♪ Well back in the day ♪
♪ I was just thinking about the games we'd play ♪
♪ And all I remember ♪
♪ Is all the good times And the long goodbyes ♪
♪ But I tried so hard ♪
♪ And I could not relieve my soul ♪
♪ Tried so hard But the devil wouldn't let me go ♪
♪ And the world keeps on changing ♪
♪ And the truth is all I've found ♪
♪ And the world keeps on lying ♪
♪ But the proof is all around ♪
♪ Well back on the yard ♪
♪ We were just dreaming Of the things we want ♪
♪ All in it together ♪
♪ Nothing but time To watch the world go by ♪
♪ But I tried so hard ♪
♪ And I could not relieve my soul ♪
Mom?
- Hi. - You James Manse's kid?
Yeah.
You just turned 18?
Your old man wanted me to give you this,
and this.
You can pick it up at Billy's garage.
TJ, what the hell? You're supposed to tell me this
- when it happens, okay? - Excuse me.
- Not 12 hours late. - Dude, watch out, watch.
It's fine. Okay, so what?
- He just shows up at your house - Let's go.
out of nowhere, a random guy?
- Sorry. - Hey.
What? Yes, yes. And he was massive too.
So what? Just a key, key and a note?
Yeah. I was going to walk over after my shift
unless, trying to give me a ride?
Man, of course I'm trying to give you a ride.
I want to see it now. You can't just tell me
- a story like this. - See what?
Oh, don't pay any attention to him, Amber.
- Is this, ah? Oh! That for me? - Is it your birthday?
Not quite.
So, no.
Cool. Yeah.
Aren't you leaving soon?
Uhh, I got a week left here
and then summer league starts in a few weeks.
Word on any big plans?
Um no. Nothing yet.
Well, we should hang out sometime.
Okay, cool. Sounds good.
Okay, bye.
Bye. Shut up, bro.
What? Okay, I see you, TJ.
You know, Amber's right though.
You really should have some fun this summer
for like once in your life.
Well, I don't get an allowance every week
like some people I know.
Right, right, right, right. Okay, Hurry up.
I'm over it. I'll be outside.
That's, that does cost money. Okay.
Hurry up, TJ.
Worst case scenario is I feel like he just needs me
to do a favor for him or some shit like that.
A favor?
Yeah. Be like, take this to this address or some shit.
30, 30. And that's 32. The red.
This? This place?
This is it. Yeah.
Let's do it. Let's see what this key's about.
I don't see what people see in the Mini Cooper, you know what I mean, Jimmy?
- I don't like it. - I agree.
Jeez. These are complicated, these cars.
- Sir? - Oh, hey.
- Excuse me. - Hi.
- What can we do for you? - How's it going?
Um, we're looking for Billy.
Looking for Billy.
You found him. What's happening?
Hi. Um.
My father sent me here.
Who's your father?
J... James Manse.
Oh, right, right, right.
You're the Hammer's kid.
Jimmy, he's the Hammer's kid.
Oh, is he? Yeah. He looks a little bit like him.
And who are you? You the Hammer's kid too?
No, I'm not.
Don't be too surprised. You didn't know the Hammer.
Anyway, so what are you doing here?
Umm. Yeah, he sent, he, I dunno he,
he sent me these keys and your address and,
- You don't know what they're for? - No.
I guess you are the Hammer's kid.
All right. Let's go resurrect the blue biscuit.
I'm going to need your help. You're going to get dirty.
Jimmy, let's go.
Okay.
All right.
Don't expect much.
Swing it.
- There it is. What do you think? - Look at that bomber.
Okay, now don't rush this.
All right. Let's see what we're working with here.
Don't say we didn't help.
Remember, this car is 50 years old, man.
Even I looked better 50 years ago too.
- Nice color combo. - It is.
Oh, there's the hubcaps. Yeah.
Dude, is this thing a gift or a curse?
One, two, three. Here's the good stuff. The 383.
- Probably nice when it was new. - I know, man.
Not a bad looking car at all.
Excuse me guys, let me slip in here.
You know, when this car was new in 1968, right?
People were driving this in Beverly Hills.
Okay. See if there's any oil in this thing.
I mean, I think we got more to work
with than we might have thought originally.
How far do they have to go with this thing?
Manifolds, no rusting.
It might go easier than expected.
But this hose got to go.
Oh, we'll get an M34
We’ll get a new battery.
It doesn't look too bad.
Yeah. Okay. Here's what we're going to do.
So, we're going to work on it.
Okay.
But not today. So come back tomorrow.
We'll see where we're at. We'll talk some more.
- Yeah, we need some time. - All right. Thank you so much.
- Yeah, you're welcome. - Thank you, seriously.
And I want you to do me a favor.
Start saving money for gas because you're going to need it.
Yeah. Thank you.
It's a guzzler.
- Well did you tell her? - She said I can't go.
She says I'm too young and
she says I can barely drive.
Okay. That last part's a fair point.
Well did you tell her the army enlists kids
our age to go to war?
Oh no. I forgot to tell her that, dude.
I'll bring it up next time. I mean, she's pissed,
she's pissed he got me a car without asking her.
She's pissed it's old.
And she said it'll never make it to California.
Okay. Many fair points from your mom.
Yeah. She said he's the same, selfish,
irresponsible adolescent he always was.
And the drugs and the drinking and the prison time
wiped out any judgment he ever had.
She wants to think it over.
She wants to think it over, dude.
- You're right. - Yeah.
Peep this.
Drainage.
Dude, you're getting good.
Yeah.
You good to drop me off at Billy's?
Yeah, sure. Why not? Hurry up though.
I have places to be, girls to see.
Billy.
- Hey, how you doing? - What's going on?
Hey, TJ, how are you? Hey, Jimmy.
We got an Interstate 65 on the rack?
Yeah, there should be one on the bottom shelf.
Look, take this, put this over there.
This is dead. It's heavy.
Okay.
It's gone. D-E-A-D, dead. Any alternators come in?
I ordered that earlier. Should be here this afternoon.
Okay. I'll believe that when I see it.
Okay. Here's what happened.
We can't find a radiator for the car
'cause it's 1968 ya know? I mean,
I was playing a little league then.
So we're gonna recore it.
And what's this for?
You're kidding me?
You don't know what a radiator does?
No, you don't know what that is?
No.
All right. Okay.
It cools the water, the cooling system.
Keep the engine, gets hot when it runs,
it's hot like you when you run down the street, you get warm.
- Cools it off. - Okay.
So, oh, you know, what happened is Jimmy
found a cassette of the Hammer in the glove box, right?
I did.
Yeah. Lost in Love. Remember that one?
That was a classic, Lost in Love.
That was beautiful.
Wow. How well do you know my dad?
Well, I mean, everybody knew him in the town.
I mean, he's a famous guy. Rock and roll, man.
Probably the most famous guy in the whole town.
Was he as bad as they say?
Bad? Come on. What's bad? What is bad?
Jimmy, the kid wants to know if the Hammer was bad.
Yeah, you know, he made mistakes.
When you get caught at making mistakes,
you end up smoking Newports at Walpole.
Right, Jimmy?
I mean, Jimmy's made a lot of mistakes.
He probably made more mistakes than me
because he lived more dangerously than me.
And the Hammer had a lot of opportunity.
He was talented guy.
So he made a corresponding amount of mistakes.
I haven't seen him one time since he disappeared.
All I've gotten is a key to this and an address.
He could have called me or something.
I don't know.
It is what it is.
I mean, it could be worse, right, Jimmy?
Could be coming at you with a tire iron in the middle of the night shit faced.
That's right.
What does your mother think about all this, the trip?
Well, she's not crazy about my dad, so.
Yeah. Well, I know that. Yeah.
So, will this thing make it to California?
Of course it'll make it to California.
Well, you might have some problems, but you can handle it.
Okay, so, get the alternator in.
Tomorrow, put it on the lift.
All right. Thanks, Billy.
- You bet. - See you, Jimmy.
♪ All of my life ♪
♪ just trying to be like my father ♪
♪ All of my life ♪
♪ Up to the teat of my mama ♪
♪ It's cold down here, it's cold down here ♪
♪Rock bottom Rock bottom (bop-bop)♪
♪ Rock bottom Rock bottom (bop-bop)♪
♪ All of my life ♪
RJ12YC.♪Just trying to make a dollar ♪
♪ Open up your mouth, my boy ♪
- How's it going? - Good. Is that it?
Yeah.
- All right. - Have a good one.
♪(Hey) in the rock bottom ♪
♪(Bop-bop, bop-bop)♪
- Alright, thank you. - Oh good, for the manifold.
- Yeah. - Yeah, yeah.
♪ All of my life ♪
♪ Everybody roasting me ♪
♪ All of my life ♪
♪ Like I was a piece of meat ♪
♪ It's cold down here, despite the heat ♪
♪ In the rock bottom ♪
- Don’t hit anything. Come on. - ♪(bop-bop)♪
♪ Rock bottom (bop-bop)♪
♪ All of my life ♪
♪ Oh, to be a king ♪
♪ All of my life ♪
♪ Oh, to be anything but ♪
♪ In the rock bottom ♪
Hey, hey, hey, hey. Kill the motor.
♪(bop-bop)♪
♪ Woo!♪
♪ Rock bottom Rock bottom (bop-bop)♪
Oh, hey, Billy.
- Hey. Nice work. - Oh, thank you.
So, you ready for the big getaway?
Uhh, yeah, I think so. Um.
It's going to be epic.
Yeah. Uhh, so, I know, I know we're over budget. Um.
What's that? No.
- no. - No, I--
Hey, no, no. Ya know, we're not really too far over budget,
so don't worry about it. We'll cover it.
No, you're going to need that.
You're going to need that for the ride.
Okay?
- All right. - We're square.
- You sure? - Don't even think about it. Yeah.
Wish I put these in order by number.
- Oh man. - Billy.
Oh, hey, hey. Thank you, thanks, TJ.
Thank you.
Jimmy.
Oh, hey, TJ.
- How are you? - Hey. What's going on?
- Oh, thanks. Appreciate it. - Here you are. Sure.
Yeah. Why don't you grab the spare,
put that in the trunk. Going to need it.
Yeah.
And here's your key.
All right, thanks.
Sure.
What have you got?
Huh. Hey, Billy.
What?
There's no room for a spare in this car.
What the hell is that?
Anybody in there?
I mean, there's no seams.
Pretty nice welding job, actually.
You want to cut it open?
Let's cut into that bad boy. What do you think?
Yeah, I'll grab the torches.
Oh no, it's all right. Thanks, Jimmy.
Only take a second.
No, no. Uhh, thank you.
I think I'm going to wait to see
What? You aren't curious about what's in there?
- No, I'm curious but - I mean,
you don't want to travel with this big, heavy,
fat boy in the back of the car.
Yeah. Well, figured I, I don't wanna,
we can just leave it for now until I know.
Oh, no, no. Hey, okay. Let's leave it for now.
All right, cool.
All right. Okay.
- Thanks guys. - I bet there's something good in there.
- Your call. - All right.
All right.
"You sure about this kid? He's driving a long distance,
not knowing what you got for cargo.
And the drugs and prison time. I'd think you want to know
what's in the trunk of that car."
"You didn't know the Hammer."
- Billy. - What's up?
Um. So I was thinking about it. Um.
- Yeah? - I'd like you to have the car.
I don't, I don't get it. You don't want to go on the trip?
Yeah. I don't think it makes much sense.
I'm not going to drive across the country, dude.
What's this about? This isn't about the car.
This is about you.
I don't want to, I don't want to want it.
Could you just keep it? Is that...
Do I look like a guy needs another car?
No, I want to help you out.
You see, there's a blue cooler over there.
See that cooler?
Go over there, crack open two frosties
and bring them back here.
Pull out that chair, put it there.
I want to talk to you. Go get that.
Okay.
I get it. I get it. I do. I get it.
You know.
I mean, you've been challenged,
maybe even perversely tested by your old man
to drive 3,000 miles in a beat up old bomber
to find your father who hasn't exactly,
ya know, nailed the fathering business.
But guys like us who grew up in this town, these little towns,
you don't get opportunities very often.
And so when they come, you want to grab it,
you want to go for it.
♪ Hmmmm, hmmmm ♪
♪ Mmmmm ♪
- So, today's the big day. - Yes, it is.
Let the games begin. Huh?
So we left some music cassettes
in the glove box that we found, okay?
- Okay. - And you're going to need this.
Billy, are you serious?
Everybody needs a light and a C-note.
Happy motoring.
Thank you.
- Yo. - What's up?
What are you doing here?
Bro,
- What is this? - What?
What? What are you doing here?
Dude, I'm coming with you.
You're going across the country to make an ass of yourself.
I want to see it. Okay. Shit, I want to film it.
Bro, your parents will freak out.
It's fine. I told them.
Okay, I left a voicemail.
They're going to call every 10 minutes.
It's fine, dude. I blocked their calls.
All right. Get in.
- Okay, pop the trunk. - Let's go.
No, just throw it in the backseat.
Okay.
Wow. Okay.
Yeah.
He's ready. Let's go.
Okay.
Wait, have you ever driven on a highway before?
Bro, just get in.
Okay. Scoot over.
Just because you don't have the navigation skills to get us there.
- Oh, really? - Yeah.
- Damn. - All right.
Okay, well.
Good start.
Which way, which way is California?
West. Let's go.
Which way is west?
Uh.
That way, 3,000 miles that way.
Okay.
Alright.
Dude, grab the phone. You're nav.
- Oh shit, sorry. - My God.
"I'm a better navigator. That's why you're the driver."
What an asshole.
Okay. On our way out.
It's a right here. I didn't miss it.
- Okay. Third exit? - Third exit.
Gas is on your side. It's not on mine.
Yeah, dude. You think I didn't know that?
Oh, you saw it?
- Yeah, of course, I saw it. - Okay.
- Yeah, nice.
Woo.
- Money. - Cash.
Cash, I got you, bro.
Um. Shoot, it might be in my jacket.
Okay, I got it.
All right.
Where's the gas?
The... yeah. What?
- Oh, sorry. - Yeah, I checked.
Is it on my side?
No dude, I checked there.
Okay, so.
Why are you coming around? You think I didn't check there?
I don't know, man.
That's really weird.
Hey.
How's it going?
Ah.
- Okay. - Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Full service.
Fancy.
Shit. It is hot in here.
- Yeah, it is. - Okay, it's time to let the roof down.
No.
Bro, it's convertible. The whole point is to let the roof down.
Nah, nah. I like the roof on.
And the windows up.
Okay. Well, it's getting hot in here.
Your chariot doesn't have AC.
Okay, we're going to roast in here.
No.
Is this about the bug thing?
- Bro. Yeah-- - No, hold it.
So you're trying to drive across the country
with the window up and the roof on because of the bug thing.
Do you want bugs splattering your face
and getting in your mouth while we drive?
- Does that sound fun to you? - Dude,
that's why we have a windscreen, you giant pussy.
- That's like the whole point, - A windscreen?
it protects you from the bugs.
All right. It is pretty hot in here.
So, I'm going to go along with this.
Yeah.
But the minute one bug touches my face, we lock it down.
- Deal? Okay. - Okay, princess. Anything for you.
Hi, how much?
- Sixty bucks. - Sixty bucks.
On the nose.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
All right, let's get this thing off.
Got to be this.
- No way. - What?
I was not expecting that to work.
Yeah, it was much cooler than I thought it would be.
This was a good idea. You were right.
All right. Seat belts.
Seat belts.
- Yeah! - Woo! Okay.
- Yeah, that was a close call. - Nice!
Onward.
Yeah, onwards and upwards.
Tic-Tacs.
Tic-Tacs and that's my dad.
- So handsome man. - Yeah, beautiful man.
Whoa, bro. Check that out.
- Oh my God. - ♪(Haaaaa)♪
♪ It's the bit when I'm near the end ♪
♪ Nothing hanging on from me ♪
♪ Turning 'round, I'll be turning 'round ♪
♪ Falling down to the street ♪
- Ooo. - Bro, put that damn map away.
Okay? You're blocking my mirrors.
Got you, got you, got you.
Thank you.
Now, nav on my phone, bro. You have one job.
You are getting a call from your dad.
Should I answer?
Come on. Do not answer that.
I got a plan. Do you want to hear it?
Yeah.
Do you want to know where we're going?
- Yeah. - Uhh.
We're going to upstate New York,
Okay.
which is where my aunt and uncle live.
Well, my uncle and his wife live.
- Cool. - Um, and we'll stay the night.
It'll be nice. It's pretty up there.
Okay.
♪ Stretching out like a skydive ♪
♪(Haaaaaa)♪
♪ Stretching out like a skydive ♪
♪(Haaaaa)♪
♪ Stretching out like a skydive ♪
You're going to call him and tell them I'm coming?
No, because it's Uncle John.
- Do you remember the-- - Do I remember?
Dude, that's even more reason to call them.
- They're family. It'll be fine. - Yeah.
TJ.
Hey. Hey, John. How's it going?
What are you doing here?
Uhh, we're just... we're just driving through and...
- Is your pop in the car? - No.
- John. - Jake.
- My buddy. - Toby!
Toby!
- TJ? - What's going on?
- Hey. - It's so good to see you.
- Oh! - So good to see you.
Look at you.
Hi.
- Toby. - Handsome wingman, Jake.
- Hi. - Nice to meet you.
- How you doing? - Good.
I know. Surprise.
We uh, we were wondering if we could stay the night?
Absolutely.
One.
We'll make it a good night. Come sit.
Say, uh, you wouldn't happen to know anything
about engines or motors or?
Yeah, I know a couple things.
Okay.
What brings you to the Catskills?
Umm,
That! Uhh, my... my dad, he sent me a key to that car
and, um, a address in California.
And me and Jake are driving it there to meet him.
- Wow. Road trip. - Road trip.
And how's it sitting with you?
I'm happy to be here with you. I'm, I feel... conflicted.
I left, I just left my mom a note.
I did. I know.
No.
I didn't know how to tell her really I was going to see him,
- Mm-hmm. - um, after everything, you know.
And I do feel like I'm betraying her a bit, um, because of.
All the heavy shit?
Yeah. Yeah. But it's complicated
because I was little when I saw him last,
and I have all these wonderful memories
with him of going to his gigs in Boston and,
you know, him picking me up from school, and
playing songs for me and stuff like that.
I don't know how you balance,
I don't know how you balance those things but,
- He's a charismatic guy. - Yeah, yeah.
And, uhh, y'know, maybe he's, trying.
I think it's good. I think it's really good.
- Think it's good? - Yeah.
- I'm so happy to see you. - Ohhh.
Did you see my garden?
I did. I saw it. It's beautiful.
You hungry?
- Is there stuff in there to eat? - Let's do it.
Dude, I'm an artist. I figured it out. I'm an artist.
- It's beautiful. - Thank you.
Shit. I need to charge this.
Okay. How are we doing this?
- Doing? - Sleeping.
Oh, right. Well, let's sees like,
okay, so we got one couch. Right?
- So there's one couch. - Mm-hmm
And I'm, yeah I'm like, I'm on it.
- Yeah, okay. Floor it is. - Yeah.
Floor? All right. That's a good idea.
Okay.
Not exactly the welcome party you anticipated.
Aunt Toby was very sweet.
I wasn't talking about your aunt.
Hey, at least we're not wasting money on a hotel.
Bro we couldn't pay for a hotel even if we wanted.
That's true. That's true. What'd you expect?
You’ve know me my whole life.
Honestly, I don't know, TJ. I don't think I really cared.
Well, that's nice.
Nice.
- Ah, uh. - Get your feet out my face.
Jesus.
Well, it's so comfortable.
- I can't even take it, honestly. - Shut up.
All right, well you have to turn off the lights.
Okay.
Well, your uncle's a man of his word, dude.
One night meant one night. Not a moment longer.
At least he gave us breakfast.
Yeah, sure. As long as we ate while driving off his land.
Yeah. Uhh, I think things haven't gotten patched up
with old Uncle John and my dad since--
Since he stole his car, his wallet, his keys? Passport?
- Pretty ballsy move by my dad, got to say. - Yeah, it is.
Any updates?
All right. I got one more place we can take a crack at.
- Okay? - Should be cheaper gas.
It's like a mile up on the right.
Okay. That's not too bad.
Well, we'll grab that because we are about to waste more gas
looking for cheap prices. Okay?
Yeah.
Your dad texted.
Should I check it?
- Sure. Yeah. What's he say? - I'll check.
He said to call him immediately or he cuts your phone off.
He's bluffing. It will never happen.
Okay, man.
Yes, dad, I'm fine.
Turn the car around right now.
No. What?
I will be back in a few days.
Okay? No, no, Dad, I'm not turning around.
Okay. So it's my fault that mom is freaking out? That's--
We have so many things planned for the summer.
You know that.
Okay, well this is the last--
No, this is not TJ's fault. Okay.
Dad, this is the last summer before college,
and for once in my life
I want to do something for myself.
Dad, I have to go. Okay.
He said that my mother's had to take a sedative
every four hours since I abandoned her.
Sounds a tad melodramatic.
Yeah, dude, of course, it's a tad melodramatic.
Have you met my mother?
I mean, she's still laying out socks for me every day.
You know, he also said that I'm ruining my chances
- at getting a good start on college. - Jake?
I mean, what is that even supposed to mean?
It's summer.
- Yeah. - The whole point
- is to have some, - Jake.
and it's the last summer in my life as well.
- I'm just trying to have a little fun - Bro.
- for once in my life. - Jake? Jake?
- What, dude? - Dude.
Look, dude,
there's smoke coming out of the front.
- We got to pull over. - Shit.
- What the hell? - Fuck.
Okay, um,
Billy said...
Billy said get the water. He left it in the trunk and
put it in the radiator thing.
That should do it.
Okay. Oh. Okay.
Thanks, man.
All right.
Um.
Cool. All right.
Billy said it'll take 15 minutes for the radiator to cool down.
Hey, when I popped the trunk to get the water--
It's not a big deal, dude.
Like he said, this would happen on the road.
No, when I pop the trunk to get the water--
What's the problem, bro? Can we--
TJ?
- Bro, can we just not? - TJ?
When I popped the trunk to get the water,
I saw the steel box.
What? N... Nothing to say?
- What's going on, fellas? - Hey officer, how's it going?
- What you guys up to? - Uhh--
We're having some engine issues right now
- and we're just waiting for it to cool off. - Yeah.
You guys need a tow truck or anything?
- No. Thanks. - I think we'll be okay.
We've dealt with this a few times before.
Well, your trunk's popped open a little bit.
- Oh shoot. Okay. - Okay.
Yeah, we just got the water.
No uhh, dead bodies are nothing. Right?
All right. Well y'all give us a holler if y'all need anything?
- Okay. - All right. Thank you.
Cool.
I mean, really couldn't have been any nicer about it all,
but I'm just tired. Okay?
That guy scared the shit out of me, honestly.
You know I can drive. Right?
I don't mind driving. I'm,
I got my license and everything.
Yeah, man. I know you can drive.
Okay? I'm just scared as hell when you're behind the wheel.
You hug this side of the road like it's your mom's titties.
I'm just scared as shit whenever you drive, honestly.
Okay.
I got to find us a way out of here.
Your phone doesn't have a signal.
What? Oh, you got to be kidding, bro.
This is about ready.
All right.
Hit me.
Nice.
Oof! God, that's hot.
And, mmm,
it looks, uhh, it looks like food.
It's beautiful.
Oh man. Mine when fell apart already.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
Oh. Oh.
- No, no? - No.
I'm so sorry. I forgot salt. It's a disaster.
I'm sorry.
I'll stick to the graham crackers.
You good?
- Yeah. - Yeah?
You think we'll make it?
I think we're off to a good start.
And you'll think he'll be there when we get there?
I don't know.
I know I've never been in Arkansas before.
How very Zen of you.
Got a play them as their dealt.
Speaking of which.
Texas hold 'em?
♪ You wake up in a place Where you've been many times before ♪
♪ And you recognize ♪
- Oh, alright. Thank you. - ♪the fernisgings ♪
♪ The colors from the ceiling to the floor ♪
♪ The way that she is acting up ♪
♪ Doesn't seem quite real ♪
- We need to get on the I-71. - ♪It's as if she ♪
♪ could be someone else ♪
♪ The way she's giving you those looks of steel ♪
♪ And you feel like a ♪
♪ Stranger from a strange land ♪
♪ Falling from the infinite sky You feel like a ♪
♪ Stranger from a strange land ♪
♪ Contemplating and wondering why ♪
Yeah, this is like straight out a horror movie.
Look at this.
The radiator might be
- too hot to touch right now. - Yeah.
Oh, you good?
Yeah, I'm good.
- Turn it off? - Yeah.
Oh God.
Okay.
I don't even want to mess with that for now.
I feel like it's just getting worse.
Let's just chill until it cools off a bit.
I don't even want to touch it for now.
You sure?
Yeah. I'm going to, we got to give it a sec.
Okay.
Uh oh, we've got to state-y back there.
Oh fuck. Okay.
Dude don't look like that.
It's okay.
We haven't done anything wrong, so
we should be okay.
Okay. Well you're going to get the chance to tell him that.
Sheriff's office.
- Hey. - How you guys doing?
Yeah, we're doing good. Thank you.
What's the problem?
Oh, the radiator's just overheating.
We're waiting for it to cool down.
Okay. Where are you guys coming from?
Massachusetts.
- Where y'all headed to? - California.
What part of California?
- The Bay Area. - Vallejo.
Okay. Who's the car belong to?
- This guy. - It's mine.
Okay. See the license and registration please?
Yes, sir.
There's that.
I'll be back in just a moment.
Okay. Thank you.
You boys just hold tight. All right?
You guys have any water or anything?
Oh yeah, we do. We got some in the trunk.
Good. Yeah, let's come back here.
- Oh no. That's all right. - Oh no.
I got a... um. Yeah, okay.
Um. Yeah, I can handle it. I've done this a few times.
Oh shit.
Um.
Hey, it's really nice of you to stay and help us,
but I think we've got it from here.
We've done this operation a few times before.
Step over there.
We have a family dispute.
4280 South Road. What's your location?
Disregard. 7851. Officers on sight.
Carry on with your truck stop.
What's this?
Oh... oh, it just came with the car.
Shots fired. Officer assistance needed.
Are you guys headed west on I-40?
- Yes, officer. - All right.
Thank you.
He's coming back for us. Okay?
Soon as that code 130, whatever bullishit has sorted out,
he's coming back for us.
Did you see him staring at that damn steel box?
He's definitely coming back for us.
"Where will you boys be? Huh?
What road exactly can I find you on?"
Fucking ass.
Does he even have a right to look in our trunk?
Huh? Isn't that some kind of a legal search or something?
Yeah, I think in Texas they can do pretty much
whatever they want.
Yeah, that was rough. But we got through it.
I mean, we literally can't speed in this car,
so we should be all right.
What are you still so freaked out about?
What am I freaked out about? TJ, is it a fucking mystery?
- Easy. - Your father spot welded a metal coffin
to the floor of this car's trunk.
Okay? He's a man who's spent years in prison for drug distribution.
And after not speaking to you for almost a decade,
he wants the car brought to him, okay?
Across the country with the coffin intact.
- Easy. - In fact, the fucking thing
doesn't even have a way to be open.
What am I so freaked about? You know what?
Let's play guess what's in the coffin, huh?
Yeah, I think state-y's got a real good idea.
Take it down a notch.
- Hey. - Hey. Yo!
Okay, so I spoke to the guy across the street
and he says that he can take a look at it,
but he thinks he'll be able to get it open.
Wait, take a look at what?
The box.
Oh. No, dude. I already know how to open it.
Billy showed me back at the garage.
But, so you knew how to open it this whole time
and you still had me driving around with it?
I mean, we got to get it open.
No, I don't want to.
Okay. Well, it doesn't really matter what you want to do.
I mean, what are you missing here?
We could be like carrying illegal goods over state borders
or like, I don't know, dare I say, just wild, wild thing,
but maybe smuggling drugs for your dad?
I do have a choice.
It's my car. I'm not going to open the box.
My dad asked me to drive that car to him in California,
and that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to trust him.
Trust him? TJ, are you fucking crazy?
It took me 20 minutes on Google
to find out that this guy has what? Three arrest records?
Public intoxication, drug distribution.
I mean, the list just goes on.
Look, the rock and roll thing, super cool.
Okay. The music's great, honestly.
But that's the only good thing he's done for you
in 18 years as a father.
And you're going to fuck up my chances at college
because you trust him?
What? And your dad?
The insurance salesman who makes his living scaring people
into spending money they don't have,
who drinks a bottle of wine every night
before passing out in front of the TV.
But what? Because he makes it to some baseball practices
and parent-teacher conferences,
that makes him a better father than mine, a more inspiring one?
Yeah.
You have no idea what you're talking about, Jake.
So what?
You're just not going to open the box?
No.
You want to maybe just think about it for a second,
put a little more thought into it maybe?
I already have.
Do you have your phone on you?
- It's in the glove compartment. - Can I use it?
Sure.
Fucking asshole.
It's nice of your dad to get you a ticket.
Yeah, he's good about things like that.
He said he'd get you one too if you change your mind.
Tell him thanks, but I'm all good.
Wish you luck, man. All of the best of luck.
Hey, can you stop by my mom's and let her know that I'm okay
and I'll call her from California?
Thanks.
And thanks, thanks for everything.
♪ Hmmmmm ♪
♪ Uhhhhhhhh ♪
♪ Mmmmmm ♪
Shit. Shit. Shit, shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit.
♪ The headlines say The end is near ♪
♪ That we're okay They're selling fear ♪
♪ So will you buy Or turn around?♪
♪ To find kindness In this cruel town ♪
♪ The taxi cabs will run you down ♪
♪ Each person grabs for more unwound ♪
♪ I'm tied until today ♪
♪ I found some kindess here in this cruel town ♪
♪ The subways grind The lights don't change ♪
♪ The worlds decline And friends are estranged ♪
♪ But I don't mind ♪
♪'Cuz my mind's been rearranged ♪
Okay.
Uh.
Fuck you!
You all right? Do you need a ride?
You're welcome to ride with us though I don't know how far we're going.
I'm looking for a garage.
Thank you. Yes.
I'm TJ.
Maeve.
Hi.
Don't worry about Fionn. He'll be no bother you at all.
You look like you're burning up. Do you want some water?
- Yes, please. - Sorry, it's not colder.
The truck doesn't have any air conditioning.
Was that your car pulled over a while back?
- Mm-hmm. - The blue one.
Slower, you don't want to get hyponatremia.
Sorry, I'm a nurse. Just don't drink too fast.
Okay.
So what are you doing out here?
I was on my way to California.
Oh, funny. Me too. To LA.
Vallejo, near San Francisco.
LA's a long way. Right now I just need a garage.
- Do you know anything about engines? - A little.
This one sound okay to you?
Sure doesn't sound healthy to me.
Oh, it looks like you guys blew a radiator hose,
uh, overheated the motor, and you've got coolant leaking out
between the cylinder head and the cylinder block.
That's a blown head gasket.
Does that make sense to you?
Not much, sorry.
How far can I drive on it like it is?
Oh, I wouldn't recommend driving it at all.
You keep driving, it's going to seize it
and then you'll need a whole new motor.
God-damn him.
- Thank you. Um. - You're welcome.
Just one second.
- All right. Thank you, man. - Y'all take care.
Thank you?
For all we know he took me like a babe in swaddling clothes.
Hey, at least the Polara had time to cool down.
And that guy didn't rip you off.
He was a sweet guy.
He just.
- Are you sure? - That car was on its way out.
Yeah, no, it's going to be great.
Okay. I have to warn you, I've been a bit of a bad luck of charm.
That's all going to change.
What do you think about Fionn starting off as my navigator
and you can get some sleep in the back?
How's that sound?
Great.
How long have I been out?
A few hours.
Any crashes, lightning strikes, or visitations by angry aliens?
Not since the first battle cruiser attack a few hours back.
Then we can safely assume the curse has been broken.
Oh, yes. Good. I need a new navigator.
Fionn has fallen asleep on me.
I'll bring my A-game.
There's a Holiday Inn for $79 a night up about 15 miles.
How much did you get for the car?
$800, which makes the sum of my life savings right now.
Almost $900.
Oh, well you're like Bill Gates compared to me.
If we can find some change lying around the floor,
I might have $100 to my name and this car is...
It's brutal on gas. It's killing me.
Um. Yeah, so a hotel is a little too pricey for me.
I've been sleeping in state parks and in the car.
Um, how do you feel about that?
Yeah. Everyone says America's greatest invention is the park system.
All right.
In three days, you meet him.
If he shows up.
Seems like a lot of pressure.
My expectations are pretty low.
I mean, there were loads of times I wished my dad would just go away,
but at least I always knew what I was dealing with.
No one's going to steal the food from you.
You can sneak up on it as slow as you like.
And I always had my sisters.
And where are your sisters now?
Ahh. Two of them are back home in Ireland,
one still lives with my mom and dad,
and it's the other I'm pushing to see in LA.
Four. That's crazy. Four sisters.
- Yeah. - I can't imagine.
Bridget's younger than me.
She's trying to make it as a singer.
- Do you have siblings? - No. No, it's just me.
I figured we should celebrate after selling the truck and all,
- Ohh. - but there are no glasses,
so we just have to share.
I'm so sorry. I don't, I don't drink.
- Why not? - My dad.
Fair enough. It's a bad habit altogether.
Now that my luck's all been changed
for the better by my backseat ride,
I suppose I could give it up anytime I like.
Hmm.
But not tonight.
Sláinte.
That guitar is on the backseat, do you play?
Not much.
But some?
Some, yeah.
Would you play a little for me?
It would cheer me up.
Yes. I'll play it for you.
My dad used to play for me when I was a little girl.
It's one of my earliest memories.
Yeah, my dad used to play for me too.
All right.
Oh, that's where that is.
If you could watch this, I'm going to get some water.
I can watch that.
Now that is a pretty looking car you got there.
Classic beauty.
Not something you see every day.
I bet she gets awful hot to drive on a day like this, right?
Does she get awful hot to drive or what?
- How are you doing there pal? - Hey.
Good.
All right. I've got a new system
I'm going to go inside and pay.
See you later.
You look like you're a long way from home there, bud.
- Where you going? - California.
California?
Well, yeah, you're not going to get there tonight.
You and your sister need a place to stay or?
Um, no, we're staying at a state park down the road.
Well, I know all the state parks in Tonto.
If you need some inside advice on where to camp,
I could let you know. Where are you going?
Usually we just decide last minute so.
Okay. Well, I wish you the best of luck.
Relax young man, nothing get hurt about.
He's just having some fun.
Let's go, Jeff.
Oh, tell your lady friend that I said goodbye
because it was sure nice talking to her. Okay.
Arse holes.
Okay. Your mom's already inside,
so are you guys ready to head in?
You know the Grand Canyon's only a few miles north of here.
I sure do love you guys.
- I love you too dad. - I've always wanted to see it,
but it will slow us up a bit.
TJ?
I'm sorry, what were you saying?
That I'd like to get off the highway and head north to the Grand Canyon.
Does that mean we skip staying in Tonto?
- I'm afraid so. - Sounds good to me.
- We got a plot. - All right.
Look what I scored.
- Wow! - Didn't even want me
- Amazing. - to pay him for them.
Uh, all right. Should we spread them out?
- Let's do it. - All right.
This really is a very big country.
You know, we only have six national parks in Ireland and several of them
are so small you could fit them inside your car's boot.
The parks on Cape Cod are pretty cool.
I think anywhere you can just hang out and relax in nature is nice.
People are so wound up in America.
Anything that can calm them down a bit is a good thing.
When I first started traveling across the States,
it was the first thing that I noticed.
There's so much energy here, but it's a frenetic energy.
People seem to have so much
and to be so worried it will all be taken from them.
Things different in Ireland?
Back home there's nothing to take from us.
I named him Fionn because Fionn mac Cumhaill was a great Irish warrior.
When I got him my life in Michigan felt like a war,
and in war everybody loses.
Why was Michigan so bad?
Michigan wasn't really bad at all.
The man I was with Michigan on the other hand.
You have to learn to listen to us women with love,
but somehow you seem to know that already.
- But you said you don't have sisters. - No.
But my mom definitely thinks my dad's the reason
for everything bad that's ever happened to her.
Well, I know how she feels.
I think my ex is the source of all evil too.
I guess I don't really think that.
I just wish it were true.
Then I wouldn't be partially at fault when I know damn well that I am.
The thing that pisses me off about my dad
isn't the stuff my mom says.
What gets to me is that he just left me back there.
He never came back to see me, even after he got out of prison.
He didn't even call me.
He just didn't want me.
Why is everyone in such a rush?
It's in the American character. We're always in a hurry,
especially when we don't know where we're going.
And can we go a bit faster?
It'll feel better than having everyone scream around us.
I know. I'm sorry,
this is about as fast as this car is going to go.
Is your sister expecting you at any particular time?
No, she doesn't know I'm coming.
I only decided last week.
That's when the divorce was settled, so.
All I got was Fionn and the truck.
I just decided to put the truck to good use.
And whose big brain got you the truck?
It got me from Michigan to New Mexico.
That's not even halfway.
I had the chance to hear some campfire music
from a musician too scared to even sing.
No, not scared to sing. Not too scared.
Just mysteriously reluctant.
- Oh. - Yeah.
How does that work with the girls back home?
Oh my God. Brings them out in droves.
Absolute droves.
You have no idea.
NOFS?
- N-O-F-S? - N-O-F-S?
- Yeah. - What's that?
There was a sign that just said NOFs.
Ahh. Oh, NOFs, right.
What does it mean?
- It's a kind of moose. - Oh, no way.
Yeah. Yeah. It's like a moose except they only have one...
- One antler? - Yeah.
A unicorn moose?
They're lopsided and they can only walk in circles.
Wait, are you joking?
- No. - You're pulling my leg.
No, that's a NOF. You just don't know about America.
That's enough. Enough about the NOFs.
Yeah. I've never heard of it.
There's no such thing as NOFs.
Wait you are kidding?
Yeah. Of course, I'm kidding. That'd be
a horrible design for an animal.
You've got this way of telling jokes where it's so straight
I have no idea when you're joking or not.
Nice. Good job, me.
Oh, wow.
Oh.
- Hey, pull in here. Pull in here. - Yeah.
Wow. Wow.
Oh, my God.
It's huge.
I don't know why but I've been dreaming of coming here
since I was six years old.
I think I know why.
Do you know you can see 2 billion years of Earth's history
in the geology revealed in the canyon's walls?
Did you know that Paul Thomas Anderson
watched The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
every day leading up to filming There Will Be Blood?
He did, I'm telling you.
We're in such a poetic landscape and you're thinking about films.
What's more cinematic than this?
Okay. Fair.
- I really want to stop here. - Why here?
Hell, I want to stop everywhere, but you won't let me.
I got like one day until I'm supposed to meet my father
and 600 miles to go or something.
And you're nervous, I understand.
Still, I think we should learn something
about the history of this amazing landscape.
I'm not nervous. Who said I'm nervous?
I'm not nervous.
There's something so incredibly romantic about Indian culture.
We don't call the Native Americans Indians anymore.
We call them Native Americans.
I don't know where Americans get this habit.
You're constantly changing the words for things,
but not the issues behind the words.
It's an Irish point of view.
Well, a Native American point of view
is that they want to be called Native Americans
and they should get to decide, right? I mean,
they were here first like the sign says.
Okay. Good point.
There's something incredibly romantic about Native American culture.
I think it's the sense of independence.
Maybe how close they lived in nature.
There seems a beautiful freedom in that.
Yeah, and America is a country that cares a lot about freedom.
Maybe, uh, yeah. Maybe some of that came from the Native Americans.
Pretty profound,
for a guy whose idea of deep reading is movie trivia.
Hey, there you go judging again.
Everyone is their own path to follow and mine is wherever PTA says it is.
You've made it to California now.
Why don't you wander around and get a sense of her?
It's wild, you drive 10 minutes off the highway
and the whole world completely changes.
Do you know that California alone is six times bigger than Ireland?
I did not know that.
I also don't know what you got in that bag
because you won't tell me, but I'm really hoping it's food,
a lot of a food.
Tonight's our last night together.
Tomorrow you go your way and I go mine,
so it's our version of the Last Supper.
So we'll have the great Irish delicacy
- of the crisp sandwich - Ah.
and brownies and for the cook
a little something to wash it all down with.
Amazing.
So we got here, two pieces of bread with the butter,
and then you are going to put crisps on top.
- Crisps. - Potato chips.
Potato chips. Yeah.
Okay.
There's that.
Oh, you do the honors and then when you close it,
listen to the crunch. It's fun.
Oh, whoa. Yeah.
You Irish girls really know how to party.
Wow.
I mean, My Left Foot isn't his best movie,
but I mean what he puts himself through physically,
he plays a guy with cerebral palsy and he has to sit in the wheelchair
and he stays sitting in it even when they're not filming.
And he actually broke two ribs during filming
because just from contorting his body into that position.
I mean, It's insane what he puts himself through for these roles
just to feel like these people. It's really cool.
And There Will Be Blood, which is, I mean, that's his best movie.
That's his best performance.
- That's a different kind-- - Are you anxious, TJ,
about tonight or tomorrow?
No. I just get really excited
when I talk about Daniel Day Lewis.
- He's one of my big-- - I know,
you told me.
Tomorrow's going to be all right.
But what if,
- what if, - What if he doesn't come?
Well, the truth is,
you've been fine during all the years he's been absent.
So, should something go wrong tomorrow, you'll be fine.
And second, why on Earth would he go to all of the trouble
to get you the car and invite you to California
if he didn't intend to show up to see you when you arrive?
I'm less scared
that he won't show up, as I am at
what I'll discover if he does.
I want to show you something.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Um.
I think it's time for dessert.
I can't believe how clear the stars are out here.
I mean, back home there are usually clouds.
So.
I swear the sky is bigger out here.
Yeah, I feel that too.
You're sure they'll let Fionn on the train?
I can easily take you to LA, three hours there, three hours back.
You'll be late.
So what? I haven't seen the guy in eight years.
What's one more day?
Do you feel ready to see him?
Yeah, I think so.
Then let's part here. It's easier for me this way.
I'm not good goodbyes.
Okay.
Come on, buddy. Come on. Good boy.
Close your eyes.
I have a present for you,
but I don't have any wrapping paper. So close your eyes.
- Maeve, you did not- - Close your eyes!
I'm going to miss your commanding presence.
Now open them.
I found them in a vintage store in Bakersfield.
If you're going to meet your father, it's a big day.
You want to dress for it.
Even more than drink, the Irish love books.
Twain is my favorite American writer,
and this story has a tale you'll find familiar of a young man
traveling across the states to California
and adventuring along the way.
I left you a little note in there,
my address in Venice and back home in Ireland.
There's even my email and my mobile written down
in case you decide to rejoin the 21st century and get a phone.
- Maeve, I don't-- - Until we meet again.
Now go. Stop wasting time.
Hey, Tommy.
Glad you made it.
You thought that I'd obey.
No, I thought maybe you'd be ready to understand.
I understand that this car is important to you.
I understand that you've been a shitty father,
that you abandoned mom and me,
that you're a drunk drug addict convict asshole,
that you never called
or visited
since I was 10.
I understand that you had me drag this across the country for you,
never worrying about whether I get busted for it.
You know there's two sides to every story.
Look, Tommy, there's a lot I need to tell you.
Be careful in there.
Tommy. Tommy, hold on.
Let me show you how to get it. I got it. I got it.
Careful, it's going to be hot where we just cut it.
Yeah.
Open it.
It's yours.
Happy birthday.
Best night of music I ever had.
Tom Petty gave it to me when I was about your age,
I played back up for him for about six weeks.
It might be out of tune, here. It's been a while.
It's yours.
You must be pretty beat.
You hungry?
Probably should take my car.
♪ I just found a lemon tree ♪
♪ It's a bad day for my enemies ♪
♪ Yes, there's sugar water in the breeze ♪
♪ And I'm ready, I'm ready ♪
♪ So someone play guitar for me ♪
♪ I'm ready to leave my body ♪
♪ And oh, this could be rage ♪
♪ We're flying to the space ♪
♪ Between the lies we told ♪
♪ And find the good in every soul is all ♪
♪ Connected energy or how would I know ♪
♪ You were thinking of me in the tree?♪
♪ The sweetness is around the seed ♪
♪ And I'm learning to keep going ♪
♪ Just an itty-bitty hit of weed ♪
♪ Got me ready to leave my body ♪
♪ And oh, this could be rage ♪
♪ We're flying to the space ♪
♪ Between the lies we told ♪
♪ And find the good in every soul is all ♪
♪ Connected energy or how would I know ♪
♪ You were thinking of me?♪
♪ When all of the lights remain ♪
♪ This is all that our time contains ♪