Wonder Man

Why are we going through all this again? I had my trial. I went to jail.

And never finished your sentence. You have two options.

You go back to prison or you do a little work

for the Department of Damage...

Two. Option two, thanks.

Do you think you can get close to him?

Hey, isn't that for American Horror Story?

Sorry. Day players don't get golf carts.

The show runner just called.

He's cutting your character from the show.

I want you to wear this.

Find his computer and place this right on top,

and I'll handle the rest remotely.

I shouldn't have left them alone. I knew I shouldn't have left them alone.

It's just so hard since their father passed.

I can't be everywhere at once.

Take a deep breath for me, and blow out hard and fast.

You're sure he was inside when the fire broke out?

He was in the room where it started.

The firefighter had to break into the kitchen to get him.

I called 911 as soon as I smelled smoke.

What is it?

- - It's okay. Just wait.

Mrs. Williams, your son shows no signs of smoke inhalation.

He's got no cough, no burns.

Not even skin irritation.

I don't think I've seen a healthier 13-year-old in my life.

- So, it's all okay? - It's great.

We could do a chest x-ray, but I really don't think that's necessary.

Oh, thank goodness!

But you should be more careful when using the stove on your own.

It was the stove, right?

Yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you!

Supernatural threats.

That's our simple directive.

Protect this country from supernatural threats.

We've got the men, and women.

The resources.

And an incredibly expensive, state-of-the-art, high-security prison.

We have everything we need to do an essential job for our nation.

There's just one problem. Do you know what the problem is?

Our prison is half-empty.

Half-empty!

And the Congressional Budget Office is up our ass,

looking at every nickel and dime we're costing the taxpayer.

We're facing significant budget cuts at every office,

20% or more, here in Los Angeles.

Every single person here is gonna need to look carefully

at what you're contributing.

There are so many self-tapes.

I'd say.

Here's what we know. We have the police reports

of the kitchen fire when Simon was 13.

We have last year's port-o-potty explosion on the set of The Rookie.

And thanks to you and Simon's hard drive,

we can place him at the scene.

- It's almost enough. - And you're sure he's dangerous?

For what it's worth, he seems like a sensitive soul to me.

- I'll put that in the file, Trevor. - Just saying.

- Simon's mother's birthday is tomorrow. - Oh.

He's going to her party in Pacoima.

I want you there, and I want you wearing a wire.

Do some digging with the family about the fire.

Get me something I can use.

This feels like we might be crossing a line.

Well, if you don't, you're going back to prison.

- Wait, that wasn't the deal. - Well, it is now.

You're going soft, and I don't have any time to waste.

Get me something I can use, or we're done.

Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Williams.

Well, if Von Kovak is still watchin' tapes,

then maybe a little phone call to remind him...

Mmm-mmm. No, Simon, it's crazy here.

Do you know who we're about to sign? The Manning brothers.

And they come as a package deal.

We're playin' hot potato with Eli, and I don't wanna be left holdin'

- that dead weight. - Well, good luck. I'll just sit here

not thinking about how life-changing it'll be to hear back from Von Kovak.

If there is news, you know you'll be the first to know,

unless you call me again, in which case, I will never tell you.

- That's not funny. - Good, 'cause I wasn't tryin' to be funny.

You know, if they don't give you a callback, it means they're clowns

making a terrible movie you wouldn't want to be a part of anyway.

Yeah.

Besides, the work of an actor isn't getting jobs.

Your work is acting.

You can always find a way to act.

Yeah, you're right.

I have to stop waiting for permission.

If I don't get this part, I should

do somethin' on my own.

A short film, a play...

A play. Yes. "The play's the thing."

Theater, purest form of acting.

"Rumble thy bellyful!

"Spit, fire.

"Spout, rain.

"Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters!

"I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness.

"I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children!

"You owe me no subscription!"

"Then let fall your horrible pleasure!"

Not bad.

You know this one?

"Well, maybe it's like Casey says,

"'Maybe a fella ain't got a soul of his own. Just

"'a little piece of a big soul.

"'One big soul that belongs to everybody."

"'Then..."

"'Then it don't matter."

"'I'll be all around, in the dark.

"'I'll be everywhere.

"'Wherever you can look.

"'Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there."

"'Wherever there's a cop beatin' up on a guy, I'll be there...'"

"On the page, it looked like nothing."

"The beginning, simple, almost comical."

"Just a pulse."

"Bassoons and basset horns, like a rusty squeeze box.

"But then, high above it, an oboe.

"Just a single note hanging there, unwavering,

"until a clarinet took over and sweetened it"

"to a phrase of such delight."

"This was no composition by a performing monkey.

"This was a music I'd never heard before."

"Filled with such longing,"

"such unfulfillable longing,

"it had me trembling."

"It seemed to me that I was hearing the voice of God."

- Sorry. - Oh, please.

Well done, by the way.

Thanks.

Oh, I gotta go.

I'm supposed to be in Pacoima for my mom's birthday later.

A birthday celebration in Pacoima? How exciting!

You think that sounds exciting?

Well, I've never been to Pacoima before.

I grew up there, and I promise you haven't missed anything.

It's basically Cleveland with palm trees.

Well, I've never been to Cleveland either. Do you mind if I tag along?

Uh...

Would be nice to have a buffer.

It's gonna be just a bunch of aunties

and cousins sharing war stories of growing up Haitian.

I've always been an exceptional buffer.

Good.

Uh, look, my family doesn't know I got fired from American Horror Story.

- Oh. - So... let's keep that between us.

As Belinda Carlisle famously sang, "Our lips are sealed."

- Hey. -

Hey. Happy birthday, Mummi.

Sorry I'm late.

Oh, you're right on time.

Mummi, this is Trevor, my industry friend.

It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. Williams.

Oh, it's so nice to meet one of Simon's work friends.

Ooh! And I love your fashion style.

I hope you don't mind me intruding on your party.

Ah, no problem. Friends are always welcome here.

My son, Eric, just had my kitchen renovated for my birthday.

Oh!

You'll never believe the transformation.

He never saw it before, Mummi.

You'll be able to tell.

I've been telling everyone about your American Horror Story movie.

It's not a movie, Mummi, it's television.

But it's a big show!

Everyone at church is so excited you're gonna be on YouTube!

Anything streaming is on "YouTube."

So, this is where Simon grew up?

Simon was born right in this house.

I wasn't born in the house.

Well, he knows what I mean.

Eric! Your brother is here!

[mellow music playing, Lakou Mizik "Tanbou'n Frape"]

Hey.

Was traffic bad?

It was normal.

Did you bring the whipped cream?

Oh!

- I can go out. - I asked you to do one thing, man.

Who needs whipped cream when we are having cake?

- Thank you. - Absolutely. Cake should stand alone.

Why do you look familiar?