Here Awhile

Hey.

I know I should've called.

Hey, Michael, I'm really... I... I'm sorry. I...

- Thirsty? - Uh, no, I'm okay.

So...

- I just... - Thought I didn't give a shit?

- I don't know. - Yeah, you didn't know.

You sure didn't care. You just took off.

- Okay, I had no choice, okay. - Right.

- You know what, maybe I should just... - Again?

Really?

I'm really sorry, Michael.

Do you hate me?

A little.

- You look, um... - Like shit.

- Just tired. - Yeah.

Oh, well, you look really good.

God, you got all grown up and manly.

And you're a spitting image of dad.

You took after Mom, thank God.

Yeah, I guess I did.

How long has it been?

Way too long.

Yeah.

Can I try?

I saved all your stuff.

That was my favorite.

Okay. So, wait. How do you eat then?

Food carts.

- You don't cook like anything? - Nope.

- Nothing? - Nothing.

Wow.

Okay.

I'm gonna help you organize.

This I gotta see.

So...

Where'd you go when Dad, um...

Threw your abomination lesbian sister out?

- God, what an asshole. - Yeah.

So after I left, I went down to San Francisco.

I actually lived on the streets for almost like two years.

On the streets? Like you were homeless?

Yeah, I guess.

- Whatever. - Jesus.

I called home a whole bunch of times.

- Really? - Yeah.

I called and Dad picked up,

and he just hung up every single time.

I didn't know.

What kind of parent does that?

So anyway, I started selling my art on the street,

and after a few months, I actually got into a gallery

and started making some money.

San Francisco, that ain't easy.

Yeah, go figure.

And then,

one day, I met someone

in the gallery.

She was just visiting from Salt Lake.

But we hooked up.

And I went back with her to Salt Lake,

and that's when I called you.

I remember.

It was so good to hear your voice that day.

I'm so sorry you had to deal with all shit with Dad by yourself.

So...

What's her name?

Luisa.

Nice.

And we're happy, you know.

And we live in a house that we actually own.

And I don't steal shit anymore.

Ta-da!

Why, Michael? Why?

Just be here.

Yeah, already. It's supposed to be right here. It's always here.

Like a puzzle every time.

Does it have to be?

Just...

Who are you?

Better question. Who are you and what are you doing in my brother's kitchen?

Gary. Next door.

Evans.

Michael's trusted technical advisor.

Okay. Cool. What are you looking for?

Sugar.

Sugar?

- Yes. - Why are you looking for sugar?

Michael keeps moving it around.

Oh. Why does he keep moving it around?

That...

Michael,

what happened?

Tommy?

What?

- Mrs. Johnson? - Yeah.

My name is Anna Miller and this is my little brother Michael,

and your son, Tommy, has been bullying him.

He beats him up for no reason at all.

Get your kid under control, got it?

He touches you again, I'm gonna beat the crap out of that little shit.

Come on, come on, come on.

Hey.

Yeah, I'm okay.

I am. Sort of.

Yeah, yeah, I just got back.

Same thing as the doc said in Salt Lake.

Yeah. Yeah.

I'm gonna tell him when he, uh, gets home.

I miss you.

When are you gonna come?

No, that's great.

Oh, no, no, no. That's fine. We can just talk about it later.

I love you.

Okay, bye.

Hey.

You okay?

Um...

Not really.

What's the matter?

Can I talk to you?

What's up?

Um...

Do you... Do you want a drink?

No, thanks.

I'm...

I'm sick.

It's something serious?

I... I have cancer.

It, um...

It started last year.

And then it just spread all over the place.

My... My liver,

my lungs, and inside of my belly.

So did you have surgery or chemo?

It's inoperable.

But yeah, I did. I had a few rounds of chemo hell.

It just, uh, it got a lot worse.

I'm so sorry, Michael.

I've been a useless big sister.

I know.

What am I supposed to say?

I mean,

if this wasn't happening, would you even be here?

So...

- Dad? - He died last year.

63, early Alzheimer's.

Too much booze and bad genes, I guess.

He almost burned the house down a couple times.

So I got him into a place, a memory care.

Couldn't even recognize me for the last year.

Sounds like you've had a rough few years yourself.

At times.

- So where is he? - Oh, yeah, this way.

What a sorry mess he was.

Oh, hey. What is all that?

- Just stuff from house. - Really?

Oh, wow.

- Can I, uh... - Sure. Knock yourself out.

Yeah, maybe tomorrow.

Yeah. Let me know if you find any treasure I might've missed.

- Anna? - Yeah.

I'm okay. I'll be out in a bit.

- You're going in the bedroom. - No, Michael. I'm fine on the couch.

No, you're not. End of story.

Sips.

Cola?

It's good for nausea.

Gary's aunt told me.

Okay, where is it this time?

And where is Michael?

Uh, which question would you like for me to answer first?

Why are you being so complicated?

So, Anna, it appears you've now met Gary for the second time, I guess.

Yes, Gary-next door-Evans.

- You've met my sister, Anna. - Yes, also, for the second time.

And she obviously is quite the smarty pants.

Gary, nobody says smarty pants any more.

- My aunt does. - Oh, right, your aunt.

Of course, she's bringing it back.

Hey, Gary, wait up.

So, uh, what do you do?

I work on AI at Face Check.

- AI? - Artificial Intelligence.

Really? As opposed to, like, real intelligence.

Facial feature recognition analysis.

Your face can reveal some very interesting information about you.

Really? Like what?

- You want to see a demo? - I don't think that's a good idea.

No, come on. Why not?

Okay. Okay.

Okay, don't move.

Okay.

Okay, just hold still.

Okay.

- Okay, ready? - Mm-hmm.

- Right there. Don't move. - Oh, my God.

- Okay, there's two more coming. - OK, thank you.

- Okay, there's one more coming. - Okay.

No moving.