Dead Awake

O 'Rourke, Dylan. Age, 28.

Cause of death?

High speed car crash.

Very romantic, very sensational.

Very James Dean.

Here how I keep track of time, Dylan.

Every October 16th, I find you here.

Ten years of clockwork.

What do you want with me, detective?

I'm just looking out for you.

It still doesn't make sense.

Her ring was missing.

She never took that ring off. The-the cabby--

There's a lot of illegal cabs out there, Dylan.

We've gone over all this.

It was an accident.

It was no accident.

I need to find out what really happened.

Go home.

Denial's the first stage.

Elvis. Take that guy.

Some people actually believe he still exists.

Yeah, denial. Christ, I can't believe Elvis is dead.

Then depression. Shit, Elvis is dead.

What am I gonna do? I can't eat. I can't sleep.

And then anger.

Why?

Why did he have to die?

And finally, acceptance.

All right. It makes sense. It's all God's will.

The king is dead. Rest his soul.

Do you know what I'm saying, Mr. Stark?

You know, your family and friends

probably just can't accept the fact that you're dead.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Frank Sinatra was a no show at Dean Martin's funeral.

Can't get much closer than the Rat Pack.

I think it's time to call it, lad.

Just five more minutes.

For Jesus sake, Dylan, no visitors are comin'.

Bastards are probably already out spending his money.

Tomorrow'll be a big turnout though.

Young kid's about your age.

Actually, he's a year younger.

You knew him?

He was the quarterback on my high school football team.

We hooked up for 27 touchdowns one senior year.

So you'll see all your old friends tomorrow.

I-I haven't seen any of them in a long time.

All the more reason to catch up.

You ever fantasize about,

you know, watching your own funeral?

Of course. Doesn't everybody?

My father always said you can only really tell a man's character

by who shows up at his funeral.

That's a little late by that point.

One of life's great fucking ironies.

But Dylan, if you've got to wait 'til your funeral to find out what makes you tick,

my heart aches for you.

Rest in peace.

Would you like some tea, Dylan?

Tea? For Jesus, Liz! He'll have a shot of whiskey.

No. I-I don't drink.

Better you than me.

Liz, I'm going to decorate the inside of me glass.

You give the fucking insomniac a tall tumbler of warm milk.

Is your family in the city?

I don't talk to them anymore.

Uh. Liz, he never puts that bloody thing down.

It's a sentimental thing.

The yo-yo almost always comes back to you.

Reminds me of the mistakes I've made.

Mistakes. We all make mistakes.

There's a difference in mistakes and regrets.

Oh.

Decko gave me that.

The hands are for friendship, the heart is for love,

and the crown is for loyalty.

Someone close to me had the same ring.

And if the heart is pointed inward, it means your heart is taken.

Shite. They'd better go get me Viagra.

I like him. Don't get me wrong. It's just that--

This genetic Viagra is full of shite.

I can't quite figure him out.

Oh, Liz. He's just a lad, that's all, who needs some guidance.

Don't feel sorry for him-

There are people who float through life wantin' to be alone.

It doesn't bother them that they don't affect anything or anyone.

Dylan probably feels sorry for us.

He doesn't have to be like others.

And, uh, so you guys've been together for a while,

but you guys didn't really like each other when you first met.

That's true. Yeah.

Freshman year, we met.

It kinda, we didn't hang out as much,

and, you know, that kinda changed probably--

Different friends and then--

And then we--remember that party we went to?

Yeah. That's when we probably started hanging out there.

Yeah, and then we made out that night.

So, what do you guys have planned after graduation?

We're going to college together.

Uh, so, keeping it alive, huh?

Yeah, forever. Forever.

Shit!

Forever.

Someone close to me had the same ring.

Dylan.

Dylan-

Please, open up.

I know you're in there.

Dylan, open the door.

Lei' me in.

I wanna help you through this.

I'm missing you-

Dylan! Dylan, open please.

Please.

What, are you nervous?

We'll take care of him.

Go on. It's all right.

Ew. Does he work here?

I thought he'd be a big shot lawyer or something by now. How pathetic.

Is that who I think he is? You gotta be kidding me.

I haven't seen him in years, man.

I thought he was dead.

Didn't he use to date Natalie Penner?

Natalie Penner. That's what fucked him up. Fucking chick, man.

His best friend, Steve.

Yeah. Don't you remember? Dylan and Natalie were together and then Steve,

than fucking rat snake. Yeah, he just sharked her.

And the yo-yo returns.

So, did you see some of your old pals?

Some of them.

Did you talk to any of them?

No.

Listen to me, son.

Here's your opportunity to rebuild some relationships.

Some of those relationships I'd just rather bury.

Hi!

Hi.

Are you two married?

No. Not yet.

So, when are you getting married?

In May.

Congrats. May what?

May, the day never come.

I'm just trying to get my career going.

I just don't really have much time for all that wedding type shit.

Now, don't get me wrong. She's a great girl. They just think what I'm thinking.

So, where are you working?

Wright and Price law firm. Trying to get partnership. There's some thick coin.

I, uh, couldn't believe when I heard about Shawn. It was just--

I don't know. It feels like yesterday he was--

When he was throwing touchdowns to Dylan?

Speaking of Dylan, does anyone know what he's been up to lately?

Dylan!

Steve. How are you?

Real good, man. Christ, it's, uh, been a long time.

Shit!

Oh.

Excuse me. You wouldn't happen to have an extra one, would you?

You look like you've seen a ghost.

Have two.

Thank you.

You--y-you work here?

Yeah, I do. And you?

I've made partner at Axler, Wright and Price law firm. Thick coin.

So, who's the ghost?

Old boyfriend.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

How long has it been since you've seen that poltergeist?

Ten years ago.

You make that sound like eternity.

Yeah, a lot's happened since then.

A lot of waiting?

A lot of waiting.

He's special.

He was special.

So, uh, this--

This, uh, you know, job get you laid?

What's that?

Excuse me. Dylan, there's a flower delivery out back. I could use your help.

See you, Steve.

Catch you later, Dylan.

Natalie.

Hi.

When did you start smoking?

Oh, ten years ago, but it seems like--

Like yesterday.

Yeah.

You know this is the seventh death from our class?

You'd think we'd run into these people at weddings,

but instead you get, "You're cordially invited to a funeral."

Are you still in med school? Did you finish?

No, I didn't start. I'm a nurse.

Nurse?

You've probably seen some of my patients. I'm really not that good yet.

You remember the finger I sprained during the Carson Heights game

and you, um, taped the wrong one?

I can't lift anything with this now.