The Playground

- Once upon a time I served a great king.

I served him like no other.

After many years of service to him,

by his grace and generosity,

he allowed me in the company of his highest court,

amongst his most devout.

You could say I was favored by him.

But the lands of his kingdom were not in peace.

It became filled with insubordination.

They became too smart for their own good

and tried to break free of the king's covenant.

And because he knew my love for him

and favored me above the others,

it was me he appointed to fix things.

Cleanse the land.

He was the most benevolent king

and I was his majesty's knight,

his loyal servant,

his willing slave.

Nothing and no one rivaled my love for him.

With all the power he entrusted to me,

I fought war upon war upon war

to restore balance to his kingdom.

And what happened next?

Everything was made right.

Cleanse?

Did you have to hurt anyone?

I'm afraid I had to.

Was the king happy?

Very.

He made me a guardian of his kingdom.

Once upon a time ago.

You don't look that old.

When did all of it happen?

- Well before you stumbled into this world.

I'm older than I look.

You seem sad.

I've never seen you before.

Are you from here?

No, I live near the water.

I'm here to check up on someone.

Friends.

- And then you're going back to where you live?

To the king?

Soon enough.

I haven't seen him for quite some time.

Why?

We had a disagreement.

You got in a fight?

No.

I could never fight him.

- Then why can't you go back to him?

- Well, sometimes when you're asked to do something

you can't do it.

Not out of disrespect,

but out of love.

I don't understand.

Have you ever lied

because you were afraid to upset someone?

A lot like the story of Jack and Jill.

Do you know that story?

Everyone knows that story.

Not the make-believe one.

I'm talking about the real story.

Would you like to hear it?

Jill, are you okay?

Jack, you gotta phone call!

This is Jack.

I know who it is!

Time's up Jack!

Jill, your nose is bleeding.

What?

Take this.

Oh my god.

Put your head back.

- You knew the terms. You signed it.

I don't have the money.

What about your new wife?

I hear she's doing better than you are.

You thought we fell asleep on you.

But that was his past.

You said that he treats you well.

I don't see what you're so worried about.

I don't know.

I can't place it.

There's something he's not telling me.

- You could start by going through his garbage,

seeing what he's spending his money on.

Guys aren't very good at keeping their receipts.

And then?

I don't know.

It could go in many different ways.

- You mean you don't know the rest?

I can only hope.

So it hasn't happened yet.

You're very clever.

Karin.

That's your name isn't it?

Yes.

- Do you love your mom more or your dad?

Is it your mom?

Why do you love her more?

Because she's in heaven.

I'm sorry to hear that.

And where is your father?

I only know what they told me.

And what was that?

- That he was so sad when mom died

that he got angry and went to jail.

Angry?

Angry at who?

God?

What if I told you god is a fairy tale?

Just like Santa Claus.

Just like you learned that Santa wasn't real,

you soon realize neither is...

God.

Tell me your other story.

- Have you heard the story of the king,

the beggar, and the priest?

- Melanie, can you check on our accountant?

Let him know if he's not here in the next two minutes,

he's going to have to calculate his own pay cut.

- Mr. Vaugn, we're losing money rapidly.

- That's not what you told me in February.

I gave you a prediction

based on the revenue that we made that month,

and that's because you rushed me to give it to you.

I had no idea we were going to lose

two major clients over a zoning issue

and neither did you.

- Look, I've promised myself and my wife

that I'm going to have this yacht for my birthday gift.

And I'm not holding off again for some...

How much are we paying Melanie?

Melanie?

Not nearly enough.

- Maybe we need someone a little more

appetizing for our clients.

- I don't know what's come over me.

Trust in the lord my child.

I love being with other men.

I get excited when my husband doesn't know.

I constantly fantasize about them

and I play scenarios in my head.

- With all due respect Mr. Vaugn,

I don't know how you're going to manage that.

Now there's no way around this, it's clear math.

Or, it will hinder productivity

but we can cut workers and salaries.

How many?

- So you seek other men because he ignores you?

No.

Because I like it.

I even fantasize about you, father,

every time I come here.

All the things that we could do inside these rooms.

I'm sorry.

I have to go.

Please forgive me.

God, the father of mercies,

through the death and resurrection of his son

has reconciled the world to himself...

And sent the holy spirit among us to forgive us of our sins.

That's it?

There has to be more.

There will be.

- I'm not sure I should be hearing these stories.

Karen, I'm leaving now.

It was a pleasure meeting you.

Give our conversation some thought.

You're a smart girl.

Perhaps too smart for your own good.

Maybe even for fairy tales.

Too smart for my own good?

Yes.

Like the people who broke the king's rules?

Karin!

Do you realize I almost called the police?!

Didn't you hear us shouting your name?!

What are you doing out here?!

I didn't want to stay inside.

Dasjia, please go tell Ms. Jacobs that we found her.

Karin, just because we are not your family

does not mean you can run off whenever you feel like it.

This is your home. Do you understand?

Let's go.

Who were you talking to?

Yourself, again.

Hey.

Haven't seen you in some time.

Must have got a new car or something.

You stopped visiting.

Not really, just a long day.

Long walk over.

Ouch.

Well, I guess I'll just have to screw with your car

to get you to come in more often.

See you around.

See ya.