Ella McCay (2025)
Director: James L. Brooks
Writer: James L. Brooks
Release dates: December 9, 2025 (El Capitan Theatre); December 12, 2025 (United States)
Cast: Emma Mackey (Ella McCay), Jamie Lee Curtis (Helen McCay), Jack Lowden (Ryan Newell), Kumail Nanjiani (State Trooper Nash), Ayo Edebiri (Susan), Julie Kavner (Estelle), Spike Fearn (Casey McCay), Rebecca Hall (Claire McCay), Albert Brooks (Governor Bill Moore), Woody Harrelson (Eddie McCay), Becky Ann Baker (Mrs. Newell), Sheetal Sheth (Audrey), Joey Brooks (State Trooper Alexander), Tracey Ullman (Olympia)
Plot: In 2008, Ella McCay, the lieutenant governor of an unnamed state, is told by her mentor, Governor Bill Moore, that he is accepting a cabinet position in the forthcoming presidential administration. Moore resigns immediately, leaving Ella to take over as governor for the remaining fourteen months of his tenure.
Ella is ambitious and idealistic, but unpopular within her party for long speeches and proactive political style. Meanwhile, a reporter is attempting to blackmail Ella for using a vacant apartment underneath the government building to have sex with her husband Ryan during lunch breaks, which she later learned qualified as misuse of government property. At her aunt Helen’s bar, Ella is reunited with her estranged father Eddie, who threw her life in turmoil after cheating on her deceased mother Claire. Eddie announces that he is attempting to reconnect with his children at the request of his new girlfriend Olympia, though Ella rebuffs him for his lack of remorse.
Ella is later inaugurated, but Ryan is offended when she neglects to thank him in a lengthy speech. Ella sets to work passing a new bill that would offer support to new and expectant mothers, in turn benefiting their children in their most formative years. Ryan admits to having leaked word of their liaisons to the press. Disturbed, Ella seeks comfort with Helen, who bluntly tells her that Ryan is a “ticking time bomb”. Ella visits her younger brother Casey, a bookmaker who has remained almost entirely in his apartment for the past year. Casey’s self-imposed isolation is the result of having abruptly cut ties with his girlfriend Susan after she responded hesitantly to his impassioned declaration of love. Casey says that Eddie and Olympia have been leaving him invasive messages on his answering machine. Ella encourages Casey to reconnect with Susan.
Unwilling to let the story be leaked, Ella holds a press conference admitting to the scandal and offering to pay any restitution. Afterwards, Ella’s approval ratings slightly improve. At her father’s apartment, Ella tells Eddie to stop bothering Casey, and Eddie insincerely apologizes for his failings as a father. When Ella asks him if he ever cheated on Claire while she was dying, Eddie responds, “Not really.” Meanwhile, Casey meets with Susan at her apartment, awkwardly rekindling their relationship together.
Ryan confronts Ella, furious that she held the press conference without consulting him. Ryan reveals that he bribed the reporter with a $7500 check, which Ella realizes can be used as proof of extortion. Ryan demands that Ella give him a position on her staff, or he will leave her and slander her reputation. Taking the blackmail as proof that Ryan does not love her, a heartbroken Ella refuses. Ryan then holds a press conference in which he announces their separation, blaming Ella for their marital breakdown, and claims that she is the one who attempted to pay off the reporter.
Party officials gather at Helen’s bar, demanding that Ella either resign immediately or face being censured for the remainder of her term. On Bill’s advice, Ella threatens to run for reelection as an independent and siphon votes from her party. The majority leader begrudgingly agrees to pass Ella’s bill on the condition that she resigns from office. A defeated Ella leaves a mere three days after her inauguration and when Eddie asks her whether she accepted his tepid apology, Ella responds, “Not really.” Meanwhile, Helen tips off the police about Ryan’s role in the extortion, leading to his arrest. Casey’s rekindled relationship with Susan thrives and he starts going out again. Ella starts a non-profit organization with Nash and Estelle that offers legal aid to impoverished families, enabling her to do more good beyond the confines of government.
* * *
Ella McCay (2025) – Transcript
Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.
Hi, I’m the narrator.
I’m here to provide facts about Ella.
But first, let me give you what she would call “full transparency.”
I’ve worked for her ever since she finished law school, so I’m not exactly neutral.
I’m nuts about her.
I am.
2008. The middle of the Great Recession.
But, you know, in a way, a better time.
We all still liked each other.
At just 34 four years old, Ella is the third youngest woman to ever hold her office.
Sounds great, right?
The thing is, we all hide our… our…
Oh, forgive me, “crap”… until it wins or we do.
ESTELLE (VO): With Ella, the crap started at age 16.
WOMAN: Let’s go, girls.
ESTELLE (VO): Not to be a downer, but you’re one of the lucky ones if you’ve never experienced other people’s totally normal, happy families as a small stab in the heart.
Think we’re all going to have to leave soon, Mr. McCay–
ESTELLE (VO): Destiny can be a sneaky thing.
EDDIE: My speech.
Your overcoat pocket.
ESTELLE (VO): Our lives can turn on a dime.
Or a single word.
Wait.
Nobody’s gonna say anything?
(GASPS)
(CHUCKLES) What do you think there is to say, kiddo?
Hey, Case, could you go get me a glass of water, please?
CASEY: Okay.
(SIGHS)
Go ahead, Ella, say what you want.
Thank you, Aunt Helen.
(CLEARS THROAT)
I don’t want to act as though you were just retiring today as hospital director, when really you’re being forced to leave because of multiple… sexual relationships with women who work there.
That is one legitimate point of view.
What do you mean?
Is there another?
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(GASPS)
Um, could you go put some ice in that, please?
No.
Uh…
Okay. Fair enough. Uh…
You know what?
I-I promise to read you to sleep for the next six weeks.
The books with no pictures and lots of words that take long to finish.
What if you don’t?
Have I ever said I’d do something and not done it ever?
EDDIE: Another view, kiddo, is that all three women wrote letters of support.
(WHISPERING) You’re married.
Look, part of what they require from us today is to show up as a family, because of theCan you just not…
Oh, I don’t know.
Mom?
(WHISPERING)
Don’t make us go, please.
CASEY: I want to go.
No. Well, no, you can’t go.
Do you know what a traumatic experience is?
Sure.
Case, don’t ever pretend you know something you don’t.
‘Cause finding out is easy and fun.
And the only way in the world you can not learn something is to pretend you already know it.
Okay.
“T.” Okay. “Trauma:
a psychic injury caused by emotional shock, the memory of which is repressed and remains unhealed.
An injury to the brain.”
That’s what could happen to us if we go.
Do you still want to go?
No, thank you.
Okay.
NASH: Mr. McCay, we’re real late!
I’ll never forgive you.
I love you.
Call me for anything.
ESTELLE (VO): Six weeks later, the other shoe drops.
HELEN: You have some options.
Really?
I don’t see that I have a choice.
I don’t.
HELEN: Okay.
But I just don’t think I can be here when you tell Ella.
Tell me what?
Well, honey, it’s, uh…
Your father has a… a really great business opportunity in
in California.
And your Aunt Helen will visit regularly.
No, Mom, I… I can’t.
I’ll lose more than a year of credit on all four of my AP courses.
And that will mess up my college applications, and I’d lose that internship that took all those interviews and essays.
And there have been these sort of really–
I guess… I don’t know, hopeful things happening for me lately at school.
Like that sociology paper I-I worked on forever.
I just got it back.
And the teacher said that I–
He said that
(SIGHS)
It’s right here.
I can show it to you.
But your Dad wants a fresh start for all of us.
(SIGHS) Another fresh start.
Mom?
Can you please try to explain to me… why it is you keep going back for more?
I truly want to understand.
I still love him.
Well, then please, God, spare me love.
She does not mean it, God.
(SIGHS, SNIFFLES) Just gimme a second, okay?
Mom.
(SIGHS)
He’s gonna do that stuff again.
Maybe. Possibly.
Probably. (SIGHS) Your Aunt Helen says that… maybe you should, uh, stay with her for a while.
Until your father and I are on firmer…
At least until the end of the school year.
And then you’ll be off to college anyway, right?
What?
I can’t let you walk into my mistake.
(ELLA SNIFFLES) Hey. Hey.
Don’t you dare blame yourself for any of this, Mom, okay?
Don’t you dare.
Um, Aunt Helen, are you sure you’re okay with my living with you?
(MOM SIGHS)
Yes. Ridiculously.
(MOM SOBBING LOUDLY)
(DOOR OPENS)
ELLA: You still up?
Is Mom crying?
ELLA: Yeah.
Why?
Because she hurt herself.
I’ll stay with you till you fall asleep, okay?
(SIGHS)
(WHISPERS)
Do I ever love you, kiddo.
Say it back.
Do I ever love you, kiddo.
(LAUGHS)
ESTELLE (VO): This is how it started.
Those three days that changed everything.
I knew it the minute I read it.
And my stomach knew it before I did.
Good morning, Estelle.
Morning.
This reporter guy isn’t going away.
What did he say today?
Lots of last warnings.
This time he put “I really mean it” in caps.
Ella, you should talk to someone about this.
Just to hear yourself think out loud.
Yeah. Yeah, I know, you’re right.
Thank you.
(SIGHS)
(SNIFFS)
(PHONE RINGS)
Morning. Helen’s.
ELLA: Good morning, Aunt Helen.
Ella, hi.
Hi.
I-I was just wondering if I could, uh, come by in a bit.
HELEN: Sure. Of course.
Everything okay?
Uh, yeah, fine. Just, um…
I just need some perspective on something, is all.
Uh… Kind of a long story.
I’ll tell you when I see you.
(EXHALES SHARPLY) ELLA: On my way.
All right, love you.
Love you, too. Bye.
Ma’am, the governor wants to see you.
He’s across the street in the phone room.
Okay, thank you.
ESTELLE (VO): Ah, The phone room.
(LOUD CHATTER)
ESTELLE (VO): These noisy rooms exist because elected officials are not allowed to use government offices for fundraising.
Good morning.
Sorry to be calling you so early. This is State Senator
(CLICKS, DIAL TONE)
ESTELLE (VO): So their party rents phone rooms, where they’re expected to put in at least seven solid hours a day asking for money.
WOMAN: You contributed 2,000 dollars in the last cycle.
ESTELLE (VO): And yes…
I’ll put you down for five dollars.
…that’s crazy.
Thank you.
MAN: …for 50 dollars.
WOMAN: Never been more crucial.
WOMAN 2: Asking for your continued support.
WOMAN 3: …35 dollars.
Hi, it’s Governor Bill Moore.
ESTELLE (VO): Governor Bill Moore, known affectionately as Governor Bill.
He and Ella go back a long way.
She was his chief of staff when he was known affectionately as Mayor Bill.
I’m just calling to thank you for the…
…500dollar donation.
Yes, ma’am.
How’s, uh…
(CHATTER CONTINUES) WHISPERS: Who’s the husband?
…Jerry doing? You stillstill okay over there?
Excellent.
And you got those two strapping sons? Do you have–
Daughter? Colleen.
Of course.
Who could forget Colleen?
She’s gotta be, what, four?
Medical school.
All right, I’m gonna let you go.
Thank you.
Sorry for the mix-up.
We are all fools here.
You see what I spare you from?
I keep telling you I’m glad to do it.
I like talking to voters.
Yes and that’s why you’re terrible at it.
You were taking, like, 45 minutes a phone call.
Walk with me.
I want to tell you something.
Stop the world.
Whoa! Whoa!
(TIRES SCREECH)
MAN: Keep it up, Governor Bill!
(BILL CHUCKLES)
MAN 2:
We love you, Governor Bill!
So, what I’m gonna tell you, you can’t tell anyone.
Okay.
It’s happening.
The Cabinet.
Secretary of the Interior.
I made the short list.
(GASPS) Oh.
I should hear any time now.
And you should prepare to maybe replace me.
Congratulations.
Something wrong?
Well–
With what I’ve got pending, if anything is wrong, I really need not to know it, okay?
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
ESTELLE (VO): What was wrong is that politics is the only profession where people can drown in puddles.
And Ella was stepping into something a lot bigger than a puddle.
HELEN: Hi.
ELLA: Hi.
Why are you waiting out in the cold?
Why did you need to see me?
I have a… (CLEARS THROAT) seriously ridiculous, ridiculously serious problem, and you’re the only one I can tell.
What’s going on?
I’m about to add to your problems, Ella.
Your father’s here.
In there? Now?
Yes.
Why?
He wants to see you.
(GASPS)
But, you know what? We can just go to the apartment if you want.
Yes.
Or
Or…
Or you could just pop in for a second, just as a favor to me.
I mean, I hate to put it that way.
It’s just the best manipulation I can think of at the moment.
Okay. Can I have a minute?
Oh, yeah, of course.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
Okay.
IHELEN: No, no. Yeah.
(EXHALES)
ESTELLE (VO): Sixteen years ago, the worst day.
Her mother’s funeral.
HELEN: Thank you so much.
It means a lot.
(CHATTER)
ELLA: Who’s that woman?
HELEN: I don’t know.
Stop thinking the worst all the time. You’re not always right.
EDDIE: No, oh–
But I’m here for you.
(HELEN SIGHS)
Your mother was a lovely woman.
But thank the Lord you have your father to lean on.
(SCOFFS LOUDLY) Thank you for stopping by… and very possibly meaning well.
Come on, let’s go.
WOMAN: I am so sorry.
ELLA: I’m sorry. Excuse us.
Hey.
ELLA: Sure missed you.
Yes, but you don’t have to write me so often.
What does that mean?
‘Cause then I have to write you back, and there’s always so much schoolwork.
You don’t have to write me back each time I write you.
It feels like I should.
To me it feels right now like we should cry together about Mom.
I’m not going to cry.
Sorry.
It’s okay.
I really need to.
(SIGHS)
Can you just stand there and not let anyone in?
Not even Aunt Helen.
Yes.
(SNIFFLES) Okay.
(SOBBING)
(SOBBING CONTINUES)
(SOBBING CONTINUES)
(SNIFFLING)
(BOTH CRYING)
(SIGHS) Okay.
Okay.
Don’t let him get to you.
Don’t be sad. Don’t be mad.
“Don’t be sad. Don’t be mad.”
What does that leave me with?
Bulletproof.
(LAUGHS)
Hi.
Hi.
Okay.
Uh, if it’s all right with you, I’d rather not discuss our old issues right now.
Sure. I don’t think we can dive into old stuff when we haven’t seen each other in
(SCOFFS) How long?
(ELLA CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES)
You don’t know either?
Thirteen years.
(INHALES)
What I never got a chance to say about dating that friend of yours–
Wha–
That’s what you wanna start this conversation with?
Those two friends. Yes.
Friends of yours.
Well, any man in my position–
You know what, Dad?
I know, I can understand–
No.
I can understand how, since we haven’t done this in a while, you may want to sort of reconnect or whatever.
But really, please, really… no more apologies.
HELEN: Eddie. You said you understood.
You promised not to be yourself.
Your aunt wanted me to just break the ice today and wait till later on to get around to why it is I needed to see you.
But you’re too smart for that.
No, you’re too dumb for that.
Okay, you saw each other.
It went great.
Yeah.
Big sis, please.
Look, I-I…
I’m a different person now.
Can I tell you why?
No.
Really?
Eddie, no.
No, no, I’m interested.
Please, go ahead.
I met… an incredible woman.
No!
(HOOTS) She’s a psychologist.
HELEN: Come on.
Berkeley. PhD.
And she made me realize how vital it is that I make amends with my children.
No, no, no.
Ella.
I-I can’t let Olympia get away.
I have never in my life felt this way about any other woman.
Jesus, Eddie!
No
I-I wasn’t counting your mother!
She’s in a completely different category!
ELLA: He dyes his hair.
I think they’re plugs.
It took me this long to make him irrelevant.
You get how sorry I am, right?
And he just walks in–
I know. I know. I know.
Listen, we shouldn’t even discuss it.
Let’s just concentrate on why you’re here.
What happened?
Okay. (CLEARS THROAT) Aunt Helen…
Please try not to judge things I tell you right away.
Just listen till you hear all of it. Okay?
I’ll try.
I made a promise to myself that I wasn’t going to let my marriage suffer because of my job.
To a fault.
To a fault.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry. Go on.
And given that my work never has a finish line, and I was coming home exhausted every night…
Anyway, there’s a one-bedroom guest apartment I discovered under the Capitol dome, just sitting there unused.
So, there were times during lunch, when…
Ryan and I would meet there, and… you know, we’d get to be alone and…
Mmm.
(WHISPERS) …be together.
Sex!
Sex every day?
Not every day.
Okay. Ella.
Ella. Ella.
Uh. Yes?
Maybe you’re just trying a little too hard to be responsible for everything.
And who cares?
Well, one of the security people who was fired recently, and was somehow able to see through closed doors, has told a reporter, who has since contacted me and wants to leverage what he knows for special access.
Sweetheart, you can’t get in trouble for having sex with your husband.
That’s what I thought.
You can’t.
Turns out, there is a… very specific law-which I was unaware of, which precludes wrongful use of government property.
And if this comes out at the same time as something else, which is imminent and I can’t even tell you about yet, but will draw extreme attention to me.
So that
(GASPS) Oh. Stop it. Stop it, Ella.
(TRILLS)
I suddenly sound pathetic to myself.
(SCOFFS) I just
Scrap that.
I, uh… I’m just gonna go back to the office, shut up, and hold my own darn hand. (CHUCKLES) I let myself become rattled.
That won’t happen again.
Sorry, Aunt Helen.
Wow, that was interesting.
I love you.
(SIGHS)
Ella, wait.
Yeah?
I’m worried about you.
(SIGHS) I’m fine.
Save it for Casey.
He’s gone silent on me again, and I’m
I’m worried about him.
You know your brother.
He’s just doing his “leave me alone” thing.
(SCOFFS)
(KISSES)
ELLA: Okay.
You promised to take it slow.
Eddie, I forgot what it’s like dealing with you.
You blew it!
I’m really angry. Go!
First of all, I have never been less full of shit!
And… uh… maybe she blew it.
Olympia says it’s a given that Ella would be much better off once she forgives me.
Oh, you know what?
Tell Olympia that forgiving you requires you stop messing up long enough for people to catch up.
What is it gonna take to get people to realize I’ve changed?
Castration.
Too far.
(SCOFFS) Not even close.
(PHONE BEEPS, RING TONE)
(BEEPS)
ELLA: Case, it’s… it’s me again.
Hi.
(CHUCKLES) Um…
No pressure, but, just…
Just let me know how you are.
Thanks.
(BEEPS) (SIGHS)
(SIGHS)
NASH: Ma’am?
It’s just…
Families, huh? Hmm.
(CHUCKLES)
Yeah. Absolutely.
What?
Oh, um…
My mother, you know, she, um…
She’s
What’s the word?
Dotes. She dotes on–
I’m sorry, I can’t hear you.
Do you mind repeating that?
Um, my mom, she… she dotes on me, you know?
ELLA: Uh-huh.
Like big time.
ELLA: Uh-huh.
Like I’m the golden child.
So, she visited me a little while ago.
And the motel she’s at has a pool.
Uh-huh.
So, I went to pick her up, and she’s floating in this, like… floaty-bubble chair?
Oh, yes. Nice.
In the pool, you know?
And, uh, she sees me…
Immediately gets up to let me sit. Muscle memory.
ELLA: Not true.
I swear. Big splash.
That can’t be true.
I swear. And I love my mom.
But the scream she made?
(LAUGHS) It was the funniest sound I’ve ever heard in my life.
I can ima–
It was like… (GROANS) Like…
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(GROANS, LAUGHS)
Immediate family legend.
(BOTH LAUGH)
ESTELLE: Oh, good.
Bill’s in there just waiting for you.
He’s not taking any calls.
He’s just sitting there.
Quietly.
(EXHALES) Okay.
BILL: Yes, come in. Come in.
Hello. What’s going on?
It came through.
I’m in the Cabinet!
Wow! Wow. Wow.
Right?
That’s–
I’m resigning immediately to get ready for my confirmation.
So, for the next 14 months, anyway, you’re governor.
Congratulations.
(WHIMPERS) And, uh, you really couldn’t have gotten this any other way.
Well…
Oh, come on.
You couldn’t do the bullshit needed to fund a campaign.
And I wouldn’t have gotten this appointment without your policies.
So, look at us.
What’s more beautiful than two people who owe each other everything?
(CHUCKLES)
Thank you, Ella.
Thank you.
Wait. Wait. Uh, sorry.
(CHUCKLES)
Uh, before you go, you promised to get us those three additional votes for the Mom’s Bill.
Swore. Your word, not mine.
This is the big one, the Healthy Start program that gives expectant mothers prenatal counseling at a time when depression and anxiety are really common. And…
Bill?
It also includes home visits to monitor one-to-three-year-olds’ wellbeing.
Everybody’s research shows that that period of life is the most crucial–
Which in turn, relieves court calendars–
Ella! You have to let go of this.
There’s nothing I’ve worked harder on for the last year.
It simply and substantially increases these kids’ chance at a better life.
I am not breaking my back over a controversial bill as I’m walking away.
No, no. Just breaking your promise.
(CHUCKLES)
Your word is your what, Bill?
Ooh. (CHUCLKES) Jesus!
What is the matter with you?
Nobody on earth can throw their ass over a high horse quicker than you.
This could and should have been up and running last year, okay?
And by the way–
Stop! Let it go.
Oh, God.
Let’s use this as a learning moment for your new job.
Go ahead.
BILL: The way you’re coming on right now is why some of the people… m-most of the people…
(WHISPERS) …well, all of the people around here, find you so annoying that their ears clog when you talk.
In this job it’s not enough to be smart.
To get anything done, you have to make dumb people feel less dumb.
Our own party’s legislators move in the other direction when they see you coming.
And unless you do something about it, you will get zip done after I leave.
And all those juicy brain cells and all that work and all the pulling of all those moralistic all-nighters will be one stinking landfill of you.
(SIGHS)
Hats off, Bill.
That one hurt.
Come on, we’ve been here before.
That’s what makes us good.
But do you see how that was just a little patronizing?
Mmhmm.
(KNOCKING)
MAN: Governor Bill!
BILL: Word is out.
MAN: Governor Bill!
New governor first.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Any last minute advice?
Don’t take Ambien more than three nights in a row.
(CHATTERING)
(FLASHES CLICKING)
(REPORTERS CHATTERING, GASPING)
(APPLAUSE)
Congratulations.
How do you feel about theThis is Ella’s day.
ESTELLE (VO): Like almost everyone, I will never be in a public spotlight, but I can really understand why some people who are new to it just plain wilt.
And why others were born for it.
Governor!
ESTELLE (VO): Because they’re like butterflies, who need heat in order to fly.
REPORTER: Here comes First Husband, Ryan.
Owner of a chain of pizza restaurants.
Okay. Stop.
(FLASHES CLICKING)
ESTELLE (VO): He was her high school sweetheart.
So, 17 years ago…
(OBJECTS THUDDING) …boy meets aunt.
(DOG BARKING)
Hey!
Hey!
Hey! Hey! No. Hold up.
RYAN: What the hell?
No. Just hold up!
Are you nuts, lady?
Are you nuts?
What the hell–
(GRUNTING) Stop! Stop!
Okay.
Stop!
(PANTING)
Why were you just sneaking out of my house?
(PANTING)
I am not gonna say anything, right?
But
But you can really move!
(CHUCKLES) You–
(PANTING) I’m gonna call your mother.
Ma’am.
You don’t know my name.
(CAR DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
Come on, come on, come on.
(CAR DOOR CLOSES)
(CAR DEPARTS) Oh, God.
HELEN: Ella?
Ella?
Ella.
Morning, Aunt Helen.
HELEN: Did he sleep here?
Who?
No.
When did he get here?
A few minutes ago.
I didn’t hear the bell.
That’s ’cause I saw him coming from my room, so I let him in.
But, why was he running away?
I don’t know. ‘Cause he had to be someplace, I guess?
HELEN: Okay.
(SIGHS) What’s his name?
Because?
Because names allow us to differentiate human beings one from another.
Um, you’re gonna call his house, aren’t you?
Yeah.
Yeah. Well, I…
I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you.
Did you have sex with him?
I’m sorry? Are you kidding?
You didn’t say no.
Why would you say that?
Why would you even think that?
But you still didn’t say no.
No! No. No. All he did was–
I don’t want to hear another word unless it’s the truth.
I’m late for school.
So go to school.
(EXHALES) But…
I-I want you to think about seeing me tonight and whether you do or do not… tell me truth about that boy.
But the alternative… is that you, maybe for the first time… lie to me?
And
And, honey…
We would lose a closeness of a kind.
He really likes me.
It’s actually strange how much.
(INHALES)
He sort of gets a kick out of how hard I work, instead of putting it down.
And likes that I’m so serious.
And he loves to talk about all the things he believes can happen for me, which are nuts by the way.
And…
I don’t know, he comes from a normal family.
You know, where they have this great family business, and they talk every night, and hang out and play games around the dinner table.
And, and…
They vote on family vacations, you know?
I love you.
I love you, too.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Did he wear a Johnny?
A what?
A condom!
(YELPS)
I don’t know how long it’ll be before she lets me go out again.
We’ll find a way.
I’ll
I’ll wait.
I’m excited about us.
And what happens when I go away to college?
The reality is we’re gonna end pretty soon anyway, right?
That’s what happens.
Come on, I do so much better when I face things.
(KIDS CHATTER ON FIELD)
Then face me.
(CHEERLEADERS CHEERING, INDISTINCT) I’ve never met anyone like you before.
Oh, my God.
No. No.
And you, you are going places, and you don’t even know where.
But wherever that is, I’m showing up.
(CHUCKLES)
ESTELLE (VO): Ryan was persistent.
Even after Ella went away to college.
(KNOCKING)
ESTELLE (VO): He started showing up every weekend.
(IMITATING COWBOY) (LAUGHS) Hi!
Isn’t he great?
(SQUEAKING ON GLASS)
ESTELLE (VO): And, as it often does, persistence paid off.
(LADIES LAUGHING)
Uh, Ayden, Ayden.
Yes?
Could you ask her aunt to come out here, just for a second?
Just for a sec. Thanks. Thanks.
(GRUNTS, EXHALES)
(HEELS CLACKING)
Hi.
Hi. Hi. Uh…
I know you’ve had your doubts about me.
Hell, I… I agree with you.
I don’t think anybody’s good enough for her.
But I wanted to say that nobody’s gonna try harder than me.
Blessings.
I mean it.
Thank you. I mean it.
HELEN: Okay.
(WEDDING MARCH PLAYS SOFTLY)
(WEDDING MARCH CONTINUES)
ELLA: Case.
Oh.
(HELEN WHISPERS) I love you.
I love you.
Gorgeous.
(EXHALES)
Your
Your sense of family, your confidence, your optimism, and the way that you believe life should be fun.
And make it so.
(EXHALES)
(QUIETLY) It’s all a joke except for us, baby.
(PEOPLE CHEERING)
Oh, my God!
Okay, thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
That fast! 402 phone calls.
Eighty percent favorable.
And the state police wants to know if you want Bill’s security detail.
Oh, no. No, no.
Yes.
Nash is great. Thanks, Estelle.
Yes.
Okay, that’s a no.
What? Something wrong?
That’s not a way to take office during a recession.
People like to see other people win the lottery.
What you just said has nothing to do with what I just said.
And you don’t–
What? What? What?
My being governor means that reporter is sure to publish the story.
Ella. The dance.
Turn on the TV. Channel Four.
But I think it’s on all of ’em.
Okay. Well, no, we don’t have to do that, it’s–
Yeah, we do. Channel Four.
How do you–
ANCHOR: Finally, today at noon, take a look at this.
Our new governor and First Husband showing us all how to celebrate a promotion.
Just makes you smile.
(CHUCKLES)
(CHATTERING ON TV)
Okay.
Yeah?
Yeah.
REPORTER: We’ll see you back here at 6:00.
I’m dumb about this stuff.
Join us then.
That’s why you have me.
And, look, can you just forget about the reporter, okay?
I know the guy. I’ll solve this.
Really?
Yeah!
Maybe then you can ask him how he can go with a story when all he has is a trooper guessing what we did behind closed doors.
He didn’t tell. I did.
What?
(SIGHS) Come on, honey.
Look, don’t do this to yourself, okay?
The guy heard a little gossip about our lunches, and he asked me the question.
(STAMMERS)
What was I gonna say?
That we used the bedroom to chat?
No. Okay?
And this humanizes you.
(WHISPERS) Humanizes?
Wrong word.
Okay, that’s the wrong word.
I just need you to
Come on.
(EXHALES) Oh.
Honey, sweetheart, look–
I am begging you.
Let’s enjoy this.
Yeah?
Mmhmm.
Let’s take a breath. Okay?
It’s us.
Yeah?
MALE ANCHOR: Our new governor and her husband provided a lift to bystanders’ spirits as they danced their way into office.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(PHONE RINGS)
Hello? Oh! (CHUCKLES) Oh, my God! You looked adorable.
My body exploded in sweat.
My first happy sweat.
Um…
Hey, do you have a minute?
Sure. Yeah, of course.
Everything okay?
There’s simply no one else I can air this out with.
Ryan just told me that he was the one who informed the reporters about our lunch hours, and I don’t know what to think.
Hello?
I’m here.
No
No reaction?
(GROANS)
I’m treading carefully, honey.
Ryan honestly believes I’m just being too tight-ass about it, which, Lord knows, is something I tend to be.
Yeah, well, you know the problem with being a tight-ass is you never know when your ass is right.
(CHUCKLES) Yeah.
Listen, I have to go soon. Tell me quick what you really think.
I think what I’ve always thought.
That your husband is a ticking timebomb in your life.
Okay, well…
I mean, you’re suspicious of anyone who’s optimistic, anyway, so you’re not the right person to ask.
Okay.
And Ryan is still the guy who gave up college so he could send his kid brother.
He’s still the guy who watered his tomato sauce.
You promised to put that one to rest.
You know what, it’s not so easy to forget when someone gets drunk at a party…
Four years ago.
Four years ago.
…and brags
brags… that his business makes an extra 300,000 dollars.
Because he altered the recipe for local taste.
No, because he watered his tomato sauce.
I don’t get your need to do this right now.
(SIGHS)
Forgive me, baby.
The heck with all of it.
Can we just take this in for a minute?
Ella, you’re 34.
And you just became governor… of the state you were born and raised in.
(VOICE BREAKS) And I just–
(SNIFFLES) And I just
I’m…
I’m just…
(CRYING) Are you thinking about your mom?
Yeah. (SOBS) Me too.
(SIGHS) Okay, well–
Okay, I’ve gotta mop up and go.
Clean up on aisle five.
(CHUCKLES)
Okay. I love you. Bye.
I love you, too.
Go be governor.
(CHUCKLES) Bye.
Did you get a chance to go over the amendment to the Mom’s Bill?
Yes, I know it’s a lot to read.
But there is a summary available.
All we need are three votes.
Okay, Maggie, bye.
(BEEPS)
(EXHALES)
Uh, Ma’am?
Mmhmm.
I just want to say how nice it’s been being on your detail all–
Sorry, what did you say?
I was just saying I have really enjoyed my time on your detail.
Don’t tell me you’re leaving.
No, you’re leaving.
Where am I going?
Well, Governor Bill’s security is now gonna be taking care of you.
No, sorry, Nash.
I’m simply not letting go of the only cheerful person around here.
You’re coming with me.
Thank you, Lieu–
Governor.
Thanks back.
(RYAN SIGHS)
ELLA: Gosh.
RYAN: Gosh.
Hmm.
I don’t want this to be our last night in the apartment.
Wait, what? Huh?
Let’s keep living here for as long as we can.
What? Why?
No, it’s just I want us to protect our…
(PANTING)
I want us… as much as possible… to… stay the same.
You know, we don’t have to move to the residence right away.
We can stay here.
It’s been done.
Yeah, sure.
Okay.
Okay.
That’s… (PANTING) But…
But I can still check out the…
(IN DEEP VOICE) …the Governor’s mansion. Right?
Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah.
Come on, I’m gonna enjoy this, honey.
You know?
Yeah.
This is what’s called a healthy attitude.
(SIGHS)
(BRASS BAND PLAYS)
ESTELLE (VO): Inauguration day.
Which usually means someone’s dream is coming true.
(BAND PLAYS “STARSPANGLED BANNER”)
(MUSIC STOPS)
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you.
(APPLAUSE FADES)
Ope! Yep. Sorry.
You know the facts.
We’re in a jam.
I have just 14 months to serve you.
Tough choices must be made and quickly.
Each dollar placed in high-quality early education… can generate up to seven dollars and 30 cents in…
Many of our seniors have lost their pensions to financial schemers…
And the potential of our children five years old or younger…
The threatened teachers strike would be devastating…
If we do not create a meaningful preschool experience for them right now.
WOMEN: Preschool!
Finally…
Finally?
…and most importantly, in order to achieve this, we must have bipartisan consensus.
I… I prefer that word to compromise, because it allows for individual passion and puts a priority on reason.
Here, here. Pass it down.
Quickly, quickly, quickly…
Our lawmakers need–
Our lawmakers need time for real thought, as they make the decisions, which will impact our destiny.
And that just can’t happen when they spend seven to 12 hours each day, raising campaign money and consequently have no time to even read the bills they vote on!
(CROWD GASPING, BOOS)
ELLA: We must take the time and energy being spent on getting reelected to do the jobs we were elected to take on in the first place.
Quickly, quickly, quickly.
Or else, it is not hard to imagine a day where we simply forget about elections and just…
And just hand offices to those who raise the most money, since they’re going to win anyway.
WOMAN: Thank you, Ella!
ELLA: Government works best when citizens stay interested and involved.
Because, as has been said, “If you do not know what you want, you’ll probably get what someone else wants.”
WOMAN: That’s right!
So please, let’s get started.
Thank you.
WOMAN 2: We love you, Ella!
What do you think?
She’s great.
(BOOING)
Come on. You can sit at home.
Let’s go. Up, up.
WOMAN: Go, Ella!
(APPLAUSE FADES)
She’s unbelievable!
Not mentioning you.
No, Mom. Mom. Mom.
I’ll handle this.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
HELEN: Estelle. Was Casey here?
I left him a message.
I’m worried about him.
Do you want me to worry about him too? I’ll take it on.
No. No. Thank you, though.
(PHONES RINGING)
Ella, that was tough.
You were good.
ELLA: Thanks.
Uh, what did my aunt say to you on the steps just then?
(ESTELLE GROANS)
ELLA: Estelle?
I promised her not to tell you and worry you unnecessarily.
But since that ship has sailed?
She just asked if Casey called–
Can you give us a minute, Estelle?
ELLA: Sorry, just a second.
I’m a little concerned about Casey here, okay?
RYAN: He’s an adult, okay?
You wanna maybe deal with me here for a minute?
Yeah.
I know I didn’t thank you.
You didn’t mention me.
Bill sent me a note to not thank him.
And it threw me. Uh…
If I thanked anybody else, it would look as though I were disrespecting Bill.
And I didn’t want that.
I-I clearly overthought it.
(CHUCKLES) As usual.
Yeah.
(WHISPERS) Sorry.
I have a speech scheduled for tomorrow.
I’ll make it up to you there.
How’s that?
By saying what, though?
By saying…
What would you like me to say?
Is that a real question?
Yeah.
Okay, then let me get back to you on that.
(CHUCKLES)
(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
Estelle, what do I have next?
Meet and greet with donors.
Better get going.
Can’t.
Casey?
Yeah.
I know. I’ll take care of it.
Do what you have to.
Thanks.
(POLICE RADIO CHATTER)
ELLA: Casey!
(KNOCKING RAPIDLY)
(SIGHS)
Casey! It’s Ella.
(KNOCKING) Hi.
Hey.
(LIGHT CHUCKLE)
ELLA: Hello.
Hi. (EXHALES) First things first.
So good to see you.
How are you?
I’m, uh…
(EXHALES)
Listen, I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch.
It’s just…
No, no, no.
It’s okay. It’s okay.
You didn’t want me “big sistering,” is that it?
(SIGHS) Yeah, yeah. Yes.
Yeah. Yeah.
So, Aunt Helen says you’re the governor now.
Yeah. (CHUCKLES) Yeah.
Strange, huh?
No. No. (SIGHS) (SIGHS) Wow.
This is the place, huh?
You’re still using your math to advise people on sports betting?
Yeah, and I’m on deadline.
So I need to–
If I could just…
(TYPING)
Uh…
(TYPING)
Can it wait?
Briefly, but, you know, this is very deadline sensitive stuff.
Understood.
How is everything else?
I mean, how have you been?
Have you…
What happened to that great girl you said was–
Oh, no, no. I can’t. I caI don’t wanna talk about that. That’s…
I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
That’s
No.
Uh
(CLEARS THROAT) May I get a soda or something?
Yeah, sure. It’s in the, uh…
Thanks.
(FOOTSTEPS)
Have you been in contact with Dad at all?
Yeah, he
he keeps leaving me voicemails.
Really?
Yeah, um…
Today’s was…
I’ll show you. I’ll show you.
(MACHINE BEEPS)
EDDIE: Casey, I just need you to meet Olympia.
Go ahead, honey.
OLYMPIA: Hi, Casey.
(GASPS) No, no, no.
Don’t… don’t stop it.
It’s gonna get sorta wild.
This is Olympia.
A strange, but maybe appropriate way for us to meet.
(WHISPERS) Really?
Your dad and I have been reading about forgiveness.
And I think he’s learned that, as I think one female writer put it best, “You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that your arms are too full to embrace the present.”
Let me leave you with that.
And just know that I’m rooting for your family…
(OLYMPIA CRYING)
Yep.
(WAILING) …to heal.
Bye.
(MACHINE BEEPS) Good Lord.
(EXHALES) There’s been a lot more of those over the past few days.
I stopped listening, but that stuff, that just–
It gets to you, you know?
Let me–
Let me take care of this. Okay?
Yeah, that’d be amazing. Thanks.
Ooh.
Can I? Haven’t eaten all day.
Uh… Yeah.
You want some?
No, I’m good.
(WHISPERS) Why do you keep checking your watch?
Are you expecting somebody?
(TYPING)
No, it’s just, I just gotta make my deadlines.
And well, I don’t really like to get high before 6:00.
What?
We
We haven’t seen each other in all this time, and you wanna get high?
Why would you choose to get high when we haven’t talked in so long?
Just to keep you company.
You didn’t check the label?
Lemon extract, sugar.
Six dose
Six doses.
Yeah, so you didn’t read that huge word “Cannabis” along the side?
You didn’t see that?
(GASPS) Oh!
Oh, God!
No!
ESTELLE (VO): In 2008, only 13 states allowed medical marijuana, including this one, even though Ella had passionately campaigned against legalization.
Am I gonna die?
You are gonna die. Seriously.
No, you are gonna die.
Casey, I’m not kidding around!
Is it… Is it strong?
It’s pretty strong.
Will I hallucinate?
Sativa. It’s pleasant, stress-reducing.
For me, it eliminates foreboding, free form guilt, weight watching, stuff like that.
Okay. I’m not gonna worry.
(SIGHS)
I didn’t have much. It’s fine.
CASEY: Oh!
Y-Yeah. Okay.
What?
The cookie’s stronger.
(RADIO CHIRPS)
DISPATCH: Is Snowbird still at that address?
(CLEARS THROAT)
Yep.
(RADIO CHIRPS) DISPATCH: We’ll send relief.
Can’t violate the no overtime edict.
Shit.
(NEARBY ENGINE STARTS)
Sorry.
I just could have used the extra money. The divorce is… divorce is chomping me up.
She’s getting what’s fair, man.
Yeah.
I think Snowbird wanted us in particular to stay on the job.
What are you doing?
DISPATCH: We need actual authorization for overtime.
She is at a very private meeting and said she didn’t want to be disturbed.
Stop it right now.
I am drowning, man. Okay?
We are five minutes away from overtime.
That is 79 dollars an hour.
Absolutely not.
I have six dollars to my name. Okay?
I-I just-I-I get the kids Sunday, right?
And they didn’t even want to come.
I pick the youngest one up, she screams.
I put her down, she screams.
Nothing I try works with them.
So I just want to have one good day. Okay?
One… One single positive, like, nice experience where I take ’em somewhere, or like, or I get ’em… get ’em a gift. Something.
Some fond association, before they end up thinking that their father is just like this nothing, zero. Not…
(COUGHING, LIGHT PANTING)
Are you trying to cry?
No.
No, something…
Something’s happening.
Something…
Do you see this?
I didn’t
I didn’t know this was gonna happen.
(PATTING SHOULDER) (FAKE CRYING) (FLATLY) There, there.
DISPATCH: Okay.
You’re authorized to stay.
Copy.
(EXHALES)
RYAN: Baby? I’m here.
(RAIN POURING) I’m at the Governor’s Mansion.
Mmm. I get a staff, a car, an office, and my own security trooper, for crying out loud.
Yes, you do.
And…
(GONG RINGS) …we get to use the helicopter.
No. The helicopter is for urgent travel when no other feasible transportation will do.
There’s a piano!
Ryan, look, I’m not functioning particularly well right now, so I’m gonna… I’m gonna stay right here tonight, okay?
Oh, but I did-I did what you wanted.
I spoke with the guy.
He’s gonna kill the story.
You did?
Yeah. But only if…
♪ If you agree to give him
Just a little special access ♪
♪ And he needs to know
Within the next hour ♪
No. No special access.
We’re being extorted.
(PHONE BEEPS)
(LINE BEEPS, DISCONNECTS)
ESTELLE (VO): I sure get it.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever fallen for the wrong person.
(SIGHS)
ELLA: Case?
(TYPING)
You ever…?
No, never mind.
Do you remember the first time we got high together?
Which was the only time for me.
When you were at MIT?
(WHISPERING)
And I was so proud.
And I first realized you were agoraphobic.
It’s not agoraphobia if you stay in place based on free choice and not a phobia or irresistible compulsion.
Ooh.
Let’s not have that discussion.
I remember how great it was to not feel like it was up to me to fix things. (INHALES) It was like the junkyard in my brain had closed down, and I had these great, clear thoughts.
I never did it again, of course, but… it sure was tempting.
(GIGGLES)
Oh, sweet mother, I think it’s happening again.
No. Ella, please!
Well, wait, wait.
Let me get the thoughts out while I can!
No, Ella, please. Ella, no…
Okay, one… is that I’ve so missed you.
And I really think you’re great.
And so what if you’re being agor–
Your having a smallish anxiety disorder is part of your being great.
(EXHALES)
And recently, truth be told…
(WHISPERING)
I, too, have been slightly… drowning in anxiety myself.
But I am not drowning at this moment.
(WHISPERS) No, sir.
Just between us, I’m…
I am so excited about getting to do this job! (GASPS) Even though I got it by accident.
And…
The rest… the personal stuff…
(TYPING CONTINUES)
I don’t know.
The truth is I worry that he doesn’t love me.
Not really.
(TYPING STOPS)
That he just wanted to…
I didn’t mean that.
I didn’t mean that.
It’s just, uh…
It’s complicated when you come from our background, and you’re with someone from a normal family, isn’t it, Case?
Yeah, personally, I’ve decided to stop trying to be normal.
And pick something easier.
(LAUGHS) Oh, Case… I love you.
Can I, um…
I have just one more thing-teeny, tiny thing to say.
If I may.
(WHISPERING) I’ve never said this, even to myself. But…
I know exactly what needs to be done in this new job.
And, Lord help me, I think I can do it.
I can make people’s lives better.
Even more than my predecessor.
Who is an adorable person, and everybody loves him.
But… he doesn’t love them back, not really.
(LOUDER) Not enough to fight the tough ones.
And sure, I’ll never be able to generate that kind of…
“Stop the world!”
“Hi, Nellie, how are the kids?
Doing good?
Which one? The boy or the gi” I don’t have that kind of appeal, okay?
I don’t have the chitchat.
And the big guns in the party don’t like me at all!
They don’t value my ideas.
Or the work that goes into them!
And they actually resent my energy, whatever that means!
But I know exactly what needs to be done in this new job.
Okay? We need to attract new businesses.
And you can’t do that with substandard roads and ports, and you can’t do that unless you jack
maybe way up-license and registration fees, especially for commercial vehicles.
And you have to not give a hot hoot what that does to your poll numbers.
Because here’s the catch: You can’t be popular and fix anything!
(PANTING)
Would you like to hear about my favorite community health program?
God, no.
I found it buried in a footnote to a bill in Vermont or Nebraska.
It was one of those states that nobody’s mad at.
“The benefits of tooth tutors.”
Say it, Case. Tooth tutors.
No.
It’s fun to say.
You should try it once.
No. I’m not saying that.
It’s really fun to say.
No, I don’t wanna say that.
Please?
No.
Tooth tutors. Tooth tutors!
No, I’m not gonna say it.
No, I’m not gonna say it.
Tooth tutors.
Tooth tutors!
Thank you.
(EXHALES) You go to any deeply rural county anywhere, and kids’ teeth are in terrible shape because of the massive amounts of soda they drink.
And dentists are virtually nonexistent because there’s no money to be had.
So they started this cost-free program, where local volunteers go door-to-door, giving out tooth care kits provided free by toothpaste companies.
So like Doctors Without Borders, they show up, these dentists, maybe three times a year, and treat all comers for free!
No, no, don’t get excited yet.
That’s not the best part.
The best part is that the social workers reported that these kids, who’d been previously walking around closemouthed because of how their teeth looked, actually began to smile.
(CRYING)
And… (SNIFFLING) It seems to be at least partially responsible for increased high school graduation rate and reduced misconduct in the classroom.
(SNIFFLING)
Thanks for listening. I…
Now you.
Uh…
Casey, do you really have to work, or are you just trying to avoid talking about yourself?
Yeah. Yeah, I gotta work.
I gotta make deadlines, okay?
That’s what I gotta do.
I know you got a lot going on right now.
But, you know
This is. I got–
You know, there’s 2,100 people paying me $1,000 a year each, and they’re waiting for this stuff, and this is the first time I’ve ever been late.
First time, and you come in here doing all this stuff, and…
(STAMMERING)
…getting all emotional.
I can’t be dealing with that stuff.
I gotta make these deadlines.
You make two million dollars a year?
Approximately, yeah.
I’m almost done, okay? Just…
Oh, wow.
And I’m not agoraphobic, okay?
I choose not to go outside.
That’s by choice. Okay?
If I was agoraphobic, I wouldn’t be able to do this, would I?
Watch this.
Casey?
I’m gonna leave this door right now.
Pull it off its hinges, man.
You don’t have to do that!
ELLA: Point made.
A choice, see?
Choice.
Okay.
And my sociability, that’s also fine.
Okay.
How you doin’, man?
Good to see you.
Welcome to the neighborhood.
How are you, bro?
Nice to see you.
You know what you wanna do?
You wanna take Detroit Lions.
Plus the points.
Oh, you’ll make your bookie sob.
Sob.
ELLA: Look, I can’tI can’t show my face until I’m absolutely clearheaded here.
May I sleep here tonight?
CASEY: Uh…
Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
(CASEY SIGHS) Wait.
Have I made it clear how glad I am to see you?
Yes.
Let’s not articulate everything, okay?
Okay.
Okay.
So what does that bring us to?
Oh, my God.
That’s double time.
(CHUCKLES)
So…
You’re okay that she’s sorry she forgot to mention you in her speech and that now she’s going to mention you.
Mmhmm.
The first thing I did when I got married was to make your father a full partner…
Mm.
…so he wouldn’t resent me, so he could be aI don’t know what else she can do.
She can do anything she wants now.
Give you any title she wants.
(STAMMERING)
Chief of Staff.
Director of Motor Vehicles.
Anything.
Instead of the husband that gets… mentioned.
Oh, yeah. You get it now.
Your mother’s smart.
Now you gotta say whatever it takes to get what you want or live with nothing.
Clear, strong, manly.
Or you want to be like your father?
Huh?
Nothin’, doll.
I’m juiced.
Thanks, Mom.
FATHER: Love you.
Love you.
Thanks.
(VEHICLES HUMMING)
ELLA: Hi, Estelle.
Uh, could you get Jen in Legal on her cell, please?
ESTELLE: Okay, hold on.
(DEEP SIGH)
JEN: Morning, ma’am.
Hi. Good morning, Jen.
Did you find anything out?
JEN: Yes. Yes, we did.
It’s government property and therefore, it’s unfortunately against…
So it’s questionable?
Yes, ma’am.
Okay.
(INHALES) Oh.
Estelle, are you still on?
ESTELLE: Yeah.
Yeah. I need to head something off here.
Can we call a press conference as soon as I get there, please?
(FOOTSTEPS)
Oh!
(YAWNS) They didn’t relieve you?
Hi.
Good morning.
I-I–
You said you’d be a while, so we thought you wanted us to stay.
Or, um, okay, maybe there was some kind of miscommunication?
I’m sorry. I don’t understand.
What miscommunication?
I-I–
(SCOFFS) Well, see, you had said, “See you.”
So we took that to mean that you were wanting, um…
And maybe it was our mistake.
We thought that that meant that you were hoping that we were gonna…
That I wanted you to violate austerity dictates and rain overtime on you when budgets are being shredded?
No.
No?
No. Um…
People are living in their cars.
And you sat in there, chiseling them in yours.
It was wrong.
I’m senior. It was my responsibility, Governor.
Don’t you dare for a second think that your owning it means anything at all.
Damn it, Nash.
(CAR DOOR SLAMS)
What a–
She was right.
I did it for my kids.
You don’t have to spend a dime to be with your kids.
There are museums, libraries, parks, playgrounds.
Hide and seek.
Catch, for God’s sake!
Yeah! Yes.
Thank you.
Great tips.
Thank you. Helpful.
Just throw them a ball. When they catch it, say, “Good job.”
Yeah. Yeah.
Tic-tac-toe.
I am going to get straight into this.
(REPORTERS CHATTERING)
(SIGHS)
I am faced with a possible imminent dissemination of certain facts about my personal life.
I felt I should speak first, so I do not appear reactive or defensive at some later time.
(EXHALES)
For the past year or so, in my efforts to maintain a vital marriage and ever so hopefully to start a family, despite a 17hour workday…
Shush! Shush!
…I have been spending lunch hours with my husband in a state office slash apartment not directly assigned to me.
We engaged in marital relations there.
(PEOPLE GASPING)
(SHUTTERS CLICKING)
(CLEARS THROAT)
I now understand that one interpretation of state law would consider use of a government room for matters so strictly personal, a violation.
Though others disagree with this interpretation, I nonetheless have instructed the state auditor to place a value on the time I occupied the office and will pay whatever sum she deems applicable.
I hope to soon put before the legislature and the people matters far more worthy of our mutual attention and time.
Thank you.
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
MALE REPORTER: When you say “marital relations,” precisely what do you mean?
(LAUGHTER)
(ASSISTANT SHOUTING)
Ella, you gotta see this.
ELLA: Oh, God. Casey.
ESTELLE: Do what you have to.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Comin’ through.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(DIALING)
(LINE RINGS)
Where-Where is she?
ESTELLE: She said she won’t be reachable for a bit, but she’ll be checking in.
Okay, okay.
Can you tell her that I need to see her the minute she turns her damn phone back on?
Can I tell her what it’s about?
Oh, yeah, sure. It’s about how she ruined everything!
All right! I’ll tell her that!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER CONTINUES)
ESTELLE (VO): With crises sprouting all over the place, work, marriage and a troubled kid brother, the problem becomes where do you even start?
(WATER RUNNING)
ELLA: Case… Case, sweetie, are you crying?
What? No! Crap, are you nuts?
Sorry.
What, you think I’m just gonna start crying telling you about Susan?
Okay.
Does that sound like me?
It’s been a while. I’m sorry.
You’re not gonna cry about Susan.
Just gonna let the garbage pile up and suffer a relapse of some sort that is not agoraphobia, but has you primarily staying indoors for how long?
Thirteen months.
Oh.
What?
Nothin’.
(INHALES)
Okay, I may have damaged my life by pressing Susan too early in our relationship.
(SNIFFS) And I think about it many, many times a day.
It’s like one of those mistakes you never recover from, you know?
And by pressing her, you mean you proposed marriage?
No.
But I mean, that would have been appropriate to my feelings.
Okay. What did you… do?
What did I do?
Yeah.
You… you want word for word?
No.
Just generally?
Yes.
Okay.
I said how I believe timing is almost everything.
And that one of the timing decisions I’m always afraid of screwing up is the one where you say, “I wanna stop dating right now and just accept that I’ve found the person that’s gonna make my life worthwhile.”
So far, that’s pretty word for word.
And then I said, maybe too loud, that you know, she was that person for me.
And I asked if she felt the same way.
And therefore would also want to stop looking for anybody else but me.
And she said that made her feel… weird.
And then she said “weird” a couple more times, and… that was it, really.
Did she say you were weird?
No. No. That’s a great question.
She said “it” was weird.
What are you saying?
You saying there’s still hope?
And this was over a year ago, you say.
Yeah, barely.
What happened when you called afterwards? I mean, did–
I… I didn’t call.
I didn’t call.
And she never called you?
I don’t understand.
Look, I changed my number, okay?
Because I didn’t want to be aware all the time she wasn’t calling me.
Her not calling me right away was clear enough.
Oh.
You think I should call her now?
Yes!
And say what?
What should I say?
How is she?
You’ve been thinking about her.
Yeah? Okay.
You’d like to see her.
Okay.
You…
Oh.
You know.
What?
(PANTING)
I don’t want to say this because I know exactly how I sound when I do, but the truth is… she lives way over in the Trent Park area.
You know, that… that distance for me is gonna be hard, given my issues.
And… You know?
(STAMMERS) Okay.
Well, but-but, I mean, you know what?
Even saying that was difficult, and you did it anyway.
Yeah.
Case, you have a great work ethic.
This right now?
This is your work.
Okay.
Call her.
Call me for anything else.
Okay.
You know, I’m almost not sorry I called you.
(ELLA LAUGHS)
I’ll take it.
(PHONE BEEPS)
Hi, Estelle. Anything?
One of the news outlets has started to refer to you in a peculiar way, and it’s catching on.
Want to hear what it is?
Sure.
“Little Miss Nooner.”
Well, let’s hope that nickname doesn’t stick.
ESTELLE: But your approval rating is up two percent.
Huh.
Well, let’s, uh… Let’s use it while we can, shall we?
Have full staff as soon as I get there.
It will be a long session, and no phones inside.
Okay. Okay.
Bye.
Bye.
Hey, wait a minute.
How are you, Estelle?
You’re kidding.
I think I’m peaking!
I’m better than I’ve ever been in my life!
Though I may have to spray for lobbyists.
Who, by the way, have bombarded me with gifts under the ten-dollar limit.
If you need a refrigerator magnet or a single rose, come to me.
Ella, this is fun.
Yeah, I feel some of that too.
I-I don’t know that “fun” would be my word.
Ella, it’s fun. It’s fun.
All right. Fine.
Little Miss Nooner, signing off.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
All right. Okay. Bye.
Oh, wait! Wait.
(SIGHS)
Could you get my father, please?
ESTELLE: Okay, Ella. Good luck.
Hi, it’s Ella.
Uh, I said I’d see you.
Can we do it now?
Great. What’s your address?
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Great that you’re here. Come in.
Uh…
Governor, huh? (CHUCKLES) I made you some, uh…
ELLA: Listen, Casey doesn’t leave his apartment as it is, and those calls you’re making stress him out.
So cut it out.
That’s what I came here to say.
Okay. I-I just need him and you to do one thing for me.
Olympia’s going to leave me unless I can work things out with my kids.
She says I have to own all of my… misdeeds.
Which I have compiled a list of.
So I can offer you specific remorses.
Hold on.
I have my acknowledgements here.
Uh, okay…
(CHUCKLES)
This is great we’re doing this.
Um… (STAMMERS) “I’d like to acknowledge past actions of mine for which I am deeply sorry and ashamed.
I… during the marriage, I… womanized.
Um, I…”
An expense account thing.
Wrong apology.
“I sent Casey to military school when he was eight because I didn’t want the responsibility.
I avoided Ella” You”–
Whenever I could, because frankly, you scared me.”
(CHUCKLES) Still do.
“And I rarely showed you affection, even though I” Trust me, this list isn’t going to help anything.
You want to mend fences?
Lay off Casey.
And how do I fix things between us?
(SIGHS) Fix things?
Come on! Begin to repair, okay?
You’re going to leave Casey alone.
Yes? Yes?
Uh…
Yes.
Yes?
Yes!
Great!
And as far as you’re concerned, if there’s anything standing in the way of us moving on… tell me, please.
There is something…
I wonder about that actually still eats at me.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Did you cheat on Mom at the end?
Not… really.
(SIGHS, SCOFFS)
I-I mean, what did I say?
I said not really.
(CLICKING, BEEPING)
(WHIRRING)
Yeah.
Oh, I gotta call first.
(LINE RINGS)
Hey, Susan, it’s Casey.
You know, Casey McCay?
Yeah, yeah, and how long a time.
So, are you married?
No, no, no. I’m not-I’m not married, either.
May I just come over?
Oh, okay, well, when will you be back?
Okay, well, I’ll be there in two hours.
Look who’s functional.
(GRUNTS)
ESTELLE (VO): Verum est difficile.
The rug is right.
Truth is tough, but sometimes you just gotta face it.
I need to talk to you.
Sure.
Great. Thank you, everyone.
Governor Ella, you have your first full staff meeting right now.
Thanks, Estelle.
What’s up?
You called a press conference.
About our lives.
And you gave it without running it by me.
(QUIETLY) Right.
I… Yes. I-It’s just that it was just so clear that something had to be done immediately.
But you’re right. I should have run it past you first.
Totally solid point. Okay?
And you decided to make me sound like someone who has nothing else to do but bang my wife when she has nothing else to do for lunch.
ESTELLE: We can hear him out here.
I swear…
Yep. Got it.
That’s not what I said.
All you needed to do was check in with me.
And then all this crap could have been avoided.
You and I need to talk at home.
Okay? This is not the place.
What, not in the throne room!
ELLA: This isn’t the place.
Heavens, no!
Do you have some goal in mind here?
Some result you want?
Because if you do, I swear we can’t get there from here. Okay?
So for God’s sake stop it, and we’ll talk later.
RYAN: No! Okay?
Ella?
This is all on you.
You know that?
If you had just trusted me to handle it–
What did you do?
No, don’t change the subject.
What’s the subject?
The subject?
The subject is that you fucked up.
Don’t talk to me like that.
You want
You wanna know what the subject is?
The subject is that this marriage isn’t working for me.
You did something.
Right? And now you’re worried about what you did?
No. You’re worried about what I did, which was to pay the guy to kill the story that you didn’t want out there.
And it’s not a bribe, by the way.
I checked with a lawyer.
There is no law against paying someone not do a story.
You actually put money in an envelope and handed it to him?
No, not money.
He wanted a check.
You gave him a check?
Yes.
And you didn’t wonder why he wanted a check?
Yeah, because it was 7,500, Ella.
And people don’t want to carry that much cash. Okay?
Why else would it be?
Evidence, Ryan!
(INHALES)
If–
Okay, okay.
How about we talk about us?
Sure. The marriage isn’t working for you.
No, but it could.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Remember what you said to me about making things up to me in your next speech?
Yes.
Right?
Well, this could be it.
This could fix us.
This…
I think this could make us great.
Wha-What–
(SCOFFS)
(SIGHS, EXHALES)
“My husband will be at my side, using his experience in the service industry for the greatest service of all, the welfare of all of you.”
You wrote this yourself?
Yeah.
I mean, I ran it by the family, but
but yeah.
Okay. (CLEARS THROAT) “He will be part of the governance of the state we both love.
Our solid family values will now be government values.
I’m happy to say you’re getting two for the price of one.”
Mmhmm.
Uh, this makes it sound like you’re cogoverning with me.
Well, you sure can use me, Ella.
Because people, mmm, like me. Yeah.
And to be honest, they see you(WHISPERS) Don’t.
Okay, I’m not being funny. Okay?
If I don’t get this–
If I don’t have a job with
with a title where I run things…
Ryan.
…then what is my purpose here, okay?
What is your purpose?
Without it, I’m your what?
Husband?
That’s a hard thing to put on a parking space.
(SCOFFS) Oh, my God.
Ella.
Just let me go to my meeting, please, and we’ll talk later, okay?
No, no.
I can’t do this marriage, if I don’t get this.
I’m not kidding. I can’t.
You know, my mother told me that you wanted those lunches so that I wouldn’t cheat like your father.
Well, I am not your father.
Right?
When I’m unhappy, I don’t cheat, Ella.
I walk.
Like, right now.
(SIGHS)
Good!
(STAMMERS)
If you
if you can’t do a reconsider here, now, then I’m gonna go public, right away.
And
and it’s not gonna be like, “they wish each other well,” or something like that.
It’s gonna be a divorce.
A messy divorce.
On top of everything else.
It would ruin your shot at anything, Ella. Seriously.
Why would you do that to yourself?
(EXHALES)
Because I don’t think you could be doing any of this to me right now if you even liked me.
Governor. Phone.
Yeah. Um…
No one who isn’t on the list.
Yes, ma’am.
(APPLAUSE, CHEERING)
Please don’t applaud!
(SCATTERED GASPS)
So sorry. Very. Excuse me.
I just need a minute.
WOMAN: Of course. Of course.
(LIGHT CHATTER)
(PANTING)
(VOICE BREAKING) Nope.
(SIGHS)
(SNIFFS)
Okay.
(PEOPLE SHUSHING)
Let’s just plunge right in, shall we?
Hi.
I’m so glad to see you all.
I really am.
(CROW CAWING)
This way.
(PANTING)
SUSAN: Just a sec!
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Hi.
I, uh, I should’ve brought something.
You know, some flowers or a small car with a bow around it.
What?
I’m sorr-I’m sorry.
I thought
I just thought of saying that on the stairs as, like, a kidding thing to you know, maybe make you laugh–
I didn’t realize it was, like, a joke.
No, it’s funny.
I laughed. I laughed.
I’m sorry.
No, I got it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
(CHUCKLING) Good to see you.
Thanks.
Um… You look, um…
What? Thinner?
Uh, sure.
But I was gonna say you look like–
Tense?
Um, no.
I mean, well, maybe.
I don’t know.
Sorry, I’m not
I’m just…
I’m not letting you finish your sentences, and I’m just…
You’re not. But that is okay.
Um…
Also, we haven’t even left the doorway. So…
Sorry.
Nope. All good.
Do you want to come inside?
Yeah.
Oh. Okay, yeah.
(SIGHS)
Um, I was, uh…
Uh… (EXHALES) What? Case.
Really? You wanna know?
(SLOWLY) Sure.
Well, okay, then.
Well, last time I was here, I got in trouble for saying something you thought, possibly correctly, was excessive.
Remember? I’m just
I’m not-I’m not tryin’ to jump in your thoughts.
Could we catch up more slowly?
Slowly. Yeah. Okay.
(BLUSTERS)
SUSAN: Right. Okay.
Um… There is a really great restaurant a few blocks away from here, and I think you’ll like the food.
So let’s go there.
You’ll like it.
It’s not really like I remember exactly what happened way back then anyway. So…
Wh–
Really?
You really don’t remember?
Would it help if I repeated the key parts of our last conversation?
No!
No, it actually–
It would not… help. Um…
I think I thought today would be a little more,
(BRIGHTLY)
“Hey, how things been?”
(IMITATING CASEY) “Really normal. I’ve been so normal.”
(BRIGHTLY)
“Oh, my gosh. Me too.”
I’m actually not sure I can do that, Susan.
You know, I’ve given a lot of thought to what I wanna say about last time.
And I know I can’t just pick up on a year-old conversation.
Okay.
Great.
Fine.
Cool.
Cool.
Listen. I’m gonna get my coat, and you’re gonna like the place. Cool?
Mmhmm.
(EXHALES)
You know, you don’t get to act like this.
You’re the one that changed your number.
You did that!
Yeah, because I didn’t want to be aware you weren’t calling me. Okay?
(GASPS) You wouldn’t have known I changed my number unless you called.
Yay, genius.
What were you gonna say when you called?
What were you gonna say?
That I was very worried–
At the time.
Can we please stop? (GRUNTS)
(EXHALES)
(PANTING)
(WHIMPERS)
Okay, um…
I think we cut our losses.
This is weird, a-a-and I am drained, and you are still…
(EXHALES)
…screwy.
So, yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
I think I know what you mean!
All you asked for was a little time to adjust, and I couldn’t do it for you.
Y-Yeah.
I still can’t, Susan. I… still can’t.
Okay.
Okay.
(SIGHS)
But, but, but…
Hey, hey, hey.
There’s a “but,” okay?
There’s a “but.”
I think you’ve lost the thread of the conversation we were almost having.
Well, we were talking about how last time I was here, I asked you a question in a very complicated way.
And I, you know, I know you’d rather not deal with that again.
I strongly believe if I could just ask in a more simple way, you know, it’d clear the past, and we could go out, and you know, we could go eat and…
Hey! We could have some fun.
(SIGHS) Could you just… come here please?
Please?
(GROANS)
I was gonna, maybe… maybe sit down in the
(SUSAN EXHALES)
CASEY: I, uh…
Well, uh…
You know, maybe instead of talking about it, I’ll just, uh…
Yeah, I’ll just do it, okay?
Okay.
Well, the, um, question I actually wanted to ask way back then and, uh… just as much now is, um…
Susan, would you be my girlfriend?
(QUIETLY) Case…
(SIGHS)
Yeah?
Um…
I… I almost envy the way you just don’t, um…
No, uh…
Okay. Well, listen.
You know, a lot of time has passed.
And… and we’ve had other experiences a-a-and been with other people.
Um… Or not. I didn’t
That’s–
As a hypothetical, maybe.
Um…
What I mean is…
You know, if you had asked me back then the way that you just asked me now, I mean–
Would things be different? I…
I mean, I don’t know. Maybe.
You’re giving a very complicated answer, Susan.
Just-Just tell me, you know?
Yeah. Yeah. Simple is better.
Okay. Yeah.
I-I think I’ll be your girlfriend.
You
(STAMMERS)
Okay. Um…
I’m gonna be honest. I’m just as surprised as you are.
But that’s the way things are now, so can we go eat, please?
Yeah, absolutely.
Great. Thank you very much.
Okay.
(CHUCKLES)
I’m stoked.
(GIGGLES) Okay, yeah. This… This’ll-This’ll work. Yeah.
Yeah.
GUARD: Proceed in an orderly fashion…
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
REPORTER: Hold on. Slow down.
Calm down!
REPORTER: Ryan, could you add anything to what you said at your press conference?
Uh, well, my wife was the one who thought a payoff would be the way to handle it.
And… it was her decision to end our marriage.
I’m sorry.
And did you all discuss–
I think that’s all I’m gonna say.
(PHONES RINGING SIMULTANEOUSLY)
Thank you, Ryan.
(RINGING, VIBRATING CONTINUES)
Who is helping the local community ed boards?
Who on our side is at their side?
(LIGHT SNORING) I have a document to show you on the secondary education system in Oregon, which is, I mean, absolutely fascinating. It…
Good grief!
(SNORING)
I-I lost all track of time.
I’m so sorry. I just-I just think we have a really great foothold here.
But, um…
(SIGHS) I just wanna say I’m…
I’m stoked!
(SCATTERED GASPS) I hope you are too.
And if you’re not, well, it’s-it’s my job to get you there.
NASH: Stay back!
(THUMPING) NASH: Please, stay back.
That’s an order!
Get back.
(SHOUTING)
NASH: Governor!
(SHOUTING)
NASH: We got you.
(GRUNTS) Get back! That’s an order!
Get back!
Get back!
MALE REPORTER: Her husband’s saying that the governor endorsed the $7,500 payment and claimed that it was for, quote, “public relations counseling.”
State Senator Tom Lawrence is now considering a bill of censure against the governor.
Hey! Wait!
(TIRES SCREECHING)
REPORTER: The governor seemed to be in a state of collapse when she was helped from the buil(QUIETLY) Damn press.
I… can’t hear you.
(GRUNTS) Ooh. No. Uh…
I’m sick of not hearing you.
Be careful, please.
Ooh.
Belt. Belt. Belt.
Seatbelt, please. Seatbelt.
(CLICKS)
(WEAKLY) What did you say?
Um…
Just… “Damn press.”
Mmm.
It’s too easy to blame reporters.
They’re up against the same things hitting everyone right now.
Cutbacks, extreme work load, loss of dignity…
(INHALES) …loss of mission.
Oh, whoa. Whoa.
ELLA: Who knows?
Maybe we’re all just hamsters on the same wheel.
Beginning to worry that the kid who bought us… has started to lose interest.
NASH: Whoa.
That is… heavy duty.
(PHONE RINGS)
(BEEPS) Snowbird.
It’s Maggie.
Put her on the phone!
Ma’am, the majority leader wants to speak with you.
(WINDSHIELD WIPERS CLICKING)
I know how wimpy it sounds…
I… I can’t.
She cannot come to the phone right now.
MAGGIE: You’re in the damn car with her, Trooper.
And you’re in way over your head.
Yes, ma’am.
I’ll let her know you called.
Thank you. Goodbye.
Governor, I’m taking you to the ER.
No. No.
What that would turn into.
Ma’am, I was a paramedic before this, and you’re exhibiting signs of a small concussion.
(SIGHS)
All I need is a place to think.
That’s it.
Please.
(MUFFLED LAUGHTER)
Can you do it?
(LAUGHING) That’s gross.
Ready?
(MUFFLED CHATTER)
Thanks! (SIGHS) Of course.
(PANTING)
You did this under my instructions.
So, no worries.
Don’t worry.
(THUNDER RUMBLING) Okay?
Hi.
Thank you, God.
Hi. Come in. Come on.
Okay.
Let’s… Let’s get you dried off…
Hi.
…and
and in a shower.
And there’s some clothes from previous weights of mine in the back closet.
Soup. Soup?
I’ll get you some soup.
Are you okay?
Okay.
Okay.
(RAPID FOOTSTEPS)
(WHISPERS) I’m okay.
Yeah, well, prove it.
Say something other than, “I’m okay.”
(SIGHS)
I feel strange.
I keep thinking of this thing I once read.
An avalanche victim.
This woman was almost completely buried alive.
And, uh…
Lost the thread.
Avalanche victim.
Right.
And she could only move two fingers.
So she dug with them for hours to clear a tiny pocket around her mouth just because she needed to hear herself scream.
You can use a scream, Ella.
(CHUCKLES) Yeah. Go on.
Do it.
(WHISPERS) No.
Do it.
Come on. Just scream.
All right.
Let’s go!
Okay!
(INHALES, SIGHS)
(HELEN SIGHS)
(ELLA INHALES DEEPLY)
No.
(SIGHS) No. I might not be able to stop.
That’s too bad, I was gonna join you.
(LAUGHS)
(SIREN BLIPS)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(SIGHS)
Hi. Ella here?
No.
Hi, Bill.
Oh, look. There she is.
Oh. Hi.
This is a terrible hiding place.
I’m Helen McCay. Please excuse the way I talk or act.
Okay.
Look, I got the whole leadership with me.
The time bind we’re in is killer.
Uh, how many people is that?
What?
Fifteen, twenty, thirty?
What difference does it make?
Because then we should do this at my bar.
On the corner. Helen’s.
Okay. Don’t tap me.
(DOOR CLOSES)
BILL: Let’s go!
ESTELLE (VO): Oh, boy, were they waiting for this.
They were finally about to get rid of Ella, who was a constant reminder that their recurring night sweat selfdoubts about themselves were maybe just plain true.
Why so many of them?
Dear God.
MAN: Right this way, for two.
WOMAN: Over here.
(SIGHS)
We are so tight on time since your husband decided to do his… moment.
What did he do?
He went public with the fact that you two split up.
And he gave the reason why.
And the reason was?
Can I just do this with Ella?
No. And the reason was?
And the reason was?
He said he was the one who wanted to preserve the marriage, but it was you who wanted to end it.
Even though you admitted to him that you couldn’t do the job without him.
(SCOFFS)
And he said you agreed to claim the 7,500dollar payout was gonna be used for some bullshit public relations advice?
Fuck his shit heart!
(PATRONS GASPING)
I’m sorry. I’ve never-I’ve never said that before and ever will again. I’m s–
So… that makes me someone who can’t make her home life work, so how could I possibly govern?
Govern.
That’s exactly what your instant polls say.
Let the majority leader go into this with you.
Maggie!
Yeah!
Okay.
Hi, Ella.
Hi, Maggie.
Okay. Let’s do this quick.
We’d like you to resign immediately.
If not, we’ll censure you for general incompetence, which would make you just a figurehead for the next 14 months of your term.
It’s a lot to take in.
But I also knew you wouldn’t want any bullshit.
And, um, sorry, sorry, sorry, but we need you to decide this news cycle.
Right now, actually.
(SIGHS) Hmm…
Bill?
Hmm?
Would you come outside with me for a second, please?
One minute.
Remember your promise, Bill.
Your promise?
I don’t know what she means.
Hey!
Help her or go to hell.
Nice input.
We have to wrap this up quickly.
I can’t trust my brain right now.
I understand.
Unemployment or impotence.
It’s a tough choice.
If it helps, there’s no cherry on either one.
(SIGHS)
It’s the tiger or the tiger.
But either way, they’re gonna call you Governor forever.
And that’s a-that’s a nice thing.
Am I making a fundamental mistake here? About us?
What’s the mistake?
(SIGHS) Are you my friend, Bill?
Well…
Under the circumstances, that’s an extremely complicated question.
Okay.
Yes, I’m your friend.
I’m your friend.
Hi, friend.
But I’ve got a side here, too.
With the confirmation, this is the only hand I can play.
Yeah.
My promise to them was to stay out of it.
But it doesn’t mean I can’t think of some advice out loud.
What they want you to do, Ella, is exactly what you should do.
Get out while the going’s bad, because if you don’t, they’ll joyously make it worse for you.
Joyously? Why joyously?
Because you do the worst thing a person can do to them.
(STAMMERING) You’re poking them in their limitations.
I’m telling you, Ella, they will make the next 14 months hell… hell… as payback.
So, unless you’re a humiliation junkie…
I’m not a humiliation junkie.
Well, then go in there now and resign.
No. Bill, I can’t do that.
Why?
(WHISPERS) I love the job.
They will not let you do shit.
They will not let you take a pencil home.
Okay. I’m done.
I really…
I gotta get outta here.
If, uh…
If anybody asks what we did out here…
Goes without saying.
Go get confirmed.
Thanks. Goodbye.
BILL: Ella?
I-I think I’m allowed to make one very intelligent observation for you to mull.
When this many people show up to make you do something, you’re holding better cards than you think.
Use that as you will.
Nice.
I didn’t let you down completely.
(CHUCKLES)
Good luck, El.
(CAR DOOR CLOSES, ENGINE STARTS)
(CAR DEPARTS)
(SIGHS)
I’m staying.
(PATRONS JEER) Are you kidding me?
What?
MAN: Oh, no, no!
Can you try not to be a roadkill do-gooder and be a politician for a second?
Let’s talk. Maybe we can come to some compromise.
Oh, sorry. “Consensus.”
Sure.
For starters, don’t stand over me like that.
This isn’t personal.
I’m just doing my job.
Oh, it sure feels personal, Maggie.
(INHALES, SIGHS)
Go for it.
If I don’t get what I want, I will not only stay in office, but run again as an independent against whomever you nominate.
(LAUGHS)
Yes, I will lose.
But get what? How many votes?
My approval rating has a floor someplace.
Little Miss Nooner has some fans, doesn’t she?
Even if I just get eleven percent, there’s no way the party wins.
You know that.
(SIGHS)
Or…?
Or…
I will leave.
If…?
ESTELLE (VO): Yeah. Gotcha.
If…
ESTELLE (VO): There would be two ways of looking at Ella’s governorship.
That it was an embarrassment, primarily marked by a silly personal scandal… or the way I see it, and love it, that given just three days in office…
I feel good about this.
…she left an extraordinary record of legislative accomplishment.
(MAGGIE SIGHS)
Oh, the, uh, dental stuff, I’m afraid there’s no room left in the budget forHardly anything needed.
The Dental Association is footing the bill.
They could use some public pats on the back to keep them motivated.
Pats, I got.
Thanks, Maggie.
(CHUCKLES)
(SIGHS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
EDDIE: Ella…
I lost my ticket to a good life.
Not right now.
No, Ella. Ca-Can you make this the minute?
The one that’s always been there, waiting for us.
The minute you need.
Can you forgive me?
(SIGHS)
Not really.
(FOOTSTEPS, DOOR OPENS)
ESTELLE (VO): I get all that good stuff about forgiving, but aren’t there times when never forgiving can also set you free?
Just asking.
HELEN: I simply cannot contain my anger at Ryan.
I have never been this angry, where it is unbearable.
You
you can’t imagine what it feels like. You can’t.
I need to act on it.
You’re wrong.
I can imagine how it feels.
(SIGHS) I–
(STAMMERING) You’re…
Sitting on it.
(EXASPERATED SIGH)
That must be very frustrating.
Correct!
Well, that’s what not screaming will get you. Hmm?
So, listen, Ella.
I do have something–
(SCREAMS)
(SIGHS)
(SCREAMS)
(YELPS)
(STIFLED LAUGHTER)
(BOTH SCREAMING)
(SUSTAINED SCREAM)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(LAUGHTER)
Well, we should do that every afternoon.
Yeah, we should.
(LAUGHS)
Tremendous, tremendous feeling.
(GASPS)
I, uh… Wow!
Ella.
Yeah?
I… I’ve been avoiding something.
There is a slate that needs to be cleaned.
What–
My problem is, I am unable to move past what Ryan did.
I understand that you have a different way of, you know… processing his douchiness.
So?
So, I did something.
Okay…
Ella, I put something in motion.
But I’m worried that I… that I should have consulted with you first.
ELLA: Hmm…
(INHALES DEEPLY) Well…
For me, it’s easy.
I am just going to go with what I’ve always believed.
Aunt Helen knows best.
(CHUCKLES)
Thank you. Love you.
ESTELLE (VO): We kid ourselves, but most endings in life are inevitable.
Whether you earn them or had it coming.
Are you a moron? Are you?
(STAMMERING)
Are you a moron?
‘Cause I can just rip this down.
It means nothing.
What the hell are you smiling at?
The next second.
What do you mean, the next–
Do you–
I’m just talking with–
Ooh, resisting.
I…
Let’s go.
You have no idea who you’re dealing with.
Guys, guys.
OFFICER: You assaulted a public official.
Come on. Let’s
Let’s just have something to eat.
Resisting.
I know what you like.
I remember, it’s pepperoni…
Okay, yeah.
Extra cheese…
And you’re Hawaiian?
Hawaiian.
I’m sorry. I apologize.
Attempted bribery.
I’m sorry! I’m sorry.
Love it, love it, love it.
You guys, I thank you for everything you do, but this is completely unnecessary!
This is…
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER) I’m-I’m sorry.
ESTELLE (VO): Sometimes “I’m sorry” comes way too late.
It took a while, but Ella got exactly what she fought for, passage of the Mom’s Bill, and one of the few pieces of policy that’s fun to say.
Tooth Tutors. Tooth Tutors!
Tooth Tutors!
It’s fun! Come on, admit it.
MAN: Legal Aid/Tenants Aid, how may I help you?
ESTELLE (VO): Another phone room.
But this one is all Ella’s baby.
So there’s one big difference.
No one’s asking for anything. Except…
WOMAN: How can we help you?
MAN: (LAUGHS) It’s our pleasure.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
WOMAN 2: There’s no charge.
MAN 2: Absolutely, they can’t raise the rent…
WOMAN 3: Would you like a ride to our offices?
We can pick you up.
WOMAN 4: God bless you, too.
ESTELLE (VO): Yes, government can help folks.
But, in the end, for any grand plan to work… humans help humans.
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
This is for her.
Hey.
You should do it.
I told you.
You did. You did.
Um… (CLEARS THROAT) Hey, everyone. Hi, um…
I just found out that we have prevented 3,022 evictions so far, which means that we have kept a roof over the heads of 9,080 families so far.
So, congratulations!
(CHEERS, APPLAUSE) You did great.
Thank you.
ESTELLE (VO):
One last thought.
There is no opposite word for “trauma.”
But “hope” comes close.
