Eric
Episode 3
Original release date: 30 May 2024 (Netflix)
Plot: Lovett is released and cleared of all charges. Ledroit re-focuses his investigation on Vincent, who is frantically preparing to pitch Eric to the network. During questioning at the police station, Vincent reveals that he had followed Edgar from their building that morning into an alleyway, where the two had a confrontation resulting in his tearing Edgar’s t-shirt and then using it to wipe his own blood from the wound he sustained in that incident. Nearby CCTV footage confirms Vincent’s account of what happened. Vincent is released. Cassie meets and sympathizes with Cecile, the mother of another missing boy, Marlon Rochelle, who disappeared the year before. Vincent delivers a successful pitch to the network. But one of the executives later tells Lennie that they want to take on the character of Eric but get rid of Vincent, citing his volatile behavior. Cecile convinces Ledroit to resume the search for Marlon as part of his investigation despite a lack of evidence of his whereabouts, much to his superior’s frustration. In a village for homeless people in the subway, Edgar is revealed to be alive and held in captivity.
* * *
[train cars clattering]
[train wheels screeching]
[unsettling music playing]
[man] With increasing criticism of the investigation,
the family of the missing boy have offered a $25,000 reward
in the hope that it may lead to new information.
As every day passes, questions are being asked.
“Where is Edgar Anderson”?
“How did he go missing”?
“Who out there knows something that could lead to his return”?
[Clark] At 11:23 a.m. today,
my client, Mr. George Lambert Lovett, was released without charges
in relation to the disappearance of nine-year-old Edgar Anderson.
[unsettling music playing]
Mr. Lovett’s home has been searched without a warrant,
and he has been held 24 hours without verification of his alibi
and without any plausible evidence.
Not only has Commissioner Nelson continued his persecution
against Black and minority communities in this city,
but he and Capt. Cripp’s NYPD have also wasted critical time
as yet another missing boy is lost to our streets.
[man] Following the release of Mr. Lovett,
the NYPD are again appealing to anyone with information
about Edgar Anderson to come forward.
[music fades]
[Eric] You got less than 24 hours till the pitch, buddy.
No slacking.
[indistinct chatter]
Edgar’s gonna go nuts when he sees me.
I have to fit the teeth. It’ll look better with the teeth.
Don’t miss Jerry’s party.
[Vincent] Okay, okay.
[woman] A child doesn’t just vanish.
A child doesn’t just disappear.
This money will help. It was all over the news this morning.
Glad you came around, Cassandra.
Vincent must have taken some persuading.
They’ve released that man. They must have someone else in mind.
How’s Vincent bearing up?
I don’t know. He didn’t come home last night.
He’s keeping something from me.
Call Dr. Mason.
I think it’s a little late for that.
He’s going again.
My son is gone and nowhere to be found,
and you’re still doling out the same old crap.
[woman] I’ve seen it before. This is how it starts.
[Cassie] I should never have come to see you. I need to talk to Vincent.
Vincent cares about no one but himself.
Always has.
[light jazz music playing]
[Jerry] Well, welcome, everybody.
It’s great to have you all here.
Twenty-five years, we’ve been making some of the best shows on TV.
I still get asked the same question.
Hello.
[Jerry] Why do we do what we do?
This is my reply.
[Lennie chuckles]
We are the arbitrators of magic.
The keepers of story.
Passionate about the work of play, what we do.
Okay. Are we pitching tomorrow?
Yeah. You got the script?
Mm-hmm.
Bag or stick?
Walk around.
Oh, fucking risky! You know Lennie doesn’t like the walk around.
Lennie’s cool.
[Ronnie] Okay.
I’m just here for the pension and the free snacks.
[Vincent] Me too. Can’t stay long.
Mm.
Sir.
[Vincent slurps]
So I saw they released the guy.
[gulps]
You know, we’re on your team, Vinny, but… the booze is taking you nowhere.
Nope, you got me. Dylan or Crystal Gayle?
[scoffs] That’s me trying to give a shit.
Okay? God!
[Eric] Hey.
Ticktock, ticktock. Back to work.
Oh shit!
[sniffs]
[Costello] Hey, Vincent.
Oh, Councillor Costello. Twice in one week. Lucky me.
Hey, is it true that city hall is giving $100,000 to the Sunshine Charity?
You gotta gag Jerry. It’s the talk of the town.
It’s a great cause, and you got your charity event coming up.
We were eager to chip in.
Oh, how a charity that helps the poor goes hand-in-hand with your plan
to bus the homeless out of this city is kind of remarkable. [laughs]
[man] We like to think of it more as a commitment
to the health and sanitation of New York.
Vincent, may I introduce my brother-in-law, Bruno Di Bari?
Bruno Di Bari, the trash king?
Hudson Sanitation? That is how you made your money, right?
[chuckles]
The irony continues.
[laughs]
I’m so sorry about your son.
I can only imagine what you’re going through.
They got a new suspect yet?
[unsettling music playing]
My kids have been watching your show since they were this high.
Mush is their favorite. And what is it they say?
[Vincent] Fuck.
Be good. Be kind. Be brave.
Be brilliant.
[Vincent] Different.
It’s “be different.”
[Ledroit] Vincent, I need you to come to the station for questioning.
[Vincent] Will this take long?
[Ledroit] That depends.
[indistinct chatter]
[police radio chatter]
[music builds]
Edgar?
[man] Please don’t drop that on the floor.
[George] Mrs. Anderson?
I’m sorry. I was waiting for you to come.
They said Mr. Anderson been arrested.
Get out.
[George] They had a warrant.
Get out of my house!
Get out!
[George] All right.
[sobs]
[door slams]
[music fades]
[breathing anxiously]
Fuck!
[groans]
[Eric] Keep it together.
This is insane! This is insane!
Tee up your story. Get your ducks in a line.
It’s in a row. Ducks in a row.
Tomayto, tomahto. They’re wasting your time here, buddy.
Yeah, wasting time… We’re wasting time!
[yells] You’re wasting time!
Come on!
[sighs]
Gonna miss the pitch.
[Eric] ♪ The trees are green… ♪
Wasting time…
♪ The trees are green ♪
[Eric] ♪ And the sky is blue ♪
♪ The sky is blue ♪
[Eric] ♪ The sun is up ♪
♪ The sun is up ♪
♪ And it’s smiling down on you ♪
♪ Hello, world, what you doin’ today? ♪
♪ Put your hand in mine ♪
[yelling] ♪ Come on, let’s play! ♪
[man] Four! Shut the fuck up!
[Vincent sighs]
[Vincent] Fuck.
[Cassie] Excuse me. I’m here to see Vincent Anderson.
Excuse me.
You’ll get used to that.
That’s my son.
I didn’t know what picture to pick for him.
He loved that basketball shirt so much.
I don’t think he ever took it off.
The fight to just get him into a jacket…
[chuckles]
It’s comforting. At least he was wearing what he wanted the day he passed.
“Passed”?
Is that your son?
I’ve seen him on the news. Good-looking kid.
[chuckles]
Thank you.
And white. That’ll work for y’all.
Folks won’t forget a kid who looks like their own.
And you have a reward.
Mm.
My son, I had to fight to… to get anything about him in the press.
[Cecile sighs]
I’m so sorry.
We’re both sitting here mourning our boys.
I’m not mourning. I just don’t know who to trust anymore.
[gate opens]
[footsteps approaching]
[melancholy music playing]
Excuse me. Nice to meet you.
[door closes]
[exhales deeply]
You okay, Vincent?
Yes, I’m fine. Thanks, Michael.
[inhales] I’d like to show you some CCTV from the day that Edgar disappeared.
According to your statement, Vincent,
the last time you saw Edgar was inside your apartment when he left.
This is Edgar leaving your apartment building.
He passes Mr. Lovett.
Then, just under a minute later, a second figure comes out.
Do you wanna revise that statement, Mr. Anderson?
[Eric] “Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth
but by washing away from it all that is not gold.”
Tolstoy.
I know it’s fucking Tolstoy.
You sure you’re all right, Vincent?
What the fuck?
Is this gonna take long? I really do have a lot of work to do.
I’ve got a big pitch tomorrow.
Your wife called last night.
She said you followed Edgar that day.
Yes.
Why didn’t you disclose that when I interviewed you the first time?
I don’t know.
Your wife also said you had a fight the night before Edgar disappeared.
What did you fight about?
[lawyer] My client does not have to answer.
Did Edgar hear you?
Again, I fail to s…
I’m trying to ascertain if Edgar was upset that morning.
Maybe.
[splutters] Yes. Yes. Yes, he heard.
So I’m just trying to get this straight.
You followed him because you were concerned.
Yes.
[tape plays]
[Ledroit] You’re clearly shouting at him.
Uh, I… I called after him,
but he didn’t hear me.
The traffic gets crazy that time of day.
[Ledroit] So you walk on.
Yeah.
And then, just after that, you go out of sight.
[Vincent exhales]
[Eric] Oh shit.
Cassie’s landed you right in it.
Vincent!
[exhales]
Would you say you and Edgar are close?
Um…
Closer than I was to my father. How about you? You close with yours?
Not really. Military man.
Oh, you too.
[Eric] Don’t try and bond with the guy. He sees straight through you.
Shut up.
[footsteps approaching]
[knock at door]
[door opens]
[Ledroit] Thank you, Tina.
[Cassie] Vincent, I’m sorry.
[Ledroit] Have Ms. Anderson wait.
[Vincent] Cassie?
[Eric] We gotta get out of here, Vincent. We got to get moving.
[indistinct chatter outside]
[exhales]
How’d you get that cut on your forehead?
I really need to talk to Cassie.
[Eric] You’re losing it, buddy!
[Vincent] Ssh!
Who are you talking to?
[Eric] You blew it! Now he knows you’re loony tunes.
I’m advising my client to stop this interview.
Again, how did you get that cut on your head?
Your blood type is the same as the blood on this T-shirt!
I fell. I fell, okay? I fell.
[Eric] Come on, buddy. Do better.
How did you fall?
I really… I really do have a lot of work. Tomorrow is a very big day.
Then talk to me!
[Eric] The fuck? Don’t bail on me now.
Can you stop?
Vincent!
[yells] Shut up!
Shut up! I… I am fine!
[Vincent breathing anxiously]
Huh.
I’m fine.
[Eric exhales]
I wanted to make sure we were okay. That Edgar and I were okay.
Um…
So I walked on.
Called out again. Um…
He turned down an alley. I followed.
I… I reached out for him. I must…
[exhales]
No, I did. I… I grabbed him by the back of the neck.
He pulled himself free and shoved me away.
I… I… I grabbed him again.
Yanked him on the front of his T… [gasps]
T-shirt.
And that’s when I must have done this, I guess.
Oh, there was so much blood.
And Edgar was, um…
Edgar was just standing there, staring down at his
torn… torn T-shirt and then…
[tearfully]…staring back at me like he didn’t know who I was.
And then he… [splutters] …took off the T-shirt and threw it at me.
I picked it up and blotted my forehead ’cause there was so much blood, and…
he was… he was… [sobs]
just standing there in his little white undershirt,
and… he pulled up his jacket, and I told him,
“Zip it up. You’ll get cold.”
And he turned and walked away.
I told myself…
That’s when I told myself that he’d gone to school… [sobs]
…and I’d go to work, and we’d talk about it at the end of the day.
[Vincent sobs]
Vincent.
And the T-shirt?
I… I threw it behind the dumpster. [sniffs]
[Ledroit] Behind or in?
No. Uh, behind, I threw it.
I threw it behind.
Okay.
[pen clicks]
Let’s take a break.
[Vincent breathing anxiously]
[door opens and closes]
I wanna keep him overnight. Let him sweat it out.
Your call. The press are gonna go crazy over this.
[Ledroit] You should go home. Come back tomorrow.
Please. Just let me talk to him.
Not tonight.
[Cassie] Please.
A few minutes after your husband leaves your apartment building,
another man goes in.
And a couple hours later, he comes out.
He’s with you.
Was that someone you trust? Someone you know well?
He’s a friend.
Get some sleep.
Cass?
Oh my God.
[Cassie sobs]
[Lennie] He’s out there somewhere. I promise.
[liquid sloshing]
[woman 1] With the numbers of people
forced into sleeping rough increasing daily,
the sheer scale of the city’s homelessness epidemic
goes beyond comprehension.
It has been reported those living in the sewers and subways beneath our streets
could populate a large village.
Until now, it’s been a situation…
Stay still. I can’t get it straight if you move.
[woman] …with the problem reaching crisis point,
finally, plans are being laid…
[Costello] Here it comes.
It’s on! It’s on!
[woman 1] …project that will relocate those homeless to suitable accommodation
has gained traction in recent weeks.
Councillor Costello will consider this a significant coup after facing…
I’m very proud.
[girl] Mom!
Okay, okay!
[Costello] What’d you think of that, pal?
Hold still, please.
Looking forward to working with you.
It’s the last time, Bruno.
[woman 2] I like what he’s doing.
About time somebody cleaned up the streets.
Who owes who here?
[woman 1] The scheme is backed by the Hudson Sanitation Company,
who were awarded the contract to clean up New York’s tunnels earlier this year.
[distant clanging]
[unsettling music playing]
[slurping]
[dog whimpering]
[dog whimpering]
[liquid splashes]
Okay.
[dog whimpering]
[sighs]
Okay.
Don’t worry. It’s here.
[dog snarls]
Here you go. [sighs wearily]
[sighs]
[sighs]
Cecile?
Hmm?
[grunts]
I’ll drive you home.
[clears throat]
[door opens]
[Lennie] Well, they sure did a number on this place.
I can’t believe Vincent kept this.
[bottles clink]
[glass smashes]
Do you think that Vincent killed Edgar?
Cassie.
[Cassie] If he had run away, he’d be back by now.
[sighs] So something must have happened.
The worst things go around and around in my head.
At least if he’s dead, no one can hurt him anymore.
His mother blames me. She says that he’s been going again.
Well, his mother’s been medicating him since he was nine years old.
He’s crazy, but he’s always been crazy.
Not enough to…
[exhales]
Cassie, don’t give up on…
I’ve met someone else.
I can’t live with him anymore.
I won’t live with him anymore if Edgar’s gone.
No, no. He’s making Eric for Edgar.
Edgar’s gonna come home.
And he’s gonna see Eric, and everything is gonna be fine.
Wouldn’t that be something? [chuckles]
I got Jerry and the entire fleet of suits lined up for 2:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Holy shit. 2:00 p.m. today. Um…
Please… should Vincent get out,
just tell him that I need him there, please.
[inhales] Thank you.
Oh Jesus. I love you.
Love you.
[Lennie groans]
[Lennie inhales deeply]
Sleep.
Yeah, okay.
Okay.
[Cassie] Hey.
What is it about puppets, Lennie?
[breathes deeply]
They get to say the things that we can’t.
[door closes]
[footsteps retreating]
[distant siren wailing]
[indistinct chatter]
[ignition clicks]
[engine stops]
Cecile.
We’re here.
Mm.
[Cecile sighs]
[clears throat]
[zip unfastens]
Cecile.
[exhales]
No one has forgotten Marlon.
Nobody’s bothering to mention him either.
The news is all about that cute little white kid.
It’s different.
You know it’s different.
Difference is Marlon is Black.
That’s it.
Two kids missing, and you’re not connecting them at all?
I haven’t given up on him.
Then you’re just not pushing hard enough.
Somebody has to know something out there in these streets, in that club,
on those courts.
My son, he was too beautiful to just… just poof into thin air,
and you just give up on him?
[exhales forcefully]
Marlon, he was gentle.
He was kind.
[poignant music playing]
He liked to dance.
Different doesn’t mean he’s not worth looking for.
I know who my son was.
And you do too.
He was as beautiful as that little boy lost out there right now,
and I want him home.
I want him home in whatever way you can find him.
I wanna…
I wanna hold my son. I wanna hold him in my arms.
I wanna hold him. [sniffs]
Even if all you can find is his skull.
I will keep coming and coming and coming
until you do something more than giving me your “sorrys” and driving me home.
You are better than that.
[hip-hop music playing on stereo]
[indistinct chatter]
[man] Hey!
[buzzing]
[buzzing]
[lock clicks]
You gonna let me in?
So…
what do you wanna watch tonight, Daddy?
♪ I am not in love ♪
♪ But I’m open to persuasion ♪
♪ East or west ♪
♪ Where’s the best ♪
♪ For romancin’? ♪
[groans softly] ♪ With a friend ♪
♪ I can smile ♪
♪ But with a lover I could hold my head back ♪
♪ I could really laugh, really laugh ♪
♪ Thank you ♪
♪ You took me dancin’ ♪
♪ ‘Cross the floor ♪
♪ Cheek to cheek ♪
♪ But with a lover I could really move, really move ♪
♪ I could really dance, really dance ♪
♪ Really dance, really dance ♪
♪ I could really move, really move ♪
♪ Really move, really move… ♪
[door slams]
[footsteps approaching]
♪ With friends I’ll still feel so insecure ♪
♪ Little darling I believe you could help me a lot ♪
♪ We’ll give you ♪
♪ Just make love with affection ♪
♪ Sing me another love song But this time with a little dedication ♪
♪ Sing it, sing it ♪
♪ Sing it, sing it ♪
♪ Ooh-ooh ♪
[sighs]
[approaching footsteps]
[heavy breathing]
I’m gonna switch arms.
[William groans]
Easy.
[William grunts]
[William sighs contentedly]
I’ll stay home today.
[exhales]
And do what?
Sit around and stop me playing cello?
No, no, no.
What’s going on in there?
Just work.
[William inhales]
[exhales]
Don’t give up on him.
The kid has been gone for over a week.
I’m not just talking about this boy.
[sighs] William.
[William] You got out of that place.
Now you can do something,
even if they try and grind you down, Michael.
You’re there for a reason. Remember that when I’m not here.
Oh my God. Enough with the exit speech.
[both chuckle]
You’re not going anywhere, old man.
We both know that’s not true.
[vehicle horns blaring]
[telephone ringing]
Hello?
[man] You’re a rotten mother. I hope your kid is dead.
[breathing anxiously]
[distant siren wailing]
[indistinct chatter]
[Tina] I got Levy to review the security footage
from the dry cleaners across from the alley
where the T-shirt was dumped.
Plus, the subway opposite his studio. Vincent’s on ’em.
[Ledroit] Fuck. Thanks.
Looking forward to dinner tonight? Lorenza’s a great cook.
It’s the highlight of my week.
[Tina chuckles]
Tina.
Mm-hmm?
Can you set this up?
[Tina] Hmm.
Yeah.
Ah, ah, r… rewind that.
Right there.
What’s the time?
8:14 a.m.
[Ledroit] Okay.
The kid swings a left…
towards his school.
He’s got his jacket on.
[Tina] Mm.
[ominous music playing]
[inhales deeply]
[Ledroit] 8:18 a.m., Vincent walks the opposite way.
[Tina] And the tape from opposite Herald Street subway.
[moves documents]
8:34 a.m., Vincent comes out the subway, crosses the street. Heading to work.
Security has him logged as staying there all day.
He went out for 20 minutes at lunch, and that’s it. This backs that up.
We gotta release him.
[Ledroit inhales]
Where the hell is this kid?
[reporters shouting questions]
Oh shit.
Your father’s waiting for you outside.
[man] Do you have any comment?
Mr. Anderson has been released without charges
and will not be making any comment.
You let your son walk alone to school. How do you respond to your critics?
As I said, Mr. Anderson will not be making any comment at this time.
Op-ed piece in the Post today called you a disgrace as a parent
and questioned your capacity.
How do you respond?
Tell my father I don’t need a lift.
You have kids? Don’t you wanna live in a world where your kid can walk to school,
and you can still trust they’ll come home safe?
Come on. Shouldn’t that be a basic right?
I let my kid walk a couple of blocks from his home to his school.
You can criticize me for that all you like,
but, you know, I… I wanna believe…
No, I still do believe in a world where he could do that
and come home safe, all right?
[man] After five days?
If it were my kid, he’s not coming back alive.
[breathing anxiously] Fuck you, you piece of shit!
My son is alive.
[reporters shouting questions]
[music fades]
[lock clicks]
George. [exhales]
I am so sorry.
It’s okay. You were upset.
I’m just… I… [inhales nervously]
I don’t know.
You know, it don’t take much to give bad thoughts wings.
I was hoping I could see Edgar’s drawings. [inhales]
[lock clanks]
[George] Okay. You watch your step here.
Mm-hmm.
[Cassie exhales]
[ethereal music playing]
[George] He’s good, isn’t he?
[Cassie chuckles]
Yeah.
He’s good.
[sighs]
[unsettling music playing]
[Ledroit] I wanna go back to the Sierra list.
Go through old names, find links.
[music fades]
Maybe go back to The Lux again.
[sighs]
Every day, the kid walks past that place.
He then swings a right and then walks onto the basketball courts.
The same courts that Marlon Rochelle played on.
Marlon Rochelle? We pulled that kid in twice for drugs.
That doesn’t stop his mother from calling me four times a month.
Look, this is a nine-year-old boy.
A white boy.
We did our duty by Marlon Rochelle, and we came back with nothing.
Kid was a fag. He’s either high somewhere or washed up in the Hudson.
And his mother still deserves to know what happened to him.
[Cripp sighs]
We got two boys disappear 11 months apart, and we’re not linking them?
Yes, Marlon did drugs,
but we’d do him a disservice if we dismiss him because of it.
He was a kid.
Now, between those courts, that club, and those cops in Vice,
someone knows something.
Don’t poke the bear, Ledroit.
Are you talking about Nokes?
What the fuck’s Nokes gotta do with this?
Look, I’m not condoning officers like Nokes and Kennedy,
but remember what it was like in Vice?
You got guys out there trying to raise a family, pay a mortgage,
and they’re pulling in hoods with more money
than you and I will ever make in a lifetime.
It’s a slippery slope once you start taking from the candy jar.
Look, all I’m saying is you got a tendency to rush in.
[knock at door]
Sorry to interrupt.
Mikey, everyone who was pulled in the night of the Sierra raid, May ’79.
[Cripp scoffs]
[sighs] Tina, can you lighten this guy up for one night?
He’s driving me fucking crazy.
I’ll do my best.
Lorenza says don’t be late for dinner. She means it too.
[door closes]
[pensive music playing]
[door opens]
Hey, fellas.
[man] Hey, Nokes.
[Nokes] I want you to check out the bodega on 13th.
Tell him I sent you. Go easy.
On it, sir.
Who is 8?
Only person who knows who 8 was is dead.
No…
Keep away from me, Ledroit.
You don’t know who you’re playing with.
[door slams]
Cassie.
Cassie?
[door opens]
You need to take a shower.
You know you stink, right?
[speaks indistinctly]
Get a move on, Vincent. You gotta nail that pitch for the kid.
[refrigerator door closes]
[shower running]
[man] Hey, my man.
[Sebastian] There you go.
Enjoy.
[woman 1] There you go.
[man] How you doing?
[woman 1] Hi.
[woman 2] Hi.
There you go.
Hi.
[woman 1] Here you go, sir.
Give me five minutes.
[woman 1] Okay.
[Cassie sighs]
[Sebastian] Have you slept at all?
I met this mother last night whose son has been missing for 11 months,
and she just… she had this look in her eyes
like she just knew he was dead.
Come on, Cassie. Don’t think like that. Come here.
[melancholy music playing]
He has to be alive. He just has to be alive.
[exhales] He just has to be.
[softly] He is.
[exhales]
He is.
[water dripping]
[eerie music playing]
[footsteps on metallic surface]
[sighs in annoyance]
[tense music playing]
[breathes deeply]
I knew this was a bad idea.
[man] Jerry, I haven’t got all day.
[panting]
Oh shit!
[music building]
[music fades]
Oh, thank fuck.
[exhales]
Okay.
[Vincent] There’s time.
Jerry is here.
Yeah.
That’s Avi Nagler.
He’s the head of Acquisitions and Market.
[exhales]
Um, we also have Sam.
He is COO and the acting president of Kids and Animation.
Uh-huh.
And you know the rest.
Suits and fruits.
Ssh!
[Vincent sniffs]
Do you wanna bail?
No, I got this, Lennie. I got this.
Okay. Please stick to the script. No curveballs.
Watch your language. Thank you.
All right.
[breathes deeply]
I got this, buddy.
[Eric] Ooh.
[inhales deeply, exhales forcefully]
Eric is a monster. Yes.
Eric is that which we fear. True.
[inhales] He’s the shadow that lurks behind us all
or lies under the bed.
[inhales deeply]
But he is also
you.
And you and you and all of us.
He is the very best and the very worst of all of us.
[inhales deeply] He’s the monster that walks with us side by side.
[inhales deeply] He’s the monster that… that every child… wants
when they are lost… and need to be found.
[as Eric] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Now you’re making me feel bashful.
Huh. You fucking douche.
[Ronnie as Mush] Oh, hey, Eric! [chuckles nervously]
Best behavior. We have adults here.
[Vincent as Eric] Oh, yeah.
Sorry, guys.
I’m not used to polite company or anyone listening.
[Vincent inhales deeply]
You know, it gets kind of lonely in this city.
You’re not alone, Eric.
Huh?
No one’s alone here.
You got me.
And me too. I’m Mush, and this is…
Hey, Eric. I’m Peggy.
I’m Parker. [chuckles]
I’m a stray, so you’re in good company.
Oh!
We’re all strays in our own way.
We come to the park when we feel lost.
Are you lost, Eric?
[poignant music playing]
Oh, yeah.
I guess I took a wrong turn somewhere.
[inhales deeply] See, the thing is,
it’s so dark underground,
but… I was scared to come up,
and nobody told me
that sunlight could be so… pretty.
[gasps]
[all sigh in wonder]
[optimistic music playing]
[Edgar panting]
[Edgar] No!
Hey.
[menacing music playing]
Come on!
[Edgar grunts]
[Edgar breathing anxiously]
Don’t move!
[train cars clattering]
[train wheels screeching]
[disco music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
What the fuck is a green glass door?
I don’t fucking know anymore.
No, but seriously, like, you were insane.
[doorwoman] The VIPs are here!
Aw, shucks.
[man] Hey, ladies.
No, it was amazing.
[woman] Hey, Jackson! What up?
[Jackson] Nice to see ya!
Hey, how’s it going?
Hey. Well, look at you. Don’t you look the picture?
[both grunt]
Hey, apologies.
No problem.
All cool. Apologies. Yeah.
Yeah. Enjoy your night!
[Vincent] Will do!
[doorwoman] Back of the line. No cutting.
That… that was delicious.
[Tina] Mm-hmm.
I’m gonna hunt you down for that pot roast recipe.
Are you a cook, Michael?
Oh, I… [chuckles] Taco Bell and Wendy’s.
[all laugh]
[woman] Someone’s been feeding you up. No one gets muscles like that on takeout.
Hey! I knew it was a bad idea to invite you over!
[Tina] After that, I’m doing aerobics for a week.
[woman] Have you spoken to Dana yet? Has she seen Kimberly since Kennedy…
[Tina] She’s doing okay. Baby’s cutting new teeth.
[woman] That’s one good thing about marrying a cop.
They make good babies.
[all chuckle]
I’m just saying. You gotta find this one a nice officer.
[Cripp] I’m trying. This numbskull keeps playing chicken.
[unsettling music playing]
You hear that, Ledroit?
You gotta quit going to The Lux every night and get yourself a wife.
Who else are you gonna tell your secrets to, huh? [chuckles]
I’m serious.
Mikey, everybody needs somebody to lean on.
Who’s got your corner?
[woman chuckles]
[Cripp sighs]
[Cripp sniffs]
[man bangs on hood] Hey!
[Ledroit grunts]
[man cackles]
[Tina chuckles]
You know, we’d be a lot more comfortable inside.
I gotta get home.
[both chuckle]
[inhales deeply] Yeah. Another time.
Yeah.
[Ledroit breathes deeply]
Tina.
[softly] Mikey.
Dana. That… that Nokes’ wife?
You mentioned her at dinner.
Yeah.
[ominous music playing]
Yeah.
We… we got up to mischief together.
Her and Kimberly in the early days.
[inhales] She’s a nurse at Bellevue Hospital now.
But if you’re asking,
Nokes is a prick.
[Tina chuckles bitterly]
My husband was a shit, but at least I got out.
I don’t know how Dana puts up with it.
“It”?
What do you mean?
I’ve drunk too much.
You think she’d talk to me?
Sure, Mikey.
I can ask.
Night.
Night.
[distant siren wailing]
[car door closes]
[door opens]
What are you doing?
[disco music playing]
The usual. This is what we want.
[Murray] Let’s get this party started!
You guys, get involved.
Take a glass, take a glass, take a glass! Come on, come on!
To Eric!
To Eric! Whoo!
Jerry.
You pulled it back, Lennie.
No, Vincent did.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry inhales deeply]
I’ll take the puppet,
but Vincent’s out, Lennie. You know he is.
He’s a liability.
Look at him.
His son’s gone missing, and he’s out here drinking.
He’s clearly unhinged.
[Vincent] Just suck it up in the morning. Shake and bake, baby.
Either you do it… or I do.
Jay! Great to see you! I didn’t know you were gonna be in tonight.
[Vincent] Eric! Whoo!
[ominous music playing]
Hey.
[Yuusuf] Don’t move.
[woman] I fucking found him too.
[Yuusuf] Yeah, and I got him out.
[woman] We can make real money here, Yuusuf.
For you to waste on blow?
[clattering]
[woman] You get a lot for a kid like that if you know where to sell him.
TJ knows people. Knows the pervs.
[Yuusuf] Shut up. I’m thinking.
[Edgar breathing anxiously]
I got some other ideas.
I said don’t move!
[Cassie] Have you seen this little boy?
[woman] No.
[Sebastian] Can you give us a call?
Sir, have you seen my son?
[man 1] No, thank you.
Ma’am? My son. My… Thank you.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
[man 2] Nah, thanks. Have a good day.
Hi, have you seen this little boy? He’s been missing for…
[Sebastian] This is Edgar Anderson. He’s missing.
Could you please give us a call if you know anything?
Excuse me. Excuse me, ma’am.
Excuse me, sir.
Excuse me, sir.
[indistinct chatter]
[doorwoman] No guarantees you’re getting in.
Hello, Officer.
[Gator] Seeing a lot of things not attended to.
I pay you to run the door.
[TJ] Everyone’s having a good time.
[Gator] Look who’s back.
In again.
Is that a crime?
Do you recognize him?
Like I said last time. Good-looking kid, but I ain’t seen him before.
No. You look again.
Mikey.
I’m sorry I can’t help you more.
Hey. We talked about this before.
And when you weren’t here?
You got soft inside, Gator, but the world kept turning while you were gone.
Life went on.
If you fuck with me,
I will go back inside for what I will do to you.
Okay?
Okay, good. Go play. Get out of here.
Hey, you.
[sniffs]
Ah!
Hey, hey. Coming through. [grunts]
[Vincent] All right, all right.
[Eric grunts loudly]
Admit it, man. We’re on fire!
Whoo!
Oh yeah, baby. Oh brother!
Vinny!
[Vincent] With you up there on Good Day Sunshine,
my boy is coming home!
[banging on door]
[Lennie] Vinny!
Yo, man!
Are you all right in there?
Yeah. What’s up?
[Lennie] Hey, do you think you should go home and be with Cassie?
No, man, all good.
I’ll be by the bar.
All right, we’re coming. We’re coming. See you out there!
[“Gloria” by Laura Branigan playing]
[Eric] Let’s go. [cheers]
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ You’re always on the run now ♪
♪ Running after somebody ♪
♪ You gotta get him somehow ♪
♪ You really don’t remember ♪
♪ Was it something that he said? ♪
♪ Are the voices in your head ♪
♪ Calling, Gloria? ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ Don’t you think you’re fallin’? ♪
♪ If everybody wants you ♪
♪ Why isn’t anybody callin’? ♪
♪ You don’t have to answer ♪
♪ Leave ’em hangin’ on the line Oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ Calling Gloria ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ I think they got your number ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ I think they got the alias ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ That you been livin’ under ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ But you really don’t remember ♪
[music distorts] ♪ Was it something that they said? ♪
♪ Are the voices in your head ♪
[tinkling]
♪ Calling, Gloria? ♪
[music fades]
[woman] Oh shit.
[unsettling music playing]
[distorted disco music playing]
[unsettling music builds]
[“Gloria” by Laura Branigan playing]
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ Don’t you think you’re fallin’? ♪
♪ If everybody wants you ♪
♪ Why isn’t anybody callin’? ♪
♪ You don’t have to answer ♪
♪ Leave ’em hanging’ on the line Oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ Calling Gloria ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ I think they got your number ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ I think they got the alias ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ That you been living under ♪
♪ Gloria ♪
♪ But you really don’t remember ♪
♪ Was it something that they said? ♪
♪ Are the voices in your head ♪
♪ Calling, Gloria? ♪
♪ Uh-huh, uh-huh-huh, Gloria ♪
♪ How’s it gonna go down ♪
♪ Will you meet him on the main line ♪
♪ Or will you catch him on the rebound? ♪
♪ Will you marry for the money ♪
♪ Take a lover in the afternoon? ♪
♪ Feel your innocence slippin’ away ♪
♪ Don’t believe it’s coming back soon ♪
