Original subtitles

♪ ♪

♪ it's cold ♪ a plain

♪ a plain diamond ♪

Diamond ♪ ♪ nobody's here,

♪ nobody's here, just empty space ♪

Just empty space ♪ oh, Sylvia.

Oh, Sylvia. ♪ it's all moving,

♪ it's all moving, breathing ♪

Breathing ♪ ♪ stuck to the ceiling

♪ stuck to the ceiling this is suicidal plagiarism.

♪ And what we had don't mean a thing ♪

Don't mean a thing ♪ ♪ oh

♪ oh ♪ oh-oh-oh-oh

♪ oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ oh-oh

♪ oh-oh ♪ oh

♪ oh ♪ oh-oh-oh-oh

♪ oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ oh-oh

♪ oh-oh ♪ oh

♪ oh ♪ oh-oh-oh-oh

♪ oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ oh-oh

♪ oh-oh ♪ oh

♪ oh ♪ oh-oh-oh

oblivion receding, the abyss opening,

the abyss opening, the screaming dirt of chaos

the screaming dirt of chaos blinding.

Blinding. Strong meter, Amy.

Strong meter, Amy. Strong words.

Strong words. Thank you.

Thank you. Mazel tov.

Mazel tov. Josh?

Josh? You're up next.

You're up next. Good.

I love your words.

This is "emerald ambrosia: An ode to absinthe."

An ode to absinthe." Picture it with no punctuation,

picture it with no punctuation, because there is none.

On campus.

Your turn. Oh.

Oh. [ Both chuckle ]

Whoa! Yep.

Yep. Just...Okay, yank it.

Are you still a virgin? No, no, I'm not, actually.

No, no, I'm not, actually. It's beautiful.

It's beautiful. Your poetry is really beautiful.

I feel like I can see inside of you.

You. [ Chuckles ]

I want to be inside of you.

Be inside of you. Here?E of you.

Here?E of you. Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. [ Rattling ]

[ Rattling ] What was that?

What was that? Nothing.

Nothing. Wait, wait, wait.

Wait, wait, wait. Just relax. Just relax.

[ Laughs ] What are you doing?!

What are you doing?! Easy, easy!

Easy, easy! Come on! It's art!

Come on! It's art! Stop! Whoa whoa!

Amy...

Your dirt metaphor's a cliché, and your poetry sucks!

[ Siren wails in distance ]

[ Playing fight song ]

I hate that song. Me too.

Me too. [ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ] By the way, what a

by the way, what a misogynistic pig.

Misogynistic pig. You should have castrated that

you should have castrated that guy.

Guy. [ Scoffs ]

[ Scoffs ] I don't even care anymore,

I don't even care anymore, you know?

You know? I'm resilient.

I'm resilient. I'd like to share something with

I'd like to share something with you.

"Amnesiac magazine grins, feeding from the mall,

feeding from the mall, polyblend combustion burning

polyblend combustion burning on the escalator to nowhere."

On the escalator to nowhere." Oh, my God, I think I just

oh, my God, I think I just got my period.

So haunting, so ahead of its time -- it's practically

time -- it's practically ancient.

Ancient. 1989.

Shit.

Soon, we'll be free of this hellhole.

[ Rock music plays ] ♪ ...In a golden cage

as the days died early, she longed escape from her cage.

She longed escape from her cage. ♪ ...In the rain

♪ ...in the rain ♪ white bird

♪ white bird in a golden cage ♪

In a golden cage ♪ thanks, mom!

Here, honey. These were on the printers.

These were on the printers. You have a lot of submissions.

You have a lot of submissions. There's a small reading fee

there's a small reading fee for a few of the reviews.

For a few of the reviews. Small? How small?

Small? How small? Well, um, a lot of the

well, um, a lot of the reviews have prizes.

Reviews have prizes. Like, the finger lakes' prize

like, the finger lakes' prize is $1,000, and I'm a shoo-in.

Is $1,000, and I'm a shoo-in. You're only eligible if you're

you're only eligible if you're an unpublished, female poet

an unpublished, female poet under the age of 25 from upstate

under the age of 25 from upstate New York.

New York. So...Hello.

So...Hello. Hello!

Hello! Hello.

Dad, can I get some stamp money?

Money? Amy, you know we believe in

Amy, you know we believe in your talent, and we know how

your talent, and we know how special you really are, but, um,

special you really are, but, um, we can't afford to subsidize

we can't afford to subsidize your poetry career.

Your poetry career. Okay, I know it seems like

okay, I know it seems like I'm not really doing anything

I'm not really doing anything right now, but I am writing

right now, but I am writing nonstop, all the time.

Nonstop, all the time. Things are pouring out of me you

things are pouring out of me you wouldn't even believe.

Wouldn't even believe. I could have a volume of poetry

I could have a volume of poetry in a week.

In a week. I mean, I'm feeling a lot.

I mean, I'm feeling a lot. I'm thinking a lot.

I'm thinking a lot. I'm...I'm inspired, dad.

I'm...I'm inspired, dad. I'm inspired!

I'm inspired! Sweetie, you've got $90,000

sweetie, you've got $90,000 in student loans, and you've

in student loans, and you've already spent a couple of

already spent a couple of thousand on these submissions.

Thousand on these submissions. So, we can give you an extension

so, we can give you an extension for another week, but, after

for another week, but, after that, no more.

That, no more. We just have to cut the

we just have to cut the umbilical cord.

Umbilical cord. So...

Let's see what happens with those.

And here's some stamp money... [ Birds chirping ]

Just until you win the pulitzer. I love you.

I love you. Thanks, dad.

I will suffer through this!

Yes.

Twice a week would be wonderful.

Wonderful. I could pay you $4.25 an hour.

It was a sign... Literally and figuratively.

[ Car beeping ]

Hi, hon.

Need some help? No, I-I...I didn't mean to

no, I-I...I didn't mean to come in.

Come in. You come about the job?

You come about the job? No! No, no, no, no.

No! No, no, no, no. Not at...

Not at... Sorry.

Sorry.

It won't bite you. Oh!

Oh! [ Laughs nervously ]

[ Door slams ]

[ Car beeping ]

Ew! [ Panting ]

[ Engine turns over ]

Nope. Sorry. We're not hiring.

We're not hiring. I could be a real asset here.

I could be a real asset here. I know everything there is to

I know everything there is to know about poetry.

Know about poetry. Rat billings is doing a signing

rat billings is doing a signing here at this bookstore?

Here at this bookstore? Yeah, you like him?

Yeah, you like him? Like?!

Like?! "The squalor of splendor" is one

"the squalor of splendor" is one of my favorite poems ever

of my favorite poems ever written.

Written. He was 18 when he did that.

He was 18 when he did that. It's the best thing he ever did.

It's the best thing he ever did. He's a good training-wheels

he's a good training-wheels poet if you're not ready for the

poet if you're not ready for the great ones yet.

Great ones yet. Rat billings is the great.

Salinger worked in a meat-processing plant.

Meat-processing plant. Stanley, this nice, young

Stanley, this nice, young woman has come in about the job.

Woman has come in about the job. My friends know where I am!

Sorry. C-come on.

Go on. Don't be afraid.

Got any experience working retail?

Retail? Actually, no.

Actually, no. Oh.

Oh. Are you at all familiar with our

are you at all familiar with our inventory?

Inventory? More or less.

More or less. Tell her about our insurance.

Tell her about our insurance. Insurance?

Does this mean I got the job?

We try to take care of our people, so we provide some basic

people, so we provide some basic health coverage.

Health coverage. Thank you.

Thank you. [ Both laugh ]

My darling.

Pretty much a mom-and-pop operation.

Operation. Mary Anne likes to do the

Mary Anne likes to do the ordering.

Ordering. I know the merchandise

I know the merchandise better.

Better. I had a question.

I had a question. When do I --

when do I -- you get paid on Fridays,

you get paid on Fridays, every two weeks.

Every two weeks. Great.

Great. Hi. I'm Alex.

Hi. I'm Alex. I'm the manager.

I'm the manager. Amy.

Amy. Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you. And I'm Rick.

And I'm Rick. Hi.

Hi. Rick.

Rick. We talked about this.

We talked about this. Rick doesn't work here.

Rick doesn't work here. And you should probably wash

and you should probably wash your hand.

Your hand. I'm just kidding.

Okay. [ Dog barks in distance ]

[ Dog barks in distance ] I got a job.

I got a job. That's great!

That's great! What?

What? See, Todd?

See, Todd? Oh, that's wonderful.

Oh, that's wonderful. Welcome to the adult world.

Welcome to the adult world. [ Coughs ]

[ Coughs ] So, aren't you gonna tell us

so, aren't you gonna tell us what it is?

What it is? What are you doing?

What are you doing? It's kind of an underground

it's kind of an underground art magazine type of thing.

Art magazine type of thing. I don't like you working

I don't like you working downtown after dark.

Downtown after dark. That's racist.

That's racist. [ Barking continues ]

I just want to take a minute to explain our filing system

to explain our filing system here, called "sparfs."

Here, called "sparfs." It's sexual preference, age,

it's sexual preference, age, race, fetish, size -- kind of

race, fetish, size -- kind of like the Dewey decimal system

like the Dewey decimal system for erotica.

For erotica. [ Chuckles ]

Anyway, this one right here, they're old, they're black, and

they're old, they're black, and they're gay.

They're gay. But they wouldn't go in the

but they wouldn't go in the "old" section.

"Old" section. They'd go in the gay area,

they'd go in the gay area, 'cause they're gay.

That's the sexual preference.

[ Softly ] Oh, my God. And then...

You know, and then it'd go in the "old" section and then the

the "old" section and then the "black" section, the "black"

"black" section, the "black" subsection of the "gay, old"

subsection of the "gay, old" section.

Section. Anyway, like any great rule of

anyway, like any great rule of thumb, there are a few

thumb, there are a few exception to sparfs.

Exception to sparfs. A green dot...

A green dot... Who puts on the dots?

Who puts on the dots? No one knows.

No one knows. It's a mystery.

It's a mystery. [ Laughs ]

It's really easy to remember. Sexual preference, age...

Sexual preference, age... Race, fetish...

Race, fetish... ...Race, fetish...

...race, fetish... ...Size.

...size. ...Size.

...size. I memorize it just, like, by

I memorize it just, like, by the rap.

The rap. ♪ sexual preference

♪ sexual preference ♪ age, race, fetish, size

♪ age, race, fetish, size ♪ sexual preference

♪ sexual preference ♪ age, race, fetish, size

♪ age, race, fetish, size it's pretty easy to remember

it's pretty easy to remember that way, if you do that.

That way, if you do that. I'm doing it in my head.

I'm doing it in my head. I don't want to do it out loud.

I don't want to do it out loud. When this gentleman wants to

when this gentleman wants to check out a video, you get his

check out a video, you get his card.

Card. That's got membership info,

that's got membership info, notes written by employees.

Notes written by employees. What are sticky video

what are sticky video returns?

Returns? [ Snorts ]

[ Snorts ] What?

What? Really? Okay.

Really? Okay. When that happens, we give him a

when that happens, we give him a copy of our customer policies.

Copy of our customer policies. There you go.

There you go. Reread that. Thank you.

Reread that. Thank you. Here you go.

Bye. Bye.

Bye. Happy first day.

Happy first day. Thanks.

Thanks. Have fun with your esoteric

have fun with your esoteric reading.

Reading. I'll see you tomorrow.

I'll see you tomorrow. Yeah!

Yeah! Bye!

Bye! Drive safe!

Drive safe! Thanks!

Hi. Wow. It's an old one.

Got to be 20 years old. Thank you.

Thank you. All right, who's next?

Hello. Hello.

Hi. Uh...What's your name?

Uh...What's your name? If you don't want to have

if you don't want to have your book signed, can you just

your book signed, can you just step out of the way, so that

step out of the way, so that people --

people -- yeah, I'm sorry.

Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!

I'm so sorry! I got it. I got it.

I got it. I got it. I got it.

I got it. No, I got it.

No, I got it. No, just -- let me just do

no, just -- let me just do this.

This. [ Door jingles ]

[ Door jingles ] It's fine.

Excuse me, Mr. billings?! Hi!

Hi! I am an enormous fan, like,

I am an enormous fan, like, crazy-big fan of yours!

Crazy-big fan of yours! Thank you.

Thank you. It's so nice to meet you.

It's so nice to meet you. We met inside.

We met inside. I mean...You remember!

I mean...You remember! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I just wanted to say ignore

I just wanted to say ignore the reviews.

The reviews. Your new book is tremendous.

Your new book is tremendous. The New York times really has no

the New York times really has no taste anymore.

Taste anymore. I know.

I know. It's kind of a badge of honor,

it's kind of a badge of honor, really.

Really. I just love your work.

I just love your work. I just want to smash your head

I just want to smash your head open and take everything in

open and take everything in there!

There! That's...Lovely.

That's...Lovely. It really speaks to me.

It really speaks to me. What does it say?

What does it say? It says, "wake up.

It says, "wake up. Break free from the chrysalis

break free from the chrysalis of middle-class ennui that's

of middle-class ennui that's imprisoning you."

Imprisoning you." You're paraphrasing, of

you're paraphrasing, of course, huh?

Course, huh? Yeah.

Yeah. Well, I can't believe we're

well, I can't believe we're bantering like this.

Bantering like this. This is so cool!

This is so cool! Life is surreal, kid.

Life is surreal, kid. Your work -- the first time I

your work -- the first time I read it, I remember it so

read it, I remember it so clearly evolved me.

Clearly evolved me. [ Engine turns over ]

[ Engine turns over ] What did it evolve you into?

What did it evolve you into? An artiste.

An artiste. Try not to use the pupa

try not to use the pupa metaphor again, for the record.

Metaphor again, for the record. Um, you know, I thought maybe

um, you know, I thought maybe we could get together sometime.

We could get together sometime. You can give me some advice or

you can give me some advice or let me know how you got started.

Let me know how you got started. It's in the books.

It's in the books. Well, maybe we can get a

well, maybe we can get a coffee.

Coffee. You know, I stopped drinking

you know, I stopped drinking coffee 'cause my adrenal glands

coffee 'cause my adrenal glands are totally shot.

Are totally shot. Maybe we can just talk poet

maybe we can just talk poet to poet.

To poet. Perhaps.

Perhaps. You're an inspiration.

You're an inspiration. You, my dear, are an

you, my dear, are an apparition.

Apparition. Au revoir.

Au revoir. [ Panting ]

Au revoir, rat billings. [ Glass shatters ]

[ Glass shatters ] [ Engine turns over ]

[ Engine turns over ] Hey, hey!

Hey, hey! [ Tires screech ]

[ Tires screech ] That is not your -- come back

that is not your -- come back here!

Here! Hey!

Shit! Shit, shit, shit, mother, shit!

Shit, shit, shit, mother, shit! [ Sighs ]

♪ He knows your name, boy ♪ I'll write it down

♪ I'll write it down ♪ under Bridges, into town

♪ under Bridges, into town ♪ and watch it rusting,

♪ and watch it rusting, your father's crown ♪

Your father's crown ♪ ♪ and your mother...

♪ And your mother... Would you like personal

would you like personal lubricant or a key chain to go

lubricant or a key chain to go with your sexist videos?

That's very charming. You sure you're old enough to

you sure you're old enough to work here?

Work here? Yeah, I'm an adult.

Yeah, I'm an adult. I swear.

[ Knocks on counter ] See you, Mary Anne.

See you, Mary Anne. Bye, Roy.

Bye, Roy. Later.

Policemen shop here? Sure, same as everybody else.

Sure, same as everybody else. Well, yeah, but they're

well, yeah, but they're policemen.

Policemen. So?

So? We're not doing anything

we're not doing anything illegal.

Illegal. Yeah, but he's a person of

yeah, but he's a person of authority participating in the

authority participating in the subjugation of women.

His wife was in a skydiving accident.

Accident. She plummeted 10,000 feet, and

she plummeted 10,000 feet, and her chute didn't open.

Been in a coma for two years. He rents porn to stay faithful

he rents porn to stay faithful to her until Jesus takes her.

[ Laughs ] I'm kidding. I'm kidding.

Oh, okay. A lot of people like the

a lot of people like the old-school feel of browsing the

old-school feel of browsing the real shelves.

Real shelves. Plus, we have a ton of vintage

plus, we have a ton of vintage stuff you can't find online.

And the sex toys -- sometimes people don't want to wait.

People don't want to wait. Or have their mom open a fedex

or have their mom open a fedex box with their fleshlight in it.

Box with their fleshlight in it. Oh.

Oh. Who's on bathroom duty?

Who's on bathroom duty? Not I!

Not I! Not I.

Not I. I am.

I am. Oh.

All right. The brush is under the sink.

[ Door opens, closes ]

[ Urinal flushes ]

Oh, my God, there was --

anybody ever tell you it's rude to stare?

Rude to stare? I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I wasn't -- I wasn't staring.

I wasn't -- I wasn't staring. I was, but I didn't mean to.

I was, but I didn't mean to. So inappropriate.

So inappropriate. Hey! Be cool.

Hey! Be cool. Amy's all right.

Amy's all right. Amy, rubia.

Amy, rubia. Rubia, Amy.

Hi. So, your shift's over.

So, your shift's over. Do either of you guys know

do either of you guys know which bus goes to dewittshire?

Which bus goes to dewittshire? Oh, perfect.

Oh, perfect. Of course that's where you're

of course that's where you're from.

From. Why are you taking the bus?

Why are you taking the bus? My car was stolen.

My car was stolen. Shit. Are you okay?

Shit. Are you okay? Pretty sure I'm traumatized.

Pretty sure I'm traumatized. Man, I'm sorry.

Man, I'm sorry. I think the 5:15 goes that

I think the 5:15 goes that route.

Route. The 5:15 what?

The 5:15 what? [ Laughs ]

It's the bus route. Oh.

Rubia, you go that way, right?

Right? She can show you.

She can show you. Oh, that'd be great.

Oh, that'd be great. Really?

[ No audio ] I'm gonna rip your nuts off.

I'm gonna rip your nuts off. You know that?

You know that? Give me my battery, please.

What is this? It's a battery.

It's a battery. From where?

From where? A Cadillac.

You, like, paying your way through beauty school?

What? Why you work at a porn store

why you work at a porn store downtown?

Downtown? Oh, um, I'm a poet.

Oh, um, I'm a poet. Get out? Seriously?

Get out? Seriously? I'm probably gonna get

I'm probably gonna get published pretty soon.

Writing shit about new snow for the rich is not art.

It's like my favorite haiku.

That's cool.

I get my battery, please? Yeah.

Yeah. [ Grunts ]

[ Grunts ] Gracias.

Gracias. This is where you live?

This is where you live? Yeah, it's that glam building

yeah, it's that glam building down the alley, number 666 --

down the alley, number 666 -- El diablo!

Back door, Becky! Good night!

Good night! Hey, you forgot something!

Hey, you forgot something! Powder.

Good night.

Riding the bus is like being in mogadishu.

Um, I've been on the phone all day, and apparently someone

all day, and apparently someone canceled the theft policy on

canceled the theft policy on your car.

Well, that is bizarre. I said, "that's a mistake,"

I said, "that's a mistake," and then they sent me the signed

and then they sent me the signed letter of cancellation, and it's

letter of cancellation, and it's a poem.

That is a series of couplets. Is that the mail?

Is that the mail? The new yorker!

Please, please.

Rejected. Amy, do you know how

Amy, do you know how difficult this year has been?

Difficult this year has been? Why do we keep getting

why do we keep getting student-loan bills that are past

student-loan bills that are past due?

Due? Why did you cancel the insurance

why did you cancel the insurance on your car?

On your car? I don't have enough money

I don't have enough money for car insurance!

For car insurance! We give you money for your

we give you money for your insurance, and you spend it all

insurance, and you spend it all on literary contests!

On literary contests! It's an investment in my

it's an investment in my future.

Future. Stop being such a child.

Stop being such a child. Everyone needs to stop

everyone needs to stop calling me a child!

Calling me a child! You are a child.

♪ When you were small and crawled out the river,

and crawled out the river, we thought you were an animal ♪

We thought you were an animal ♪ ♪ then you were ten

♪ then you were ten ♪ your parents house,

♪ your parents house, it felt

it felt like a thousand years ago ♪

♪ LA LA-LA-LA-LA-LA

♪ LA LA-LA-LA-LA-LA

♪ and waters fall and living underwater ♪

And living underwater ♪ ♪ at the bottom

♪ at the bottom of a great black sea ♪

Of a great black sea ♪ ♪ silent and floating,

♪ silent and floating, there with my brothers ♪

There with my brothers ♪ ♪ now it don't mean much to me

♪ now it don't mean much to me ♪ LA...

♪ LA... All right.

All right. This is my last stop.

This is my last stop. Okay, um...

Okay, um... You think you could drop me off

you think you could drop me off where you dropped off my friend,

where you dropped off my friend, you know, the guy -- the girl.

You know, the guy -- the girl. Rubia?

Rubia? Yeah, that would be great.

Yeah, that would be great. ♪ in the radio's hot sun

♪ in the radio's hot sun ♪ we felt its light

♪ we felt its light right behind our eyes ♪

Rubia? Rubia?

Rubia? Ms. rubia?

Ms. rubia? It's me, Amy.

It's me, Amy. Remember?

Remember? Hello?

Hello? [ Sighs ]

My parents kicked me out. So, why'd you come here?

So, why'd you come here? I don't know any other bus

I don't know any other bus routes.

Routes. Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ. Come in.

Come in. Thank you.

[ Up-tempo Latin music plays ]

You're not sleeping on my bed.

Bed. That's -- that's fine.

That's -- that's fine. Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. I'll stay out of your hair.

I'll stay out of your hair. I promise.

What is that? It's crack.

It's crack. Oh, cool.

Oh, cool. [ Laughing ] I'm just

[ laughing ] I'm just kidding.

Kidding. It's medical marijuana.

It's medical marijuana. It's for my tmj.

It's for my tmj. Oh.

Oh. I don't do drugs.

I don't do drugs. You a poet?

You a poet? Take a hit.

Take a hit. You need to chill out.

You need to chill out. Come on, suburbia.

[ Coughing ]

You're pretty. I'm a diva.

Out of my way, please. Sorry.

Say something. You look like a cheap hooker.

You look like a cheap hooker. Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. I didn't mean to call you a

I didn't mean to call you a whore.

Whore. I mean, a hooker.

I mean, a hooker. I...

I... You're not either.

Shit, I do look like a hooker.

Hooker. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that

I don't know why I said that stuff.

Stuff. I think the drugs are talking.

I think the drugs are talking. Don't get cray.

At least I can trust you to be honest.

My teeth feel so big in my mouth right now.

Mouth right now. It's just pot, okay?

It's just pot, okay? It's not acid.

It's not acid. Don't your teeth feel huge?

Don't your teeth feel huge? Ginormous.

Ginormous. And sharp -- they're really

and sharp -- they're really sharp.

Sharp. You need to get them sanded

you need to get them sanded down.

Down. Teeth, teeth, teeth, teeth.

Teeth, teeth, teeth, teeth. ♪ took a long time

♪ took a long time to dig it ♪

To dig it ♪ ♪ but I found out

♪ but I found out you don't really dig me ♪

You don't really dig me ♪ ♪ mm-mm-mm

♪ mm-mm-mm [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] So, get your heels

so, get your heels a-clicking!

A-clicking! [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] ♪ baby, your light is out

♪ baby, your light is out ♪ oh, baby, your light is out

♪ oh, baby, your light is out ♪ baby, your light is out

♪ baby, your light is out

[ chanting ] We are the 99%! We are the 99%!

We are the 99%! Candace!

Candace! We are the 99%!

We are the 99%! We are the 99%!

We are the 99%! Candace!

Candace! Oh!

Oh! Oh, my God, you got my message!

Oh, my God, you got my message! How are you?

How are you? I'm so glad you came.

I'm so glad you came. You look great.

You look great. Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. Hey, Pablo, can you help her up?

Hey, Pablo, can you help her up? Please come up.

Please come up. I'm getting up.

I'm getting up. One, two, three!

One, two, three! Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. How are you? Oh, my God.

How are you? Oh, my God. It's so good to see you.

It's so good to see you. I'm so glad you're here.

I'm so glad you're here. How are you?

How are you? I'm so good. I'm so good.

I'm so good. I'm so good. After, like, Cuba and Darfur, I

after, like, Cuba and Darfur, I just realized that this is where

just realized that this is where I needed to be, you know what I

I needed to be, you know what I mean?

Mean? In our own decaying country

in our own decaying country instead of everywhere else.

Instead of everywhere else. Right!

Right! Well, great.

Well, great. I'm so happy for you.

I'm so happy for you. Oh, my God. Sorry.

Oh, my God. Sorry. Pablo?

Pablo? Pablo, this is Amy.

Pablo, this is Amy. Oh, hi.

Oh, hi. Pablo and I met hiking across

Pablo and I met hiking across Ecuador.

Ecuador. We met at the airport.

We met at the airport. No, we didn't.

No, we didn't. We met in Ecuador, with the

we met in Ecuador, with the organic chicken farm.

Organic chicken farm. Remember?

Remember? We met at the airport.

We met at the airport. No. He's so crazy.

No. He's so crazy. All right, I'm gonna go.

All right, I'm gonna go. I have to go.

I have to go. I have to go to work.

I have to go to work. No, no, stop.

No, no, stop. Come on. Join the movement.

Come on. Join the movement. Maybe next time.

Maybe next time. No, we need you.

No, we need you. It seems awesome, so, um,

it seems awesome, so, um, maybe next time.

Maybe next time. But I'll see you this weekend.

But I'll see you this weekend. Let's get together.

Let's get together. Love you.

Love you. Good to see you.

Good to see you. Nice to meet you, Pablo.

Nice to meet you, Pablo. Hell, no, we won't go!

Hell, no, we won't go! Hell, no, we won't go!

Hell, no, we won't go! Hell, no, we won't go!

Hell, no, we won't go! [ Vacuum humming ]

Um, I gave you a $100. $75.75?

$75.75? You're right.

You're right. I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking.

I wasn't thinking. Don't worry about it.

Don't worry about it. Everyone makes a mistake

everyone makes a mistake sometimes.

Sometimes. There you go.

There you go. Thanks.

Thanks. Enjoy!

Awesome. [ Door opens, closes ]

You okay? Every literary review in the

every literary review in the country hates me.

Country hates me. They don't hate you.

They don't hate you. I promise.

I promise. Oh, they do. Look.

Oh, they do. Look. Rejection letters, all of them.

Rejection letters, all of them. The new yorker, Harper's.

The new yorker, Harper's. Even the Southern Tallahassee

even the Southern Tallahassee poetry review hates me.

Poetry review hates me. [ Chuckles ]

[ Chuckles ] I'm running out of time.

I'm running out of time. Can't be a wunderkind past 22.

Can't be a wunderkind past 22. A lot of great writers

a lot of great writers weren't even recognized till

weren't even recognized till after they died.

After they died. I know.

I know. I've been thinking about that a

I've been thinking about that a lot lately.

What do you think of that? I think it's horrific.

I think it's horrific. The previous model, which

the previous model, which didn't even talk, sold like

didn't even talk, sold like hot cakes.

Hot cakes. I'm really beginning to think

I'm really beginning to think that everything in this world is

that everything in this world is cheap and plastic.

Cheap and plastic. Nah! These are high-quality.

Nah! These are high-quality. It says so right on the box

it says so right on the box there.

There. "Voice activation is initiated

"voice activation is initiated by penetrating one of the three

by penetrating one of the three lifelike cavities."

Lifelike cavities." [ Laughs ]

Do you want to do the honors? I don't want to touch her.

I don't want to touch her. No!

No! [ Rubber squeaking ]

[ Rubber squeaking ] Up and to the right, right?

Up and to the right, right? Do you know?

Do you know? I don't know.

I don't know. I think that's what I heard.

I think that's what I heard. Can you please stop doing

can you please stop doing that?

That? Ahh!

Ahh! Oh, God!

Oh, God! [ Laughing ] Oh, my God!

[ Laughing ] Oh, my God! Give it to me.

Give it to me. Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah. Give it to me good.

Give it to me good. Yeah.

Yeah. Oh, yeah. Give it to me good.

Oh, yeah. Give it to me good. It sounds like your dad.

It sounds like your dad. Ew!

This is just so not how my life was supposed to turn out.

I was supposed to do great things.

Things. I mean, I got good grades.

I mean, I got good grades. I won awards.

I won awards. I stayed true to my art and

I stayed true to my art and didn't let myself get distracted

didn't let myself get distracted by all that trivial stuff.

By all that trivial stuff. Like what?

You know, like, guys and stuff.

Stuff. [ Siren wails in distance ]

[ Siren wails in distance ] Wait.

Never? You a virgin?

You work at a porn store, surrounded by dildos, and you're

surrounded by dildos, and you're a virgin?

I assure you, the irony isn't lost to me.

Lost to me. Well...

You need to find somebody to help you along and teach you

help you along and teach you shit, somebody with connections.

Shit, somebody with connections. I had someone...

I had someone... Miss rowanna Sykes.

She was a wonderful woman. She taught me everything I know.

She taught me everything I know. How to sing from my diaphragm,

how to sing from my diaphragm, how to walk, how to love, how to

how to walk, how to love, how to talk mahjong.

Talk mahjong. [ Laughs ]

She passed away.

I'm sorry.

I still feel like an orphan.

Go to bed.

Wow! A blizzard! I need a letter from a past

I need a letter from a past landlord.

Landlord. It's such a crock!

It's such a crock! Well, you should ask your dad

well, you should ask your dad for a letter or something.

For a letter or something. Yeah, right.

Yeah, right. Maybe you can pretend to be my

maybe you can pretend to be my mom or something.

Mom or something. No, I could be your sister.

No, I could be your sister. You know, I'm 19 on craigslist,

you know, I'm 19 on craigslist, right?

Right? [ Gasps ]

[ Gasps ] Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. It's rat billings.

It's rat billings. Who's that?

Who's that? My favorite poet in the

my favorite poet in the world.

World. I'm obsessed with him!

I'm obsessed with him! Go talk to him.

Go talk to him. What are you doing?

What are you doing? Why are you hiding?

Hey, bubby, how you doing? How you doing, sugar mouth?

How you doing, sugar mouth? Ooh, brown-bagging it.

Ooh, brown-bagging it. You're a thug!

You're a thug! You know, girl.

What are you doing? Stop doing that!

Stop doing that! No, no, no, no, no!

No, no, no, no, no! We just found you a mentor,

we just found you a mentor, girl.

Oh, God, this is a bad idea.

Aah!

[ Up-tempo Latin music plays ]

So, who is this guy? What's the story?

What's the story? He's dark, and he's brooding.

He's dark, and he's brooding. You would think he was so sexy.

You would think he was so sexy. Seriously?

Seriously? Seriously.

Seriously. He kind of looked like

he kind of looked like Dracula to me.

Dracula to me. Well, that's kind of hot,

well, that's kind of hot, though, don't you think?

Though, don't you think? My thighs are gonna get real

my thighs are gonna get real after this.

After this. My God, hold on.

My God, hold on. [ Gasps ]

[ Gasps ] Hold on!

Hold on! Whoa!

Whoa! Aah!

Aah! [ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ] Come on. Keep going.

Come on. Keep going. I'm trying!

I'm trying! Oh, my God!

Oh, my God! I'm just trying to help.

I'm just trying to help. We're gonna lose him.

We're gonna lose him. No, I got this.

No, I got this. We're not gonna lose him.

We're not gonna lose him. We're not gonna lose him, Amy.

We're not gonna lose him, Amy. We're not gonna lose you!

We're not gonna lose you! He's turning.

He's turning. Here it is.

Here it is. This is it.

This is it. Go!

Go! Go! Just...I believe in you.

Go! Just...I believe in you. You can do it.

You can do it. No, you're right.

No, you're right. Wait a second.

Wait a second. Wait a second.

Wait a second. Let me clean you off.

Let me clean you off. Go.

Go. Carpe diem!

Carpe diem! Hi!

Hi! Excuse me.

Excuse me. Hi.

Hi. I'm Amy, the poet.

I'm Amy, the poet. Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah. From the other day?

From the other day? Um...

Um... I do. I remember that.

I do. I remember that. I was just in the

I was just in the neighborhood, and I thought I

neighborhood, and I thought I would stop by and say hi, and...

Would stop by and say hi, and... How did you find out where I

how did you find out where I live?

Live? Well, you -- I saw you

well, you -- I saw you driving.

Driving. Oh.

Oh. Did leyner put you up to this?

Did leyner put you up to this? Did mark -- is this...

Did mark -- is this... Come on.

No. What do you want?

What do you want? Um...Okay.

Um...Okay. I was wondering if maybe you

I was wondering if maybe you would be willing to read some of

would be willing to read some of my poetry.

My poetry. You're a writer.

You're a writer. Yes, I am, and I --

yes, I am, and I -- oh.

Oh. And I'm really good, and I

and I'm really good, and I just...

Just... Been writing long?

Been writing long? I've been writing my entire

I've been writing my entire life, to be honest.

Life, to be honest. That long, huh?

That long, huh? Great, great.

Great, great. Okay.

Okay. You're my favorite living

you're my favorite living poet, I just want to say.

Poet, I just want to say. Thank you.

Thank you. You'd be my favorite dead

you'd be my favorite dead poet, too, but, obviously you're

poet, too, but, obviously you're not dead yet.

Not dead yet. I mean...

I mean... No, no.

No, no. Sorry.

Sorry. Working on that, though.

Working on that, though. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much. I'm gonna bring some of my work

I'm gonna bring some of my work by.

By. I'll just drop it off.

I'll just drop it off. Or I can read it online.

Or I can read it online. You know, I'm just gonna drop

you know, I'm just gonna drop it by.

It by. It's no problem.

It's no problem. I'll just come drop it by.

Is everything okay? Are you thinking?

Are you thinking? Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, I was thinking.

Yeah, I was thinking. Well, what were you thinking?

Well, what were you thinking? I was thinking you'd be the

I was thinking you'd be the type of muse I'd get.

Type of muse I'd get. No, s-- are you serious?

No, s-- are you serious? I mean, I meant that

I mean, I meant that sarcastically, okay?

Sarcastically, okay? Don't stand out here.

Don't stand out here. I want to close the fucking

I want to close the fucking door.

Door. Okay.

Muse? Ha!

Here you go -- first paycheck.

Paycheck. Social security, taxes,

social security, taxes, medicare -- how am I supposed to

medicare -- how am I supposed to afford rent with this?

Afford rent with this? I don't know, but figure it

I don't know, but figure it out.

Out. Are you kicking me out?

Are you kicking me out? Yes.

Yes. No!

No! I don't mean to offend you.

I don't mean to offend you. I mean, I'm sorry.

I mean, I'm sorry. Why?

Why? I can't host with you there,

I can't host with you there, Amy.

Amy. You're kind of a pain in my ass,

you're kind of a pain in my ass, and I don't mean that in a good

and I don't mean that in a good way.

Way. Don't you like having me

don't you like having me there?

There? No.

No. Why?

Why? You talk like, like -- look

you talk like, like -- look how you talk.

How you talk. Talk like what?!

Talk like what?! [ Mockingly ] Like that.

Just...Get a real roommate, okay?

Hi.

No pets, no rap music, no parties, and no fireworks or

parties, and no fireworks or gunplay.

Gunplay. What do you think?

What do you think? Oh, this?

Oh, this? [ Laughs ]

It's a shithole. My parents would be horrified.

We're bohemians.

[ Sighs ]

[ Rings doorbell repeatedly ]

Are you completely mad? Hi!

Hi! Like insane?

Like insane? It's me, Amy.

It's me, Amy. [ Chuckles ]

[ Chuckles ] I don't know if you remember.

I don't know if you remember. I just moved in down the street,

I just moved in down the street, actually, so I thought I would

actually, so I thought I would bring you a little housewarming

bring you a little housewarming gift.

Um... I hope you like kiwis.

I hope you like kiwis. There's a lot of kiwis.

You want to come in, kid? Thank you.

Thank you. Here you go.

Here you go. Yeah, you can just put that

yeah, you can just put that right down.

Can I get you something to drink or nosh on, maybe a shasta or a

or nosh on, maybe a shasta or a triscuit or a trinket of some

triscuit or a trinket of some kind?

Kind? I'm fine.

I'm fine. Thank you for that.

Um, I put some of my poems in the basket.

The basket. Great.

Great. [ Up-tempo jazz plays

[ up-tempo jazz plays in background ]

In background ] That's great.

That's great. I'll look at those at some

I'll look at those at some point.

Point. Why on earth would you want to

why on earth would you want to be a poet, Alice?

Be a poet, Alice? It's Amy, actually.

It's Amy, actually. I...I really feel a lot, you

I...I really feel a lot, you know?

Know? Even if things are just

even if things are just happening around me, I feel like

happening around me, I feel like I really internalize it.

I really internalize it. And I want to be able to speak

and I want to be able to speak for all the people that suffer,

for all the people that suffer, that feel the pain that I feel

that feel the pain that I feel every day.

Every day. You know?

You know? Yes.

Yes. Why me, Alice?

Why me, Alice? Why choose me?

Why choose me? Why come to me?

Why come to me? It's Amy, but you can call me

it's Amy, but you can call me whatever.

Whatever. Um...Well, you're unique.

Um...Well, you're unique. Your work -- it's real, and it's

your work -- it's real, and it's honest, and it's very partially

honest, and it's very partially subtle, but then very

subtle, but then very in-your-face, you know, loud.

In-your-face, you know, loud. And it speaks for an entire

and it speaks for an entire generation.

Generation. No, no, it doesn't.

No, no, it doesn't. Yes, it does.

Yes, it does. I don't know what that means.

I don't know what that means. I'm glad people still like some

I'm glad people still like some of the stuff I did, you know,

of the stuff I did, you know, back in the day.

Back in the day. I'm just gonna throw

I'm just gonna throw something out there.

Something out there. Throw it out there.

Throw it out there. See what happens.

See what happens. Yeah, throw it on the trash

yeah, throw it on the trash heap.

Heap. See what sticks.

See what sticks. Well, okay.

I would love to be your protégé.

My what?

Your protégé. My protégé.

My protégé. I haven't heard that sober with

I haven't heard that sober with my pants on for a long time.

My pants on for a long time. That's okay.

That's okay. What would that entail?

What would that entail? I'm an excellent speller.

I'm an excellent speller. I could proofread for you.

I could proofread for you. I got a spellcheck.

I got a spellcheck. Oh, of course.

Oh, of course. I always imagined you at a

I always imagined you at a typewriter.

Typewriter. [ Chuckles ]

What about readings? I could do readings for you in

I could do readings for you in your place when you're feeling

your place when you're feeling sick or you're hung over or

sick or you're hung over or something.

Something. I feel kind of sick right

I feel kind of sick right now.

Now. You want to try that?

You want to try that? Give me -- read something.

Give me -- read something. It's strindberg -- some passages

it's strindberg -- some passages from strindberg I thought were

from strindberg I thought were kind of cool.

Kind of cool. [ Clears throat ]

[ Clears throat ] "There are discords in this life

"there are discords in this life which can" --

which can" -- whoa!

Whoa! Not -- not in that voice.

Not -- not in that voice. Try it -- just -- can you do it

try it -- just -- can you do it in your own voice without the...

Sure. What kind of voice was that?

What kind of voice was that? That was my

that was my speaking-out-loud,

speaking-out-loud, reading-out-loud voice.

Reading-out-loud voice. Yeah, don't use that one

yeah, don't use that one because it doesn't sound like...

Because it doesn't sound like... It doesn't sound like...

It doesn't sound like... It doesn't sound like you.

How do you feel about failure as a concept?

A concept? 'Cause, you know, all the best

'cause, you know, all the best people are failures these days.

People are failures these days. I failed many times.

I failed many times. That's good.

That's good. Continue to fail.

Continue to fail. Beckett said, "if you want to

Beckett said, "if you want to make art, you have to fail."

Make art, you have to fail." And so, the artist's job is to

and so, the artist's job is to fail better.

Fail better. Fail better.

Fail better. Yeah.

Yeah. You should make t-shirts.

This has been really good. I'm happy that you came by.

I'm happy that you came by. Okay.

Okay. What about if I organize for

what about if I organize for you?

You could euthanize me. Um...

I could clean. I could come over whenever you

I could come over whenever you need me to and just clean...

Like a maid. Yeah?

Yeah? Chop, chop!

Amy! Hey!

Hey! Guess what?!

Guess what?! I got published!

I got published! In anarchist quarterly.

In anarchist quarterly. Are you sure?

Are you sure? Yeah.

Yeah. I'm so excited.

I'm so excited. It's, like, the first time I

it's, like, the first time I ever sent anything in.

Ever sent anything in. Awesome.

Awesome. I know!

I know! It's, like, not a big deal.

It's, like, not a big deal. It's just, like, some stuff that

it's just, like, some stuff that I wrote down about the strike

I wrote down about the strike and stuff.

And stuff. But they're gonna give it, like,

but they're gonna give it, like, the front page, it says.

The front page, it says. [ Straining ] I'm so happy

[ straining ] I'm so happy for you.

For you. Thanks.

Thanks. I'm gonna go frame it.

I'm gonna go frame it. [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] I think they might have

I think they might have spelled your name wrong.

Spelled your name wrong. Just double-check.

Aaaahhhhh!

Amy?

Are you working on a new book?

Book? Uh...Excuse me?

Is that part of your new book?

Book? Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah. Just a, uh...

Just a little -- shitty, little anthology I'm putting together,

anthology I'm putting together, you know?

You know? Don't want to but got to pay the

don't want to but got to pay the bills.

Bills. What kind of stuff are you

what kind of stuff are you putting in there?

Putting in there? Mostly unknowns.

Mostly unknowns. Really?

Really? I'm going to go out and come

I'm going to go out and come back.

Back. So, carry on.

Okay. [ Door closes ]

"The fright oblivion, deep night.

Deep night. Spring kills with its might.

Spring kills with its might. Might I delight?"

Might I delight?" Question mark or exclamation

question mark or exclamation point?

Point? Sorry, man.

Sorry, man. [ Cash register beeping ]

[ Cash register beeping ] Um...

Thanks. All right.

What are you doing? Why are you not paying

why are you not paying attention?

Attention? I am paying attention.

I am paying attention. Amy, what are you doing?

Amy, what are you doing? Amy, what are you writing?

Amy, what are you writing? What's going on?

What's going on? [ Laughing ] Stop it!

What are you doing? Nothing! I'm sorry!

Nothing! I'm sorry! Hey, guess what?

Hey, guess what? What?

What? I got a job.

I'm working for rat billings. Are you quitting?

Are you quitting? No, no.

No, no. I still need to work here.

I still need to work here. He doesn't believe in money.

He doesn't believe in money. So, he's paying me in

so, he's paying me in mentorship.

what are you doing for him that you're not getting paid?

Um...

Well, I'm kind of his protégé. Oh.

Oh. A lot of great writers get

a lot of great writers get their start under the tutelage

their start under the tutelage of another great writer.

Of another great writer. You know, like Ford madox Ford

you know, like Ford madox Ford took James Joyce under his wing,

took James Joyce under his wing, and Joyce may never have been

and Joyce may never have been discovered otherwise.

Discovered otherwise. Wait!

Wait! I just remembered something.

Lepassion. Call for entries.

Call for entries. "We need erotica written by

"we need erotica written by women about their sexual

women about their sexual experiences."

Yeah. I know it's not Harper's or

I know it's not Harper's or the new yorker or whatever, but

the new yorker or whatever, but it's writing, right?

It's writing, right? It's a publication.

It's a publication. Alex, I'm not gonna peddle

Alex, I'm not gonna peddle porn.

Porn. Amy, hey, you're working in a

Amy, hey, you're working in a porn shop.

Porn shop. Um, Alex, the girl on the

um, Alex, the girl on the cover?

Cover? One of her boobs is bigger than

one of her boobs is bigger than my entire face.

My entire face. You do kind of have a small

you do kind of have a small face.

Just trying to help. Desired reality desires

desired reality desires itself,

itself, invents a body of lightning,

invents a body of lightning, bends over, and looks at itself.

Bends over, and looks at itself. Jaguar waves and skull,

Jaguar waves and skull, two eyes fixed on two eyes,

two eyes fixed on two eyes, idols always the same eyes."

Idols always the same eyes." South Americans are awesome,

South Americans are awesome, aren't they?

Who would like to read another bit of octavio paz?

All right. My assistant, Adrian, will read.

[ Clears throat ] [ Dramatically ] "Dawn.

[ Dramatically ] "Dawn. Cold, rapid hands draw back

cold, rapid hands draw back one by one.

One by one. The bandage of dark.

The bandage of dark. I open my eyes.

I open my eyes. Still, I am living at the center

still, I am living at the center of a wound still fresh."

Allison? This guy is still in a wound

this guy is still in a wound so fresh.

So fresh. I mean, so much pain and

I mean, so much pain and violence.

Violence. Yes, yes, but try not to be

yes, yes, but try not to be quite so literal with it.

Quite so literal with it. That is quite a literal

that is quite a literal response.

Response. Wait.

Wait. So, is that gonna be on the

so, is that gonna be on the test?

Test? Yes.

Yes. You'll be tested.

You'll be tested. You'll be tested every day and

you'll be tested every day and for the rest of your life.

For the rest of your life. And you know what?

And you know what? You'll fail.

You'll fail. That's it.

Have you, perchance, found the time to check out any of my

the time to check out any of my poems?

Poems? I mean, I know you're busy.

No, but I will. So, keep working on them.

Was it hard to get off heroin?

Heroin? You know, your "opiated blues"

you know, your "opiated blues" days, when you were homeless and

days, when you were homeless and hustling?

Hustling? Well, in actuality, the smack

well, in actuality, the smack came later, after I wrote it.

Came later, after I wrote it. So, you made all of that up?

So, you made all of that up? Hey, you got to blur the

hey, you got to blur the lines, kid.

Lines, kid. [ Cellphone ringing ]

[ Cellphone ringing ] You really are a bizarre, little

you really are a bizarre, little creature, aren't you?

Creature, aren't you? Hello?

Richard Simmons? Why are you getting mail

why are you getting mail addressed to Richard Simmons?

Addressed to Richard Simmons? Well, I wasn't being mean.

Well, I wasn't being mean. I was being honest.

I was being honest. Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. "Rat" is a nom De plume.

"Rat" is a nom De plume. More of a nom De guerre, but

more of a nom De guerre, but don't tell anybody, or they'll

don't tell anybody, or they'll skin me alive.

Skin me alive. Of course!

They can't take a little criticism without going to the

criticism without going to the Dean.

Dean. Is that what you're telling me?

Is that what you're telling me? [ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ] All right.

All right. I'll do whatever you want.

I'll do whatever you want. No, I won't do that, but...

We'll -- we'll -- we'll talk about it later.

About it later. Bye-bye.

Bye-bye. You're right to be hard on

you're right to be hard on them.

Them. They need it.

They need it. I know -- generation mundane.

I know -- generation mundane. How about a little negative

how about a little negative advice before I depart?

Advice before I depart? Love.

Love. Love until you hate.

Love until you hate. Then, learn to hate your love.

Then, learn to hate your love. Then, forgive your hate for

then, forgive your hate for loving it.

Loving it. Wow.

Wow. On that note, do not wait to

on that note, do not wait to strike until the iron is hot,

strike until the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking.

But make it hot by striking. That's William Butler yeats.

That's William Butler yeats. You're dumb, but you're not

you're dumb, but you're not stupid!

Stupid! [ Birds chirping ]

[ Sighs ] Time is so weird.

Time is so weird. Being 22 is so weird.

Being 22 is so weird. It's weird.

It's weird. Super-weird.

Super-weird. It's like this neverland, you

it's like this neverland, you know?

Know? Like, we're not quite kids.

Like, we're not quite kids. We're not quite adults.

It's like we're marginalized others or something.

Others or something. Just cured my insomnia.

Just cured my insomnia. [ Coughing ]

[ Laughs ] It's so cool.

It's so cool. You have such diverse friends,

you have such diverse friends, Amy.

You have something on your face. [ Laughing ] You have something

[ laughing ] You have something on your face.

On your face. Yeah?

Yeah? Come dance with me.

Come dance with me. Come on. It'll be fun.

Come on. It'll be fun. [ Groaning ]

[ Groaning ] Okay.

Okay. It's floor dancing, floor

it's floor dancing, floor dancing.

Her need for release exploded in a violent, lustful vengeance,

in a violent, lustful vengeance, as the stock boy finally took

as the stock boy finally took her to the edge of oblivion.

Her to the edge of oblivion. She lay plundered, fighting for

she lay plundered, fighting for her next breath.

Her next breath. [ Knock on door ]

Hey. What's up?

Nothing. Just writing. That's cool.

That's cool. You gonna drink all that by

you gonna drink all that by yourself?

Yourself? Not all of it.

Not all of it. [ Chuckles ]

[ Chuckles ] Put some posters up, maybe.

Put some posters up, maybe. Paint.

Paint. I could help you with that.

I could help you with that. And stuff.

And stuff. Hi.

Hi. Ow.

Ow. [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] You're so funny.

You're so funny. You're funny.

A second ago, I was teaching him how to do, like, the dance

him how to do, like, the dance moves.

Moves. It's cool.

It's cool. You should join, seriously.

You should join, seriously. I'll pass, thanks.

[ Both laugh ] Okay.

Okay. Sweet.

All right. Have fun doing... What you do.

What you do. [ Door closes ]

[ Door closes ] [ Clears throat ]

[ Clears throat ] [ Sighs ]

"For your consideration, here's a taste of some of the erotic

a taste of some of the erotic prose I've been working on.

Prose I've been working on. Sincerely...

Sincerely...

Evelyn...Renoir."

You whore.

Ew.

Hey. Who's the dead girl on the wall?

Who's the dead girl on the wall? Sylvia.

Sylvia. Oh, how'd she die?

Oh, how'd she die? She stuck her head in the

she stuck her head in the oven.

That's bananas. Mm-hmm.

Did you ever feel invisible? No, not really.

Hey, I know what's wrong with you.

Hey. I've been wanting to do this

I've been wanting to do this ever since I met you.

Ever since I met you. What?

What? [ Up-tempo Latin music plays ]

Whoa.

She's a snow leopard.

[ Door slams open ]

I need a drink. [ Mid-tempo jazz plays ]

Holy mother of God.

I can understand that. Sure.

Sure. Come on in.

Make it a stiff one, Buster, and make it snappy.

You look lovely tonight. What are you doing out here this

what are you doing out here this late?

Late? It's the witching hour.

It's the witching hour. Maybe I'm a witch.

Ran right into that one. [ Cigarette sizzles ]

[ Bottle cap rattles ]

A-ha!

[ Slams bottle down ]

Why are you dressed like a hooker?

Hooker? And so began our torrid love

and so began our torrid love affair.

Whoops. Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. [ Sighs ]

Jesus Christ!

[ Exhaling loudly ]

I want you to deflower me. I've chosen you, rat billings,

I've chosen you, rat billings, to open the bud of my womanhood.

To open the bud of my womanhood. I only ask that you treat me as

I only ask that you treat me as you would treat a poet.

You would treat a poet. What, you want me to slap you

what, you want me to slap you around a little bit?

Around a little bit? I want to be picked like an

I want to be picked like an exotic flower, like a rare

exotic flower, like a rare breeze.

You actually are a pretty girl, aren't you?

Girl, aren't you? Do it to me!

Do it to me! Do it to me good!

Do it to me good! Oh, come on.

Oh, come on. Don't use that voice.

Don't use that voice. Do it to me!

Do it to me! Do it to me good!

Do it to me good! That's when you're losing me,

that's when you're losing me, with the "do it it to me,

with the "do it it to me, do it to me good."

Do it to me good." I thought people liked that.

I thought people liked that. No, I don't believe anything

no, I don't believe anything you're saying, sweetheart.

You're saying, sweetheart. Have sex with me.

Have sex with me. No.

No. No to the voice or no to the

no to the voice or no to the sex?

Sex? No to both.

What, do you think I'm ugly or something?

Or something? No, no.

I think you're psychotic. [ Scoffs ]

[ Scoffs ] You're just a kid.

I am a woman. You're a little snickers bar.

You're a little snickers bar. You're a little snicks.

You're a little snicks. I'd like to read you

I'd like to read you something I wrote for you.

Something I wrote for you. You're a little snick-snack.

You're an asshole.

[ Clears throat ] "In squalid ether,

"in squalid ether, digital-surveillance nightmare.

Digital-surveillance nightmare. [ Loudly ] Shattered wings

[ loudly ] Shattered wings catapult the vast vulva of

catapult the vast vulva of shattered oblivion."

Shattered oblivion." It's astonishing.

It's astonishing. Tell me what you really think

tell me what you really think of it, poet to poet, mentor to

of it, poet to poet, mentor to protégé.

Protégé. [ Normal voice ] Tell me the

[ normal voice ] Tell me the truth.

Truth. Do you think I could be a real

do you think I could be a real poet?

Poet? Snicks.

Snicks. Do you?

Do you? [ Sighs ]

Tell me! [ Coughs ]

[ Moans ] Snickers? Snicks?

Well, you're off to a good start.

Start. Oh. There's more.

Oh. There's more. Can I use the bathroom?

Can I use the bathroom? Yeah.

Yeah. [ Coughing ]

So, where'd you go last night?

Night? To an awful, terrible place I

to an awful, terrible place I may never recover from.

May never recover from. What happened? Are you okay?

What happened? Are you okay? I messed up.

I messed up. I'm such a failure.

Whatever it was, I'm sure it wasn't that bad.

Wasn't that bad. Trust me. It was bad.

Trust me. It was bad. Well, I've done some really

well, I've done some really stupid shit.

Stupid shit. Last night?

Last night? No, last night I left right

no, last night I left right after you did.

After you did. Your friend Candace is kind of

your friend Candace is kind of an...Octopus.

An...Octopus. [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] I had to escape her

I had to escape her testicles.

Testicles. [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] Tentacles!

Tentacles! I've been working here too long.

I've been working here too long. Really, though, I've done things

really, though, I've done things I wish I hadn't.

I wish I hadn't. It's part of life.

It's part of life. But if you need anything, let me

but if you need anything, let me know.

Know. [ Both laugh ]

[ Both laugh ] Thank you.

Thank you. That's really nice of you.

That's really nice of you. You're welcome.

You're welcome. What do you want to bet that's a

what do you want to bet that's a bachelorette party?

Bachelorette party? [ Door closes ]

Hi. Hi.

Hi. We're only in here because

we're only in here because we're going to a bachelorette

we're going to a bachelorette party.

Party. A bachelorette party?!

A bachelorette party?! Yeah.

Yeah. Oh, my God!

Oh, my God! And I was wondering if you

and I was wondering if you had, like, some kind of package?

Had, like, some kind of package? I have a package.

I have a package. Good.

Good. I'll be right back.

I'll be right back. Thanks.

Oh, my God! Amy?

Amy? Amy Anderson?

Oh, my God, Maggie! Hi!

Hi! How is it going?

How is it going? I didn't see you.

I didn't see you. Amy used to go to my middle

Amy used to go to my middle school.

School. She thought she was gonna be

she thought she was gonna be this famous poet.

This famous poet. I'm actually, um, I'm still

I'm actually, um, I'm still working on that.

Working on that. What's it like working in a

what's it like working in a dirty-video store?

I bet you see a lot of freaks. You know what, Maggie?

You know what, Maggie? You're a freak!

You're a freak! O...Kay.

Rat?! I'm not receiving any

I'm not receiving any visitors today.

Visitors today. It's life-or-death.

It's life-or-death. It's creative life-or-death!

I am so sorry that I vomited upon you, but I need to know the

upon you, but I need to know the truth.

Truth. Truth's subjective, Amy.

Truth's subjective, Amy. Cut the bullshit, okay?

Cut the bullshit, okay? I am in physical and emotional

I am in physical and emotional pain right now.

Pain right now. I need to know what you thought

I need to know what you thought of my poems.

Well...You're in pain? How much -- what -- what kind of

how much -- what -- what kind of pain are you in?

Pain are you in? The worst pain I've ever been

the worst pain I've ever been in.

In. Oh, okay, well, on a scale,

oh, okay, well, on a scale, what would you say you are, on a

what would you say you are, on a universal --

universal -- on the wong-Baker

on the wong-Baker facial-grimace scale?

Facial-grimace scale? This is the death of a loved

this is the death of a loved one, all right?

One, all right? It's a 10.

It's a 10. No.

No. It's worst pain possible.

It's worst pain possible. That's like Auschwitz.

That's like Auschwitz. So, I mean, I think it's -- you

so, I mean, I think it's -- you would be somewhere...Somewhere

would be somewhere...Somewhere in here, I think.

In here, I think. If you go like that...

If you go like that... And, then, you're like that, and

and, then, you're like that, and that's Amy.

That's Amy. Here, you know, where it's on

here, you know, where it's on this side of it, maybe in

this side of it, maybe in Cleveland.

Cleveland. Tell me!

Tell me! I read your poems.

I read your poems. And?

And? Credit to your tenacity.

Credit to your tenacity. What's this?

What's this? It's a map.

It's a map. Russia and Mongolia.

Russia and Mongolia. Just, I want you to go there

just, I want you to go there one day and write something.

One day and write something. Anyway, I found them exceedingly

anyway, I found them exceedingly special.

Special. I found them uniquely you.

I found them uniquely you. I found them...Most like you.

I found them...Most like you. You really think so?

You really think so? Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah. In fact, I'm putting together a

in fact, I'm putting together a little anthology, a little,

little anthology, a little, shitty, little, shit-filled,

shitty, little, shit-filled, shit-stained anthology of new

shit-stained anthology of new work.

Work. And?

And? And it's not anything major,

and it's not anything major, but, if you want, I can include

but, if you want, I can include one of your shitty, little --

one of your shitty, little -- oh, my God! Yes!!

Oh, my God! Yes!! Yes!

Yes! Oh, my God, thank you!

Oh, my God, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you,

thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! All right, all right, all

all right, all right, all right.

Right. Yes, yes!

Yes, yes! This is the best day ever!

This is the best day ever! This is the best day ever!

This is the best day ever! Oh, my God!

Oh, my God! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you, thank you!

Thank you, thank you! Whoo!

[ Humming ]

All right, I'm gonna go. [ Door slams ]

[ Door slams ] Thank you!

Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! [ Exhales sharply ]

Come on, darling. Good night.

Good night. Good night, darling.

Good night, darling. Good night.

Good night. ♪ white bird,

♪ white bird, in a golden cage,

in a golden cage, on a winter's day,

on a winter's day, in the rain ♪

In the rain ♪ ♪ white bird,

♪ white bird, in a golden cage,

in a golden cage, alone ♪

♪ and she must fly you asshole!

You asshole! ♪ she must fly

♪ she must fly hi.

Hi. Hey. What's up?

Hey. What's up? Did you just see what just

did you just see what just happened?

Happened? What?

What? That asshole just stole a

that asshole just stole a bunch of shit.

Bunch of shit. You didn't even notice.

You didn't even notice. I-I'm sorry.

I-I'm sorry. I was rearranging some DVDs.

I was rearranging some DVDs. You know, you're lucky to

you know, you're lucky to have this job.

Have this job. Any other place would have fired

any other place would have fired you by now.

You by now. And you get to do anything you

and you get to do anything you want here, and we don't say

want here, and we don't say shit.

Shit. And you just take advantage.

And you just take advantage. It's bullshit.

It's bullshit. Okay, I'm sorry, but...

Okay, I'm sorry, but... It's not like this is a career.

It's not like this is a career. It's a stupid job in a stupid

it's a stupid job in a stupid place.

Place. This place is how Stan and

this place is how Stan and Mary Anne make their living.

Mary Anne make their living. It's how I make my living.

It's how I make my living. And it really pisses me off that

and it really pisses me off that you think that you're better

you think that you're better than that.

Than that. What are you trying to say?

What are you trying to say? I'm saying go find yourself

I'm saying go find yourself another stupid job.

Fine. [ Voice breaking ] You know, I'm

[ voice breaking ] You know, I'm up for a lot of awards right now

up for a lot of awards right now and accolades, and I don't need

and accolades, and I don't need a job that's for losers, okay?

A job that's for losers, okay? Especially not in this...This

especially not in this...This porn hole!

[ Horns honk in distance ]

Yeah? The napkins that I had over

the napkins that I had over there that I moved over here

there that I moved over here that I was working on, the white

that I was working on, the white ones?

I don't know about those. What do you mean you don't

what do you mean you don't know about them?

Know about them? They were here, and then you

they were here, and then you cleaned up, and then things got

cleaned up, and then things got unorganized.

Unorganized. The manuscript's on the napkins

the manuscript's on the napkins that were with the coasters that

that were with the coasters that you moved over from over there

you moved over from over there when I told you don't clean,

when I told you don't clean, don't clean, don't clean.

Don't clean, don't clean. And you did, anyway?

And you did, anyway? I can't find them.

I can't find them. Oh, napkins, napkins.

Oh, napkins, napkins. There's napkins there.

There's napkins there. I know.

I know. I'm not looking for these.

I'm not looking for these. I'm looking for these.

I'm looking for these. This has got this.

This has got this. This is this.

This is this. Where are they?

Where are they? I told you not to clean up.

I told you not to clean up. If you put them back over here,

if you put them back over here, I'm gonna be very upset with

I'm gonna be very upset with you.

You. Here they are.

Here they are. I found them.

I found them. I must have accidentally put

I must have accidentally put them in my purse.

Them in my purse. I don't know why. I'm sorry.

I don't know why. I'm sorry. Here you go.

Here you go. What were they doing in your

what were they doing in your bag?

Okay. Are you gonna be mad?

Are you gonna be mad? I'm already mad.

I'm already mad. I thought that it was trash,

I thought that it was trash, like, doodles or something.

Like, doodles or something. Do I look like a doodler to

do I look like a doodler to you?

You? [ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ] Not now you don't.

Not now you don't. Okay, so, that's bullshit.

Okay, so, that's bullshit. I thought it would be cool to

I thought it would be cool to have something of yours for when

have something of yours for when you die.

You die. I'm not gonna die...

I'm not gonna die... Ever!

Ever! You idiot.

I really wouldn't have taken them if I thought they were

them if I thought they were important.

Important. All right, look.

You can have that one.

Thank you.

This is really good. This one's -- you should keep

this one's -- you should keep this one.

This one. This one's really good.

This one's really good. You were so young when you

you were so young when you became famous.

Became famous. You and rimbaud, both so

you and rimbaud, both so talented, and younger than I am

talented, and younger than I am now.

Now. Fame's your generation's

fame's your generation's black plague, kid.

Black plague, kid. That's really good.

That's really good. Who said that?

Who said that? I did just now, me.

I did just now, me. I said that to you.

Alex hates me.

Men are really delicate.

They get their feelings hurt easy.

Easy. Oy!

Oy! Here.

[ Sighs ]

I want my job back. You like Alex.

You like Alex. What?

What? That's absurd.

That's absurd. You're all like, "what's

you're all like, "what's tomorrow gonna be like?

Tomorrow gonna be like? And what will people think of

and what will people think of me?"

Me?" You're gonna be blind to what's

you're gonna be blind to what's right in front of you.

Right in front of you. Forever is comprised of "nows."

Forever is comprised of "nows." Emily Dickinson, bitch.

Get my fat toe.

Hey... Alex.

Alex. Are you here to rent a movie?

No. Then, you'll have to excuse

then, you'll have to excuse me, because I have a very

me, because I have a very patient customer waiting.

Patient customer waiting. You want a 3- or a 5-day rental?

You want a 3- or a 5-day rental? What do the green dots mean?

What do the green dots mean? Uh...

Uh... It means new release.

Alex, I'm sorry. I am not too good to work here,

I am not too good to work here, and I didn't mean any of those

and I didn't mean any of those things that I said.

Things that I said. Do you have the antimicrobial

do you have the antimicrobial anal beads?

Anal beads? Sorry, buddy, we're all sold

sorry, buddy, we're all sold out.

Out. There should be more coming in

there should be more coming in Monday, though.

Monday, though. [ Scoffs ]

I'm not better than this, and I don't think working here

and I don't think working here is for losers.

Is for losers. I want my job back.

Why? So, I can find out who puts

so, I can find out who puts the dots on.

The dots on. [ Snorts ]

Do you have any of those leather masks that are

leather masks that are flame-retardant?

Flame-retardant? What the fuck is with...

What the fuck is with... No, we don't. I'm sorry.

No, we don't. I'm sorry. She took the last one.

She took the last one. They're awesome.

They're awesome. I'm gonna let you deal with

I'm gonna let you deal with that 'cause that's your

that 'cause that's your punishment.

Punishment. Thanks.

Thanks. What's your name?

What's your name? Max.

Max. Okay, Max.

Okay, Max. Max...Max.

Max...Max. "Cougar den."

"Dorm girls." This is the wrong Max, isn't it?

This is the wrong Max, isn't it? Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. Hey, I brought you some

hey, I brought you some turtlenecks.

Thanks, mom. You're welcome.

You're welcome. They're all-cotton.

They're all-cotton. Dad says hi.

Dad says hi. Does he hate me?

Does he hate me? Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. We both do.

We both do. No, he doesn't hate you.

No, he doesn't hate you. We love you, but we're a little

we love you, but we're a little worried about you.

Worried about you. What?! I'm fine.

What?! I'm fine. I have a good job now.

I have a good job now. Things...Things are really

things...Things are really looking up.

Looking up. But are you happy?

But are you happy? Mother, an artist's life...

It really is a life of solitude. [ Clears throat ]

[ Clears throat ] That is, um, bullshit.

It's almost your birthday. Let's just plan a party, okay?

Let's just plan a party, okay? You haven't had a birthday party

you haven't had a birthday party for a while.

For a while. Dad wants to see you.

Dad wants to see you. I want to meet your friends.

I want to meet your friends. I always used to meet your

I always used to meet your friends.

Friends. I'll make you a cake.

I'll make you a cake. What kind of cake do you want?

What kind of cake do you want? Cheese.

Cheese. I can do that -- cheesecake.

I can do that -- cheesecake. Anything else?

Anything else? Sprinkles.

Good! That's -- now we're talking.

That's -- now we're talking. Rainbow, not chocolate.

Rainbow, not chocolate. It's gonna be fun.

It's gonna be fun. You're very skinny.

You're very skinny. I'll make you two cakes.

Whoo! Yay!

Yay! Whoa-ho! Happy Birthday!

Whoa-ho! Happy Birthday! [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] Hello?

Hello? Hi!

Hi! Hi.

Hi. I'm so happy you came.

I'm so happy you came. Oh, we just thought we'd stop

oh, we just thought we'd stop by.

By. Sorry we didn't wait for

sorry we didn't wait for cake.

Cake. Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday. Thanks.

Thanks. This is my friend yumi.

This is my friend yumi. She's a theoretical linguist.

She's a theoretical linguist. [ Laughs uproariously ]

[ Laughs uproariously ] This is Amy, the girl that I

this is Amy, the girl that I told you about.

Told you about. [ Continues laughing ]

[ Continues laughing ] [ Chuckles ]

[ Chuckles ] Um, do you want some cake or

um, do you want some cake or something?

Something? Sure.

Sure. Drinks?

Drinks? Yeah.

Yeah. This is my family.

This is my family. This is rat.

This is rat. You must be Mrs. Anderson.

You must be Mrs. Anderson. How are you?

How are you? No, I am Mrs. Anderson.

No, I am Mrs. Anderson. I know!

I know! Todd Anderson.

Todd Anderson. Hello. Nice to meet you.

Hello. Nice to meet you. What's your name?

What's your name? Rubia.

Rubia. I'm sorry?

I'm sorry? Rubia.

Rubia. Rubia.

Rubia. Hi.

Hi. Alex.

Alex. Alex.

Alex. Would you like something to

would you like something to drink?

Drink? Yeah, do you have any wine?

Yeah, do you have any wine? Sure do, yeah.

Sure do, yeah. 'Cause I think yumi likes

'cause I think yumi likes wine.

Wine. [ Chuckles ]

[ Chuckles ] Red is fine.

Red is fine. Okay.

Okay. And I'll have -- do you have

and I'll have -- do you have coffee?

Coffee? We have coffee.

We have coffee. And red wine for the yumi,

and red wine for the yumi, and can you bring the cake

and can you bring the cake cutter?

Cutter? You need a cake cutter.

You need a cake cutter. So, a cake cutter and...

So, a cake cutter and... Yeah.

Yeah. That was really amazing,

that was really amazing, what you did for Amy.

What you did for Amy. I haven't done anything to

I haven't done anything to Amy.

Amy. Well, no, but you see how

well, no, but you see how talented she is.

Talented she is. That's amazing.

That's amazing. For a girl like her, there's

for a girl like her, there's nothing she wants more.

Nothing she wants more. She's a good kid.

She's a good kid. She's just, as my father used to

she's just, as my father used to say, "free of all knowledge."

Ho-ho-ho-ho! Somebody knows what they're

somebody knows what they're doing.

This is for you. I don't want you to open it in

I don't want you to open it in front of everybody, 'cause then

front of everybody, 'cause then they're like, "oh, it's from

they're like, "oh, it's from Alex" and "what is it?"

Alex" and "what is it?" You know, that's weird.

You know, that's weird. "Letters to a young poet."

"Letters to a young poet." Yeah.

Yeah. I know you probably read that,

I know you probably read that, like, a thousand times, but...

Like, a thousand times, but... No, I haven't.

No, I haven't. I haven't read this one.

I haven't read this one. Sweet.

Sweet. Score.

Score. "Amy, Happy Birthday.

"Amy, Happy Birthday. I thought of you when I saw

I thought of you when I saw this."

This." No! Shh! No.

No! Shh! No. You're not gonna read that.

You're not gonna read that. No.

No. I'm a dork.

I'm a dork. It's embarrassing.

Thank you. I love it. You're welcome.

You're welcome. Seriously, it's a really good

seriously, it's a really good present.

Where's rat? Oh, he had to leave, honey.

Oh, he had to leave, honey. Seriously?

Seriously? Yeah, but he left you a

yeah, but he left you a present.

Present. "Here it is -- rat."

"Here it is -- rat." It's a galley of the book that

it's a galley of the book that I'm in.

I'm in. [ Gasps ]

[ Gasps ] Oh, my gosh! Open it!

Oh, my gosh! Open it! Open it!

Open it! [ Groans ]

I can't do it. I got nails.

I got nails. Careful with the paper,

careful with the paper, please.

Let me see. "Shit poetry -- an anthology of

"shit poetry -- an anthology of bad verse," edited by

bad verse," edited by rat billings.

Rat billings. Well, what is this?

My poem.

"Hilariously awful" -- Joan didion.

Joan didion. "So bad, it's good" --

"so bad, it's good" -- zadie Smith.

Zadie Smith. "So terrible, I laughed and then

"so terrible, I laughed and then I cried" -- Jonathan franzen.

I cried" -- Jonathan franzen. Oh, my God,

oh, my God, Jonathan franzen!

Amy...

Amy... Amy?

Amy? Amy, come on.

Amy, come on. Amy!

Amy! Amy, stop.

Amy, stop. Amy.

Amy. Come on, honey, it's your

come on, honey, it's your birthday.

Birthday. Amy, it's really not that

Amy, it's really not that bad!

Bad! Honey?

Honey? ♪ well, it was nothing

♪ well, it was nothing ♪ it was nothing to me

♪ it was nothing to me ♪ it was nothing

♪ it was nothing ♪ it was nothing to me

♪ it was nothing to me ♪ baby, baby

♪ baby, baby means nothing to me ♪

Means nothing to me ♪ aaahhhh!

Aaahhhh! [ Horn honking ]

You miserable son of a bitch! Where are you?

Where are you? Problem?

Problem? "Shit poetry"?!

"Shit poetry"?! "An anthology of bad verse"?!

"An anthology of bad verse"?! It's just a silly, little

it's just a silly, little book for the urban outfitters.

Book for the urban outfitters. You know, hipsters are gonna

you know, hipsters are gonna love it.

Love it. They're gonna be reading my

they're gonna be reading my poetry while taking a shit!

Poetry while taking a shit! You said you wanted to be

you said you wanted to be published, didn't you?

Published, didn't you? Not in a book that people

not in a book that people are gonna read while they're on

are gonna read while they're on the toilet!

The toilet! How do you think I feel?

How do you think I feel? It's probably gonna outsell

it's probably gonna outsell everything I've ever written.

Everything I've ever written. Aahhh!

All right. Who anointed you the arbiter

who anointed you the arbiter of poetic quality, anyway,

of poetic quality, anyway, huh?!

Huh?! It's not quality.

It's not quality. It's poetry that's so bad, it

it's poetry that's so bad, it goes around the world, and it's

goes around the world, and it's kind of good.

Kind of good. The rat billings that I

the rat billings that I admired?

Admired? He is dead!

He is dead! You're a big, fat phony, and you

you're a big, fat phony, and you know what?

Know what? You're old!

You're old! You're an old, phony man!

You're an old, phony man! That's what you are!

That's what you are! An old phony!

An old phony! An old, washed-up phony!

An old, washed-up phony! Why?!

Why?! I want to know why you would do

I want to know why you would do this to me?!

This to me?! Why?! Why?! Why?!

Why?! Why?! Why?! Because somebody needs to

because somebody needs to tell you the goddamn truth, Amy.

Tell you the goddamn truth, Amy. I thought truth was

I thought truth was subjective.

Subjective. No, it's not subjective.

No, it's not subjective. Not everybody can grow up to be

not everybody can grow up to be beyoncé or the president.

Beyoncé or the president. Not everybody's talented, okay?

Not everybody's talented, okay? And fame doesn't mean shit.

And fame doesn't mean shit. Amy, if everything was great,

Amy, if everything was great, nothing would be great.

Nothing would be great. Nothing would be special.

Nothing would be special. I am special!

I am special! I got straight a's!

I got straight a's! I scored in the 97th percentile

I scored in the 97th percentile on my s.A.T.S!

On my s.A.T.S! Thank you very much!

Thank you very much! The s.A.T.S don't mean shit.

The s.A.T.S don't mean shit. That's like believing in

that's like believing in scientology.

Scientology. [ Roars ]

[ Roars ] Easy, easy.

Easy, easy. You're bullshit.

You're bullshit. Nobody cares --

nobody cares -- you all right?

You all right? She's a monster.

She's a monster. Get her out of here!

Get her out of here! Come on.

Come on. All I wanted was your advice!

All I wanted was your advice! You're a phony,

you're a phony, Richard Simmons!

Richard Simmons! Don't take my -- don't take

don't take my -- don't take my napkins!

My napkins! Get the fuck out of here!

Get the fuck out of here! Don't take those napkins!

Don't take those napkins! Don't take my napkins!

Don't take my napkins! [ Door slams ]

Yeah.

You shouldn't care what anybody thinks.

Thinks. It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter. Zadie Smith thinks I'm an

zadie Smith thinks I'm an idiot.

Idiot. No, she doesn't.

No, she doesn't. And rat probably hates himself.

And rat probably hates himself. I can't face anyone.

I can't face anyone. I don't want to go back to my

I don't want to go back to my parents' house.

Parents' house. I just don't want to see anyone.

You want to go to my place? [ Sniffles ]

[ Sniffles ] Yeah.

Yeah. ♪ headlights

♪ headlights through my window at night ♪

Through my window at night ♪ ♪ white lights on my baby,

♪ white lights on my baby, all right ♪

All right ♪ ♪ and when I see her,

♪ and when I see her, she's a stranger to me ♪

She's a stranger to me ♪ ♪ in the floating world

♪ in the floating world ♪ in the floating world

♪ in the floating world ♪ oh-oh

♪ oh-oh just make yourself at home.

Just make yourself at home. Want some water?

♪ I'd be stuck in the floating world ♪

In the floating world ♪ [ Water runs ]

[ Water runs ] ♪ in the floating world

♪ in the floating world ♪ oh-oh

♪ oh-oh did you do these?

Did you do these? Yeah.

Yeah, don't look at that. No, no. Hey, hey.

No, no. Hey, hey. It's not finished.

It's not finished. I don't know what that is,

I don't know what that is, actually.

This one is so beautiful.

Thank you.

Have you shown these? No.

No. Why not?

Why not? You could be famous.

You could be famous. [ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ] Well, it's not really about

well, it's not really about that.

That. For me, it's more kind of just

for me, it's more kind of just something that I like to do, on

something that I like to do, on my own, you know?

Don't you have anything that you just wrote for yourself, and you

just wrote for yourself, and you didn't want to show anybody?

No, not really.

Huh.

I should go. Um...

Um... You want me to drive you?

You want me to drive you? That's okay.

That's okay. Okay.

♪ Stand up in the blue room ♪ off the window

♪ off the window flashing red and blue ♪

Flashing red and blue ♪ ♪ but I don't live here

♪ but I don't live here ♪ I'm the occupant

♪ I'm the occupant ♪ I reside

♪ I reside in the floating world ♪

In the floating world ♪ ♪ in the floating world

♪ in the floating world ♪ mm-mm-mm

♪ mm-mm-mm ♪ in the floating world

♪ in the floating world ♪ oh-oh

[ inhales, exhales ]

♪ It's cold ♪ a plain

♪ a plain diamond ♪

Diamond ♪ ♪ nobody's here

♪ nobody's here trey, let me call you back.

Trey, let me call you back. I got a problem here.

I got a problem here. What?!

What?! Relax.

Relax. I'm not gonna do anything.

I'm not gonna do anything. Are you sure?

Are you sure? I promise.

I promise. What do you want?

What do you want? I read some of your work.

I read some of your work. It's, uh...

It's, uh... It's beautiful...Some of it.

It's beautiful...Some of it. It's heartbreaking.

It's too bad you're such a colossal asshole.

Colossal asshole. Yeah.

Yeah. Oh, thank you for saving me a

oh, thank you for saving me a lot of time and agony, but you

lot of time and agony, but you didn't have to be so terrible

didn't have to be so terrible just because I suck.

Just because I suck. You don't suck, Amy.

You don't suck, Amy. You don't anything yet.

You don't anything yet. That's the point.

That's the point. You might be a great writer

you might be a great writer someday.

Someday. I don't know.

I don't know. You haven't even lived yet.

You haven't even lived yet. Go to jail, you know?

Go to jail, you know? Become a nun.

Become a nun. Right now you're just a

right now you're just a suckling, little piglet.

Suckling, little piglet. Just go out and live your life

just go out and live your life and get your heart broken and

and get your heart broken and get out of mine!

Get out of mine! Please.

Please. For a little while.

For a little while. Okay, rat.

Okay, rat. Okay.

I'm not done. You got to stop taking yourself

you got to stop taking yourself so seriously.

So seriously. [ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ] The world is full of

the world is full of innocuous mundanity, and people

innocuous mundanity, and people are literal and stupid.

Are literal and stupid. But you're a fighter, you know?

But you're a fighter, you know? A rebel.

Did you rehearse that one? Maybe.

Maybe. Yeah.

Yeah. It doesn't quite work yet, does

it doesn't quite work yet, does it?

It? You know what?

You know what? There may not really be a place

there may not really be a place for poetry left in the world,

for poetry left in the world, Amy.

Amy. The literal may have triumphed

the literal may have triumphed and conquered all, but we...

And conquered all, but we... We press on, right?

We press on, right? We press on.

We press on. Now give it to me, and...

Now give it to me, and... [ Whistles ]

[ Whistles ] Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. You give it to me good, man.

You give it to me good, man. Give it to me good.

Give it to me good. You know what I mean?

You know what I mean? Because, like, this is it.

Because, like, this is it. This is the moment.

This is the moment. Rat...

Rat... Stop taking yourself so

stop taking yourself so seriously.

I want to tell you something right now.

The culture around us is disintegrating.

Disintegrating. But you are not a part of that.

But you are not a part of that. You stand against the tide, and

you stand against the tide, and that is no small thing.

You will always be a hyena, Amy. Arthur rimbaud.

Arthur rimbaud. Ah!

Ah! You're a thief...

You're a thief... Regal and ragged!

♪ Her dress was dark and clean ♪

And clean ♪ [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] No, stop!

No, stop! You're gonna rip it!

I win. Do you need help?

Do you need help? Yeah.

Yeah. ♪ like you were caught

♪ like you were caught in the wind ♪

[ Chuckles ] What?

What? You have paint on your face.

You have paint on your face. I do?

I do? Hang on.

[ Laughs ] Oh, God, no.

Oh, God, no. Hey, hey!

Hey, hey! What?

What? Oh, it's really embarrassing.

Oh, it's really embarrassing. There's a few of them here.

There's a few of them here. It's really embarrassing.

It's really embarrassing. Come on.

Come on. No, I like them.

No, I like them. They're cool.

They're cool. I like that one.

I like that one. I was worried you would think

I was worried you would think that was creepy.

That was creepy. It's not creepy.

It's not creepy. It's cool.

[ Laughs ]

I like them.

♪ We hardly knew summer, and it goes to show ♪

And it goes to show ♪ ♪ we hardly knew each other,

♪ we hardly knew each other, and it goes to show ♪

♪ oh-oh, evangeline

♪ oh-oh, evangeline

♪ oh-oh, evangeline

♪ oh-oh, evangeline

♪ oh-oh, evangeline are you gonna take off your

are you gonna take off your clothes?

Clothes? What is this?

What is this? [ Laughing ] I'm wearing two

[ laughing ] I'm wearing two shirts.

♪ Nah-nah-nah, nah-nah-nah ♪

♪ nah-nah-nah, nah-nah-nah

♪ nah-nah-nah, nah-nah-nah

being with him was as perfect as a sonnet.

As a sonnet. [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] Did I just say that out loud?

Did I just say that out loud? Yeah.

You do that a lot. [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] I like it.

[ Cellphone ringing ] Don't get it.

Don't get it. [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] Why are you getting it?

Whoa! [ Laughs ]

Hello? This is she.

This is she. Really?

Oh, my God, I can't believe that.

That. Really?

Really? Okay, yeah, just send over the

okay, yeah, just send over the contract.

Contract. Okay.

Okay. Yeah, that sounds great,

yeah, that sounds great, actually.

Actually. Cool.

Cool. Okay, thank you.

Okay, thank you. Bye!

What is that? Is everything okay?

Is everything okay? [ Chuckles ]

[ Chuckles ] You're never gonna believe this.

You're never gonna believe this. [ Laughs ]

I'm getting published. What?!

I know. It's -- it's gonna be on the

it's -- it's gonna be on the website later today and in the

website later today and in the magazine next month.

Magazine next month. Oh, that's amazing.

Oh, that's amazing. And I got $500.

And I got $500. Score.

Score. What magazine?

What magazine? I'm numb.

I'm numb. I want to read it.

I want to read it. What magazine is this?

Lepassion. Lepassion?

Lepassion? What?! You submitted?

What?! You submitted? Yeah.

Yeah. Oh, my God!

Oh, my God! That's amazing.

That's amazing. And you're gonna be published...

And you're gonna be published... Again.

Again. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, this time it's good.

Yeah, this time it's good. [ Chuckles ]

[ Chuckles ] It's very good.

It's very good. This is good.

This is good. Yeah.

We should celebrate.

What is this place? Just a place.

Just a place. You're so cryptic.

♪ Where did the future go? Hey, Alex, what's up?

Hey, Alex, what's up? Hey.

Hey. ♪ I was feeling down

♪ I was feeling down ♪ I was feeling so low

♪ I was feeling so low got that?

Got that? Yeah.

Yeah. Hi.

Hi. Hi.

♪ Here it comes [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] ♪ the frozen land

♪ the frozen land ♪ I'm never going back there

♪ I'm never going back there ♪ it was a lie

♪ it was a lie whoa!

Whoa! ♪ itself, oh-oh

♪ itself, oh-oh hi.

Hi. Hi.

Hi. She's new. Be nice.

She's new. Be nice. ♪ I saw the light,

♪ I saw the light, saw the reconstruction ♪

Saw the reconstruction ♪ ♪ and I will go

♪ and I will go ♪ I will go

♪ I will go out in the heat and the rush ♪

Out in the heat and the rush ♪ ♪ and they push us by a knife

♪ and they push us by a knife ♪ your little heart

♪ your little heart is gonna be sewn ♪

Is gonna be sewn ♪ ♪ where did the feeling go?

♪ Where did the feeling go? ♪ it comes and goes

♪ it comes and goes ♪ comes and goes

♪ comes and goes ♪ here it comes

♪ don't be repatriated

♪ don't be repatriated

Alex, you should really show your work.

Your work. Yeah, I don't know.

Yeah, I don't know. I'll probably just end up

I'll probably just end up working at a porn store the rest

working at a porn store the rest of my life.

Of my life. Really? Me too!

Really? Me too! [ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] You should really keep

you should really keep writing, though, because you

writing, though, because you kind of suck at your day job.

As long as I'm not boring. You're not boring.

You're not boring. You're a weirdo.

You're a weirdo. You are not normal.

You are not normal. [ Both laugh ]

[ Both laugh ] And it's inspiring.

And it's inspiring. It's cool.

It's cool. Thanks.

Thanks. You're welcome.

[ Chuckles ] ♪ I feel alone

♪ I feel alone ♪ I feel alone

♪ I feel alone ♪ I feel alone,

♪ I feel alone, but it feels all ri-I-ght ♪

But it feels all ri-I-ght ♪ ♪ I feel alone,

♪ I feel alone, but it feels all right ♪

But it feels all right ♪ ♪ I feel alone,

♪ I feel alone, but it feels all ri-I-ght ♪

But it feels all ri-I-ght ♪ ♪ I feel alone,

♪ I feel alone, but it feels all right ♪

But it feels all right ♪ ♪ I feel alone

♪ I feel alone ♪ I feel all right

♪ I feel all right ♪ I feel alone

♪ I feel alone ♪ I feel all right

♪ I feel all right ♪ I feel alone

♪ I feel alone ♪ I feel all right

♪ I feel all right ♪ I feel alone

♪ I feel alone ♪ I feel all right

♪ I feel all right [ Chuckles ]

[ Up-tempo dance music plays ]

♪ Well, they're an army of thieves ♪

Of thieves ♪ ♪ they've got everything

♪ they've got everything they need ♪

They need ♪ bend the other leg, too.

Bend the other leg, too. Both legs?

Both legs? Yeah, you like that?

Yeah, you like that? Oh, God, that's sexy.

Oh, God, that's sexy. I'll get something to go with

I'll get something to go with her.

Her. ♪ what about us?

♪ What about us? ♪ what about us?

♪ What about us? ♪ what about us?

♪ What about us? ♪ what about us?

♪ What about us? ♪ what about us?

♪ Because it's time after time ♪ we're stuck behind the line

♪ we're stuck behind the line ♪ what about us?

♪ What about us? ♪ what about us?

♪ What about us? ♪ and they won't admit defeat

♪ and they won't admit defeat when it pulls into the street ♪

When it pulls into the street ♪ ♪ so, what about us?

♪ So, what about us? ♪ what about, what about us?

♪ What about, what about us? ♪ what about us?

♪ What about us? ♪ what about us?

♪ What about us? ♪ what about u-us?

♪ What about u-us? [ Crowd cheers ]

[ Crowd cheers ] Thank you.

Thank you. Hello?!

Hello?! Thank you.

It's over. Go home.

Go home. ♪ break my heart

♪ break my heart ♪ break my heart

♪ break my heart ♪ break my heart

♪ I've been living life so long, I know there's nothing wrong

I know there's nothing wrong with this ♪

With this ♪ ♪ come on and break my heart

♪ come on and break my heart ♪ break my heart

♪ break my heart ♪ I've been living life so long,

♪ I've been living life so long, I know there's nothing wrong

I know there's nothing wrong with this ♪

With this ♪ ♪ come on and break my heart

♪ come on and break my heart ♪ break my heart

♪ break my heart ♪ I've been living life so long,

♪ I've been living life so long, I know there's nothing wrong

I know there's nothing wrong with this ♪

With this ♪ ♪ come on and break my heart

♪ come on and break my heart ♪ break my heart

♪ break my heart ♪ well, let's stay

♪ well, let's stay ♪ this evil, little world

♪ this evil, little world ♪ break my heart