The Time Being

There is a part of me that feels a man has got to just do

a thing that wakes him up in the middle of the night.

Things that he can't live without.

Can't survive without.

Good morning, Daddy.

You wanna see what I'm working on? Mm-hmm.

Oy.

What if it's just me and you, you gonna buy a painting?

Daniel, I love you, you know.

I know.

What do you think? I think it's incredible.

Olivia. Hi.

Hey, buddy. Hi.

I got to steal him for a sec. All right.

Okay.

This is the artist. Daniel.

Hello. Henry.

Nice to meet you.

And this is my lovely wife Olivia and my son Marco.

Tell me about your work.

Are you trying to recreate still lifes?

Let's go see the lights, Mommy.

Not really.

How long does it take you to paint one of these?

Um, how long does it take me to mix the paint and put it on the canvas

or how long does it take for the idea to develop?

How long does it take you to paint a painting?

A month.

Really? A month.

Depending on the size of the canvas, yeah.

Of course.

Well, have you thought about painting anything else?

Let me find Eric for you.

You okay?

I don't see any green dots, Eric.

I really need these to move.

It's opening night, all right. You've got 30 more days.

Besides, Apples to Pit sold.

That's something. Where is he?

I talked to him on the phone.

He wants to talk to you.

He wants you to deliver the paintings personally.

Do you think it's to commission new work?

Mm, that's the idea.

I'm gonna go see that guy about the commission.

You deserve it.

Hello.

I'm looking for...

Warner Dax.

I'm going to the pharmacy now and then do some shopping.

You're stopping at the pharmacy, right?

Life is a lot less complicated when you can't hear women.

Are you comfortable?

No, please. Sit down.

How's your family?

They are fine. How do you know about my family?

I read it in your artist bio.

Do they support you?

I thought you wanted to see more work.

A family that supports you. That's grand.

I'm very lucky.

Artists don't have families.

You paint from photographs, don't you?

They're my photographs and I refer to them while I paint.

I would like to see something.

I would like you to film it for me.

Anjelica has a video camera. She'll give it to you.

Okay.

Film the sunrise.

I would like to see the ocean and the sky in one frame.

No land, no beach.

I'm a painter.

Well, then I'd better offer this to someone else.

Perhaps someone who

has the good sense to see an opportunity

when it is presented to them.

One thousand dollars.

Two thousand.

If I intended to pay that much, I would have offered it to you.

All right. Good.

You want me to... I want you to do exactly what I ask

and if you do it well, perhaps I'll have something else for you.

How long do you want it?

As I said, the sunrise.

Film it on Tuesday morning

and then bring it here Wednesday evening, about 8:00.

Don't make any copies.

The sun will be rising and setting somewhere

every second for the rest of your son's life.

What's his name?

Marco.

Do you spend much time with him?

As much as I can.

You have children?

You mean, do I have someone to leave my money to?

This is not bad.

I can create a painting using these images,

or you could commission me to paint something else.

So you are quite happy to whore yourself out and paint anything anybody wants?

Look, do you want me to paint something for you?

What do you wanna paint?

I don't understand you.

You asked me here.

I want you to film something else for me.

What?

I'd like to see children.

Children? Yes.

I'd like to see children playing on a jungle gym.

You know the park at the end of Venice Beach near Windward Street?

I want you to go there. Around 4:00 tomorrow.

No, go at 4:00 exactly.

All right, look, I don't know what you're into, but...

I just told you I want to see children at play

and you accuse me of being some kind of deviant.

Is there anything else you'd like to say to me

or would you just like to leave now?

I work tomorrow, I can do it Friday.

Don't you think a man has to do whatever he has to do

in order to support his family?

I'll give you $2,000.

Bring the footage exactly 5:00 on Friday.

Would you give me the card in there, please

I found a huge one.

You did?

You wanna pick it? Yeah.

These are growing in really well.

Did you film what I asked?

Yes, wanna see it?

Sit down.

Have you told your wife that you're working for me?

Of course, she's my wife. I share everything with her.

Oh, really, everything? Yes.

Well, if you tell anybody else, these meetings are over.

What do you do for a living?

That's a very American way to qualify a person's value.

I was in commodities.

Does it make any difference?

I'm very tired today. Why don't you show me what you filmed?

Come on, come on.

Would you ask Anjelica please to bring me some water?

You'll find her standing by the door.

Warner would like... What is this?

Can't you even take a fucking direction?

I told you the jungle gym.

I thought the other kids were more interesting.

I don't recall asking you

what you think is interesting.

Look... In fact, I'm sure I asked you

not to think at all.

This is a waste of my time.

Get out.

Hey, I'm trying here.

I skipped work, so that I could get that for you

and I expect to get paid.

You do your job properly,

you get paid.

Get out.

I thought we were cutting back on him watching TV?

In a perfect world, we would be.

TV is saving my life right now.

Hey, that commission...

From Warner... It's gonna come through.

I've been thinking I could focus on my gardening.

Build a business of edible gardens.

I met this couple at the co-op last week.

They're gonna come by and check out our garden.

I'm gonna build one for them.

You gotta stop worrying.

You know?

Look...

I don't want you to dismiss me and my work as worrying.

It's gonna work out.

I'm fucking exhausted, Daniel.

Come on, swing with me.

There's skid marks on that underwear.

Warner...

I'll do things the way you ask from now on.

You want me to film the children again? No.

I'd like you to film the new exhibit

at the de Young in San Francisco.

It's on the second floor. I want to see the whole room.

All the paintings, when a tour is going through.

Okay.

If I have to go to San Francisco...

I want an advance. Oh.

Really? Yes.

I'll pay you $2,000 for the new footage.

I'd like you to shoot it on Saturday afternoon

and bring it to me Sunday morning, 11:00 a.m.

Anjelica will give you half the money now.

Go find her in the kitchen.

Saturday?

You said you would do things my way.

Okay.

Hey, Anjelica.

Where are you from?

Argentina. Ah.

I love your country.

The warmest people I ever met.

How long have you worked here?