DidI read the Evite?

What is that?A bottle warmer.

A bottle warmer? To warm what?

Milk.[door opens]

Hi!

Oh, my God,

you are so pregnant.What?!

What the hell? Hi.

Hey, man.Hey.

KATE: Thank you so much for coming. Please come in.

SUSAN: I can't wait.I have so much to tell you.

Bro, you guys back together, you and Suze?

No.

Peter's so sorry he couldn't make it.

He had to work this weekend.

Yeah. So he can pay off this rock.

Look at it. It's gorgeous.

I hope you insured it.

Our policy guy is great if you need one.

Recommended by our home lender.

Did you two refinance

that renovation of your bonus room

after you waterproofed the basement?

No, we decided to just expand the mudroom.

Todd?Hmm?

What have you been up to?

Well, uh, let's see.

Don't have a mudroom, don't have a basement,

not engaged, not expecting.

But I am working as a private investigator... again.

We're both working with Todd's mom.

OTHERS: Oh...

Well, it's much cooler than it sounds.

She's a lawyer. A lot of murder.

You know, knives.

Well, I think that's great. You know,

pulling yourself up by your mom's boot straps

and, you know, finally digging into adulthood.

Speaking of which, how's everyone's

stock portfolios doing?

Oh, it's a nightmare.Oh, my God...

[all talking at once]

The place is looking great, Mom.

Oh, well, the paint needs some touch-ups,

and not all of my art works, but it's coming along.

Thank you so much for these beautiful flowers.

Of course.

I'm so glad you stopped using

that florist in Northwest.

Oh, I found something for you before I forget.

I found it in one of the boxes.

Are you going to this benefit?

MARGARET: No, I completely forgot.

We bought those tickets ages ago.

Didn't you and Harry used to go to this thing every year?

We did.

But now I'm not.

You haven't told anybody yet, about Harry.

What would I tell them?

That he's in Iceland,

naked and fishing under the stars...

No. I don't want to deal with that. Not yet.

No one needs to know.But eventually

you're gonna have to tell people.Why don't you come with me?

As a buffer, so no one asks questions.

No, Chuck and I have a wedding to go to.

I'm sure Lawrence is busy, but you could probably take Todd.

To the Symphony Benefit Gala?

He doesn't even own a tux.

Okay. Or you could go by yourself.

But you love this event. You can't not go.

I am not showing up anywhere alone.

Okay.

[indistinct chatter]

Brian?

Dude.

Oh, wow.

Todd frickin' Wright.

Good to see you, man.

What is this, the grade school section of the party?

The way, way, way back area?

Yeah, is everyone aware that you lost

fourth grade class president to, uh, me?

Oh, I believe you stepped down as president

'cause you couldn't stop throwing up.

Ah, the pressure, man, the pressure.

How you doing?I'm good, I'm good.

Just looking for where all the unmarried losers

are supposed to hang here.

Yeah, what is up with this party?

Everyone's pants are so, uh, pressed. Yeah.

All people want to talk about is their mortgages and kids.

I'm like, um, "I live with my uncle."

Oh, I live in my sister's garage.Oh, dude, don't even.

I'm still driving that busted 2002 Ford Focus.

I was driving my mom's 2001 Acura

till it broke down.

Okay, wow, yeah. So you win.

Or lose. Loser.Yeah. Mm-hmm.

[both laugh]

So, uh, how have you been?

Uh, you know, the past few years have been kinda rough.

You and me both.

I was just starting to turn stuff around and,

it's so stupid, I totally screwed it all up.

I-I went out for drinks on my birthday...

Oh, thanks for inviting me.

You are so welcome.

And, uh, I was pretty lit,

so I was walking home instead of driving,

and I took a break and passed out on a bench

and got arrested for trespassing.

Yup.

And now I may be going to prison, so...

What?!Yeah.

For sleeping on a bench?Yeah.

I was on the grounds of some fancy private school,

and I already got a few dumb arrests, so...

Whatever, you know. It's okay.

And my public defender, who is, uh...

Her name is "Misty."

Uh-huh.She said, "Oh, you could do

a year on the inside. You'll be out in nine months."

So, yeah, thanks. Cheers.

Brian, you gotta fight this.

You can't just give up. You need a-a new plan.

A second chance. Look, I was just...

Eh, I think I'm all out of second chances, man.

No. No.

What you need is a really good lawyer.

These budget items came to my attention

through accounting...Mom? Mom? Hey.

Mom? Oh.

Hello.

Would you like me to stop?

No. Continue.

"Line items expensed to Investigations Department

"by new employee Todd Wright:

"bus pass, three pairs of shoes,

"online subscription to Investigators International,

"Scotland Yard board game,

"Twin Peaks4K Blu Ray set,

commemorative Harriet the Spy porcelain figurine..."

That's enough. Charges denied.What?!

All of that stuff is work-related,

or work-adjacent.

Two jars peanut butter, three jars jelly.

I don't get to eat?

Not on the company dime.

Thank you very much, Lyle. Good job.

Thank you very much, Mr. Mall Cop.

Really appreciate everything you're doing.

[scoffs] Okay, fine.

Whatever. Mom, listen.

Do you remember Brian McAtee?

Your friend from grade school?Uh-huh.

Of course I remember him. He was a little hoodlum.

No, he wasn't. And no one says "hoodlum" anymore.

People still say it. I just said it.

Okay, well, that doesn't count.

Okay, he was a juvenile delinquent.

He spent time in juvenile detention.

He was a juvenile...

Look, that's all a thing of the past.

What he really needs right now

is an incredible lawyer to get him out of

some dumb trespassing charge.

Absolutely not.Okay, you're open to it.

I like that. I mean, yes,

Brian has made some mistakes,

and he might have a little bit of a rap sheet...

A little bit of a rap sheet?

But all harmless misdemeanors.

Public urination, jaywalking,

cashing a few bad checks, whatever.

But he's finally getting his life back on track.

He's trying so hard, Mom.

Todd, he stole $30 from my purse when he was ten.

Oh, come on, we all stole $30

from your purse when we were ten.

Look, Brian never knew his mom,

his dad was never around.Because he was in prison.

And he was raised by his uncle.

Can't you just have a he...Todd! I am very busy,

and I am not going to waste my valuable time

on a certified lifelong criminal who's only going to end up

right back in trouble the minute I clear his name.

Do you know what recidivism is?

No, I don't know what recidivism is.

God, you're so judgmental.

I'm not judgmental, I'm a realist.

I tiger can't change its stripes.

I hate zoo metaphors.

People don't change.

Isn't one of the law commandments

to have an open mind,

or give people the benefit of the doubt,

or not harm a human being?

That is a law for robots.

Well, it must be nice to be perfect.

To have no flaws.

Oh, it's exhausting.

You're very judgmental.

Goodbye. Go away.

[car lock chirps]

[both gasp]

Margaret! It is so good to see you.

Erica, Desiree.

What a wonderful surprise.

Where have you been?

Oh, we haven't seen you or Harry in so long.

And you missed Eve Miller's birthday brunch.

Well, we've been so busy.

We moved, and it just feels like

I haven't been able to see anybody these days.

Tom said Harry hasn't returned any of his calls or emails.

And Drake says he's missed two golf games.

Is everything all right?

Oh, yes, it's fine.

I can't imagine why he would have been so inconsiderate.

So you two will be at the Symphony Benefit on Saturday?Of course.

Do you know who else will be there?

Sondra Brayton.

She just got out of rehab, again.

That poor woman,

she just cannot pull herself together.

Oh, they always backslide.

Shopaholics, alcoholics, hoarders.

Even divorced people. They get divorced again.

Well, Erica, that's...

very judgmental.

Once a mess, always a mess.

Oh, well, I have got to go.

We will see you Saturday night, right?

Of course.

TODD: This is so amazing

that you're doing this. Thank you so much.

What changed your mind?

Oh, well, maybe I was a little judgmental

about Brian.

Thank you so much for helping me out, Mrs. Wright.

I always thought you were awesome.

Oh, well, thank you.

Uh, uh, Todd, give me your tie.

Yeah. Gladly. Sure.

Okay, here, let me...I got it. It's fine.

Ow. Don't touch me.

I used to change your diapers.

Yeah. Not in public.

Okay, there you go.

Wow, that tie's perfect for you.

You know, she got it at Berg-Dork Goodman.

[video game blips]Here, you do it.

Excuse me, sir, is that your son?Yes.

Well, he needs to turn that off in here.

He will. Sorry. Single dad.

Way too much screen time.

Danny, that's enough.

You know how it is.

You're Todd's mom. I'm Brian's uncle, Johnny.

And this is my son Danny.

You have no idea how much we all appreciate you doing this.

It's my pleasure.

I've been raising Brian since he was 12.

Took him in when I was barely an adult myself.

Seeing him here in court,

your kid in trouble with the law, it's rough.

We'll get through it, he'll be okay.

You'll be okay, too.

It's a constant struggle keeping 'em on the right path, isn't it?

This is good.Yeah, feels good.

Ah, Trevor.

Margaret. Afternoon.

Looks like a busy day for you.Yeah.

Trevor, we both know you have bigger fish to fry,

so let's not make a meal out of my client's

ridiculous misdemeanor charge.

Aren't you and Amelia going to Hawaii next week?

So let's cut to the chase so we don't

interrupt that vacation.

Brian McAtee will pay the fine

and 500 hours of community service,

and I guarantee you,

you will never see his face in here again.

Great. Thank you.

Honestly, it's a trespassing charge.

It's not like he's gonna run out and rob a bank.

Ah. [chuckles]

It's done.We're done? Yes!

Yes!

Amazing. Thank you.

Oh, my gosh.

See? Told you she could fix this.

REPORTER: In breaking news tonight, earlier this evening,

a burglary at Triple A Pawnbrokers,

interrupting a 104-day crime-free streak

in North Portland.

Local man Brian McAtee has been identified

as the suspect, and is being arrested

here at his uncle's home.

I-I didn't do it!

And my lawyer Margaret Wright will prove my innocence.

I didn't do it!

♪

MARGARET: All right, Brian, tell me what happened.

BRIAN: I was asleep, and the cops busted in

and arrested me.

Uh-huh.It's insane.

I didn't even know why they were arresting me.

I-I didn't rob anybody.

Well, it says here that $5,000 in cash,

some jewelry and various other items were stolen.

Where were you last night?

I was at home babysitting my cousin Danny.

All night.

Three different security cameras captured your car

within blocks of Triple A Pawnbrokers at around 11:00 p.m.

No, that's impossible. I never even left the house.

I... [scoffs] I drank a few beers

while watching the Trailblazers game, and then

passed out on the couch after the third quarter.

Well, that is the same excuse that you used

for your trespassing charges.

You got drunk and passed out.

And you were supposed to be babysitting at the time?

Okay, so I got a few things I gotta work on.

You're lucky your uncle posted bail.

I hope you appreciate all he's done for you.

I know. I know.

I have to prepare for your arraignment.

I will see you at the courthouse later today.

Be on time.

I'm screwed.

Stupid idiot.[sighs]

He robbed a pawn shop, Todd. A pawn shop.

And he announced to all of Portland

that I am his lawyer.

But you are his lawyer,

and you can clear his name, right?

He's guilty. And I don't have time for this case.

No, he's innocent. And this is important.

He's a criminal, his car was there, he has a record.

He did it.No. It looks bad, I know.

But in my gut I know he didn't do it.

I believe in him.

He's right in the middle of trying to turn his life around.

Why would he screw everything up

by robbing some stupid pawn shop?

Gee, you tell me, Todd.

Why would someone screw up their entire life

by doing something illegal?

But I bounced back.

Mm.With your help.

Right? And look at me now,

a productive member of society putting on my pants

and going to work every day.

If putting on your pants is the bar,

then I have failed as a mother.

No, do not come in here!

This door is closed to you.

I need to go waste some more of my billable hours

doing the job of a public defender.

Well, thank you, greedy lady lawyer,

for deigning to help my peasant friend

with his expensive legal woes.

I don't want to hear it.You know what, I'm gonna go over

to that pawn shop and figure out who really did this.

You are pouring your time and mine down the toilet.

Maybe Brian has a lookalike or a car-a-like.

Or maybe the pawn shop owner robbed himself.

Oh, my God, you're right.

Maybe he did. It could be insurance fraud.

I know fraud.Yes, you do.

That pawn shop is a crime scene for the next 48 hours,

and no one is going to speak to you or let you in.

Oh, won't they? [chuckles]

TODD: Pawnbrokers. Here we go.

Wait, I'm not--

Are you sure your mom okayed this? I'm not sure I...

It's fine. Just do what we said.

Here, hold my arm.

No, no, no. Sorry, we're closed.

We got robbed, and, uh,

the police are still doing their thing,

and on top of everything, my heat isn't working.

It's freezing in here.My God, that's awful.

But we really need to get a price

on this ring right away.

We just got married... in Venice.

Venice, city of water and love. How wonderful.

But now we need the money...

for the lifesaving surgery...

on his brain.

Oh, you poor, beautiful, sweet kids.

Mm-hmm.

All right, all right. Give me a second.

Give me a second.

So robbed, huh? Robbed.

Did they break a window to get in here or...

Nah, no sign of forced entry.

But the front door was wide open,

so they must have picked the lock.

Uh-huh.And they somehow

turned the power off, which knocks out the security cameras.

That was money well spent.

You don't have a generator?

It's busted.

Just like my last marriage.[all chuckle]

But you two give me hope. Okay, let's see.

Oh, hey, lovely cut.

Clarity, color...

But at least you didn't get wiped out.

I mean, your insurance should pay for

all the stolen property, right?What insurance?

I got rid of it when I got the cameras.

Then they go out, can't win.

I can offer you maybe $6,500 for the ring.

Oh, wow. Okay. Not bad.

How much money did we spend again for the ring, sweetheart?

$117,000.

What?!Didn't you buy this?

No. Oh, yes. No. Family heirloom.

My grandmother was a surgeon.

She found it inside somebody dead.

Wait, I have to ask.

Your only security was the cameras?

Does that seem prudent? What with all of your inventory

displayed like this in easily accessible glass cases?

I don't know prudent. We had a security guard, too,

but he was useless.

I let him go a few months ago.

And has someone followed up with him

as a potential suspect?Yes.

I gave them his name.

As a matter of fact, I thought that disgruntled jerk

might have been behind all of this

until the police, you know, nabbed the real guy.

Uh-huh. Wait, the security guard.

I think I know him.

Uh, Kinky Beaderman?Kinky what?

Kinky Beaderman.

No. No?

Grady Tibbels.

Grady Tibbels, of course.

Anyway, good luck on your surgery.

You two make a beautiful couple.

You're gonna be fine, huh?

He understands me, right?

Oh, uh, wait. Um, so, the ring.

What are we doing? Do you want the money, or...

Oh, thank you so much for the estimate,

but I think we're gonna hold out for a better offer.Mm-hmm.

Let's go.Okay.

Your mom did not approve of this.

Yeah, but I approved of it, and she can deal with it.

And "Kinky Beaderman"?

That'sthe name you came up with?

That name alwaysworks.

Not guilty.

Your Honor, given the defendant's criminal record,

the state asks that you revoke bail

and place him back into custody

until his preliminary hearing.

Your Honor, this charge is not a violent felony.

Might I remind you that Mr. McAtee

was just here being arraigned on a different charge?

That has nothing to do with today's arraignment.

Exactly. Today'sarraignment.

Yesterday was a misdemeanor charge,

today a felony.

What new charge can we look forward to tomorrow?

JUDGE: All right, Mr. McAtee will wear an ankle monitor,

and cannot travel outside of the county.

What? For real?JUDGE: The court will set a date

for his preliminary hearing.

"It's not like he's gonna run out and rob a bank."

Go ahead.

What happens now?

Uh, I suggest we consider a plea deal.

But he just pled not guilty.

He's facing ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine.

He has no sound alibi, he has an extensive rap sheet.

Yeah, I feared this day would come.

His dad is a lowlife.

I wasn't around enough.

I was working too hard trying to keep these kids alive.

This is all my fault.

I understand how you feel,

but you can't blame yourself.

Parenting is hard, and if you're

doing it alone, it's impossible.You think he did it.

I don't know.[sighs]

But with a plea deal,

we might be able to get a reduced sentence.

It's all my fault, damn it.

How long before this one's behind bars?

Danny, come on.

Let's go.

Brand-new 80-inch 4K TV, huh?

Where'd we get the money for that, Mr. Grady Tibbels?

[camera shutter clicking]

What the hell are you doing here?

Tell me why you're creeping around my house

or I'm gonna blow your frickin' brains out!

Hey, hey, hey. There's no need to threaten the guy

who's here to save you money on your heating and cooling bills.

You know, I noticed that your windows are--

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Your name is Grady Tibbels,

and at least ten people know I'm here.

And scrubbing my brain matter

off all this brick would be extremely difficult.

How do you know my name?

I'm a private investigator.

Wow, I haven't been able to say that legitimately

for a long time. Please don't kill me.

Is this about my ex-girlfriend? The paternity test?

Or my ex-wife? Her paternity test?

Is this about maybe the money I borrowed

from that loan shark, or the boat that I stole?

No, to all of that.

Wait, you stole a boat?

Then why are you here?!

Triple A Pawnbrokers was robbed last night,

and I was wondering if you...

[laughs] That dump?

Too bad. I was parked at a poker table

at Spirit Mountain Casino the whole night.

Cameras everywhere.

[sighs sharply]

Did you try the cameras at the pawn shop?

The thief turned off the power and killed them.

Not all of 'em.

What does that mean?

I'm not a snitch.

Okay, but I am,

and I have a few friends who are process servers

who would love to know where to find you

and this little boat you stole.

[sighs]

The owner of the place next to the pawn shop,

he's a real weirdo.

He's into feet. Like, human feet.

Okay.

So he rigged up this hidden camera next to the sidewalk.

It's battery operated.

Uh-huh.

Maybe it caught something.

Were you able to get anything out of that camera?

Oh, you did it. Oh, is this...

Oh. Oh!

What the hell are you working on?

It's, uh, the...

Does she-- Does that person know about the camera?

Yes. They've been back and forth in front of that place 20 times

in 20 different pairs of freak shoes. Huh.

I don't have time for this.

I'm working on the Collins murder/suicide trial.

Oh, you're so lucky.

LYLE: Where in Sam Hill did you find this?

On the sidewalk near the pawn shop.

It's a long story.

Can't we just fast-forward to nighttime?

Just zip ahead?

Be my guest.

Thanks a lot for turning my expense report in

to my mom, by the way.

I can't believe you did that.

I can't believe you spent $370

on a porcelain figurine of Harriet the Spy.

It's the 60th anniversary!

She's got her little spy notebook, and...

I mean, it's very cool.

Very delicate and broke way too easily, but very cool.

Wait, wait. Okay.

Here we go.

No... way.

TODD: So we need to go up to the house

and see if Johnny or Brian are home.

MARGARET: And they were his feet?

Mm-hmm.You're sure of it?

Johnny's feet in his boots?Yes. Yes. Yes.

I saw Johnny wearing these exact boots with the same orange

sticker or price tag or whatever in the courtroom. It was him.

A sticker on a boot is not enough evidence for me

to go charging into someone's home and accuse them of a crime.

Okay. Well, Johnny has access to Brian's car.

And late that night, his boots walked right up

into the pawn shop and straight in the front door.

So he has a key? He unlocked it?

The owner said the lock was picked, so either that,

or he dropped down the chimney like Santa Claus.

But these are Johnny's boots, he did it,

and Brian is innocent.[siren chirps]

Oh, wonderful.

Now what?

Come on.

[Danny laughs]

Officers, what... what is going on here?

I am the attorney representing

this child's cousin, Brian McAtee.

Your client cut off his ankle bracelet and fled.

No, no, no, no, that can't be right.

He fled? [scoffs]

Are-are you sure?

[clears throat]

[exhales]

DANNY:Gotcha!

[grunts] Dude! In your face! Kill shot!

Who is he talking to?

The person he's playing the video game with.

DANNY:Get him!Through the headset?

He's playing someone online, Mom.

DANNY: Yes! [laughs]Oh.

Danny?

Do you remember us from the courthouse?

Do you know where Brian is?

Hello, I'm Alice Garrison.

Johnny asked me to watch Danny tonight.

[quietly]: He wasn't comfortable leaving him alone with Brian

after, you know, everything that's happened.

POLICEWOMAN: We've got patrols looking out for Brian.

He won't get far.POLICEMAN: And in my experience,

when they run, they're guilty.

POLICEWOMAN: Ma'am, can we ask you a few more questions?

Danny?

Do you have any idea where your father is?

Want some?

Oh, uh, no, no. No, thank you.

This suit is very clean, and those are very

unhealthy and bad for you.

Are you sure you don't know where your dad is?

He's here.

Huh.

Todd, I need you to call this numb...

Todd?

Todd?

Where are you going?

I need to find Brian to convince him to turn himself in.

Maybe he's at the bus station or the airport,

or-- I don't know--

sleeping on a bench somewhere.

The police will find him.No, no, no.

I'm gonna find him first. He's probably just drunk,

and stupidly hiding out in some bar somewhere.

A tiger's spots don't change, right?

Or whatever that saying is.Todd,

as much as we might want to,

we can't always save our clients from themselves.

So, I should just give up on him?

A lawyer doesn't give up on their clients.

They build the best defense they can,

even when they disappoint us.

Now come on.

We need to go talk to Johnny about his boots.

I mean, whatever, the boots. Brian took off.

He cut his ankle monitor and ran.

Does that sound like an innocent person to you?

Todd, you asked me to take this case, and I did.

And I am going to see it through.

Johnny and Danny deserve that.

But Brian doesn't?

I'm gonna find him.

Or at least... I'm gonna look.

[cheering, whistling]

♪ So hot like a diamond bright, no, I ain't got kryptonite ♪

♪ Living in the fast lane, speed of light ♪

♪ I bring the bass, I got the juice ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm the boss, I make the moves ♪

♪ I bring the bass, I got the juice ♪

♪ I bring the boom.

So, uh, Johnny, you're a male entert...

Uh, you're an adult...

Uh... you're a stripper.

[laughs] Just at night.

Oh.One paycheck ain't cutting it anymore.

Not with two mouths to feed.

And-and this was your only option?

Don't judge. It's legal, and the good Lord blessed me

with a little bit of rhythm and a cute ass.

Oh.I'll do whatever I need to

to take care of my family.

I understand completely, and I'm not judging.

I mean, maybe if I'd had the... body,

I would have done the same thing when my first husband died.

You're a widow.

How long?

I wasa widow for, um, 15 years.

Eight. It's weird, isn't it?

Raising kids by yourself

when you thought you'd be doing it together... forever?

Yes. I-I never imagined

I'd be having that conversation here,

but, um, yes, it is weird.

[laughs]

Um, aren't you cold?

Hell no! I'm burning up!

Dancing's a great workout.

And you were here the night of the robbery

with your boots?

Yup. And a number of my regular clients could confirm that.

But Brian has those same boots.

I bought two pairs. Sale at Walmart.

I don't know how to tell you this,

but we were over at your house earlier-- Todd and I--

and-and the cops were there,

and they were looking for Brian.

He's cut off his ankle bracelet and fled.

What?! Cops?!Yes.

Where's Danny?Well, he's...

Well, he's fine. Please.

[high-pitched]: No! Sit...

back down, please.

Um, Mrs. Garrison is still watching him.

I can't believe Brian

would do something so stupid!

Damn it. I love him as if he's my own son,

but he just keeps breaking my heart.

He needs to turn himself in,

or he's going to end up in prison, just like his father.

His father isn't in prison.

Not anymore.

Ray got out about a year ago.

He did? Does Brian know that?

I didn't tell him.

His dad is bad news.

What was his father in prison for?

Burglary. Like father, like son, huh?

Ray worked as a heat and air conditioning repairman,

and he robbed a bunch of his clients.

Ah. And he lives in Portland?

Lives in Salem. Fat Bass Trailer Park.

Court notified me when he got out.

There may still be hope for Brian.

Thank you very much.

[shrieks] Okay.

I'm... I'm so sorry.

[knocking]

Well, hello there.

Ray McAtee? I'm here about your son, Brian.

Do you have a moment?

Sure. Sure, come on in.

Get you a beer.

Well, um, I'm sorry to disturb you,

but, uh, I'm-I'm a friend of your son, Brian's, and

I was just wondering if-if you've spoken to him

since you were released from prison?

I'm sorry to say I haven't.

Ah.

Why, thank you.

No, not since, uh, he was growing his first

chest hair and my jerk brother,

Johnny, stole him from me.

And-and how did he do that?

He called social services, said I was an unfit parent.

Unfit, my ass.

Now that you are a free man,

how is it that you support yourself?

I do what I can to scrape by.

Once I get my HVAC business going again,

I'll be stacking the cash.

You had your own business?

Yeah, before I got locked up, I used to fix HVAC systems.

I was damn good at it, too.

Look, I'm just saying, people are gossiping about Mom.

Oh, no! Gossip!Shut up.

And Chuck's mom just heard some crazy thing

about Harry being in a cult.

And it wouldn't kill you to take Mom

to some symphony benefit

nonsense gala thing that she loves

so she doesn't have to go alone or miss it.

Um, no. No thanks. I'd rather eat glass, thank you very much.

Really? You'd rather eat glass?

That's a little overdramatic.Really?

I think, if anything, it's under-dramatic.

Allison and I went to the Philip Glass Symphony once.

Lawrence and I wanted to go. Did you enjoy it?

Not really.I don't care about supporting the symphony.

But you're not going to support the symphony.

You're going to support Mom.

I've had a really bad day,

week, and two-year stretch, so, no,

I'm not going with Mom to face off with her mortal frenemies

in ball gowns while she lies

about her whole life being so wonderful.

Wow. Sounds like you really did have a bad day. What happened?

Don't encourage him.

Why, thank you for asking, Chuck.

I'm sure Allison remembers Brian McAtee?

Yeah, he used to come into the mini mart where I worked

in high school and shoplift beer for his dad.

And you let him do that?

Yeah, I'm the bad guy in this story, babe.

What about him?

Oh, he's just missing, on the run,

wanted by the police, and most likely,

guilty and going to jail forever.

And I've been looking for him everywhere, and cannot find him.

So it's been super, super fun. It's like a really great,

awful weight on my shoulders that I'll never be free of.

Hooray! Can I have the meat, please?

I don't want to talk about this anymore.

[door opens]MARGARET: Todd? Todd, where are you?

Ugh. I have been looking everywhere for you.

He's been right here at dinner where you

were supposed to be an hour ago. I have left messages on your voice machine. I...

Look, I don't want to hear it, okay?

You were right about Brian, all right?

He's a big old loser.I know, but Todd, I hav

to tell you something.He'll never have a house,

he'll never have a normal life.But Todd...

He'll never have a mudroom, or a job

that pays him six figures, he'll never

have a tie that you approve of.

He's guilty, okay?Stop talking for five seconds,

so I can... No, Todd! No.

Brian is innocent.

Okay, so what are we doing here, and what the hell is this?

It's an HVAC, or an H-WHACK, or I don't know. I don't know.

Uh, it's the heating and the air conditioning.

And-and Brian's father told me that he used to repair these.

So, I looked up his record, and turns out that he burglarized

a bunch of businesses that he serviced.

Okay. Did he work on this, here?

I have no idea, but my gut tells me

that he broke into this building,

and this air... thing helped him somehow.

Huh. The pawn shop guy did say his heating wasn't working.

[gasps] Yes. Good. Okay.

Great. Get on up there!

Get on up there?

You shimmy up the side.

What? What am I, The Human Snake?

Todd, he might have broken in through that vent right there.

So, go!All right. Uh, okay, look.

Look, I'm gonna... Hang on.Yes. Oh.

Good. Yes. Ladder. Smart.[mumbles]

Okay. [groans]What? Oh, Todd, that's...

You just stand there and do nothing. I'll do everything.

No, no, I'll help. Just up here. Yes, up here.

Just please help. I...

Oh, good. That way.That's a real team effort. Thanks, Mom.

Appreciate it.Now be careful you don't get a splinter,

sweetheart.I got it.

Yeah. That's it. Perfect.[groans]

Good. Higher. Higher.

All right.Yes. And now faster, faster.

Hurry up. Go, go, go, go.

And, uh, be careful. Don't break your neck.

Well, which is it? Go faster, or don't break my neck?

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Can you hold this, please?

Steady me?Okay. Go ahead.

Okay. [groans]

Good.[groans]

[sighs] Nope.

No way any adult human could fit in here.

It's-it's a small hole.

Okay, well, now take that cover thing off

and reach around inside.

Okay.

Good.

Stick your head in.

Stick my head in?

Uh-huh.[sighs]

Squeeze on in there!

It's too small!

I'm telling you, there's nothing in here.

Do I have to do everything myself?

The one little thing that I asked you to do.

No, no, no, no, no. What are you doing?!

I asked you to get in there. That's what I asked you to do,

is get in there.Do not climb up.

This is not meant for two people.

And look inside and look for evidence.

That's what I'm asking you to do.

At least take my hand, please.Okay.

Hold me. Hold me. Okay.I got you. I got you. Look.

Okay.See for yourself.

See? Nothing in there. What?[gasps]

What is on your hand?

I don't know. Toxic vent dust,

orange asbestos. Taste it.

What?Taste it.

No. Ew! It's...

cheesy.

Danny.Danny?

Like Santa down the chimney.

MARGARET: So, let's talk about that night

that you went for a ride with Uncle Ray.

You mean in Brian's car?

Yes, sweetheart.

In Brian's car. Where did you go?

If I tell you, Uncle Ray won't play games with me anymore,

and I like playing with him.

You play games with your Uncle Ray online?

It's okay.

Answer the question, Danny.

We went to help Uncle Ray's friend.

What kind of help did he need?

He locked himself out of his store.Mm-hmm.

So me and Uncle Ray needed to get in the shop

through the secret door and bring him stuff.

What, uh... what kind of stuff?

Money and coins, jewelry.

As much as we could carry without dropping.

And where was that secret door that led you down into the shop?

In the back.

It's small,

but I went through the hole

just like Uncle Ray taught me.

It was pretty fun, I guess.

[sighs]

Is this because Uncle Ray stole Brian's shoes?

I told him he had

to put them back.

I'm sorry.

Hey, it's okay, son. It's okay. Come here.

You didn't do anything wrong.

We have to find Brian.

Did you call his new number?

No.

Well, what else was I gonna do?

Not run. I was afraid you were drunk somewhere in a ditch.

Just... I didn't see a way out.

It's... it's like I couldn't handle the stress, man.

Yeah, you definitely need some better coping skills.

And you got to stay out of trouble.

My mom's not always gonna be around to bail you out

and give you my ties.

I'm gonna get my act together.

For real this time.Yeah.

Gonna stop drinking. I don't know.

AA, group therapy.

Maybe some Anthony Robbins-like badge

of personal achievement kind of deal. [laughs]

Whatever works.

Hey, do you think I could keep the tie?

Considering the recent developments,

there's no reason to pursue this matter any further.

This case, along with the violation

of the terms of the ankle monitor,

is dismissed.[Brian and Margaret exhale]

Thank you so much, Mrs. Wright.

How am I ever gonna repay you?

Well, you could start with no more trespassing.

Gotcha.

Be grateful for your uncle.

On it.

And Brian, I am... so sorry

I didn't believe in you.

Oh.Oh, hey.

Hey. Hi.Hi.

Your mom just texted me. Brian's off the hook?

Yes! Redeemed in the eyes of society. For now.

He'll be okay. For now.

I can't believe his own father was trying

to frame him for a crime.

Yeah, well, this is why parenting is tricky,

and why people shouldn't have any more babies.

No more babies.No! No more babies.

Not for a while, no.

I mean, why would you want to bring a baby

into the world right now?

You're not having a baby, are you?

It's actually illegal for you to be asking me that.

Oh.But no, not yet.

We are having a baby in November.

Huh?Of 2025.

In three years.

Oh. So, you have a plan, like, a family plan?

Yup, we have a plan.

We?Yeah.

I mean, without a plan, how are we gonna frame this baby

for a pawn shop heist?

Right, well, try to pull that off

while it's still small enough to crawl through a heating duct.

I think they stay small for a while.

[elevator bell dings]

Uh, anyway, gotta go.

Sure.But, uh, congrats

to "redeemed in the eyes of society" Brian.

Yeah.

You-- not so much.

Thanks. Thank you. Thanks a lot.

Wow. You look great, Mom.

Thanks. And Chuck's tux almost fits you perfectly.

Hmm.

Are these for me? These flowers

that my neighbor, Mrs. Jackson, threw in the trash last night?

Well, they're still alive, and they're new to you.

Oh, uh, anything else on that other matter?

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Check this out.

[laughing]: Oh.

Right now?

[line ringing]

Margaret! Oh, hello. Where are you? Are you coming tonight?

Hi, girls. Yes, of course.

My date was late, but he's just arrived.

BOTH: Date?

What about Harry?Who is it?

Oh, it's just a handsome young man that I know.

Harry and I... have split.

But you knew that, didn't you?

I mean, the way you've been gossiping about me,

all around town, which is so unkind,

and frankly, it's ill-advised.

I mean, Desiree, how would you feel if somebody found out

that your husband had been let go from a job

because of inappropriate behavior?

Or...

that you have been having long lunches

every afternoon at The Heathman,

oh, with Erica's husband?

[laughs]TODD: Oh.

See you at the gala, ladies!

That was cold.

[exhales] Ice-cold. Come.

Wow.

Ah.

This is for you.

Mm-hmm.

It's your old copy of Harriet the Spy.

Wow! I didn't know we still had this!

Thank you. Thank you.

Was this in one of my old boxes?

Where are my boxes, by the way?

You still have my stuff, right?

You didn't throw my stuff away?

Mom? It was only three boxes!

It was four boxes.