Grassland (2024) | Transcript

Grassland (2024)
Directors: William Bermudez and Sam Friedman
Writer: William Bermudez, Adam Edery, Sam Friedman
Stars: Mía Maestro, Quincy Isaiah, Jeff Kober, and Ravi Cabot-Conyers
Release dates: June 2, 2024, at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF); it was made available digitally, including on platforms like Apple TV, starting on April 18, 2025.

Plot: The film is set in 2008, during the economic recession and the height of the War on Drugs. It follows Sofia (Mía Maestro), a single Latina mother who is struggling financially and runs an illegal marijuana growing business out of the basement of her rented apartment to provide for her young son, Leo (Ravi Cabot-Conyers). Her precarious life is jeopardized when a new neighbor moves in: John (Jeff Kober), a retired, suspicious police officer who is the sole guardian of his young grandson, Tom. Leo and Tom quickly become friends, intensifying the tension as John’s suspicions about Sofia’s activities grow.

* * *

Grassland (2024) | Transcript

[nature din]

[birds chirping]

[reporter] …today’s weather is looking up with [indistinct] reporting record highs, while south, closer to the Jersey shore, will receive some rainfall tonight with temperatures letting up later this week. We’ll begin with a staggering new milestone. There are a lot of arrests and 2008 will now be the second highest total ever recorded for a single year, now comprising almost one half of all drug arrests reported in the United States.

[cicadas chirping]

[leaf sizzling]

[boy mimicking gunfire]

[boy] Whoa, whoa!

[mimicking gunfire continues]

Shadadada.

[soft piano music]

[mimicking airplane engines]

[boy humming]

[boy barking]

[Brandon barking]

[Brandon]

[laughing] My bad.

Woo!

There we go. Watch this.

Check this out.

[Brandon cawing]

[boy cawing]

[both cawing]

[Brandon] Leo, come back. Leo.

Leo.

Hey, sweetie.

Sorry, Sof.

I tried to tell him that you was down here working.

[Sofia]

Time to go upstairs.

Your queen mother commands it.

[speaking Spanish]

Leo.

Okay.

Sorry.

No worries.

Uh, I come bearing gifts.

How much?

[Brandon] 270.

No one’s buying.

Shit.

Yeah, I know. It’s slow.

Hey. You good?

What’s up?

I’m fine.

You still good to watch him?

I got my PJs on, don’t I?

[Sofia chuckling]

Idiot.

Yeah.

I think you might have missed a spot, too.

Oh, fuck off.

[Brandon] All right.

[Brandon chuckling]

[loud thumping]

[speaking Spanish]

Come on. Pick up, pick up the phone.

Oh, hey. Hi. Hi, Bill.

Yeah, well, I’m still calling because the oven is broken.

[Bill] Really? Yeah.

Well, I need to use my oven.

[Bill] Did you turn the knob? Yeah, I am turning the knob.

[Bill] Which one?

[Sofia] The middle one. I do know how ovens work. Yeah.

[indistinct phone chatter]

Yeah, I get it.

Yeah, you-you’ll have it Friday with last month’s, too.

[indistinct phone chatter]

No, I understand. I understand.

There’s a recession, and you gave me a great deal.

Yeah, I know.

[indistinct phone chatter]

Well, I’m sorry if I offended–

[line cutting]

[Sofia scoffing]

[cursing in Spanish]

Sof, you ain’t gottaIt tastes better.

Yeah.

You talk to the guy?

[Brandon] Mm.

Thanks, Sof.

Yeah, he’s been blowing my phone up all week.

What?

Chirping about the bugs in the product, I guess.

I don’t know. I don’t–

Bugs? They’re mites.

They don’t hurt you.

Yeah, that’s what I was trying to tell him.

And I even gave him some free shit, but I guess he’s still pissed, I don’t know.

What are mites?

Mites are tiny, tiny, tiny little bugs that don’t hurt anybody and you can hardly see, just like you.

Well, I could see ’em.

I could.

I’m not a bug.

Yeah, well, you’re a little bit of a bug, though.

No, you’re a little bit of a bug.

But you’re like an itty-bitty, itty-bitty, bitty bug.

Well, you’re like an itty-bitty, itty-bitty, itty-bitty, skinny bug.

But you’re so small, I can’t even see you.

[Sofia] The tale was that your father had come home, therefore I came.

I see the gods delay him, but never in this world is Odysseus dead.

Only detained somewhere on the wide sea, up on some island.

Savages, they must be, to hold him captive.

[Leo] Mama, you’re not doing the voices.

Well, because Prince Leopoldo needs to get ready for bed.

Now.

[both chuckling]

Hm. I’m not tired.

Well, tomorrow he has a full day of noble quests, and he needs his full energy to fight off all his fiendish enemies.

[both chuckling]

[speaking Spanish]

He can’t stay up late this time.

Okay?

[Brandon] Mmhmm. I got you.

[soft ethereal music]

♪

[Leo yawning]

[Leo]

When’s my mom coming up?

Soon, buddy.

I had a dream where I was flying on a pigeon in the city, and then it started pooping on everybody, and then they got so mad, they shot it down, and then I fell off.

Whoa, that sounds crazy.

Yeah, but I know it was a dream, though.

I wouldn’t let my pigeon poop on nobody.

I didn’t let it poop on people, it just did it.

Mmhmm. I don’t know.

It sounds like you need to go back to sleep, go apologize to some people.

What are those bottles my mom gives you?

Uh, it’s, uh, medicine for my grandma.

Your mom’s really sweet and makes them for her.

Mmhmm. Is your grandma sick?

A little bit.

I think you better get back to bed, little man.

Hm. Mmmm. I don’t want that.

[Brandon] No?

[yawning] Uh-uh.

Hm. Okay, well.

Well, maybe the tickle monster might help you get[Leo giggling and squealing] Oh, [indistinct].

This is what happens to little kids that don’t wanna go to sleep on time.

[Sofia] Hey.

I owe you one.

Yeah, for sure.

I, um, also…

What?

I’ve been looking for jobs.

Like, you know, a real job.

Why?

A guy in Camden, he just, uh, got ten years.

Was he careful?

I’m almost done with this batch.

They’re healthy now.

Then

then we’re out.

You said that two months ago, Sof.

Oh, I’m sorry.

Yeah, I…

[Sofia] Hey.

I’m sorry for roping you into this.

Don’t be, Sof.

Night.

See you tomorrow.

[Sofia sighing]

[soft piano instrumental]

♪

[indistinct TV chatter]

[loud thud]

[loud thumping]

[furniture dragging]

[loud footsteps]

Mm.

[man] Sofia?

Yes?

You’re Sofia, right?

Yeah, I, I’m sorry, uh, I’m John.

Hi.

Me and my grandson are moving in downstairs.

Oh, uh, Bill didn’t tell me.

Oh, uh…

God, I hope the car didn’t give you a scare.

No, the car, not at all.

I–

Welcome.

Thank you.

Uh, this is you here, yeah?

Yeah. Yeah, we live here.

Well, we’ll stay out of your hair.

Uh, just…

Hey, Tommy!

Come say hi to our neighbor.

It’s just… my grandson. It’s–

I’m late, but I’ll be seeing you.

Oh, all right.

Um. Oh, wait, uh, where is our storage?

Uh, basement?

Yeah, um…

It’s, uh…

It’s a mess.

I’ll clean it up for you.

Give me, um, an hour.

Great. Thanks.

Nice to meet ya.

Hm.

[dramatic music]

Mama?

[Sofia panting]

Take these.

Take these.

Mom, are we getting arrested?

[Sofia]

No, no one’s getting arrested.

We just gotta clean up.

Just, just do what I say, okay?

Hi.

Come on.

Okay.

♪

Hey! [speaking Spanish]

[Tom] Freeze!

[gun cocking]

[John grunting]

Oh, my God. Yeah.

Tommy! You wanna come give me a hand?

[John grunting]

Tom?

[Sofia panting]

[airsoft bullets firing]

[airsoft bullets firing]

Leo?

Fuck. Come on.

♪

[airsoft bullet firing]

Tom!

Oh, for Christ’s sake. What–

Tom?

[Sofia panting] Tom?

[airsoft bullet firing] [item shattering] Tommy!

What are you doing?

Come on. Jesus. Make yourself useful, all right?

[Sofia panting]

Mama?

Jesus, Leo.

Is anyone with you?

No.

[speaking Spanish]

Come with me. Come on.

Just push. Here.

Wait, I push?

Just push.

Okay.

[John] Hey!

Hi!

Uh, the basement’s ready.

[John] Oh, fantastic.

Is this your boy?

[Sofia] Yeah.

What’s your name, little man?

Leo.

[John] Leo.

Great to meet you.

I’m John.

Oh, God!

You gotta be careful with that handshake.

[speaking Spanish]

Have you met my grandson, Tom?

It’ll be so nice having a new friend in the building, won’t it?

Okay. Come.

[John]

Uh, where’s the mister?

Oh, there’s no mister.

Same here. Just me and him.

Riding solo.

[Brandon humming]

♪ Totally, dude ♪

♪ Mm, mm, mm, hey ♪

[Brandon humming]

[John] If you ever wanna come over and play with Tom or have a ride around in the cruiser, just, uh…

Hey, buddy.

Can I help you?

No, man, sorry. Wrong house.

[quietly] Fuck.

Do you know him?

[Sofia] No. No.

[speaking Spanish]

I have to cook this kid some breakfast.

He’s really hungry.

[John] Okay.

[Sofia] Sorry.

Great to meet you, Leo.

[Sofia] Bye.

Bye.

[paper rustling]

[Sofia exhaling]

Why did you say that we didn’t know Brandon?

Well, you know how we cannot tell anyone about Mama’s plants?

Well, we really cannot tell our new neighbors.

They can get us into a lot of trouble.

And if John ever asks you what I do for a living, what’s my job, you can say I’m a gardener, you know?

A landscaper. Yeah.

So it’s like, pretend.

Landscaper.

Mmhmm.

[Leo] Okay.

Okay.

Thank you for listening.

[Leo humming]

They got me.

The boys got me.

Oh, oh!

[gate creaking]

[Tom] I’m gonna get you.

Fuck you.

You’re gonna be locked away for a long time.

[Tommy mimicking gunfire]

Hey.

Can you even start a fire with this?

Mmhmm.

Can I try?

[leaf sizzling]

It’s so cool.

[Leo mimicking gunfire]

No! No!

I’m getting you!

No!

[both mimicking gunfire]

Oh. Oh, I’ve been hit.

[soft ethereal music]

[Leo] No!

[Leo mimicking gunfire]

[Sofia]

Why would you say wrong house?

It

it was fine.

You could have just–

Yeah, Brandon. Of course, the car is in the driveway.

He fucking lives here.

Okay. I’ll just see you in-see you in ten minutes.

Just wait for me.

Baby, I’m gonna go out, but I’ll see you very soon, okay?

Mm, can you read to me?

Uh, not tonight.

Mama has to work.

But read a chapter by yourself, and I’ll be back in no time.

Okay.

[Sofia] I love you.

[door shutting]

[Leo] God. Whoa!

[Leo mimicking gunfire]

[Leo humming]

[whooshing] Oh, no.

[Leo humming]

[John]

What you doing under there?

Checking for a tracker?

[evil laughter from TV]

[villain]

[indistinct]

[indistinct TV chatter]

[John] Back when I was young and handsome.

Do you still have that big gun?

Oh, no.

Nothing like that.

No.

[cartoon playing on TV]

Tommy?

Do you see where I put Mom?

Right in the center.

[cartoon continues]

[music playing on TV]

[sighs]

Well, I’m off to the station.

You boys guard the house.

[door closes]

[Tom]

You wanna see something cool?

How do you do this?

How do you…

You pull it back, and then you shoot it with the trigger.

What’s this one called?

A shotgun.

My grandpa gets me one every year for my birthday.

Does it hurt?

To get shot?

Yeah.

It’s not that bad.

[gentle music]

Did your grandpa ever kill someone?

Probably.

Why do you live with him?

[Tom] My mom died.

How?

[Tom] She overdosed.

What does that mean?

[Tom] She had too many pills.

Oh.

Wanna take ’em out?

[pellet gun pops]

♪

Boom!

[pellet gun pops] Here.

Go on, soldier.

Copy that.

[pellet gun pops]

[Sofia] Inside.

You’re not seeing him again.

What did I say?

[speaks Spanish] It was just a toy.

It’s not about that, Leo.

You and I can get into a lot of trouble.

Leopoldo, look at me.

Look at me.

I’m saying this ’cause you’re getting to be big and responsible, okay?

I could go to jail.

Do you understand?

I’m sorry, but it’s…

You can’t see him, baby.

[solemn music]

[door slams]

♪

No, I just don’t think you’re listening.

Just-just-just stop and think for a second, okay?

Just being stupid.

[Brandon]

You know this is crazy.

[Sofia] Brandon.

I don’t fuck with police, Sof.

There’s no tying it back to you.

You’re good.

You live above a cop now.

It’s a whole different situation.

Stop!

No! You need to move now.

This shit is stupid.

Shh!

[hushed] When the plants are ready, we’ll move.

Throw out the plants.

Get a fucking job.

I owe two months of fucking rent.

[scoffs] Then you going to jail.

That’s not gonna happen.

Hmm?

I’m scared.

I’m the one living above him.

It’s crazy.

Well, I’m a little more visible than you, Sof.

Only drop-offs.

I promise, I won’t be followed.

I don’t know anyone your age, and that’s, like–

That’s all my customers.

Please.

Hey, why don’t you take the day off?

Take him to the beach or something.

That’s a thing, right?

The beach?

I feel like that’s where people go.

I guess.

♪

[cell phone buzzing]

[beep]

Hello, Brandon speaking.

Yes, yes. How are you?

Great.

Yeah, well, thank you for checking out my application.

Mmhmm.

I see.

May I ask why?

Oh, come on, man.

I

I stole some groceries.

No, but–

Yeah. Yeah.

Thanks for the call.

♪

[chuckles]

[Tom] Hey, Leo!

Hey.

Wanna get some ice cream?

Sorry, he has chores.

[John] Hey, guys.

Hi, John.

[John] Leo!

What do you say we go get some ice cream, huh?

Oh, no.

Sorry, not today.

It’ll be fun.

Not everybody gets to ride in the cruiser.

It is such a hot day.

I just think it would be really good to cool off a bit.

It is hot, yeah.

Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please.

This kid clearly needs an ice cream.

Please? Please, please, please, please, please.

Fine.

Yes!

Let’s go.

[Tom] Yes!

I’ll bring him right back.

[police radio chatter]

You boys comfy?

Mmhmm.

Yeah.

These people… [chuckles] now, these people are comfy.

They’re in a whole other world, boys.

[sighs] They don’t have a clue.

On our side, things are starting to get dicey.

I’m not trying to scare you, but if you saw some of the people cycling through the station, it’s just…

I mean, it makes sense with the economy, and… it’s just every man for himself out there.

You get desperate.

Like us, Tommy.

I know you didn’t wanna move.

I didn’t wanna move either, but… goddamn world is getting expensive.

Where’d you grow up, Leo?

In my house.

[John chuckles] I mean, uh, where’s your mom from?

Argentina.

Oh, boy, that’s quite the journey.

You got any other family around here, or…

Um, my abuela, but my mom hates her.

[John] Family cancan be tough.

But your mom seems like a strong lady.

It’s

it’s hard to do it alone.

What line of work is your mom in?

Um… she does a lot of different things, I think.

Well, you wanna be a little more specific?

Uh… oh, she’s a land-scraper.

[John chuckles]

A landscaper, buddy.

That

that’s some tough work.

I always think making things look nicer is

[cop over radio]

Duffy, you copy?

Oh. You boys might be in for a treat.

Yeah, I’m here, fellas.

Just taking Tom and his buddy out for some ice cream.

What can I do for you?

[cop] You mind swinging by the station? Got some paperwork here for you.

Yeah, I’m coming to work tomorrow.

I’ll just swing by then.

[cop] Deadline was yesterday, John. You gotta come in.

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

Uh… copy.

[police radio chatter]

Quick pit stop, boys.

[officer] I just wanted to say before really getting into it that… seeing you so dedicated day in and day out, selfless, showed me what being a real officer is all about.

You know, even past your prime, you still kick some ass, and it was never about the medals or the titles.

It was really just showing up every day and caring.

Past my prime, huh?

You’ve been an incredible officer.

That’s what I’m trying to say.

But you’re saying now I’m just not capable.

These are department rules for everyone.

Sixtyfive is the state max.

You know this.

I was in line for your job.

Trust me, you weren’t even considered.

I’m gonna level with you.

You’ve lost more than I can imagine, and I am so sorry for that, and you know I am.

But in the last few years, you’ve lost focus. You’re-you’re not helping anyone.

I’m a good cop, you fuck.

You were a good cop.

Don’t ruin your last six months here.

[somber music]

[sighs]

Get the fuck out of my car.

[car door slams]

[inhales]

Don’t. No, no, no.

[choked sob]

Oh, goddamn it. Goddamn it.

[grunts]

[thudding]

[country music playing over speakers]

I ordered chocolate.

You’re serious?

This place is really going downhill.

Uh, ma’am? Excuse me?

Yeah, my, uh, grandson ordered chocolate, and you gave him vanilla.

Oh, I don’t do the ice cream, so…

Yeah, but you work here, don’t you?

Can you just go in and let ’em know?

You’re gonna have to talk to a manager.

Can you talk to a manager?

Grandpa.

And

and ask what happened to the police discount.

You know I paid full price here.

Okay.

Come here four years, first time you’ve heard of respecting the police?

Who raises that kind of person?

Jesus Christ, this town’s gone to shit.

Oh, this is fucking ridiculous.

[Sofia]

“When you have done all this, or seen it done, it will be time to ponder concerning these contenders in your house:

how you should kill them, outright or by guile.

You need not bear this insolence of theirs.

You are a child no longer.”

I miss the room the way it was.

Yeah, me too.

“Have you heard what glory Prince Orestes won when he cut down that twofaced man?”

When will it go back to normal?

You know, we’re gonna need to move, ’cause it’s, umit’s not safe for us here anymore.

Yet, we will make it into a huge adventure.

Are we criminals?

Why did you say that?

Who told you that?

Is that why Abuela kicked you out?

Did John use that word? I mean–

What did you tell him, Leo?

Nothing!

So why would you say criminals?

Well, ’cause we’re lying.

No. No.

We are hiding.

We hide. And… sometimes-sometimes we lie, but just to protect ourselves.

Hey.

[speaking Spanish]

[melancholy music]

I promise.

We’re not doing anything bad, and– and… we’re not hurting anyone.

I’m not moving.

Leo…

♪

[cell phone buzzing]

[buzzing stops]

♪

[beep]

[line ringing]

[Maria] Hola. Hello?

Ma?

Sofia?

♪

[basketball thudding]

[Tom] Come and get it!

Nice. There you go.

Hey, Grandpa.

Oh! Jesus.

You’ve done this before, right?

Okay, come on, Tommy. Come on.

You got this. Come on.

[grunts]

All right, this time, aim for the basket.

Oh, for Christ’s sake.

Aw, Jesus.

Just… put it in.

You’ve played this!

[panting]

What, you’re gonna pussy out?

[huffs]

Aw, Tommy! Come on.

I was joking around.

[knock at door]

[Tom sniffling]

[Tom] What do you want?

Wanna play spies?

[Tom] No.

Sergeant Tom, do you copy?

You wanna see some real shit?

This is how real spies do it.

Name’s Tom.

Tom Bond.

Maybe we should just use your pistols?

Why are you so nervous?

I-Take it.

[serious music]

♪

[door lock clicks]

Headed to the station.

Okay.

Okay.

[exhales]

This son of a bitch.

You motherfucker.

Let’s go, soldier.

What do we do, Sarge?

Be quiet. There’s an enemy!

Shh.

I see cover!

Go, go, go!

[Tom] I see them.

[Leo] Fire!

[pellet guns popping]

[Leo grunts]

[Tom] No!

Sarge, I’ve been hit.

I’ll avenge you.

You want seven?

Okay.

Yeah, I’ll come by this evening.

Oh–

This is, like, a lastminute request, Dave.

Sure, I’ll just drop everything and come right now.

Okay, you got it.

What a jerk.

[knocking at door]

Yo.

Brandon, why are you here?

Well, I thought something happened.

He ain’t here. We good–

You didn’t answer.

I thought something happened.

What are you thinking?

I wanted to make sure y’all was all right.

I am all right. I’m fine.

If something was wrong, I would call.

I got worried.

What?

What? Tell me.

See, I…

I just feel like you’re only nice to me when you want something.

Look, I… I have a family.

I have a kid.

There’s so much shit I have to take care of.

I’m exhausted.

I don’t know.

I guess I just thought that we were family.

[emotional music]

I’m sorry.

I’m… I’m…

I’m sorry.

But can we talk about it later?

Please.

Yeah, yeah.

Cool. Yeah.

All right. I’m gonna go.

You know, I was thinking, because you’re already here, um, would you do a quick run for me?

Sof, you are not serious right now.

[scoffing]

You are such a jerk.

You know that, right?

It’s for Dave.

And you love Dave.

I do love Dave.

I got you.

Thank you.

I’ll go grab it.

All right.

[siren blares]

[John] Hey, kid!

Hold up a second.

Do you know if the person living here is registered to vote?

You were here a few days ago.

Me?

No, no, I’m sorry.

You must be mistaken, sir.

I’m not mistaken, son.

What are you doing snooping around my house?

Nah, I really wasn’t snooping.

Why don’t you just take a seat for me?

Shoot.

[police radio chatter]

Thanks, Mike.

So you got a record. Yeah?

Shoplifting in Patterson.

I asked you a question.

I wasn’t charged.

That’s

that’s not what I just heard.

I’m sorry, Brandon, but, uh, I’d like you to laid on the ground for me.

Laid down on?

Why? What did I do?

Just get on the ground.

Wait, no. Why?

Am I being arrested?

Get on the fucking ground.

For walking?

I was walking in the driveway.

Now I gotta be on the ground?

Get on the ground.

Come on.

Leo…

I bet you can’t hit it.

[bird chirps]

[bird flutter]

[Sofia] Are you kidding me?

Give me that.

[Brandon] I ain’t do nothing.

[men arguing in distance]

I didn’t do shit, man.

[Sofia] Come here, come here.

[Brandon] What are you doing?

Don’t I get a lawyer or some shit? Come on, man.

Don’t make this difficult.

Fuck, that hurt, man.

Come on.

Stop moving. It won’t hurt.

[Brandon] I didn’t do nothing.

[John] Right.

Come on. This is illegal.

Stop!

[Brandon] You cannot search me without giving me some reason or some shit, ain’t it?

Ain’t that a law or some shit?

You supposed to be the police, man.

Come on, man.

You ain’t gotta do this.

I didn’t do shit.

[John] Yeah, I need backup.

[police chatter]

[John] Central, I’m at 20 Hilltop Place.

Right up the driveway.

[police chatter]

[John] I have a 911 with resisting arrest.

Suspect is unarmed.

[police chatter]

[John] Copy, Central.

[sighing]

[voicemail]

You have one new message.

[Brandon] Hey, they only gave me a minute. This is fucked up. You know? I told you. You know what? Fuck you. Oh, fuck you. I told you. I fucking told you. I mean, how much… How much is your pride worth? Fucking mo–

Wanna go on an errand?

Leon.

I’m not gonna leave you alone.

I think I’m ready to move.

Me too.

Where?

I’m working it out, okay?

[knocks on door]

[speaking Spanish]

[speaking Spanish]

I see you’ve kept my soldier safe.

We were just…

You know, we were in the neighborhood and we… drove by somewhere here.

[speaking Spanish]

[soft music]

[Leo humming]

[speaking Spanish]

Thanks, ma.

[speaking Spanish]

[TV reporter] The Democratic presidential nominee senator Barack Obama arrived in Baghdad this morning. He reiterated the need to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2008.

[indistinct chatter]

Grandpa.

Yeah, Tommy?

Why did you arrest that man?

Come on, it’s my day off.

No work talk.

What did he do?

He was snooping around our house.

He had a criminal record.

He wasn’t a good guy.

You hurt him.

[sighing] Come here.

Come on, Tom.

Have a seat. Relax. It’s fine.

What’s wrong with you?

Oh, you think you know all about it now.

I don’t make the rules.

It’s my job.

That’s how it’s done.

I wasn’t gonna tell you, but this guy had drugs on him, Tommy.

We know what that shit does.

Come on.

You think I’m the bad guy?

You think I’m the bad guy?

Goddamn it, you speak to me.

You’re a pussy.

[exclaims]

I’m sorry.

Get away!

Oh, fuck!

Who are you?

[Sofia] Um…

I’m Sofia, and this is Leo, my son.

We’re Brandon’s friends.

Where’s Brandon?

Um…

Brandon was arrested.

[breathing heavily]

Here.

[emotional music]

[sighs]

He was a good boy.

He would never do…

[Sofia] Yeah, uh, I think my neighbor needs help.

She’s, um, elderly and sick, and I haven’t seen her in a few days.

Yeah, the address is 5543 Pleasant Avenue.

Mmhmm.

Claudia.

Yeah, my name’s Claudia.

Thank you.

Wanna get some dinner?

Any place you want. Uh…

Leone’s?

How about that new fancy Italian place?

What’s it called?

Primavera.

Yeah, right.

Listen, Tom, I-let’s go in 20.

[knocks on door] [John] Sofia?

Are you at home?

[knocks on door]

Hey.

Boy, you got good security up here.

Look, I really wanna say I’m sorry about the whole thing.

Turned out the guy had an eighth of pot on him, and he had a shoplifting record, so I had to take him in.

But I know how difficult it is to see that kind of a situation go down, so I’m sorry.

Is he going to jail?

Hopefully. It’s at least ten years for the pot.

Um, unless maybe if he rats out the dealer.

But anyway, I thought it might be nice if we all had dinner tonight.

My treat.

I-I don’t know.

We’re just winding down here.

Okay, here’s the truth. Um…

I’ve been having a real time with my boy.

I’m just not doing it well, and I really think it would be nice to have a-a-a female presence.

It would be so good for Tom.

Please?

It’s my treat.

I don’t think so, John.

How about if I cook something downstairs and we bring it up?

I haven’t had the grand tour, and I know Tom would love a change of scenery, so…

Okay. Okay, we’ll go out.

Just give us ten minutes.

Oh, Jesus, thank you.

Thank you.

[ambient music playing over speakers]

[sighing]

This place has some of the best linguine I’ve ever tasted, so that’s…

Oh, good to know.

You’ve never been here before, Grandpa.

[chuckling] Okay.

Uh, some guys at the station told me it was the best in town, so…

All right.

[speaking Spanish]

Okay.

Uh, Leo told me that you’re in landscaping.

Uh, yeah. Um…

I garden for people, like, around town.

[John] I had some gardening jobs back in the day.

That is really tough work.

Good for you.

Mmm.

[John]

What’s your favorite flora?

I-I think of myself as kind of a lilac guy.

Um, dandelions.

Your favorite flower is a weed.

They can still be beautiful.

Yeah.

[stammering]

I’ve been meaning to tell you, if you ever need help with Leo, he’s welcome at our place anytime.

Thanks, John.

God knows I know what it’s like not to have any help.

Sometimes that extra hand just makes all the difference.

[Sofia] Yeah, we have it covered.

[John] Yeah, I remember when we were first starting out and I had to swallow my pride finally and ask for help.

It was awful, but it

it really was the best thing for Tommy.

I know what’s best for Leo.

Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to suggest anything.

I just…

I-I just see how sad he gets when he’s alone, that’s all.

Don’t tell me what to do with my kid after what you exposed them to, okay?

Just–

Refill?

Yes, please.

Thank you.

You guys ready?

[Sofia] Mmhmm. Yeah.

Ca

Can you give us a second, please?

I said I was sorry.

That was fucking traumatizing.

You

You want criminals in your house?

Criminals? So…

Having a little pot makes you a criminal?

Having a controlled substance makes you a criminal.

And we have kids.

It’s literally never killed anyone.

It is a direct gateway to the hard stuff.

Where did you hear that?

That’s like a myth.

That never happens.

It happened to my daughter.

[clattering]

Jesus! Fuck, Leo!

Sorry.

Don’t yell at him!

You okay?

He shouldn’t be messing around like that in a place like this.

They’re kids.

They’re playing.

Well, Tom knows better than to play like that.

[tense music]

[sighs] Yeah, but just…

Take the day off, John.

Says the mother who leaves her kid alone at night.

I would do anything for my kid.

What the fuck do you do for yours?

I look out for both these kids and you and everyone else in this fucking town.

You should be thanking me.

Thanking you?

Well, thank you.

Thank you for what?

For beating the shit out of people?

[John] Beating the shit?

That guy was a threat to our household.

You are a fucking pig.

Excuse me?

[speaking Spanish]

All done?

You’re past your bedtime.

Go up.

[Leo moans] Okay.

Put that in the fridge.

Hey.

[soft somber music]

[Tom sobbing]

[Sofia] I got you.

It’s okay.

I’m sorry I spilled the soda, Mama.

It’s not your fault, baby.

None of this is.

You know, we’re leaving.

We’re going to go to Abuela’s just for a little.

Will she be nice?

Maybe to you.

You know, she’s going to help us, so…

One day, we won’t have to worry anymore about our kingdom.

We’ll get a whole house in the mountains.

We’ll have many rooms.

We can invite all your friends, our family.

You and your kids.

Oh, I don’t want kids.

Mhm, that’s what you say now.

I love you, Mama.

I love you too, baby.

[lawnmower whirring]

[motor stops]

[soft intriguing music]

What do you mean, it’s difficult?

[Leo laughing]

It’s so simple, like this.

One time, two time.

And hand in the bottom, and one last fold.

You got it? Okay, now you help me, okay?

[Leo] Okay.

Here’s your sweet sheets.

[knocking on door]

Stay here, mhm?

[flicking]

[knocking on door]

Uh, just a minute!

Keep going.

[sighing] Shit.

Hey.

Hey.

Yeah, I just, uh… wanted to come by and apologize for last night.

It’s okay, II got carried away too.

Maybe we can talk inside, just kind of clear the air.

Um… I’m

I’m-I’m really good.

I mean, thank you for apologizing.

It’s just, it’s not necessary.

Yeah, but come on, I’d

I’d really like to see your… your place.

Leo’s still asleep, and I don’t want to wake him up, so…

I’m going to need to come inside.

Well, you can’t.

[thudding]

[tense music] You can’t!

Open the goddamn door.

[thudding]

[Sofia grunting] What are you doing?

This is against the law!

You can’t just come in!

Leo, vení. Vení! Come on!

Come here! Now!

Leo!

[grunting]

Get the fuck off me!

[thudding]

[grunting] Get off me!

You son of a bitch.

[grunting]

[Leo] Mama!

[Tom] Stop!

[gun charging click] Stop.

What the fuck are you doing?

[somber music]

Grandpa…

Just… just stay-stay calm, Tom.

Just-just-just give me the gun.

We can

we can work this all out later, okay?

Stand up, please.

Give me the gunJust stand up!

Okay! Okay.

Mom!

What are you-what are you doing?

Let’s go.

[John] Okay, just…

What-what-what are you going to do here?

Just give me the fucking gun.

Come on, just… Give it here.

Give it here.

Give me the fucking gun!

Seat belt!

[engine turning]

♪

[crickets chirping]

[Leo] Where are we gonna go?

[sighing]

Leo!

Leo!

[Leo] Mama!

Leo!

[Leo] Mama!

Mama!

Look!

[soft music]

I’m gonna get you, Mama!

[Sofia laughing] Come!

I’m coming!

I’m gonna get you!

I’ll get you, Mama.

No! Don’t get me!

[laughing] No!

♪

[weather reporting on the radio]

…we’re looking at 70 degrees by 1 a.m. Now let’s come in over to Craig for the local news.

[Craig] Thanks, Jane. Tonight, we have a troubling story coming out of Montclair. Yesterday, local officer John Duffey discovered an illegal marihuana operation right above his home. His neighbor, New Jersey native Sofia Vega is suspected of possessing six marihuana plants and roughly a pound of the illicit substance. She escaped arrest with her nine-year-old son and is currently wanted by the Essex County and State Police for cultivation and possession of marihuana with the intent to distribute. Witnesses spotted a brown Honda civic… [click]

[dialing beeps]

[automated voice]

You have one new message.

[Brandon] Hey. They only gave me a minute, um… This is fucked up. You know? I told you. You know what? Fuck you. Oh, fuck you, I told you. I fucking told you. I mean, how much… How much is your pride worth fucking my life up? I didn’t even want to…

[Brandon sighing]

You need to make sure he’s safe. He don’t deserve this shit. You shouldn’t have him worrying about your bullshit because you can’t keep your shit together. I know you love him, so act like it.

[automated voice]

End of message. To delete this message, press seven.

[melancholic piano music]

[vehicle whooshing by]

♪

[engine turning]

♪

♪

[music fades]

[melancholic piano music]

♪

♪

[soft melodic guitar music]

♪

[soft melancholic music]

♪