Two Cents From a Pariah

-Hey, God bless you, sir. -Yeah.

Yeah, this is Donovan.

I'm coming up. Be there in a minute.

TWO CENTS FROM A PARIAH

Thank you so much for coming. I'm sorry I'm like this.

No need to be sorry.

You're going through a very difficult time.

Losing a significant other can be an almost...

incomprehensible assault on the senses.

-You're so kind. -Just here to help.

I'm...

I'm inheriting a large amount of my husband's money.

When I signed the prenup three years ago

I actually felt good about it.

But it feels dirty now.

No one doubts you loved your husband,

Mrs. Daugherty.

You were by his side every step of the way.

You deserve...

everything that's coming to you.

I cheated on him.

The whole time I was with him.

There were so many other men.

Was he aware?

I don't think so.

We all make mistakes.

But when I found out he was sick,

and I asked the doctor how long...

I wasn't thinking about...

his pain.

Or what he must be feeling. I was thinking about...

how long it'd be until he'd be gone

and I could have his money.

How long until I could...

stop sneaking around.

My-- my daughter...

she's actually older than me. My step-daughter.

When she looks at me it's like she knows.

Everything.

Are you afraid she'll...

-Expose you in some way. -No.

I don't know. I...

Do you mind if I run to the bathroom?

No, of course.

-Thanks. I'll be right back. -Sure.

Sorry about that.

You must think I'm a sick person.

On the contrary...

what you're feeling is perfectly natural.

It'll pass.

The money.

You could choose to do great things with it.

For yourself, for others, charity.

You do what you think is right, and you'll...

you'll find you'll drive out the negativity.

Like...

an infection through the bloodstream.

You'll feel like a new person.

What about the past?

You do the right thing long enough...

you'll feel like the past was never there.

Trust me.

Alright, I have some calls to make

and a few errands, but...

-Here you are. -Oh, thank you.

So we'll speak again soon?

I'd like that.

Good morning, Mr. Strathmore.

Good morning.

-How are you today? -I'm well, thank you.

So what's on the docket for today?

It looks like you have a meeting with Paul Anderson.

And the McGuires would like to see you tomorrow

if that's alright.

I didn't know they were back from LA.

Yeah.

Paul Anderson.

He say anything specific?

Just that he'd like to see you at his office instead of home.

Okay.

Thank you for coming.

Of course, Paul. What can I do for you today?

Well, for starters..

you remember that NDA form I had you sign?

Of course.

Good.

Alright.

So...

A little while ago I hired a dominatrix.

Yeah.

You know, to shake things up a bit.

Nance doesn't know about her.

Obviously.

I do, and now you do.

And I'd like to keep it that way.

Anyway, it was great at first, I'll admit.

She's fun. Oh, is she fun.

She's a real mind fucker if you know what I mean.

But now I feel that it's started to get

into the deep end.

And I want to end it.

But I just can't seem to get free of her.

Are you feeling financially constrained

as a result of her continuing services?

No, I can afford it.

That's not the problem. It's more in my mind.

And, as I told you, Nance doesn't know.

But my wife...

she's far from stupid.

Paul, you're going to need to resist.

For the good of not only yourself,

but everyone around you.

You have got to stop this poison from spreading.

You're right, Donovan. You're right.

What a wonderful choice of words

because she is poison and you know what...

I love drinking her.

Getting fucking loaded on her. I mean look at me.

Look at me. I mean it's like...

I think she might be able to blackmail me.

Here's the deal.

Talk to her, Donovan, please.

because you're the only one that can fix this.

I will make it worth your while.

Name it.

I'll stand.

But you're shaking.

I'll get right to the point.

My client, Paul Anderson.

He wants to stop seeing you.

He's afraid if he does, you'll blackmail him.

I'm a professional.

I would never actually blackmail anyone.

He gets off on the idea of it, that's all.

He's free to go without any consequences at all.

But as long as he pays me for my services...

I'll give him my best.

Yeah?

You're saying he knows you wouldn't blackmail him.

Of course he does.

He's a rich man who has everything.

So he pays for the illusion of danger.

Getting close to what it'd feel like

to lose everything.

Without ever having to.

It's all a game.

That's a perverse way of making a living.

You're his life coach, right?

The one who fills him with all the religious fervor.

I try to lead him down the path of righteousness.

So do I.

As yourself this.

Are you here...

because you truly care about his wellbeing?

Or because he paid you to be here?

What fun you would be.

Yeah, Paul. Donovan here.

I called her, as you asked.

She's something, isn't she?

Yeah, listen Paul.

I think that you seriously need to tell your wife.

No, Donovan, no. I already told you

that's not in the cards.

She'd divorce me and take everything.

No, listen to me. Whatever you think you have,

what you're feeling with this woman, is not real.

It's a game.

Especially the danger.

Alright, now listen.

You could leave her in a minute

and there would be no repercussions, she told me.

-She said that? -Yeah, she did.

Listen, you...

You pay me for advice, right?

I think what you need to do is accept that you're an addict.

I think it's great you kept the place here in New York.

You two enjoying the break from the LA scene?

But it doesn't feel like a break anymore.

Brandon here just got offered the best payday of his career.

Leading role in a comedy.

And he wants to turn it down.

Can you believe that?

I've been going nonstop, alright?

I finally realized, after so many years

of being poor,

that I'm doing pretty good.

I want to take a break. Just some time off, you know.

Actually see my wife and kids.

Otherwise...

what's the point of all this work?

Well family is what matters most.

Exactly.

Why does it feel like you don't want to spend time

with me anymore?

Baby.

I want to be able to tell our kids...

that their father was the highest-grossing movie star

of all time.

Not that he squandered away his opportunities.

I mean what kind of example would that set for our kids?