Original subtitles

Potato chip.

I see it.

Here I come.

I'm hungry.

I want the potato chip.

There she is.

You know, I saw the way you were looking at her.

Come on, it was a room full of rides. I was just talking. Oh, come on. I know

the difference between talking and flirting. Well, you shouldn't have had

that third guy for a while. Oh, really? Yeah, listen, once you've been betrayed,

there's no way in the world that I would ever... Come on, Trisha, once.

Seven years ago.

Once? Once is enough for me, and I'm not going to...

The problem now is that now you're experiencing a manic depressive

psychosis brought on by the accident, the brain trauma, the loss of your wife.

What concerns me, Jake, are the seizures.

Because those seizures are definitely a sign of something far more serious. And

if you don't at least try treatment and give yourself a chance, you will end up

with a much worse condition.

Like what?

Psychotic breaks.

I would like to strongly suggest that you consider staying at St. Francis.

I know doctors there.

I really recommend you get treatment for a few weeks.

Maybe even a few months.

A mental hospital?

Come on.

I can't do that. I have a daughter to raise.

And that's exactly why you need to.

Because you have a daughter to raise.

Still your favorite, isn't it?

Yeah.

Hey.

Katie.

I have to go away.

I don't want to come.

Not this time, baby.

You know, the accident's made me a little bit sick, and I have to get

fixed.

I need to be stronger so I can take care of you.

You do.

Not the way I need to, baby, okay?

You're gonna go and stay with Anne. and Uncle William and your cousins in

Westchester.

But I don't want you to go.

When I come back, it'll be for good forever.

It's gonna be fine.

Hey. Hi sweetheart.

Jake.

Hi. Oh, we're so happy to come to stay with us.

Say goodbye.

I have to go now.

No.

Back as soon as I can.

I love you, Katie.

Drive.

Please, drive.

Jake, it's time.

I'm proud of you, Jake.

If you need anything, you know where to find us.

Let's get you out of here.

Goodbye, Jake.

Good luck.

Thanks.

You

look

good.

I guess electroshock agrees with me.

Oh, they better not have scrambled those wires.

You got a Nobel Prize in that head of yours. You broke my word.

If Bellow can win it, so can you.

Thanks for the pressure.

I've been out five minutes.

Oh, you know, I've made an effort. Well, it hasn't been an effort. It's been a

great joy for me. I've seen her at least once a month, sometimes even more.

Want to see Katie later?

Yeah. Well, you nervous?

She's my daughter. Why would I be nervous?

You want me to come with?

You really are a full-service agent.

I'm a friend.

We'll be fine.

Yeah? Yeah.

Thanks for picking me up.

Thanks for the lift.

Take care.

I missed you too. I was coming back and now I'm back. Well, I know, I know, but

I waited forever.

Are you here for good? Forever and ever and forever and ever.

I love you. Hey.

Welcome back.

I have coffee and cake on the inside.

Do you drink coffee? Come on in. No.

I'm glad to hear you don't drink coffee.

But you eat cake.

Yes. Okay, so let's go have some dessert.

Hey, William. Welcome back, Dick.

How's the law? Oh, always good.

And she's been doing better and better at school. We're very proud of her.

Daddy? Yes, ma'am?

Could you please take Katie to her room?

Why?

We're just going to have a little chat with Daddy, okay?

Boys!

Not in the house.

Go up to your rooms.

What's up?

Almost a year away.

Seven months.

Look, I, uh, I want to thank you both and let you know how much I appreciate

you looking after Katie. She looks terrific.

I'm indescribably grateful. Thank you. Well, we have a safe, happy home here.

Yes.

I guess it's been quite an adjustment, like being back.

Well, I missed it terribly.

Oh, yeah?

Miss Patricia?

Did you know we were going to have lunch the day of her funeral?

We were finally going to discuss some of the things that had been keeping us

apart. Elizabeth. And there's not a day that I don't think about that, Jake.

She was my only sister, and I never got the chance... Elizabeth, Elizabeth.

We'd like to make a proposal.

Jake, and just hear me out.

Let Katie stay here tonight, and you get settled.

Now, get your sea legs, so to speak, and then, you know, in a week or whenever

you're ready, then have Katie come live with you.

That won't be necessary.

Well, it's no hardship for us.

We'll be fine. We enjoy having Katie here. We like having her here. You got

laid.

Katie?

We'd like to adopt Katie.

What?

God damn it.

I don't want the kids to hear this. Let me just... What

are you talking about?

Look, Jake, I've never been comfortable hiding our intentions.

Katie is happy here. She loves Andrew and Michael.

I mean, you should see the way the three of them... Katie is my daughter. Well,

yeah, of course she is, but we're very comfortable.

Staying at St.

Francis for a year...

I imagine you ran through most of your money. You'd see her whenever you want,

and this is going to free you up to concentrate on your... Katie.

Jake. Come on, we're going.

Jake. Jake.

Jake!

So I thought we rehearsed this.

He killed my sister, not yours.

Jake. Say thank you.

Thank you.

Say goodbye.

Bye. Honey, I love you. Bye.

Hey,

Katie, wait up.

What's going on?

Studying. Can't believe you're getting a graduate degree in psychology.

Sitting around listening to people whine about their problems all day. I like

helping people. You could help me.

I'm lonely as hell.

What could I possibly do to help you, Evan?

I don't know.

I could go out for a date sometime.

You're a confident man, son. Am I?

I think so.

So tell me, what do you really want? Do you want to date me or do you want to

fuck me? Because I'm fine either way.

What happened to your confidence?

Can I see you again?

Oh, man.

Why'd you do that if you don't want to see me again?

I didn't have time to work out today.

See you around in a minute.

Hi, Mariah.

Hi. You staying out of trouble?

I'm trying.

All right.

A case just got transferred.

A 12-year-old girl.

Lucy Carter.

Her father died when she was an infant.

Drug overdose.

Her mother was a prostitute murdered by John almost a year ago.

Where's she living?

Foster parents on 133rd.

She hasn't spoken a word since her mother's funeral.

She hasn't spoken for a year?

How was her speaking before?

Just normal.

Any physiological?

Not a thing.

Thought you might be interested.

Definitely.

Good.

Which one's your favorite?

You can just point.

I like the cat.

But that's just me.

You see, I know you're scared.

But you're in a really safe place.

Okay?

And I'm gonna be here to help you.

I promise you that.

I... don't love.

But you have loved.

A long time ago, once.

So you know that you can love.

I'm... There's nothing in here. There's nothing. It's like... It's an empty

well. It's... Just dry and barren.

Is that why you sleep with all these men?

No.

So what is it you want?

I don't want anything.

You must want something. You continue to do it.

So how does it make you feel?

Happy? No.

Pretty?

No. So what?

It makes me feel... It makes me feel...

something.

Because most of the time I feel nothing.

And these are men that you don't even like.

Right.

So what would you do if you met a man that you actually did like?

I don't know.

Probably make him regret the day he laid eyes on me.

Hey. How you doing?

What's your name?

Katie. Katie?

I'm Brian.

Nice to meet you.

You a student here? I think I've seen you around before. Yeah.

Awesome. What are you studying?

Psychology. No way. I got a buddy over there. I was just shooting pool with you

studying psychology.

I actually took an intro course once. I love that shit. It's like... You know?

So what are you drinking? A beer?

Can I get you a drink?

I'm gonna get you a drink.

Hey, can we get two beers? One for me, one for Katie over here? Gotcha. Thanks.

So... Three beers already, Katie.

Ryan, you must be a math major.

That's good.

That's good.

So tell me, Katie.

What's your story well Brian I have very self-destructive tendencies

William? Scotch.

Elizabeth.

You're difficult.

I mean, nobody knows that better than I do.

Jake, it hasn't even been two years since she lost her sister. I mean, they

were... They were very close.

Trisha hated Elizabeth.

Well, sisters sometimes say things. Found her controlling, selfish,

judgmental.

Okay, all right. Well, listen, we're both fairly bright guys. Let's just be

frank.

We proposed something that you've let us know is of no interest. I'm not gonna

bring that up again.

But the reason I asked you here today is... Thank you.

Worthington called me, and they said you're planning to pull Katie out of the

school, and I... I had the mistake.

I mean, if there's a better girl school in the country, that'd be news to me.

I simply can't afford it.

Please. Ed, that's our pleasure. You're never going to see a bill.

I promise.

It's the least we can do.

You've done enough already.

Well, the public schools are a jungle. Is that what you want for Katie?

I'll figure something out.

Well, like what? There's public and there's private. Those are the options.

You all right?

I mean, you know how difficult it is to get a kid into a good private school?

In New York, everybody's rich that applies, and they're connected and

underhanded.

I'll figure something out.

Let me buy you a drink. You will not... You will not be raising my daughter by

committee.

Thank you.

You like my bike?

I used to have a pink bike when I was a little girl.

Do you know how to ride?

Do you know how to ride a bike?

Do any of your friends have bikes?

If you want, one day I can take you out and teach you how to ride.

We could go out to the park.

One of these days, it could be fun.

So, how's it going with Lucy? Is she talking?

It's a process.

So she's not talking.

Look, I'm going to transfer the case to Dr. Weinberg. She's a very experienced

psychologist. I just need more time.

And I need something to put in her 60-day report.

Look, this isn't about... trying to impress the state agency that just so

happens to fund us at a time of severe cutbacks.

It's about helping this little girl who suffered such severe trauma she can't

even speak anymore and will live an unbearably bleak life if we don't

connect with her. And soon.

Well, we failed her.

And we have to fix it. We've not failed her.

Katie, you're a very bright young woman.

And you're gonna be an exceptional psychologist someday.

But you need to know when to admit defeat and move on. Let me take her to

the park, okay? I think in a different environment, she'll just be... It's not

the environment.

It's the therapist.

You know I can't let you take her off grounds.

But you got your week.

Thanks. Katie?

A week is a week.

Yep.

Hey. Oh, it is so good to see you again. Thanks for meeting me.

Yeah, of course, of course. Why don't you come on back?

I just want to tell you again how sorry we all are about Patricia.

That was just a big loss for our whole community.

Thank you. Yeah.

How's Katie doing?

Oh, she's fine.

Yeah? When she left Copen, she moved in with her aunt and uncle?

Yeah. Yeah? But she's back with Mina.

Oh, good.

Good.

I would really like her to come back to Copeland.

Well, it's the middle of the year, you know. Do you really think pulling her

out of Worthington is the best thing right now? I already did.

Oh.

Gosh.

Look, Jake, you know we would love to have Katie back with us, but we're

completely full.

Always room for one more.

I just... I'm sorry.

What about faculty?

What about them? The faculty get priority for admission.

Yes, and free to... I will teach creative writing for seniors.

Ah, okay. Well, I don't think we're budgeted for something like that. For a

dollar a semester.

Jake, I appreciate it. I really do.

The craft of the short story will focus on student work, study of the masters,

Twain, Hemingway, Roth, and maybe a piece I'm currently working on.

Okay, you really want to teach creative writing to 12th graders? I really want

my daughter.

And to write recommendations for their college applications.

For any student who shows talent.

Talent being generously defined.

Katie can start next week.

Can you start next semester?

I can indeed.

You know what my favorite part of the day is? What?

This part.

Taking you to school.

I'm working.

Hello? Hi, Jake. It's Elizabeth calling.

Hey, Elizabeth.

Hi, um... I'm calling to invite you and Katie over for dinner.

What day would work for you?

Um, how does Thursday sound?

Oh, no, look, Thursday I'm on a writer's panel. What about Saturday?

Dottie's making her a meatloaf. It's Katie's favorite. Yeah? Oh, she would

love that. No, but Saturday, you see, we're going to the park, and she's gonna

be really...

Listen, Jake, stop playing games with me, all right?

Katie lived with us for a year.

The boys miss her terribly, as do William and I.

Now, are you going to come to dinner or not?

I said yes.

All right, then.

We should set a date that works for you.

Hey, Elizabeth, look, I'm writing at the moment. Can I call you back? Thanks.

Hey there.

Well, hey there.

I have a gift for you.

But that's not necessary.

You didn't think I spent the whole time in the hospital basket weaving, did you?

Bitter tulips.

Mm-hmm.

Hmm.

I like it.

Any good?

Best thing I've ever written.

Really? Mm-hmm. I'm sure of it.

You son of a gun.

I'm gonna get this sold by lunch.

Good. Because I'm broke.

I thought it'd be nice to take a break from the office.

Sit here and watch the ducks go about their day?

In my next life...

I want to come back as a duck.

You can fly, you can swim, you can quack.

Pretty nice.

She sat there and held my hand.

She held my hand.

Where did this happen?

In my office.

But she didn't speak.

No. So I'm transferring her to Dr. Weinberg.

We're on the verge. What does on the verge mean?

A week, a month, a year, what?

It means that we are making progress.

I'm sorry, Katie.

That's not fair. It's completely fair.

Now, you are to inform Lucy that Tuesday's session will be your last.

And at the end of that session, Dr. Weinberg will come in and introduce

herself.

We're done here.

Will you please put this back on the shelf?

Thank you.

Uh,

Lucy?

I have had the best couple months with you.

Oh, boy, it's been such a pleasure to get to know you and to read and play,

draw pictures.

It's been so fun that I told my friend Carla, who works here, she's super nice,

how much fun it's been. And she wants to play with you, too, so she's excited to

meet you. She's actually going to come by in a couple minutes to say hi.

And next time you come in, you're gonna hang out with her.

Instead of me.

No.

I wanna stay with you.

What are you doing?

I've got some great news.

Daddy sold a book today.

Is that good? Is that good? Are you kidding me?

That's the greatest news in the world. That means you can have any toy on the

entire planet.

I want to buy pink with a basket and bell and streamers.

Okay,

let's go and get that. That's what you should have.

Keep your balance. Keep your balance by looking forward.

That's it.

You're going great.

It's all you.

It's all you.

Now accelerate.

There you go.

There you go. Keep your eyes up. Keep looking where you're going.

That's my girl.

Oh, yeah. She's got it.

She's got it.

Go, Katie.

Go faster.

Close to you.

Why do stars fall down from the sky

every time you walk by?

Just like me, they long to be close

to you.

The angels got together and decided to create a dream come true.

So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of

blue.

I'm writing a new book.

What's it about?

It's about you.

Me?

I called it Potato Chip for as long as I can remember.

And for no reason I can name.

What do you think? You like it?

Could it be about us instead?

Can it be about us?

Yeah.

You know kiddo you are a genius my daughter is a

genius

You know, normally I would never approach someone like you, but I heard a

rumor.

What rumor?

That my literary idol and your father are the same person.

I don't know if that's true.

So they lied to me?

Who? My friends. They're liars. You're not potato chip.

Sorry.

I can't really hear you. Can we, can we move?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

We're, uh, really, all right.

What were you, uh, babbling about?

No, it's, uh, Jake Davis.

Um, he wrote my favorite book of all time, Fathers and Daughters.

Wow. It's a popular book.

Yeah, I know it's just been with me ever since I was a little kid

Literally changed my life. Oh Hi, I'm

my name's Cameron I'm Katie Katie

as in Kate Davis

You're the real Kate Davis?

How close is the book to what actually happened?

It's a lot funnier in the book.

Okay.

Is this your thing? You go out alone?

No friends?

Yeah. Yeah?

Sometimes I just prefer being alone. It's a lot easier.

So what do you do?

I'm a social worker. I work with kids with problems.

Wow. Yeah.

I like it.

So how do you get by?

I'm a freelance writer for a few newspapers and starting my first book.

What's it called?

You really want to know?

Yeah.

Two is the perfect number.

Two is the perfect number. Yeah.

Is it a love story?

Uh, yeah.

Yeah, kind of.

Uh, this is me.

This is you.

Yeah. Wow, this is really nice.

Perfect for a potato chip.

Well, you are never seeing my apartment.

Um, well, not that you would. This was a date or anything, but, um...

What are you doing tomorrow Why also we can continue this

conversation I Was running

I can run Would you like to join me? Yeah, I would

okay

Sweet dreams.

Sweet dreams to you too, Cameron.

Good night.

Night.

The rising moon draws the youthful eye.

Rising and shining, full of grace and hope.

Yes, the tulips are beautiful.

For now.

Everything lives and dies, rises and falls, and

loves and leaves.

You can pre-order Bitter Tulips downstairs, and Mr. Davis has also

graciously agreed to sign copies of his previous books, which we've conveniently

made available to you. Thank you.

Carrie? You see?

With a K. K-E-R-R-I.

Thank you.

Can you get out to Nancy?

Excuse me.

Mr. Davis, are you all right?

Is this how a princess dances?

Yes, it is.

Exactly how a princess dances.

It's called a waltz.

And when you're a little bit older, I'll show you how to do it.

So if I'm a princess, am I going to meet a prince one day?

Yeah, absolutely. When?

I don't know when.

When the time is right.

What's his name going to be?

His name is going to be... Prince something.

I didn't know what his name was going to be.

This guy's saying, ten years from now, everyone will write on computers.

And the typewriter will go the way of the horse and buggy.

Jake, some of the reviews for Bitter Tulips have come in.

Yeah?

Bad?

The book's so bad, it makes you wonder if Jake Davis was ever really dead.

This is awful.

Well, you've had bad reviews before.

Yeah, but not like this. This is just a personal attack.

It's... This is, uh... No.

It's, uh... There's got to be others, right?

You just didn't get it. No.

So incomprehensible, it might as well have been written in Aramaic.

What about the Times?

Who wrote it?

Colson.

He's just a little prick, right? Yeah. I wouldn't do the blurb for his novella,

so he's just getting some revenge.

Knopf's gonna cut the initial run in half. I mean, if it starts to sell,

what? The marketing? I think they're probably gonna cut that, too.

Well, if they don't support it, it's just dead in the water.

What can I... If they're not paying for ads, if they're not putting a platform,

well, I can't do anything. I fought like a... They don't care what you've done.

Just a bunch of bean counters.

They're just reviews.

It's just, you know... I don't care about reviews.

All right,

I'll see you later.

You know, if you don't want to go to Aunt Elizabeth's birthday, we don't have

to, you know?

I know, but I want to go.

Really? Yep. Because we could go and do something else, like anything you want.

But, Daddy, I want to go.

Really? Yep.

Is bribery going to work?

No. No.

You look beautiful.

Thank you.

Katie!

Hi! Hi!

Hi, my daughter.

I missed you so much.

Look who's here, kids.

Jake. William.

Thanks for coming.

I'm sorry.

I didn't hear about your book. It must have been rough by the critics.

Yeah,

well, you know.

I don't know why God invented cockroaches or literary critics, but I'm

sure he had his reasons.

Well, you know, but they just hated it. I mean, they actively hated it. How do

you get past something like that?

You know, pick yourself up. That kind of thing.

You know, I think I didn't notice that you were shaking the last time we met. I

mean, it looked to me like you were about to have a seizure.

And I admit, I mean, I was disturbed.

You see yourself wrestling with impulses you can't control, even after all that

time in the hospital.

The book's proof.

Jake, you're not ready for the real world. You're not cut out to be a

father. You should just give Katie to somebody who actually can take care of

her. Tell your kid that you love her, and then you can't do what's best for

her. That's hypocrisy of the word kind.

Not so much left hand.

That's funny man, that's funny Nice move

Yeah, baby.

I'll be right there.

Maybe your dad's here. Hey.

Sorry, the train got stuck at Clark Street Station.

Somebody had pulled the emergency brake.

Hey. You said you would set the alarm when you're working.

I hate the last one picked up.

Potato chip.

Hey.

Hey.

There seems to be...

Very grumpy child here.

Try and take away the grumpiness one layer at a time.

Okay.

Yep, there's a little bit of grumpiness gone.

I still see some grumpiness.

Gone. It's all gone.

Hey, I'm a pretty good doctor.

Okay, I'll stay with you, okay?

All right, I'm gonna give you a big push and let you go, okay?

Go!

Go, go, go, go, go, Lucy!

Yes, go!

Go, Lucy, go!

That's my girl!

That's my girl!

Yes!

You wanna know what?

Maybe decide to become a writer.

Really stick to it.

Well, when I was in Kenya, one morning I woke up, I jumped out of the car to pee,

and I was face to face with the lion.

Really? Yeah, no, for real. I mean, a male lion about 15 feet in front of me,

just staring straight at me.

I mean, he was clearly telling me that I was his.

What'd you do?

I didn't do anything. I was frozen. I mean, I physically could not move.

You know, he stared at me for a few more moments, and he just walked right past

me.

I mean, I will never forget that moment.

I realized that no more Plan B, no documentary, no

veterinarian, no Harvard.

I just wanted to do what I always...

I always dreamt of. You know, I wanted to... I wanted to write.

You know, I wanted to... I wanted to write as if every page I was writing on

was the last page before I died. You know, I want to... I want to leave

something behind.

You know, I want to... I want to leave my mark.

Because you know what?

Sooner or later, in one form or another, a lion is just gonna come

and get us all.

So glad he let you live.

Yeah, so am I.

You having a bed?

You're in a bed.

I have something for you.

What is

this?

It's the original.

The last number.

Katie, I can't accept this. I want you to have it.

It's a good luck charm.

It's for you.

You can't catch me.

No, you can't. I'm on this side.

Well, I bet I can go past you. No, no, I'm on this side.

I can go past you. Oh, then?

Race. Okay.

Yeah. Up the bridge. Up the bridge.

Come on.

Sorry to go up.

Daddy, wait.

Come on, baby.

And up the bridge.

I got it.

Right. Now, don't forget the roundabout. We've got to go around the turn.

Here we go.

Around the turn.

And another time.

I can't believe I have a daughter who puts ketchup on a hot dog.

You don't like ketchup?

On hamburgers. On french fries.

On a hot dog?

Ridiculous.

Come on.

I'm my own person.

Yeah.

Then what?

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Katie.

Happy birthday to you.

Wow. Look at those teeth.

I bet your only other dinosaurs didn't want to bump into these guys at

dinnertime.

It's your mama.

Me too.

Hey.

You know you are the great joy and light of your mom's life.

Just like you're the great joy and light of mine.

I really miss her. Of course you do.

Of course you do.

But you know what?

Her mom is wherever you are.

She's in this room right now.

She's watching over us. She's looking down.

She's got a big smile on her face and she's so proud.

She's so proud of you, baby.

Because she can see the intelligent, caring, beautiful little girl that you

are.

Are you going to die?

Not for a very, very long time. I'm an old, old, old, old man.

How old?

Well, probably about a thousand. Yeah.

Yeah. Maybe a million if I stop eating hot dogs.

Daddy.

I will be such an old man.

All right? You will have your own house.

and your own husband, you'll have a whole bunch of kids, you'll have a dog

and a cat, and everybody will be running around putting ketchup on everything.

Promise.

I promise.

Pinky swear?

Jake Davis?

Yeah.

You've been served.

I have to admit, I was shocked when Bob shared your case with me. It's

unprecedented for an aunt and uncle to sue for the custody of their niece when

the biological father is not only alive and well, but a famous author to boot.

Jake, John Wilton is the best custody lawyer in the country.

I can't tell you how happy I am he's interested in your case.

Sometimes these cases are more about hurt feelings than a genuine desire to

obtain custody.

The first step is for you to sit down with William, try and talk him out of

pursuing this.

And if he refuses to drop it?

We'll file a motion to dismiss, argue the case is completely without merit.

And if that fails?

We'll kick their ass in court.

Jake scotch needs I'll

start

Look I want you to know this is it's not a vendetta against you

We don't blame you for what happened to Patricia and we're not Retaliating

because you kept Katie away from us after we took care of her for a year in

your absence

Our only concern is Katie's welfare.

And if you asked her, she'd tell you in a heartbeat she wants to stay with me.

Well, she's eight.

It's inadmissible in court.

It still matters.

You're a reasonable man, William.

And you're a father.

Now, I admit, I was angry when I came to pick up Katie, and you

talked of adopting her out from under me.

And perhaps at the party, I overreacted.

Perhaps you overreacted?

I'm truly sorry for what happened at Elizabeth's party.

You provoked me, but that still does not justify my action.

And I would welcome you and Elizabeth

being more involved in Katie's life.

Jake, I... I didn't file the lawsuit as a bargaining chip.

You know my lawyer, John Wilmore.

He's a great attorney.

He's not cheap.

He tells me you don't have a shot.

He tells me they'll never separate.

a daughter from her sole biological parent.

You know you're gonna lose. Why do this? You spent a year in a mental institution

which did nothing to relieve you of your psychotic breaks.

Three dozen people witnessed you attack me in my home at a birthday party.

Because I didn't like your last book.

You gave testimony.

to the Connecticut State Police that you were having a heated argument and

speeding at the time of your wife's death, and while they didn't charge you

with reckless endangerment, that is how it's going to appear to the custody

judge.

Your last book tanked, critically and commercially, putting into doubt whether

or not you can even provide for Katie.

And I got a feeling you were running out of money.

But I'll know soon enough when I subpoena your financial records.

I got more money than God.

If we lose, we'll appeal. If we lose the appeal, we'll appeal that.

How are you positioned to handle a prolonged legal battle?

You are a very good lawyer, William.

I'm trying to be a very good uncle.

you're trying to separate a little girl who's already suffering deeply from the

loss of her mother, away from the father she loves and who loves her.

That is what you're trying to do.

I would hope there's a special place in hell for somebody who would do that.

That did not actually happen.

No, impossible. Really. Yes.

We need a drink. You want another one? Yes, please. Okay, I'll be back.

I'll be back.

Hey.

Hi. How you doing?

Okay. You look beautiful.

Thanks. You don't remember me, do you?

Yes, I do. What's my name?

It's John.

John. John. We met at Walker's Pub like a year ago. You remember that? We had

drinks.

Right. Do you still have that place with that incredible view of the park? I do.

Really? Yeah, same place. Let's go there.

Okay, there's actually, I gotta tell you, someone's sitting there and I need

you to... You had fun, didn't you?

Uh, listen, can you go? I mean, he's gonna be right back.

Alright, you're like one of those girls who's just into the one night thing.

Right? Is that you? Can you go, please?

Well, I just, I don't give a shit. I can pay you for it. All right, here, I'll

help you. You want a hundred? Come on, thanks.

Thanks, man.

You're a bitch. Here, take that bitch. What's going on?

She's a one-night kind of gal.

And tonight's your night.

So enjoy.

Because I did.

Who's this guy?

You know, I banged you on your kitchen floor.

You can at least remember my goddamn name.

You want a hundred?

Get out of here.

Get your hands off me. Get out of here. Get your... Get out!

Yeah, but here you thought you were getting potato chip, and you wound up

with some cheap piece of ass. Hey, stop that.

No.

Okay? The woman I'm crazy about isn't potato chip. It's you, Katie.

Okay? You.

Well... There are...

Ways that I came up to help me cope with my situation in life that I know

aren't healthy.

I know they're not good for me, but it

helped me fill this void.

And you know what? I'm, like, pretty ashamed of... Come here.

Come here. It's not...

She's behind you now, right?

Yeah.

These cupcakes are really something.

Really ridiculous.

I'm starting to feel sick, but it's worth it. It's so worth it.

Hey,

so it's my mom's birthday this week, and my dad is throwing

her dinner Saturday night up in Greenwich.

Really?

Yeah.

Only if you want to.

It'll be fun.

Okay.

Yeah?

Oh, wow.

We should have left earlier.

Come on.

We're gonna miss the train.

What's wrong?

Hey, what's wrong?

What?

Uh, I'm not ready.

Hey, it's just my parents, okay?

And a few of their friends, most of whom aren't horrible, just rich and boring.

All right, my parents, they're gonna love you. Promise. They'll eat you up.

Come on. Come on.

I can't.

Katie.

Katie!

Katie!

Katie!

Hey! Watch out!

Katie!

Katie!

Where are you headed?

Brooklyn, please.

What the hell are you doing?

I'm sorry.

I don't know what happened.

You're gonna have a PhD in psychology.

What's that supposed to mean?

It means it's pretty obvious what happened.

You chickened out.

Was it because you thought my parents weren't gonna like you?

Or you thought my parents were gonna like you too much and you'd be even

deeper than you are now?

Is that it?

How deep am I in?

I don't know.

I don't know, Katie. I don't know what we're doing here.

I'll tell you something.

I'm tired.

I'm tired of it.

What?

I'm tired of trying to figure out what this is, what we're doing, what are we

doing?

Look, this is just hanging out, and that's all it is, and that's fine,

because you know what?

It makes me happy.

Will you please look at me when I'm talking to you? Katie.

Hey, Katie.

I'm sorry.

Hey.

Katie.

Katie! Katie!

Hey!

Katie!

Katie!

Stop! Stop!

Stop!

Talk to me.

Talk to me.

Talk to me. This is not hanging out.

Good. Good.

Because everything I just said back there was a lie.

Good.

Do what?

Be the girlfriend.

It's all right.

It's all right.

Yeah.

Jake, John Wilton, how are you?

You tell me.

The motion to dismiss was denied. I'm sorry.

Now, this doesn't mean that the judge is taking their side or even that he feels

they have a particularly strong case. It just means he believes there's enough

there to bring it to trial.

It's a setback, but they still have a very high burden of proof to establish.

Listen, this is a highly unusual case.

Sorting through the relevant case law is going to be a major undertaking.

I'm going to have to ask you for a $25,000 retainer to start.

You understand that the interest rate on your second mortgage will be three and

three quarters percent higher than your original note.

I went broke two ways.

Gradually, and then suddenly.

What was that? The sun also rises?

Good writing.

The thing about writing, you know, you hit a line of truth if you can do that.

Should we be concerned about your ability to pay two mortgages?

You just take my house anyway, right?

Okay. Come on. We're a little bit late.

Okay.

Goodbye. Have a great day.

Love you, potato chip.

Love you, too.

Okay. Oh, wait. My lunch.

Sorry. Here. Okay.

Speed school.

School just got out.

Well,

lucky I was here earlier.

and you haven't eaten anything.

You know what Julie said to me today?

Uh-uh.

She said that when we're older, we're all going to... Hey,

I gotta concentrate.

Why don't you go and get ready for bed?

Is there a book tonight?

Not tonight, no.

Why?

Because today's working, baby.

You're always working.

You just have to get used to it for a while.

Well, Julia's dad reads two books every night. Well, you got ripped off from the

parent department.

What can I tell you?

Katie.

Damn it.

Hey, you know why I'm working?

For you.

Because we need money. For lawyers, money for food, money for clothes, for

school, keep a roof over our head. Because we live in the United States of

money. Art, friendship, love, none of that matters.

Only money.

Katie.

Got any money, potato chip?

You got like 60 grand stashed in your piggy bank. That'd be great.

Hey, you.

Come on, get out.

Come on.

You know, you...

I have to change your hiding place if you don't want to get found so easily.

Hey.

Katie.

I'm doing the best I can. I swear to God.

I love you, Daddy.

I love you, too.

What do you think about when you think about your mom?

It's just me.

Scared.

Scared. Why?

I miss her so much.

And I'm so...

I love you, Katie.

I love you like I've never loved anyone else.

You know, not everyone that loves you is going to.

I know that here, but I don't know it here.

You should go and find some uncomplicated girl to love and stop

wasting it on me.

Oh, I like wasting it on you.

Hey.

You okay?

Yeah.

You sure? Yeah.

Okay.

I'm gonna go wash up.

What is this?

What is this?

Okay, what is this?

Why would you do this?

Okay.

You want out?

Is that what this... All right, hey, hey, here.

You're out. You're out. You're out.

I don't know why I did that.

I... Please, just listen to me. Sorry.

Cameron, please, just look at me, please.

Please, please, just look at me.

I... I don't know why I did that.

I... I just... Just give me a second to explain myself, please.

Please, I'm so scared.

Of what? Of what, Kate?

Of what? What are you so afraid of? What?

Tell me, what?

I'm really trying to understand you, Kate. I really tried to give you all of

my love, but you know I can't. I can't do this anymore, Kate.

Stop.

Just stop.

Karen.

Stop!

Wait.

Wait, wait, wait, wait. What did you think would happen, Kate?

What, huh?

What, what? I don't know how to do this. What? I don't know how to do this. Do

what? Do what?

You let some guy come between your legs! That is not a mistake, Kate!

Easy father, easy son, happy family, everyone.

To a true, quiet, honest man, don't care if he stumble or die.

Empty hand, the cap in hand, 13 years of legal man.

Hey, you should come back with

Are you coming?

I'm coming.

All right, let's go.

Are you coming?

Just like me they long to be close to you

What are you doing up? It's morning.

It's morning?

What?

Would you read me just one book?

You want to see me?

Uh... Well... We have some,

uh... We have some great news.

Lucy's leaving foster care.

She's been adopted.

Oh, my God. By a loving, stable family in Queens.

They have two other children. It's a perfect fit.

Queens?

I'm gonna take her home right now. I'll have a subway to get here.

Uh... Wow.

Look.

You can't see her anymore.

What? She'll continue therapy with a social worker who'll help integrate her

into her new community.

She needs a clean break from us.

You've done great work with her, honey. We're all very proud.

But... She can't start her new life holding on to you.

This is standard procedure.

There's got to be a way out of this. This isn't like taking Lucy to the park.

There's no way for me to fudge this. I'm sorry.

Hey, this is great news.

This is what we hope and pray for.

We have an awful lot to talk about, huh?

New family.

New school.

Everything's gonna be okay.

I promise.

I don't remember my mother much, but I love, love, love my

father.

He was a writer.

He was actually quite famous.

He wasn't so well until he... But he stayed up all night, every night,

finishing one last book.

That book was about me.

But really, it was about life.

How he never gave up on me.

It was his way of telling me how much he loves me.

And goodbye.

That's what this book is really about.

Never, ever give up.

Life is going to be really...

challenging and unfair and sometimes painful.

I mean, you've been through a lot already.

But we can never give up or stop moving forward or looking ahead.

No matter how hard the experiences that we've been through are.

All I can do is... Is tell you that...

I love you.

And goodbye.

I love you too.

You be good, okay?

You have great things in front of you.

Congratulations, Jake.

What for?

You're gonna be an uncle again. It seems your brother-in-law, William...

has been having an affair with his secretary.

Who's all at 24.

And she's pregnant.

And she's keeping it.

Elizabeth's filing for divorce.

They dropped the suit.

Whoops!

Fathers and daughters.

How do you run it?

How do you write a novel in three months? Usually it takes you years.

Is that any good?

No idea.

What you said to me when you brought me leaving the dance.

What did I put you on?

When you brought me leaving the dance, the book you won the Pulitzer Prize for.

I want to say something to your father.

Hi sweetheart.

Thank you.

I miss you.

And I love you.

God, I love you so much.

I should have said it a million times.

I really should have.

I was so afraid of you leaving me.

And I know we both know that I'm not easy.

I know I'm not.

And... And you're the best thing that ever happened to me.

And you know what? I can't... I don't want to live without you.

Cameron.

I can go.

This is my, uh... This is my friend.

Thank you.

Thank you for everything.

Really?

Katie.

Katie.

Katie.

It is a great honor to accept this Pulitzer on behalf of my client, the

late Jake Davis.

That Fathers and Daughters has won every major literary award and been perched

atop the bestsellers list for a year is every agent's dream.

That I never got to buy Jake a drink and slap him on the back is my own personal

nightmare.

Katie, I think you're the only person in the world who will miss him more than I

will.

Thank you.

I've had a hard life.

I suppose I... I was hard right back.

I'm a grown woman who's never known love.

Isn't that something?

My parents were just the same.

My mother was a terribly mean woman.

My father, someone we saw at the occasional Sunday dinner.

You know, Katie, men, they can survive without love.

But not us women.

To make your.

One time.

So learn to love and spread your wings and find

the one to call your home.

and you'll carry