Rental Family

Hey, Rick.

Hi. I made it.

Phillip.

The culprit is here.

We must capture him.

We must capture him.

That is our challenge.

How did you know?

Your face.

Yeah?

I hope you have a clean black suit.

Morning, Sonia.

I got you a gig today at 10:00 a.m. in Saitama.

I know it's kinda far, but can you make it?

Of course. What's the production?

They didn't give us too many details,

but pays pretty well.

-What's my role? -Sad American.

The fuck?

Guess that means no zombies.

Nope.

Anyway, you've got 15 minutes.

Until what?

The next guest will arrive. And he won't be getting up.

Nothing about that was fake.

Especially to Mr. Daito. The man in the box.

Well, what would you call it, then?

You know?

I might be able to use you for something

more than a sad American.

All right.

I knew you would come.

So what do you think we do?

You, if I have to guess

you, um

you sell people.

-No. -No.

We sell emotion.

Oh.

How?

We play roles in the clients' lives.

Thanks.

But you can't just,

you know, replace someone in your life.

Yes and no.

But people are willing to take a leap.

The actor, the surrogate.

You don't have to be that person.

You just have to help clients connect to what's missing.

-Like what? -Well,

could be anybody from their life.

Or a feeling they once had.

Parents, siblings, boyfriends, girlfriends, best friends.

We play it all.

Well, they could just get a therapist.

It's not that easy here.

Mental health issues are stigmatized in this country.

So people have to turn to other things.

Like us.

Well, what do you need me for?

We need a token white guy.

It's a niche market.

And I need someone to fill the role.

Just token white guy.

Um, I'm I'm just an actor.

I don't know how to help people.

But you know how to perform.

I've seen the résumé.

Look, what I'm offering here

is a chance to play roles with real meaning.

Thank you so much.

I really appreciate it. It was nice

Nice meeting you.

Eh?

Huh?

Nice to meet you.

-How you doing? -I like this commercial.

-Thanks. -How long ago was that?

Seven years?

That's what brought you to Japan, right?

Well, I'm sure you have plenty of acting gigs to go back to.

Or you can give this a try.

Because you are Canadian

and you got a job at home.

Here. Your name is Brian Callahan.

Okay.

Are you sure that I'm not too old for you?

No.

An older man feels a little more responsible.

How are your parents taking all of this?

Thank you for doing this for me.

Of course.

Can't she just leave her family?

She can't. She loves them.

What about the truth?

Well, sometimes the story

we tell ourselves becomes the truth.

To her parents, you are her husband.

Memorize everything in the folder.

Every word. Every detail.

-Okay? -Mm-hmm.

Okay.

Brian?

-Brian? -Shit.

Phillip?

What's going on?

Nothing. Just I need a moment.

How long's a moment?

A moment, you know? A moment.

We need you downstairs now.

Aiko, listen. I'm sorry. I can't go through with this.

Listen.

All you have to do is sip sake.

That's it.

No. It's It's a lie.

I'm messing with people's lives.

You cannot do this to me.

-Hey. -What are you doing?

This is not a lie.

It's an opportunity.

The parents get the memory they want.

The bride gets her freedom.

If you don't go through with this, you will ruin her life.

Do you understand?

Get out.

Phillip.

Come on!

Go. Go.

Welcome to our family, Brian.

That was a beautiful wedding.

Yes.

Nice room.

Very.

I got it.

Phillip?

Congratulations.

I got married today, Lola.

No, it was for work.

Well, it was

It was terrifying and exhilarating.

And I haven't felt something like that in a long time.

And I know that it was fake,

but there were moments that it felt real.

Already?

Hmm.

I give you ten more minutes.

It's your wedding night.

But if you wanna keep this job,

I need to know that you're committed moving forward.

No more hiding in bathrooms.

That won't happen again.

I am, I promise.

-Huh? -A father?

Later.

This girl needs a father

in order to transfer to a private school.

You can't be a single mother?

She's been denied once,

and her mother doesn't wanna risk it again.

Oh, I get it.

So I just play her dad for the interview?

Actually, no.

The mother thinks it'll be better

if her daughter believes you're her real father.

Why?

Well, she's been feeling down, lately.

And her mother's hoping that meeting her father

would give her the confidence she needs.

Also, the mother doesn't want her daughter

to have to pretend during the interview.

So, your relationship with her has to feel authentic.

Listen, I didn't grow up with a father,

so I don't really know how to be one.

Now is your chance.

How long is the commitment?

Well, you will meet with her regularly.

At least up till the test, which is in three weeks.

So, you need to get to know her right away.

What if she finds out?

She can't.

You have to trust yourself.

Hey.

Can you give me just five minutes?

Why?

Come on. Please.

Can I get you something to drink?

Nope.

You knew the situation.

You knew we were her last option,

and you still nearly backed out.

-But I didn't. -But you would have.

See, you're just a

You will never understand how things work here.

-You're right. -I am

But Japan is my home now. And I want to try to understand.

Why do you do this?

-What? -This job.

You're so passionate about it. Why?

It's the way these people look at you.

Like they've been waiting for you their whole lives.