The Shade

Don't run past those crates.

Hold on.

- Here, let me see. - Stop, hold on.

I'm just saying, kill these guys and go back.

There's good shit in there, like rubies and, health, and shit.

What do rubies do?

- They're money. - Dude, stop, go back.

Okay, I'm going.

All right Ryan, it's 7:30,

you got to be out the door in five.

Are you freaking kidding me?

Do you think other fourth graders are showing up

to school, smelling like weed?

Mom, it's fine, I have an aftershave.

No, listen, put it out right now.

You go get your backpack.

okay, your lunch should be in the fridge.

His lunch is in his backpack, which is next to the door.

So you saw my note last night?

I did.

Okay.

Your brother's coming home today.

I got the notes.

And you haven't heard from him?

He hasn't like, texted you or anything?

Nope.

Wow.

Thank you for this lovely chat, Ryan.

It's been an absolute pleasure conversing with you.

Hey, put that out.

Why haven't you put it out yet?

- This? - Yeah.

I haven't even passed it yet.

Ryan, no.

Hey, Ryan, I swear to god.

Just kidding, he already took a puff.

He's got a one-puff policy on school days.

Oh my god, I am late for work.

You're going to be late to school if you don't leave

in three minutes.

Turn off the video game, turn it off.

- Love you mom. - All right, love you.

Three minutes.

All right dude, time's up.

Princess is going to have to wait.

What are you skipping today? Come on, let's go.

Is Jason okay?

What do you mean?

Why is he coming back if school's not over yet?

I guess he doesn't like the college

that he's going to anymore.

Well, that's shitty.

Oh, big Jamie with the sailor mouth!

Where the fuck did you learn to talk like that?

Come on, up, up.

Get your ass moving, I'm going to be late.

All right.

And don't you ever pass those fucking crates again.

There she is.

Mi reina!

Shut the fuck up.

Nerd.

Good morning to me.

Good morning to you.

How'd you sleep?

Like shit.

More nightmares?

I don't know.

I just can't stay asleep.

Baby, you got to be better about taking your meds.

Here we go.

I take them every day, Alex, every morning.

You don't. You do not, don't even try.

Listen, I love you, but you're full of shit.

I would take them if they worked.

No, you are, you're full of shit.

Is Jason still coming home today?

That's what Renee says, so it must be true.

Is it you asking, or Quinn?

First of all, you need to give your mom a break.

-Give her a break? -Yeah.

Where's my break at?

I'm like a fucking indentured sandwich artist.

And you already know I was going to ask, so why are you

going to make me say it?

-Jesus Christ, she's obsessed. -No she's not, stop.

She is. You know she is.

Are you serious right now?

Don't be ridiculous.

Now she's looking over here.

Why does she look like a serial killer?

-Did you see that? -Be nice.

What do you mean?

Terrifying, she means me harm, I'm telling you that right now.

Ow! Ow!

-Ow, DV, this is DV right here! -I'll show you DV!

Harari tells us that shared mythology, our penchant

for collective storytelling is a big part of why our species

was able to organize on a scale necessary to achieve dominion

over much of nature.

Which is a big deal, right?

We possess the ability to create complex fictions,

such as what happens when we die,

or why I didn't turn in my assignment?

Not only do we make up these fictions, we also believe them.

We live our lives according to them.

Think of most of the major religious texts

that still govern the beliefs of people all over the world.

What's the one thing they have in common?

That many of them are narrative-based.

They're collections of stories, Mr. Silva.

Are you not down with shared mythology, bro?

Nah, Mrs. B, I am super-down, and I get it.

We all believe our own bullshit, it's fascinating.

Close enough.

I just want you to remember, though, I'm on this shit.

I read this chapter twice.

I could literally teach this class right now.

That's a disturbing thought, but thank you

for your enthusiasm.

Moving on.

Wow, bro.

You left me hanging out to dry in there.

I don't know, man, I think you did great.

Hey, did you get my text or not?

Yes, I did.

Well, then why the fuck didn't you answer it for?

-Yes, we're good for tomorrow. -Nice.

Hey, Alex told me Jason's coming home from school early.

He fucked up or what?

Swear to god, Nicholas, if one more person asks me that.

Well, excuse me for asking you a question, god damn.

You're excused, I'll text you later.

Bro, you're not even going to answer me?

I got to put in a couple of hours at the shop

before James gets out.

Hey, are you working tonight?

Yo, text me right now.

Rude.

Headed to lunch.

Set my shit up.

That's sick, looks super clean.

Thanks.

What are you going to line it with?

Probably a three-round, maybe a nine.

Bro, who the fuck showed you how to set up a station?

That the shit they teach you in art school?

I don't go to art school.

Well, you look like you do.

Fuckin' bozo.

Come on.

I'm coming, I'm coming.

Hey, is Alex coming over?

I got work tonight, buddy.

She's coming over tomorrow.

Oh, okay.

Oh, okay.

Don't worry, she misses you too.

It must be that aftershave.

That's not funny, come on.

I smell like an old man.

It's a classic musk, it says so right on the bottle.

I smell like an old...

Stop, stop, stop, stop.

all right grandpa, whatever you say.

Shoes by the door, coat on the rack.

Yep, I know.

Yeah, you know, but you never do it.

Hey man.

Welcome home.

I was just about to say that to you.

Thanks.

Yeah, mom told me you were coming back.

Jamie, you going to give your big brother a hug, or what?

Yeah.

How're you doing, man. The accident himself, huh?

What's up, what've you been up to?

Just school, you know.

School, okay sounds like a lot of fun.

Speaking of school, you got to start your homework, buddy.

Mom wants it done before dinner.

I know, you already told me that in the car.

I know, well, I'm telling you again.

If you get it done now, you can play video games after you eat.

Oh, he's a gamer, huh?

Reigning champ of the family right here you know.

Really?

Undisputed.

Want to play later?

Yeah, I might be able to make that happen.

But you better go start that homework, okay?

Yeah, I'll do it fast.

Just make sure you do it right.

Anyway, I didn't see your truck outside,

so I figured you weren't home yet.

Yeah, I parked in the garage.

Didn't really want to be in anyone's way.

Dude, you're fine.

You can park anywhere you like.

So what's up? How are you?