The Scars of Our Hands

Ready, smart guy?

Do it! Go!

Ow! Oh, God!

Everything's good?

Yeah, no, that was, uh, super helpful.

Yeah, no, nice room.

Get it to myself.

Yeah, that's what they said.

Yeah, no, good group of guys.

Got along.

Getting along. Yeah, we're getting along.

Yeah, no, I think I'll, uh, I think I'll stay for a while.

No, not yet. Still looking.

Yeah, not in an employee's market.

I'm sure that's what it is.

Hey, look, um, I'm actually running out of gate money.

I was wondering if there was any way I could get some more,

if there was a program or something.

I...

What do you mean?

I'm staying at the halfway house like you told me.

They called you?

Okay, look, they started it.

Yes, there was an incident.

I told them to back off. I...

And I... Yes, of course there was fire.

You know the therapy doesn't help.

Okay, and... No, it's not just a matter of time.

I've been at this over a decade,

and I am still not even...

They told me if I left, they wouldn't press charges.

Okay, okay.

Yes, I'll figure it out.

Hi, just a room for the night.

Well, that'll be 33.

I've got, uh, 30, 32... 79.

You'll need $33.

I'll sweep the floors.

Hold on.

The lobby, the two hallways, and then room five.

Great. Great, thanks.

Hello.

So, you don't have any barista-ing experience,

but that's fine. We can train you.

Great.

And you have a really good look too.

Like, like a little grungy, kind of gritty, kind of punk.

You know, you'll match the vibe really well.

Yeah, that's, no, that's what I was going for.

Yeah, but you're not trying.

You know, like that's, that's why it works.

- Right. - Yeah.

We're the only beacon of personality in this hick town,

so we can use all the help we can get.

So it says on your application

your only reference is an Officer Shanti, Shanti?

- Shanti. - Shanti Tyson.

Is that like, like police?

Are you at all associated with the police force?

Well...

Not like, no, not like, yeah, no.

Cool. Cool, no, I didn't think so.

I didn't think so at all.

The total opposite, actually. I was incarcerated.

Oh.

Oh?

No, sorry, um...

It's fine. It's fine. Uh...

Do you just mind telling me, like, what for?

Arson. 12 years.

Okay.

Look, I'm not gonna...

That's not gonna be a problem, is it?

No. No. It's... it's, like, so fine.

So fine. Um...

You know, like obviously we, we think the prison system

is like, ugh, you know, but the position is,

like, a little more managerial, so we're probably gonna

have to go with someone with a little more experience.

What happened to training me?

I just think like for me, like that's

the direction we're gonna go.

For you? What about for me?

I just, um, look, obviously we stand with you in solidarity.

Solidar... What does that mean?

I mean, I thought I wasn't getting

the job because I wasn't managerial.

That's part of it. Yeah, that is part of it.

Why do I have to be managerial to pour coffee?

Sir, I don't want to upset you in any way.

Look, I'm not...

Never mind. Have a good day.

Long time no see, Kay.

Oh, shit.

Well, that's a hell of a start.

But you've done worse.

Arthur.

Mind if I share the alley?

Free country.

Speaking of which,

how's life been treating you on the outside?

Uh, couldn't tell you yet.

I'm not sure why you'd care, though.

Last time I checked, you stopped writing.

Well, you never responded, so after a while,

I was just wasting stamps.

You look good.

Oh, he's a comedian now.

Fine, you look terrible.

What do you want?

Mom was asking about you.

Why is Mom not here?

What's this about?

Specter's at it again.

He burned down a barn a few days ago.

And you think I helped him?

No, actually, Kay, I need you to help me.

Wow. Wow.

Haven't spoken in years,

and the first thing you do is ask a favor?

- Just hear me out. - Why?

I need you, Kay.

Throw on your siren. Do it yourself.

Got your little badge now, yeah?

Yeah, so you did read my letters.

It's sheriff now, actually.

Where's your gun?

And your horse.

I don't want to scare Specter.

I know he's gone off somewhere in the mountains,

but I don't know where, so just was thinking

you could point me in the right direction.

You should have been the comedian.

Wish I had the chance.

You weren't released for good behavior.

Obviously.

You know, I bet there were a few guards

in there who weren't your biggest fans.

Those guards tell their superiors,

who tell the feds, who tell me.

Suddenly, you got a lot of eyes on your back.

What are you getting at?

Specter goes on another spree.

Guess who gets pulled back

- in for questioning? - Arthur?

Guess whose parole is in jeopardy?

Guess who shares a history of serial arson,

was arrested with the culprit previously,

and has plenty of shared motivation

for scorching the town that betrayed him?

Are you threatening me?

Careful.

I'm offering you an alibi.

Accompany me until we catch Specter, or he strikes again.

You're in the clear either way.

Look, I'm sure there's a lot of people who would

love nothing more than to see you sitting

on the sad side of their desk.

I'm saving you a lot of headache.

I've learned to deal with the headache after 12 years.

Then I'm offering you a second chance.

Help me put this to rest.

We catch Specter, he goes away for life.

And you get a new one.

Come on, Kay. I see your bag.

I know you don't have a job or a... a home.

Do this for me, and I can help you get back on your feet.

I could pull some strings and you could be looking at

35 an hour with benefits, just like that.

Arthur, despite what you think, I'm doing fine.

It may not look it, but I am.

And you should know most of all that looks can be deceiving,

because after all, you look like a cop,

but in reality, you're a sniveling little weasel

with a gold star that can get fucked.

Me or the star?

You with your star.

Come on.