One Mississippi

Where am I?

You're in the hospital.

You just had surgery.

Oh.

That's why it hurts so bad.

Hey, sugar.

Hi, Mom.

How'd everything go?

Did they get all the cancer?

It went just fine.

Sweetie, it went just fine.

Why'd you look at the nurse like that?

Oh, my God, I'm bleeding.

It's all right.

Don't worry, sugar, we're making it so you never

- have to see those scars. - But my arms.

Don't y'all feel like you're going too high?

It's all right.

Mom, what are you doing?

Mom, what are you doing? Stop.

I can't... I can't breathe. I can't breathe!

Hey, you know you don't have to wait, right?

Beg your pardon?

You can get a cup before it's done.

It's designed to stop dripping when you pull the pot out.

I prefer to let the machine complete its process.

Right.

Good morning, Bonkerz.

Hey, look what the cat dragged in.

Good morning, Bonkerz.

Like to have your breakfast? Come on.

Bill is the only person on the planet

that could get a cat on a schedule.

- It's true. - Hey...

Could I borrow your car tonight?

At like 3:00 A.M.?

For what?

I have to re-record my show

and that's the only time the local station could give me.

Why do you have to re-record it?

Apparently the file I sent to L.A.

was "unusable."

I guess the acoustics in the closet

weren't as good as I thought they were.

You're looking better this morning.

Perhaps my recent contribution

is already having the desired effect.

Bill's got some good shit, huh? Hmm?

Ugh, I hate my life.

Oh, I see.

You've made your way through most

of your mother's belongings.

I assume you'll be heading for Los Angeles soon.

Yeah.

Oh, God.

I need to start looking into flights today.

Well, then, this is perhaps

a perfect time to discuss your future.

- My future? - Tig,

like your mother, one day I will die.

And I feel that it is my duty...

He said "duty."

to make sure that you're not left

in a fragile financial position.

What is this?

That is a Roth Ira.

If I put in the maximum amount annually,

assuming that I live for at least ten years,

it should provide a comfortable retirement nest egg.

Wow.

Bill, that's really nice, but...

I'm good.

You're not good.

You have no pension, you have no property.

That's not true. I own a bicycle.

Your medical expenses ate up what little savings you have.

What if something should happen again?

I don't need your help.

You've given me enough. You've done your duty.

Very well.

You know, if you're, uh...

Looking to get rid of some cash, Bill,

I'm more than willing to take it off your hands.

Why would I give you money, Remy?

You have a steady job teaching,

your rent is well below market value.

That reminds me.

Your lease is up for renegotiating next week.

Already?

And I certainly hope you've gotten further along

with those improvements.

Oh, I'll get that.

What is it?

It's a package.

For Mom.

Well, that's not surprising.

She was a great one for impulse purchasing.

This is probably the last thing she ever bought.

Well, we probably shouldn't open it.

Hmm.

It's a shame they're too small,

'cause I could use some new bras.

But...

It was a joke.

I see.

Well, maybe you know someone who can use them.

I'm trying to think, do I know anybody with boobs?

Guess I'll just return 'em.

I think that would be best.

"Dalton Green"?

"Japonica Lane."

Oh, there you are.

Hey, um...

Do you know a Dalton Green?

No, why? Is that, like, an actor or something?

No.

Oh, uh...

Mick and Girlie are here.

- Why? - They brought a pig.

- A pet pig? - It's grief food.

Like a roasted pig.

It's supposed to make the sadness go away.

- Not for the pig. - True.

Do you think that

Mick wants to be close, now that Mom's dead?

I mean, a delicious pig, it's a good start.

That's true, it makes up for everything.

As I said to your brother,

I apologize for not coming over before now.

It's just been a little hard on me

since your mother passed.

Are we waiting on the pig?

Is this just appetizers?

Yeah, I think we're waiting on the pig.

Sorry.

I don't mean to cry.

It's okay.

So, how's everything, Tig?

Uh, everything in my... entire life, or...

Whatever you want to tell me.

Things are fine.

Yeah.

How are... how are you doing?

Well, Girlie and I

are working on opening a pizza place.

Really?

Yeah.

But not your traditional kind, no.

It'd be kind of a blend of our two cultures.

Instead of regular Italian toppings,

we'll be using Filipino spices

and meats and things.

It's pretty yummy.

- That's great. - Yeah.

Uh, Ding Dong even came up with the perfect name:

Girlie's Filipizza.

That's great.

We're in talk with a few investors,

and they are crazy about the idea.

Yeah, good luck with that.

Well, thank you, son.

Son?

Everything okay, Bill?

Bonkerz missed her 12:00 feed.

She's not in any of her usual hiding places.

I'm sure she's around someplace.

No, no.

She would've responded to the bell.

She must've gotten out

when you opened the door for the delivery man.

It was literally two seconds.

The guy handed me the package,

I shut the door.

There's no way she got out.

I can't believe he's blaming me.

I can't believe I'm gonna miss this game to go look for a cat.

Make 100... make 200 copies.

They've got a xerox machine at the library.

I know. I live here.

I think it's best if you post them where people gather.

At the, uh, bookstore,

coffee shops, kiosks.

At the school, supermarkets.

Yes, Bill, we're humans.

We know where people gather.

I'll be here in case Bonkerz returns.

You think that's the best photograph?

It conveys her physical attributes, but

maybe it would've been better to use one that

captures her unique personality.

I think it was best to go with the externals in this case.

Call me with any updates.

Okay.

I just phoned a few pals to organize

- a search posse. - Ah.

They should be here within the hour.

That... that will not be necessary.

No need to thank me.

Don't worry.

I go way back with these guys.