Messy (2024)
Director: Alexi Wasser
Writer: Alexi Wasser
Stars: Adam Goldberg, Thomas Middleditch, Ione Skye
Release date: October 31, 2025
Plot: Messy follows the life of brutally self-aware, promiscuous, love addict Stella Fox, who moves to New York after a devastating breakup, and all her disappointing romantic dalliances over the course of a summer.
* * *
Messy (2024) | Transcript
I can always tell when I’m in love because I am constantly angry and disappointed.
I’m the most miserable when I’m in a relationship, and the happiest I am when I’m in a relationship is only in the beginning.
Only
You know, I love the newness.
You know, with all the promise and the potential of it all, and I can just project everything I want the other person to be.
But, you know, ultimately it all falls to shit and it ends, and it’s all very disappointing.
When I meet someone and I like them, I carve out a piece of myself to make room for the other person.
And when they don’t quite fill up the space, uh, in the way in which I want them to and, you know, ifWhen they inevitably vacate the space…
Oh, my God.
Does the space that I carved out for them, does that ache?
It is fucking brutal how bad it aches.
But when I’m single and I’m, you know, I’m no longer pining for the last guy and I’m not yet hooked into some new person, and I’m just completely tethered to nothing and no one…
Oh, my God, that is the best feeling in the entire world.
That is freedom.
And yet, I can’t stop looking for love.
Just, like, looking and hoping and praying to find this allen-compassing, consuming, big, beautiful love that, let’s face it, I’m probably never gonna find.
I’m jealous.
I’m angry. I’m controlling.
I don’t trust them.
I can’t feel their love.
I cannot for the life of me feel another person’s love for me.
You know, and I’m so lonely.
Oh, my God, I am profoundly lonely in relationships.
It’s-It’s crazy.
And let me tell you, there is a huge difference between being lonely when you’re next to someone and alone.
I’m
I’m starting to think that my type in men is, like, you know, upright with a pulse.
I used to see a therapist.
I should probably go back.
He gave me homework.
He was like…
He was like, “Stella, okay, Stella, “stay away from men, all right?
“They distract you, they consume you, “they disrupt your life.
They will destroy you.
Just stop dating. Just stop.”
But I can’t stop!
I can’t stop. And I just-I can’t seem to reconcile my never-ending quest for love and my complete discomfort in relationships.
But just anyway, sorry, long story longer.
In answer to your question, uh, no, I am not dating anyone.
I am completely single, and I just got to New York.
Yeah. Why?
Do you have someone for me?
Lady, I am an Uber driver, not an oracle.
Just find a nice guy and settle down.
[traffic ambiance, car horns honking]
[voicemail beeps]
[Stella] Hey, Daddy. It’s me. Stella. Uh, it’s been a minute. I don’t know if you know this, but I just moved to New York, and the whole city reminds me of you because you used to take me here when When I was little. Anyway, call me back. I miss you, I love you.
[♪ mellow jazzy music playing]
[sighs]
This is a life’s work.
Everything is exactly as it needs to be.
I am enough.
I am grounded in myself.
I say yes to what is.
[doorbell rings]
Ah! Oh, my God.
Welcome to New York.
Thank you so much for having me.
When’s the last time I saw you?
God, it’s been forever.
I don’t know, like two years maybe?
Jeez.
Wait, what are you drinking?
Uh, it’s sparkling apple cider.
You on, like, antibiotics or something?
Because I think that’s just a myth.
Oh no, I’m just taking a break from drinking.
Oh, like AA, or…?
Not AA. I’m just-I’m too fun.
I get too fun when I drink, so.
Okay, I love that for you.
You got a cocaine plate.
And this one’s a ketamine plate.
Okay, well, what happens if people get them mixed up?
I have Narcan in my purse in case anyone ODs.
Oh, great.
Well, I have a Tide pen in my purse in case anyone spills.
So we are set.
Did I hear that you were engaged?
I’m not engaged.
No, I just got out of something.
Who told you I was engaged?
What happened? My bad.
Oh, God. It was a nightmare.
Just a total mismatch from the get-go.
I didn’t listen to my gut.
My insides were eating themselves the entire course of our relationship.
Then I threatened to kill myself.
Got on top of his roof like I was gonna jump off, and then I punched him in the face at a one-year-old’s birthday party.
That’s a lot.
So, wait, you have to meet my friend Ruby.
You guys are both from LA.
Oh. Enchanté.
Very nice to meet you.
So, Stella, what do you do?
I’m an unemployed writer.
Oh, blank canvas, we love.
So would I have read anything you’ve written?
Maybe.
I used to write for magazines, and I sold some scripts that never got made, but I don’t know.
Yeah. What do you do?
I’m an actress.
Okay.
Oh, do you want one?
No, I don’t smoke.
Mm.
Is that an asthma inhaler?
Oh, no. It’s my breath spray.
I’m, like, totally addicted.
I love this stuff.
[guest]
Hey, no smoking indoors, please.
I’m friends with the host.
Narc.
What an asshole.
So where are you staying?
I’m housesitting for a friend in Tudor City.
Oh, where is that?
New Jersey?
New Jersey? No, no, no.
It’s in Manhattan.
It’s a very quaint, charming part of town.
Like 42nd and First.
I know you.
I sent you that WeTransfer of that movie you wanted.
WeTransfer tells the sender when someone downloads what you sent them, and you never downloaded it.
And I’m just wondering why you asked me to send you a movie, and I go out of my way to do it, and I know you never downloaded the WeTransfer, and now it’s expired.
Like, what was the point of it all?
I really don’t remember what you’re talking about.
Oh, you don’t remember what I’m talking about?
He doesn’t remember what I’m talking about.
You know what? Fuck this.
This is what’s wrong with the world.
Can I do something?
No, honey, I’m gonna call you, and I want to see you.
I like you.
I’m gonna gift you a tarot reading.
Wait, I thought you were an actress.
I’m a multihyphenate, darling.
A multihyphenate.
Hello?
Are you okay?
Bathroom.
Oh, yeah.
Please.
Okay. Let me see.
I just need it bad.
Oh, shit.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
Are you good?
Oopsies.
Mm!
[laughs]
No.
[sighs] I say yes to what is.
Huh?
Oh, nothing.
Ooh!
You’re on the narrow edge of a precipice, but it looks auspicious.
Romance or career?
Romance.
I mean, clarity is of the utmost importance.
Like, what do you want from the perfect paramour?
Oh, my God.
All I’m really looking for in a guy is someone who’s my height or taller.
Funny, handsome, successful, my best friend in the whole wide world, isn’t on social media but likes all my posts, adores me but isn’t a little bitch pussy, sends me flowers, has a huge dick, gets jealous but like in a sexy non-abusive kind of way.
Doesn’t hate women, enjoys my mood swings, loves to go down to me when I’m on my period, even though I pretend I don’t want him to.
Licks my asshole because he wants to devour me, but does not want to fuck me in the ass.
Isn’t a cheater with no living mother, sister, children, pets, plants, or female friends.
I mean, is that too much to ask for?
Not at all, you queen.
So I’m at the beach with my now ex, and, uh, you know, I’m self-conscious about all the usual things, like how do I look in my bathing suit?
Just, like, very much in my head.
And all of a sudden, this horrible stench wafts by.
Like, this disgusting, putrid, rancid smell just rolls on through.
And I’m thinking, “What is that?
Where’s it coming from?”
What?
And all of a sudden, I realize it’s me.
This horrible stench is coming from me.
Just some kind of, like, yeast, bacterial, what have you, just emanating from my vagina, I’m sure of it.
You know, he says nothing, I say nothing, but we both know it’s me.
Anyway, so we-we-we fold up all our towels.
We’re getting ready to leave.
And just as we’re about to walk off, I look to my right and I see there’s a dead, rotting bird that had been there the whole time.
Don’t you see?
It wasn’t me.
The smell of this raw, rotting corpse, it wasn’t me.
It was the fucking bird.
And I should have been relieved.
And I was relieved.
But the sickest part of the whole thing is, why did I assume responsibility for the stench of a raw, decomposing bird?
And that’s when it hit me.
It’s a metaphor for how I feel about myself.
I literally just wanted to know when the last time you went to the beach was.
Thanks to that story, I will never forget.
You’re welcome.
Now, where is that waiter?
Hmm. Hmm.
Are you showing off your rat tail?
I most certainly am.
I didn’t grow it to not show it off.
Can I
Can I guess your astrological sign?
Oh, please don’t.
Please let me.
I’m so good at it.
Okay.
All right.
Uh, you’re an Aquarius.
No.
Sagittarius?
No.
Gemini.
No.
Cancer.
No.
Taurus?
No.
Leo.
No.
Aries.
No.
Virgo.
No.
Capricorn.
No.
Pisces.
No.
Scorpio.
Yes.
I knew it!
There were none left.
Of course.
God, astrology is such bullshit.
Oh, my God.
Classic Scorpio thing to say.
[laughs] Is it?
I wish men would just face the fact that all women love Target, Real Housewives, crystals, Sex and the City and astrology.
Come in me! Come in me!
Come in me!
Fucking fill me up with your hot cum!
Fuck!
[gasps]
Oh, God.
Oh.
[sighs]
Oh, God.
Oh.
[both panting]
[both laugh]
You’re on birth control, right?
No. Why?
Did you come in me?
You asked me to.
Did I?
Oh, God, I do that sometimes when I get really carried away.
Did you really come in me?
You asked me to.
Who’s gonna turn that down?
That’s true.
Oh, my God, though.
Even if I told you I was on birth control, which I didn’t, because I’m not, why would any man come inside a girl if he doesn’t want to make a baby?
That’s crazy.
This could be like a real life-ruiner, Max.
Fuck.
You’re telling me.
No, I mean fuck.
If I had known you were gonna come in me, I would have tuned in to the feeling so I could know what it actually feels like to have someone come in me.
Okay, so no one’s ever come inside you before?
On me, yeah.
Near me, for sure.
In me? No, never.
Okay, well, uh, I’m honored.
Um…
[sighs]
You didn’t feel it at all?
Not even just a little bit?
Oh, no. No, don’t feel bad.
No.
That’s just because, like, I’m really animated and wild when I’m having sex.
I don’t notice everything.
I know. I was there.
Yeah.
No, for me, like, when I have sex, it’s like the one time I can totally shut the world out.
You know, I consider it the ultimate form of meditation.
Right.
Right, okay.
Um, so…
Uh, should I just go get the morning-after pill for you?
I mean, you could.
Or…
I mean, I don’t even think I can have a kid anyway.
You know, I think I’ve already aged out of having a baby.
So what if, like, what if we hold off on the morning-after pill, I see if I even get pregnant, and if I do…
If you still don’t want a baby, I’ll get rid of it.
Or you can just, like…
I don’t know.
I’ll just raise as my own and I won’t even let you know about it.
Is that crazy?
It’s an interesting take.
That’s not great, right?
That sounds like not ideal.
[laughs]
I mean, I just think we’d have such a beautiful baby.
Yeah, definitely.
Uh, I’m sure we’d have a beautiful baby.
But, I mean, having a kid and not telling me about it is…
[clicks tongue]
But you said yourself that you’re not really sure if you can’t get pregnant.
And why don’t we just get to know each other a little bit better before we decide to have a baby together?
And I just go get the pill, and you take it right now.
That’s
Okay, all right.
I was just spit-balling anyway.
I know it sounded crazy.
But if I didn’t throw it out there then, like, you know.
All right. All right.
Okay, fine.
I’ll go get it.
You don’t go anywhere, okay?
Okay. Mwah.
Okay.
Stay here, all right?
Okay.
I’m
I’m here.
[Max] Yeah.
I’m here.
[♪ mellow music playing]
[voicemail beeps] Hey, Daddy. It’s your daughter, Stella. Be nice to talk to you. Could you call me back? I’m not feeling so great.
Oh, no, I didn’t order this.
It’s compliments of the owner.
You know, he likes to buy a pretty girl a glass of champagne if she’s dining alone.
All right.
A prize for my bravery.
Okay, I’ll
I’ll take it.
Thank you.
Wait, actually, I’m not drinking.
Is there any way I could get, like, a champagne flute with a ginger ale in it?
Sure.
You know what?
No. This is–
I’m all over the place.
Okay, this is fine.
Are you sure?
Yeah. Yeah.
No, this is great, actually.
Thank you.
Oh, hey. What can I get you?
[patron] Hi.
Um, can I get a–
Oh, my God!
Oh, my God, I’m so sorry.
I don’t mean to be so annoying, but are you Leo Fontaine, the editor-in-chief of Conversation magazine?
I am, yeah. Hi.
This is wild. Hi.
Uh, can I–
No, oh, my God.
I hope this isn’t your worst nightmare, but I’m a writer, and I would love to write for your magazine.
Well, it’s not my worst nightmare, but, uh…
Could I send you a writing sample?
Look, I’m just with friends right now.
Of course. Yes. No, I’m sorry.
I’m being a total monster here.
So–
What are you drinking?
A martini.
A martini. Okay.
Two martinis.
No, no, no, no.
That’s not necessary.
Yes. No, I insist, please.
A martini for Leo Fontaine.
Wow.
That’s very nice of you.
All right, here.
Um, here’s my card.
Send me some samples.
Really?
No guarantees. No promises.
Of course.
No, I’m just so grateful for the opportunity.
Thank you.
Thank you.
[bartender] Two martinis.
Thank you very much.
Look at us. Cheers.
Cheers.
Bye-bye.
If you want to join me…
No, no, no.
I’m here with friends.
I said that a few minutes ago, remember?
Absolutely.
You gotta retain.
You’re a writer.
Yes, sir. Okay.
Yes, sir. Yes, ma’am.
Good night.
Good night.
Wow. Oh, my God.
Leo Fontaine.
Was I embarrassing?
A little.
Really?
Too
too aggressive.
[moaning]
[Max] Oh.
[Stella] What?
Are you on your period?
No.
There’s just, uh…
There’s a lot of blood on the bed.
Oh, no.
It’s probably because of the morning-after pill.
It came early.
Okay.
Are you okay?
Uh, yeah.
No, it just–
It reminds me of my ex.
Because she always made sure to have a lot of hydrogen peroxide because it lifts the blood from fabric.
What?
I’m sorry, I’m-I’m not in a good place right now.
I’m really fucked up.
I just got out of a really big relationship.
Oh no!
We were gonna get married, and this is pretty toxic, but I still love her.
[Max sighs]
Oh.
A lot.
[Stella] Oh, no, no, no.
No, please don’t fall into a Khole, please.
Hey, can you grab me some of those leftovers, please?
[snorts]
Here.
Thank you.
And a drink. Something–
Just something to drink.
[exhales]
Oh.
Do you want a fork or something?
[Max] No.
[can hisses open]
[Stella] Oh, God.
[slurps]
Oh!
[Stella] It’s okay.
[whimpers] Oh.
It’s
It’s okay.
Oh, no, no.
Don’t cry.
I don’t want to cry.
Ugh, what a little bitch.
I know, like, doesn’t he know that women aren’t rehabilitation centers for unstable, insecure men?
Yeah, they’re supposed to be that for me.
Oh, my God. Who are you?
[laughs]
I’m
I’m Stella.
You’re so fucking sexy.
Am I?
Yeah.
Thank you!
It’s my birthday.
Happy birthday!
Mm.
Oh!
[moans, gasps]
[laughs] Oh, my God.
Will you just… Will you be my valentine?
Valentine? It’s
It’s May.
But I want to see you again.
Okay, okay!
Let’s meet tomorrow.
Please.
Yes.
Let me give you my number.
Yes. Um, put it in here.
This is crazy.
Okay.
Yeah.
My goodness.
There you go.
Nice to meet you.
Did you see that?
[Ruby] Oh, my God.
Crazy!
I’m, like, all upset about some guy.
It’s like you never know what’s around the corner.
You never know.
And there he is.
Yes! We’re getting drinks tomorrow.
It’s my birthday.
Ooh! I still got it. Okay!
[bartender]
Compliments of the owner.
Oh, no, I’m not alone.
I’m actually, uh…
I’m waiting for someone, so yeah.
He’s not coming, sweetheart.
You don’t even know who I’m waiting for.
I know everyone.
I’m the guy.
You’re the guy?
Yeah.
And I see you in here all the time with some loser clown looking for love like an idiot, okay?
Just looking for brunch.
A free brunch.
You go out with any guy who buys you fucking brunch.
It’s a fucking joke, man.
Stop saying brunch.
I’m not looking for a free brunch.
I’m actually
I’m meeting someone and, you know, I might like him, you know?
Why don’t you just have fun?
Why don’t you just, you know, fuck?
Have fun. No strings attached.
Casual sex.
Heard of it?
Wait, what time is it?
[bartender] Closing time.
I can’t believe that asshole stood me up.
He seemed seemed so nice.
“He seemed so nice.”
He’s a loser junkie faggot!
Why are you yelling at me?
I’m not yelling!
I’m passionate.
You girls and your stupid fucking fairy tales.
It’s like, shut up.
Oh, okay. Yeah.
Oh, you’re a real charmer.
Okay, so I got it, yeah.
So I should just, uh, just fuck immediately and then expect nothing.
Got it.
No, no, no, no.
That’s not what I said, okay?
If you really like a guy, then you don’t fuck him right away.
If I meet a girl and I like her, I don’t try to fuck her right away.
That would blow the whole thing.
Got to take her out and be nice to her, hold her hand and introduce her to people and shit like that.
So now I’m even more confused.
So, what’s the answer?
The answer is wake up, you fucking idiot.
Toughen up.
Let it just happen.
Little Miss Romance over here stood up by some loser junkie faggot.
It’s hilarious. Watch my drink.
I’m gonna take a piss.
Don’t listen to that asshole.
He lives in the basement of his mom’s house.
And he wouldn’t know what to do if a great woman was right in front of him.
I am a great woman right in front of him.
[cell phone vibrating]
Hello?
Stella, it’s Leo.
I don’t have a lot of time to talk.
I read your samples.
They’re good.
I’m gonna give you an assignment.
This is incredible!
Thank you so much.
It’s only a test run.
Eight hundred words.
End of the month.
Your adventures being single in New York City.
If-If it’s not trash, I’ll consider running it.
No, no, I get it. Totally.
No promises.
I’m just so grateful for the opportunity.
Thank you.
Ciao. Ciao.
I’m Carrie Bradshaw.
[typing]
[cell phone vibrates]
[Stella sighs]
[Stella]
Hey. I’ll be right down.
[door opens, closes]
You’re gonna love this place.
It’s always packed with the hottest guys.
I think I just saw a tumbleweed in this place, it’s so dead.
God, I swear, I’ve never seen it like this.
Oh. Really?
I’m sorry.
Oh, God.
It’s usually…
I know him.
Yeah?
I know you.
Hmm.
How do I know you?
You’re my Hinge boyfriend.
What’s Hinge?
Hinge?
You know what Hinge is.
You messaged me on Hinge before I deleted the app.
Huh.
Are you stalking me?
Are you playing dumb and stalking me?
[laughing] No. I own this place.
[whispers]
He owns this place.
Very cool.
What is this?
It’s the 12year.
Tastes like McCrappin’.
What are you guys drinking?
Um, cosmopolitan.
Three cosmos.
[bartender]
Hey, boss. Can I leave early?
[both breathing heavily]
Am I too tall for you?
Too tall for what?
[both moaning softly]
[♪ mellow piano music playing]
Sit down. Sit down.
[Stella] Okay.
Stay. Stay.
[laughs]
Drink.
Okay.
Okay.
[clears throat]
Cheers.
All right.
Okay.
Comfortable?
Mmhmm.
Okay.
“Alas… he’d wandered,” okay?
“When wandering was enough.
“But now, to see… through the trees.”
Hmm.
“She’d revived him.
“He’d wandered… no more.”
[both laugh]
III wrote that for you.
You did?
Yeah!
Really?
Is that too much?
On my knees reading poetry.
Oh, I… I, uh… I…
I find you so interesting.
I do.
Interesting?
I find you so interesting, yes.
Oh, well, I don’t know.
That sounds a little bit like a euphemism.
Mm, mm, wait.
What? What? What?
Do you have a condom?
Ugh, I hate condoms.
Oh, you’re the guy who hates condoms?
I’m that guy, yeah.
Oh, my God.
I’ve heard about you!
Yeah?
Oh.
I don’t know.
I hid them the last time my parents came to visit.
How old are you?
Forty… five. Why?
Because you’re too old to be hiding condoms from your parents.
Yeah, well, you know what?
Everyone at work thinks you’re… a lot younger than you actually are.
I love that!
Yeah.
At first we thought it was because you were, uh…
Uh, you know, so kind of youthful and beautiful.
But then we realized it’s because you act retarded.
Fuck you.
[exhales]
[sighs] No luck.
What are we gonna do?
[sighs] Oh.
Fuck me.
I love you! I love you!
I love you!
I love you! I love you!
Oh!
[gasps] Oh, fuck.
[both panting]
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Sorry about the “I love yous.”
Uh, I… I think I was a little bit pent up.
Ah, no problemo.
I didn’t even notice.
[laughs]
So you’re 45?
Mmhmm.
Have you ever been married?
Uh-uh.
Any kids?
Never been married.
You’d make a great mom, though.
You think?
I know.
Hmm.
Psst.
What?
I love you too.
You do.
Mmhmm.
You’re perfect.
I am?
Mm. Yes.
Do you know what I tell people about you?
You know what I tell my friends?
“I want to have a baby with this girl.”
You do?
I want to put a baby in there!
[both laughing] Oh, my God!
Guess who has a boyfriend, world?
This two-fingered girl!
[♪ upbeat music playing]
[bartender]
What can I get you, gorgeous?
Oh, I’m good. I don’t know.
Uh, maybe a cosmopolitan.
I’m waiting for my boyfriend, so, yeah.
You know, I would never leave my girlfriend waiting.
Do you like steak?
I do, yeah. Why?
See, I make the greatest bone-in rib eye, but… that’s just how I am.
I’m a giver.
[chuckles] Oh, my God.
[laughs]
Hey, your bartender is trying to flirt with me right under your nose.
This guy?
Yeah.
You trying to make me jealous?
Maybe.
I don’t get jealous.
It’s genetic.
Hey. Come on, kid.
[claps hands] Let’s get to work.
Sir, yes, sir.
Jesus. What am I paying these mongrels for?
I’m gonna be right back.
All right.
[sighs]
Eddie, when you get a chance.
[Eddie] Gotcha.
Hey!
[Stella] Hey.
What’s up?
Nothing. Hey.
I, um, I wanted to apologize to you about flaking.
Uh, it was really fucked up.
I was going through a breakup, a substance abuse thing, not to mention a Crohn’s flareup.
We don’t have to get into that.
But I’m
I’m really sorry.
No, don’t even worry about it.
It’s totally fine.
Truly, like, everything is exactly as it needs to be, okay?
I’m actually here with my boyfriend.
He’s, uh… He owns this place, so yeah.
My boyfriend’s the owner, but anyway–
And he gets really jealous, too, so if he sees us talking, he’ll, like–
Might go ballistic, so…
Yeah, but I hope you feel better.
Yikes. All right, bye.
Hey. [sighs] Has anybody told you today how beautiful you look?
No.
All right.
Will you let me know when they do?
I’m kidding! I love you.
Mwah. I love you.
I love you, too.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Hey! [slaps table] We’re celebrating love.
All right, shot-a round for everybody.
All my friends.
[laughs]
[♪ Synthwave music playing]
[boyfriend] Good morning, my Amazonian anime princess.
Mwah. Mm, you smell good.
Thank you.
Oh God, what happened last night?
Really? You don’t remember?
No.
Must have been the 25 shots of mescal and the 10 cosmos.
I need Advil and coffee the size of my head.
No, I got you. I’ll make you my famous mushroom tea.
[sighs]
Who’s this?
Who’s what?
The little girl.
Is that your niece?
Oh, no. I don’t have a niece.
So who is she?
That’s my daughter.
That’s your daughter?
Yeah. Why?
Because I asked you if you had kids.
You did?
Yeah.
What did I say?
You said you didn’t have kids!
No, I said I’d never been married and that you would make a great mom.
Which you would.
What?
Well, what did you… I mean, what did you think all this crap was?
I was just like a retarded artist?
I don’t know, I thought you were just some crafty New York guy.
I don’t know.
Who’s 3’11”? I mean…
You lie, and you’re gonna put it on me like it’s my fault?
Okay, I thought the size chart gave it away.
You’re right. You’re right.
I should have said something.
Okay? Listen, let’s be…
Can we be honest?
Are we being truthful?
I don’t know.
Okay, let’s be truthful, all right?
Let’s be completely honest, all right?
I may not be 45.
What?
Yeah.
I may be 55.
Not bad, right?
Stop.
It’s just the disappointment of it all, you know?
I’m sad because I’m mourning the death of the excitement of what could have been.
[cell phone vibrates] Oh.
Hey, I’ll call you later, exclamation point.
I’m having an existential crisis, period.
Goddamn it, every time I try to text “existential,” it turns it into “extra sensual.”
I think I prefer that.
You know, I’m doing this amazing manifestation work using visualization, and it’s like a deep dive into the psyche.
[gasps] Okay.
But I think it would be great for you to do it for your relationship stuff, Stella.
She doesn’t need that shit, okay?
Look, they say that you have to love yourself before someone else can love you.
That’s kind of like a crock of shit.
I mean, I know plenty of people who hate themselves, but they’re still in relationships with people who love them.
I mean, it’s statistical.
Look around at all of these ugly, spiritually bankrupt losers that are, you know, holding hands, going on dates, getting married, claiming to be in love.
And if those charmless assholes can do it, then obviously you can too, sweetie.
Well, hey, thanks.
I really
I appreciate that.
Of course.
I’m just
I’m so ready to be season six me, you know?
Babe, you’re still very much season one pilot mode, but I’ll get you there.
Oh, my gosh.
You’re smoking.
It’s not like I’m buying packs.
I just bummed a cigarette.
See, for me, I feel like I have to be on the flow.
You know, I meet a guy, we hook up, and that’s it.
You just leave it at that.
I just feel so weak because I’m disgusted by myself because I just, like, hand over all my power to these losers.
I know, and it’s like, isn’t it interesting how we’re willing to just hand our whole selves over to these losers?
I know, and I don’t even think they want the power.
But here I am, I just give it to them immediately.
Well, babe, then take the power back.
I mean, shit, there’s a million different ways to numb that pain, but still externalize all that love and validation that you crave.
You know, uh, drugs, booze, money, status, power.
Not just fucking some guy.
And isn’t that kind of great to know?
It’s barbaric, but true.
You know, post a thirst trap.
Fuck some new guy.
Uh, drink to forget, if you have to.
I don’t know, get addicted to work or shopping, whatever.
Just keep it moving because a week in New York is the equivalent of a lifetime literally anywhere else.
So you will forget about this guy in no time.
[voicemail beeps]
[Stella] Hey, Daddy. It’s me. Um, did you tell people you had a kid when you were dating? Um… Oh, God. I have a looming deadline for an article I’m writing. Procrastinating as usual. Um, yeah. Call me back.
[typing]
[sighs]
[cell phone vibrates]
What’s the party for tonight?
It’s New York.
There’s always a party.
Where is it?
Okay, so you’re gonna hate this, but it’s at your most recent ex’s spot.
Oh, no, no.
Hey, stop the car!
No, no, no. Keep driving.
No.
Wait, babe, look at me.
Look at me.
You’re allowed to go wherever you want, all right?
Am I right? He owns the bar, not the whole fucking city.
Okay? We’re going.
And you’re with us. Who cares?
He’s gonna think I’m stalking him.
Are you stalking him?
No, but I don’t want him to think I’m stalking him.
Well, it’s not like it ended contentiously.
Okay, I didn’t want to tell you this, but I may have sent him, like, 50 rage texts calling him a lying con artist.
Oh, well, that’s par for the course.
Plus, he’s, like, in his 50s.
He can handle it.
Yeah, and New York is so small.
I mean, you’re gonna run into him sooner or later.
Yeah, run into him, not seek him out at his place of business.
Okay, I’ll break it down for you.
You dated the owner of the coolest bar in downtown New York, all right?
It’s, like, gonna be our local watering hole all summer.
We’re going.
He won’t care if you don’t care.
Face it. Embrace it.
[doors swing closed]
I don’t know what I was worried about.
I feel fine. This is fun.
All right, okay, I feel good.
Yeah, see? I told you.
[laughs] Wait, do I look okay?
Absolutely.
You have your whole effortlessly chic, “I don’t care, but I do care” thing happening.
It’s your signature look.
Oh, my God, have I been cooped up for too long, or is everybody in New York hot as fuck?
Jesus.
Is that…
Wait, is that him?
That’s him.
Wait, does he see me?
No.
Is he looking?
[both] No.
Wait, what about now?
Is he looking now?
He’s still not looking at you, babe.
Don’t look directly at him.
It’s humiliating.
Fuck it, I’m gonna look.
Just, Jesus.
Is he with someone?
Is that his daughter?
Maybe. She kind of looks like an older version of the girl I saw in the photo.
I don’t think that’s his daughter.
I… I hope that’s not his daughter.
Oh, my God, it’s been two weeks and he’s got a fucking child bride.
Are you kidding me?
Oh, my God, no.
I’m going to the ladies’ room.
I’ll be right back.
Hey, what can I get you?
I gotta get out of here.
Do you want to get out of here?
You dated my boss.
Should I do this?
Oh!
What the fa?
Did you seriously just slap me?
My bad.
Oh, my God!
Fuck!
Oh!
Oh, this is so fucking hot.
Oh, God!
I gotta video.
This is so hot.
No.
Why? It’s so hot.
No, no. No videos. Stop.
You’re gonna be sorry.
You’re gonna wish you could see a video of this and see how hot you look when I’m fucking you now.
No, I’m not. Stop it.
I don’t want that.
Okay. Mm!
But your ass looks so hot when I’m fucking you.
Are you sure?
I’m sure! God!
Oh!
Your loss.
[both moan]
[Stella]
I have to get out of here. He wants me gone. He hates me. Men hate women. Just, like, don’t overstay your welcome, all right? Stop. Just be cool. Just breathe. You’re fine. You’re allowed to exist. You’re allowed to be here. He fucked you, now you’re allowed to sleep and leave when you’re ready. You’re a human being, and don’t forget that. Jesus. Wait, is he awake? Is he looking at his phone instead of kissing me good morning? What a fucking asshole.
[gurgling sound]
That was my stomach.
[♪ mellow, jazzy music playing]
[flushes toilet]
Can I tell you a secret?
You have my attention.
If your towels smell like mildew, your dick will too.
Oh, I’m sorry.
Is my boner bothering you?
Oh, my God. “Boner.”
I hate that word.
Oh, God! Boner! It’s so bad!
I hate it!
[Stella] Hey!
You did have a condom.
What?
So? We already had sex without one.
What’s the point of using one now?
Oh, my God, Don’t have a tantrum. Jesus.
Ooh!
Oh, fuck! Oh!
Shh!
My roommate.
He’s all the way across the apartment.
The other ones.
How many roommates do you have?
Four.
What’s up with “a million roommates” guy?
[scoffs]
Nothing. Not a word.
You know what would be so great?
If, after every single, like, casual sex rendezvous, the guy just sent a text the next day saying, “Hey, it’s me, the guy who had his dick in you last night.
I just wanted to check in, make sure you’re okay.
Let you know I respect you.”
It’s called a boyfriend.
Well…
You know, you would be so much more powerful and, like, electric if you didn’t feel like such a rejected victim after every time you hook up.
But then again, if you’re more confident, would you be hooking up so much in the first place?
I mean, do gay men, like, put themselves through all this emotional spiraling after casual sex?
Because I highly doubt it.
When I was a gay man, I did not spiral like this, sweetie, okay?
I think it’s got to be an estrogen thing.
Oh, great.
It’s an estrogen thing.
Fantastic.
Oh, I went to the gyno today, and instead of my doctor giving me a lecture on safe sex, he just wrote me a prescription for PrEP.
I love New York.
Everyone’s so cool.
[Ruby] Do either of you have a cigarette?
Oh, yeah.
I have a pack in my purse.
[Mandy]
You’re buying packs now?
[Stella]
I’m buying packs now.
Yes. Leave me alone.
I love it.
Oh, my God.
What?
He watched my story.
Who?
Roommates guy.
Wait, did he watch all your stories?
No, no, no, no, no.
Not all my stories.
But he watched the first four, which means it wasn’t an accident.
I mean, unless he, like, put his phone down in the bathroom.
He’s just, like, letting them roll through.
I don’t think he’s rolling through you.
You don’t?
I don’t know, he might be rolling through.
Really? [gasps] He commented on my story.
What did he say?
“LOL.”
“LOL.”
Yeah, “LOL.”
LOL. God, that’s, like, the ultimate slap in the face.
I know, but at least it’s something, right?
Is it?
Is it?
[sighs] What can I say?
I’m just a chunky, texting, phone call-making deeply feeling girl in a “TLDR, LOL” world.
♪ Ooh ♪
♪ Ooh, how was I to know? ♪
[laughing] Watch out.
Ah!
♪ Milk and honey flowed ♪
♪ Just a couple states below ♪
[indistinct chatter]
[Stella] Don’t look.
Don’t look!
♪ Ooh, give me how it was ♪
♪ Our place under the sun ♪
♪ Before the devil
made me run ♪
♪ Run, boy ♪
♪ Run, boy ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
[both laugh]
Have you ever seen Sex and the City?
No. No.
Never?
Do you have a mother or sister or…?
Yeah, yeah.
Do they love Sex and the City? Uh, they’re foreign.
All right, well, so I saw Sex and the City. I was so excited.
I was diehard for this movie.
And it finally came out…
Hold on one second.
I’m getting a call here.
Oh.
Just give me one sec.
Yeah. Hello?
Oh, jeez.
Excuse me one second.
Yeah.
No, there’s someone–
She’s just telling me some bullshit.
Is it for me?
No, no, no.
This is a very important call.
[laughs] Is it?
Oh no!
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
No!
Yes. Perfect.
Let me talk to them.
No, no, no…
Let me talk to them!
Okay, I gotta go.
Okay. Hey, what did they say?
It’s none of your business.
Is my foot bigger than yours?
[laughs] My foot is bigger, isn’t it?
Don’t, like, don’t squish it.
Is it bigger?
I mean, what do you want to hear?
I don’t want my foot to be bigger than yours.
No, it’s a very dainty little tiny foot, actually.
You are
You are in for the ride of your life.
Oh yeah?
You are gonna love this.
All right.
Okay. Don’t look.
Have you ever had your toe sucked before?
I never have.
Okay.
Shh.
This is gonna hurt me more than it’s gonna hurt you, okay?
It ain’t gonna hurt me at all.
Okay.
Don’t be so tough. Shh.
Anything?
Yes.
Yeah?
Tada!
[both laugh]
[flatulent sound]
That was not me.
That was the tub.
[power tools whirring faintly]
What the fuck is that sound?
It’s my construction workers.
Do you love it?
[snorts] You don’t love it?
[groans]
Oh, God.
[inhales deeply and exhales]
This isn’t good.
Hmm?
I’m not supposed to like you, Stella.
III don’t want to like anyone.
Oh, so you like me?
I love the soundscape of your apartment.
[laughs] I know. Isn’t it great?
Isn’t it cozy in my place?
You’re welcome.
Bring me some food.
Oh, this is hot.
I’m so glad you did this.
Is this why people watch porn?
I told you.
Look how hot I look.
This is, like, making me more confident in my body, giving me more confidence in my blowjobs.
Look at me go.
I’m an artist.
And you’re my muse.
Oh. Thank you.
[snorts]
Ooh!
[laughs]
So, like, how should I see you again?
Like, is it always like–
Should I always just find you at the bar at the end of the night, or can we make a plan, or should I text you tomorrow and you want to come over after work or something?
I just like you.
Yeah, no, I know.
But I just don’t really know how to answer that, you know what I mean?
I’m just not really looking for anything serious.
I’m not trying to own you.
No, I know. It’s just… You know, I’m just figuring my shit out, you know what I mean?
So while I’m doing that, it’s just like no girlfriend.
You know what I mean?
Okay.
Well…
[sighs and sniffles]
I do want you to delete those videos, though.
Why? They’re hot.
I know they’re hot, but that’s, like, not your face with somebody’s dick in your mouth.
It’s like, this is like boyfriend stuff.
What do you think I’m gonna do with them?
I don’t think you’re gonna do anything, but just delete them.
Don’t make me beg.
Why are you being like this?
Just delete them.
Fine, I don’t…
Whatever. Look.
There you go.
Art destroyed.
Thank you. Okay.
Gone.
There you go.
You don’t have to be an asshole about it. Thank you.
Oh.
You deleted them?
I deleted them just in front of you just now.
Okay!
Sorry, just making sure, I don’t know.
Because there’s an added thing on the bottom where, like, recently deleted.
All right. Whatever.
I’m sensing a mood shift.
What are you doing?
[Eddie sighs]
[door opens and closes]
Mm…
He is who he is.
He’s a goodtime guy.
You wouldn’t want him if he was any other way.
That’s why he’s so fun.
Is it harder now, or has it always been this way?
Oh, it’s a tale as old as time.
It was the same in the ’80s and ’90s.
We didn’t have the dating apps and the, you know, the social media, but it was the same.
Just meeting the wrong person over and over until you meet the right one.
I promise you… what you are seeking is seeking you.
And in the meantime, just, like, don’t even look for it.
Just, you know, just do what makes you happy.
Like you
What, you write.
And you, like, probably go dancing.
You laugh with your friends.
You make your friends laugh.
You are so loved.
You are loved by so many.
Oh. Thank you.
Just because it’s not in the form of a boyfriend doesn’t mean you are not loved.
Oh, God.
And another thing.
This is something that helped me.
So whenever you sleep with someone… don’t listen to your hormones.
They are gonna be telling you, “Mate for life, mate for life.”
But don’t listen to them because we are women, and you have to fight against the hormones and the programming.
Oh yeah, that’s good advice.
Yeah.
I’m telling you, the hardest thing about this world is living in it.
Yeah.
So, what are you doing drinking in the middle of the day, talking to me?
I’m in New York visiting my boyfriend.
Oh.
Have you ever been married?
I’m still married.
My husband’s in Denver with the kids.
Oh.
I might have the perfect guy for you.
Who?
He’s like an old friend of the family.
Kind of like an extended cousin or something.
Oh, I’ve met him.
He’s really groovy.
He’s groovy?
Yeah.
I’m trying “groovy” out, and I think it works.
Okay, trust me, he’s a catch.
He’s employed, successful, really handsome.
I honestly think you’ll love him.
He’s, like, in tune with his emotions.
And plus, he actually wants to be in a relationship right now.
Hmm.
I gotta tell you, my life really changed once I got off Prozac.
I’m
I’m out of the fog.
Oh, my goodness.
Oh, this is so crazy.
No, I was on Prozac, too.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, I was on it, and I’m off it now.
Like, II tapered off of it incrementally, like the same way I went onto it.
But, uh, yeah, my therapist had a saying, he was like…
[both] “Start low, go slow.”
Yes! Oh, my goodness!
Same for you.
Yeah, well, so now I’m no longer on Prozac and, uh, and my libido has come back, but I don’t know if that’s a good thing.
Um… that is a very good thing.
All right.
[laughs] So…
You know, what’s your goal?
My goal?
Your mission when it comes to a relationship.
Oh, my goodness. Uh…
I guess I’m just living my life, uh, collecting experiences, hoping to find a connection along the way and just seeing how life unravels.
You mean unfolds?
That’s what I said.
No, you said seeing how your life unravels for you.
Did I?
Oh, my God.
That could explain everything.
Huh.
When was the last time you had sex?
A month ago.
Oh, wait, can I tell you something?
Yeah, sure.
Her pussy was the worst.
It just stank.
What?
Yeah. I mean, I tried.
I tried saying something, but you cannot say that to somebody.
Okay, but you feel okay telling me this?
Well, I’m really comfortable with you, you know?
I’m sure if your pussy stank, I could tell you.
All right, first of all, it doesn’t.
And second, can you just stop talking about some other girl’s pussy in front of me?
My God.
Absolutely, absolutely.
From now on, it’s all about your pussy.
Ow! Oh, my God!
Sorry. Too much?
I was just trying to be playful.
Jesus, when did everybody start slapping?
Did I not get the memo?
My God, it’s…
Sorry.
It’s okay. It’s fine.
I really have to see you again.
Um…
I’ll call you.
Okay.
[chuckles softly]
[voicemail beeps]
[Stella] Hey, Daddy. It’s me. Ugh, I’m so wrapped up in collecting stories to write about for this article I’m working on that I’m forgetting to actually write the article. Oh. Anyway, it’d be great to pick your brain about that and, uh, and a lot of things. So, yeah, call me back. I love you. I miss you.
Hey.
Hi.
Oh, hi.
You look great.
Thank you.
Boy, scoot over.
Oh!
What’s the matter, honey?
You want a drink?
Yes.
Bad date?
Just
He slapped me.
I know.
Jesus Christ, it’s just… It’s…
Everybody’s wrong.
Oh.
Thank you.
For me, it has to be a fantasy.
You can leave a fantasy.
Yeah, but what about love?
I want love.
Love.
Not for me.
I only have sex with people that I hate.
Okay, that’s one way to do it, all right.
It always works.
Does it?
It always works.
Oh, God.
Then when I put my hand on his face and we were kissing, his skin felt so thin.
But then I thought, my skin must feel thin.
Well… emotionally, you are thin-skinned.
Physically, you are not.
Not yet.
Do these jeans give me camel toe?
Oh, camel toe’s the new cleavage.
Okay, so I really think that this could help you.
It’s called candle magic.
[Stella] Hmm.
God?
Angels, can you hear me?
It’s me, Stella.
My intention with this candle is to call in a love so great.
A reciprocal love where I just feel wanted.
A love that feels like home.
God and angels, if you can hear me, please answer my prayers.
Amen.
Hey, is this Enchantments?
Hi, yeah, I bought one of your, uh, “manifestation for true love” candles, and I just did the thing, and, uh, there’s no draft in my apartment, but the
The flame keeps going out.
Yeah, and I was thinking about carving out the wick or something, but I feel like that would be me trying to force it.
But what do you think?
Hello?
You need some help with your groceries?
Yeah. Thanks.
So where do you want them?
Um, there is good.
How old are you, anyway?
Eighteen.
You’re 18?
Oh, no.
Are we Harold and Maude?
Who’s Harold and Maude?
Oh, please tell me you’re joking.
I’m just kidding.
More like The Graduate, if you ask me.
Oh.
Is this grooming?
Am I grooming you?
I don’t think so.
You’d have to have some sort of power over me.
I’d say I have a lot more power over you.
I’m sorry, he’s how old?
You heard me.
But I’m telling you, he’s the most emotionally mature of them yet.
There’s, like, something about him.
I think he could be the one.
It’s like this whole thing is really reminiscent of the, the electric teenage kind of love I’ve been looking for.
That’s because he is a teenager, babe.
Why is your face all red anyway?
Okay, I didn’t want to tell you.
I have another date with him, and I got all nervous because I want my skin to be as nubile and dewy as his, so I exfoliated way too hard.
What can I say?
I’m Cher and I’m loving it.
[laughs] Oh, God.
[door buzzer humming]
Send the little guy up.
[sighs]
Are you the Keymaster?
Hey.
Where should I put my backpack?
Uh, there’s good.
God, it seems heavy.
What’s in there?
I got a lot of homework.
I missed you.
Have you ever thought about having kids?
Where is that coming from?
I just think you’d make a great mom.
You’re just so loving.
[sighs]
Well, you can be my baby and my boyfriend.
I can just push you up into my womb and birth you and raise you as my own.
I’m being serious.
Yeah, so am I.
Can I ask you something?
Sure. Anything.
Do you bleach your asshole?
What? No!
Just kind of looks like you do.
That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.
Will you tell me something?
I mean, like, not about your asshole but tell me something.
Tell me a story.
Well, uh, there’s not much.
I bet there is.
I went through this…
I went through this whole period where every girl I hung out with almost fucked me, but then wouldn’t want to go through with it.
And I was freaking out on all these message boards about it, and it was just so annoying.
Okay.
Tell me another story.
Uh, I’ve been doing this thing where I go into the Whole Foods in Union Square, and I take an empty tote bag and I just fill it up with groceries.
And then I just walk on out.
Free groceries.
What? Really?
Yeah. It’s so simple.
All right.
Free food.
No, go back to the message board and fucking girls story.
What are you talking about?
Like, I would come so close to fucking these girls, and they wouldn’t want to go through with it.
And it was
I didn’t-I didn’t know why.
And it was completely fucking me up.
And then I found this website with a bunch of guys who had the same thing happen to them.
And we would just kind of vent to each other about it.
Like incels?
Like an incel message board?
Well, I wouldn’t call it that.
Sounds like that.
Well, maybe a little bit, but it’s not–
Maybe a little bit?
It’s not like women haters.
Well, not
Not me, at least.
Are you telling me I’m in bed with an incel who steals groceries?
You’re the one in bed with someone 20 years younger than you.
What’s that all about?
You’ve got a point.
You’ve got a point.
I don’t want to fight.
I don’t want to fight either.
My mom wants to meet you.
You’re joking.
No.
You told your mom about me?
Yeah.
Oh, my God.
Is she gonna kill me?
Am I under arrest?
No, no, no, she’s totally chill with it.
She’s totally chill with it?
Yeah.
You want to see a picture of her?
This is your mom?
Yeah. She’s the best.
[voicemail beeps]
[Stella] Daddy, it is me yet again. Your daughter, Stella Fox, calling you live from Tudor City, Manhattan, New York. Um, so still working on this piece for Conversation magazine, and my favorite magazine in the entire world. The deadline is looming, and I guess I’m just looking for a little positive reinforcement. Some words of wisdom, validation, reassurance, what have you. Just, can you call me back?
[elevator dings]
[computerized voice]
Going down. You’re new to the building, right?
Yeah, I guess.
I live right across the hall from you.
Okay.
Mm. Mm.
[elevator dings]
First floor. Hey, Stella.
What are you doing here?
You haven’t been replying to my texts. Why?
I don’t know, but…
You’re avoiding me.
[scoffs] This whole thing is just like–
This is too intense.
But III love you, Stella.
No, no, no, no.
Please, please, please.
No, put your fucking shirt on.
No, I love you.
You can’t do this to me.
People are looking!
Why are you doing this to me?
[♪ upbeat, jazzy music playing]
Vodka? No.
You mean tequila?
They don’t even sound the same.
Did you fuck my bartender?
Well, only because you moved on so super fast with that really young girl.
The whole thing you did was just really fucked up.
[scoffs]
I mean…
Oh, shit. Oh, shit.
What?
[scoffs]
Tequila!
I gotta stop drinking.
Please. It’s New York.
So what, you’re drinking and smoking?
As long as you’re not doing hard drugs, you’re basically sober.
Oh, is it a full moon tonight?
‘Cause I’m feeling wild.
Yeah. Join the club.
Oh!
Holy shit.
Hmm? What?
Jeremiah has a girlfriend.
Who’s Jeremiah?
Who’s Jeremiah? My ex.
My last breakup that caused my whole breakdown?
The whole reason I moved to New York?
Did neither of you listen to a word I say?
Wait a minute, why were you on his page in the first place?
I wasn’t. It just popped up on my explore page.
Oh, don’t bullshit a bullshitter, okay?
That’s the oldest lie in the book.
Come on, be honest.
Whatever, I don’t know.
I felt intuitively drawn to go check out his page, probably because it’s a fucking full moon, and there he is.
And who is that?
Who is that? Look at that.
Do they live together?
What is this?
Is she wearing an engagement ring?
Are they fucking engaged?
Oh, well, you are so much cuter.
Yeah, I mean, all those injections make her face look like it’s melting or something.
Oh, my God, I know her.
Who is she?
She was in my Sex and Love Addicts home group in Los Angeles.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Well, he has a type.
Oh, my gosh.
[snickers] It’s not funny!
I gotta get out of here. Fuck!
[laughter] Damn it!
[Stella] Daddy, this is the last time I’m gonna try you. She’s coming undone! I’m on the precipice of a downward spiral! I just don’t fucking get it. You’re my maker. I’m your only daughter. Mommy can’t call me enough. By the way, I’m trying to work on the fact that I refer to you as Daddy and her as Mommy. But that’s work I have to do on a personal level, not for now. Anyway, call me back.
Hey, is Eddie working?
I need a vodka cranberry.
What is this?
What are you doing?
It’s ketamine.
It’s ketamine?
[snorts]
What’s happening here?
What is he doing?
This is bundle.
A bundle?
Yeah, do you want some?
Yeah, sure.
[snorts]
Thank you. What about this?
Honestly, uh, I forgot.
That sounds good to me.
Okay, I’m gonna borrow this.
Yeah, give it a shot.
Okay. I’m over here if you need me.
[♪ electronic music playing]
[snorts]
Has anyone ever told you you look like a vampire?
You want me to turn you?
[elevator dings]
Can we take the stairs?
I have, like, a thing with confined spaces.
We just fucked in a bathroom stall.
I’ll meet you upstairs.
Okay.
[♪ electronic music resumes]
Yo.
Yo. It’s me.
[snorts]
[snorting]
[moans softly]
[laughing]
What are you laughing at?
What’s so funny?
Oh, you need to know this about me.
I laugh every time I come.
[laughing]
Are you fucking with me?
It’s true.
He’s not kidding.
Even when I masturbate.
[laughing]
Cool.
Jesus.
There’s blood everywhere.
[mutters]
Oh. My God.
Oh, fuck. I know.
I did so much coke.
[sighs] Did you like your first gang bang?
My first gang bang?
What?
Train?
Oh, my God. “Train”?
It was barely a threesome.
You did so much coke, it was more like a oneatatimer.
Nice windows.
Oh, thanks.
And you got the Hovet mirror from IKEA?
Good eye. Yeah.
That’s a coveted piece.
Been looking for that everywhere. It’s sold out.
Is it really?
Yeah.
I didn’t know that.
What were you typing last night?
What are you talking about?
I woke up at, like, 5, and you were furiously texting on your phone.
Was I really?
Yeah.
[cell phone vibrates]
Oh, finally!
Daddy?
Fuck.
Do you have hair shit?
My hair is fried.
That looks sick.
Shh! Daddy?
[man] [on phone]
Is this Stella?
Who’s this?
I don’t know how you got this number, but I’m not your daddy, sweetheart.
Well, this is my dad’s number.
Take it up with Verizon, honey. I got this number six months ago. You sound cute, though. I could be your daddy if you want me to be.
Oh.
Can we smoke in here?
Can you smoke in here?
No, you can’t smoke in here.
What are you even still doing here? Get out!
I’m not kidding, get out!
Just fucking go.
I don’t even know you.
Get out!
Oh, my God, move slower.
You’re moving at a glacial pace.
Jesus fucking Christ.
I don’t even know you.
Go! I hate you!
Get out of here! Go!
Don’t forget that.
Jesus.
[vampire]
Can we please take the stairs?
Fuck!
[muffled scream]
[♪ adult contemporary music playing]
[vampire] What were you typing last night? I woke up at, like, 5, and you were furiously texting on your phone.
Holy shit!
Oh!
Hey, Leo, it’s Stella Fox here.
I’m just calling because I don’t know what happened.
I was working on my piece yesterday, and I guess my computer malfunctioned.
There must have been a glitch, but I accidentally sent you a really raw, discombobulated, crazy version of what I was working on.
Just disregard, okay?
Don’t even waste your time.
I’m so sorry.
I’m gonna get you a new draft.
You’re gonna love it.
This is Stella, by the way.
Stella Fox?
[driver]
Do you have a boyfriend?
No. No boyfriend.
Do you have kids?
No kids.
Do you want kids?
Uh, I don’t know.
I think I’ve aged out.
You? Nah.
Yes.
I think it’sIt’s over for me.
Yeah. My eggs are rotten, as they say.
I don’t know, I probably don’t want kids.
[driver]
You don’t want kids?
The other day, I was walking out of my apartment building and I saw my neighbor walking their dog.
Turns out, they weren’t walking their dog.
They were pushing their baby in a stroller.
I ask you if you want kids, and you tell me this story.
What does that mean?
What it means is, I can’t tell the difference between a baby in a stroller and a dog being walked on a leash.
They’re totally interchangeable to me.
I have no maternal instinct.
I’m just like, yeah, I’m not interested.
I don’t want kids.
I’ve never actually said it out loud.
It feels good to say.
What kind of woman doesn’t want kids?
I don’t know. A monster.
I’m a monster.
I’m still raising myself.
Stella.
Jeremiah?
Hey.
What are you doing here?
I’m in town for a work thing.
Wait, um, are you living here now?
Yeah, I’m living here.
You’re stocking up on red candles, I see.
Yeah, well, you never know when you’re gonna need a red candle.
Right.
Prepping for a power outage.
Prepping for a power outage.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Um, where are you living at?
I live in this area called Tudor City.
Don’t know where that is.
And you’re smoking?
That’s very, uh, very New York.
Oh, my God.
[chuckles] Um… you want to grab a drink?
With you?
Yeah.
Like now?
Yeah.
Like
Like right now.
No.
No, III don’t want to grab a drink with you.
All right, that’s fair.
It is fair. It is fair.
When did every guy start deciding that he’s gonna tell me what’s fair?
You said that all the time when we were dating.
I hated it.
I’m not trying to get into any kind of weird argument.
Okay.
So continue smoking your New York cigarette.
I will! I will!
It’s good to see you.
Great to see you, too.
Yeah, likewise.
Great to see you, too.
Okay.
[scoffs]
So, what did he look like?
The point isn’t what he looked like.
He looked fine.
The point is, II felt nothing.
It’s like we never even knew each other.
All the suffering, the pain, the anguish.
And now nothing.
Wow. Well… here’s to being a healed lady.
Ew, can you please never call me a lady again?
I want to be referred to as a girl until I’m 100.
You know, Rene Ricard once said something like, um, “I’ll never get old.
I’ll just be young, and then I’ll die.”
I’m doing what she did.
That sounds great.
Yes.
What’s up, ladies?
Can I get you a drink?
Uh, I think we’re all set.
Thanks.
What you drinking there?
What am I drinking?
It’s a
It’s a Shirley Temple.
Ah, cute.
Oh, my God, you’reYou’re adorable. You’re great.
I need you gone.
Thank you. Oh, my God.
I just can’t take it anymore.
It’s, like, relentless.
What’s wrong?
Everywhere I go, it’s like some fucking dangling dick.
He was cute!
Who cares if he’s cute?
That’s not the point.
They’re all cute.
It doesn’t even matter.
The point is, I feel like I’m just exhausted.
I’m like a raw nerve walking the earth, you know?
What do I have going for me?
I don’t have a job.
You know, I fuck nearly every loser in New York.
Not every loser.
Well, it feels like every loser.
Yeah, I just
I’m done.
I’m done. I’m done with dating.
I’m done with relationships.
I’m done with fucking.
It’s just like, oh, my God, I feel like I have to doI have to do the exact opposite of whatever my natural impulse tells me to do before I hit a real rock bottom or something.
You know, I’m like six to eight nights out from ending up in a fucking dumpster.
Yeah, no, something..
Something needs to change here.
And, uh…
I’m going to a Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous meeting right now.
Yeah, fuck it. Right now.
[cell phone vibrating]
What now?
Mm. Is this my moody little writer girl?
Excuse me?
Be in my office in seven minutes.
Jesus Christ.
[panting]
So I read your piece.
Yeah, about that.
I really want to explain.
No disclaimers.
It was wild and unhinged as fuck.
And I don’t want to know what you were on when you wrote it because it’ll tempt me and I’m on a cleanse.
But I think we can cut it in half, yeah?
You can throw the whole thing in the garbage, and I can write you something completely different.
Why would I want to throw the whole thing in the garbage?
What the f…
It’s fabulous.
It is?
Yes!
It’s nothing but wild, embarrassing, unprotected, disappointing dalliances coupled with some sort of strange meta selftalk to help explain it all.
Is that allowed?
“Is that allowed?” she says.
Wake up!
Of course, it’s allowed.
You’re a romantic anthropologist.
You’re throwing yourself out into the world over and over again, ending up all over Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, searching for love.
Hope never dying.
It’s… delusional, but brave and necessary.
Is that allowed?
You shouldn’t have to ask permission.
I shouldn’t?
No.
Cut the whole “I’m broken” act.
There’s nothing to fix.
This is who you are.
Go ahead and beat yourself up telling yourself you’re an addict, and that you’re living your life all the wrong ways.
Honey, you’re the way to be.
And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Most people are asleep at the wheel.
At least you have the willingness to look at your own behavior and write about it.
You live the way you live because it’s your art, your process.
It helps you understand yourself.
It-It helps you get to know other people better.
It’s a catalyst for your work.
So embrace who you are.
Embrace who I am.
Yeah, I can do that, maybe.
Well, slow down there.
Don’t get too healthy.
Otherwise, you won’t have a job here anymore.
Wait, so I really have a job here?
Yes, you really have a job here.
[laughs] Oh, my God!
Welcome to the family, Stella Fox.
Put your dancing shoes on, baby.
We’re goin’ out tonight.
Change of plans.
Turns out I’m fine.
Okay, cool. Yeah. Bye.
Oh! Jesus Christ!
Oh!
Where are you walking so fast?
Oh, my God.
I was trying to go home.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah? Where’s that?
Oh, my God.
It’s none of your business.
Well, it’s a little bit my business if you almost kill me walking there so fast.
Okay. Tudor City.
I live in a place called Tudor City, all right?
Cat’s out of the bag.
You live in Tudor City?
I love Tudor City.
Bullshit. NobodyNobody knows where Tudor City is, believe me.
I know where Tudor City is.
Oh, you do?
I do.
Katharine Hepburn used to live there.
Did she really?
Yeah.
I didn’t know that.
Yeah.
Oh, well, I’m impressed.
Classic New York.
Yes, it’s classic New York.
Oh, my God.
I’ve been trying to tell everybody.
It is classic New York.
Thank you.
I’m actually going there right now.
Okay.
If you wanted to, like, share a cab or…
With you?
Yeah.
With me.
Um…
[sighs]
[spritzing]
[♪ Synthwave music playing]
[♪ woman vocalizing]
