The Ruse

That's your problem, not mine.

I am not a live-in.

96 hours without relief, Ed.

No.

I haven't slept in three days.

Hang on.

Who are you talking to?

No one.

Go back to sleep, Olivia.

I'd like some water.

Yes, ma'am.

Ed, I'm gonna leave, I swear.

I have a very bad feeling. I think I'm seeing things.

Maybe I'm hallucinating from lack of sleep.

I don't scare easily, but after yesterday?

You owe me triple time for this, Ed.

Fix it.

Yes, ma'am.

Hello?

Ed.

Oh, yeah, of course I am.

Thank you.

Oh, who's the nurse on call?

What?

She just-- Of course. Yeah, I understand.

What's the address?

Ed, I really appreciate this.

-That was the agency. -I figured.

They're bringing me back on.

-So, no more probation? -I hope.

The nurse on call just left the patient alone.

Overnights?

I need this.

It's a second chance.

Where am I?

- -

Don't. Sorry. She's sleeping.

-You Dale? -Yes.

Please come in. I'm Tom, by the way.

My name should be on your list to call

in case of an emergency.

Looks like her, uh-- Her last aide just took off.

Afraid so. Sorry to inconvenience you.

Oh, no, not at all.

You know, I've been helping out since her, um...

her husband passed away a few years ago.

Uh-- Did you have any trouble finding the place?

-Not really. -Okay. This way.

She was asleep when I got here.

Just don't know how long she's been alone.

Okay. That usually works.

Oh, she has emphysema.

She has trouble breathing on her own.

Yeah, I read her chart.

Must be a clog in the line somewhere or something.

You're standing on her oxygen tube.

Oh, shit. I should be going.

I was calling you. Where have you been?

No, Olivia, um, this is your new nurse, Dale.

Well, you're not supposed to leave me alone.

Tracy's no longer here, Mrs. Stone.

I'm Dale, I'm gonna be taking care of you now.

I had a puppy named Dale. She was a beautiful dog.

I'd whistle and call her name and she'd come running.

Well, you look like you have everything under control.

I'm gonna leave you two.

-Um, thank you-- -Tom.

I'll be right up the road if you need me.

Can I get you anything, Mrs. Stone?

Oh, call me Olivia.

Olivia.

Some water, please.

Mm.

Oh, oh, uh, no.

Use this mug.

How many times have I told you not to touch my things?

I'm sorry.

I am a creature of habit.

She chase another one away?

Guess so.

-What's your name? -Dale. What's yours?

I'll give you three days, tops.

-For what? -Maybe less.

You look like you might crack.

-Oh, I do, huh? -They tell you?

Did who tell me what?

The house is haunted.

I've seen it.

-Seen what? -The ghost.

Why do you think Tracy left?

I'm not afraid.

Penny?

You didn't finish your lunch.

I hate tuna fish.

Okay, well, we gotta go home. Let's go.

-I'm talking to Dale. -Well, Dale is busy.

We need to leave Dale alone.

Nice knowing you.

Sorry.

Your daughter?

Yeah, yeah, she's cute. But be careful.

She likes getting into a lot of mischief.

Something wrong with your right hand?

Oh, yeah. Old problem.

How do you know I'm right-handed?

Oh, years of conducting an orchestra.

Becomes second nature to notice these things.

OCD. No shit.

Can I get you anything?

Take your pills.

It's important that you stay on schedule with those.

I spent my life telling others what to do.

I pointed, they complied.

People shuddered in my presence.

Applause thundered with the wave of my hand.

It was an honor to play for me.

Sought after by the most elite talent in the world.

And I had to work twice as hard because I'm a woman.

This is my house. I paid for it. I earned it.

So you will excuse me if I demand a little respect

and courtesy in my own home.

My apologies. I'm sorry. Uh...

Please, take your pills.

Mm.

-It's nice, isn't it? -Hmm?

The view.

Oh, yeah. Very.

I always loved it here.

I sold all the others, I wanted to die here.

Sit. Sit.

No!

No, not in that chair. That's Albert's chair.

I'm sorry. Uh, who's Albert?

Uh, my husband.

I used to go and visit him,

but, um, I can't get around like I used to.

So now he comes and visits me.

Hmm. He says it's my time.

He's getting very impatient.

Heh. He says, "Olivia, the concert's over.

The lights have come up."

He has a very dark sense of humor.

-I've forgotten your name. -Dale.

Dale. Dale. Heh.

Heh. They say you can tell the depth of a person

by how many syllables are in their name.

Olivia has four, so it takes a while to get to know me.

Dale. Simple, plain.

Yeah, that's me. Simple.

What you see is what you get.

- -Who's that?

Oh, I just ordered some groceries.

In the study, there's cash in the drawer.

-Wow, that was fast. -Where's Tracy?

I'm the new nurse, Dale. -Jacob.

Oh, yeah. Um, it's $83.25.

And there's some assorted chocolates in there.

That's Tracy's favorite.

Um... Is, uh, she coming back?

I doubt it.

Oh.

Oh, yeah, Tracy let me keep it.

UH, old lady's loaded. Said she keeps wads of cash in a drawer.

I don't know anything about that.

Right.

-Must get lonely. -Hmm?

Oh, can't be much company, bag's a nutcase.

-Well, it's my job. -

My job sucks too, but I don't let it define me, you know?

-You know what? Just keep it. -Oh, thanks.

Well, if there's anything you need, I can--

Oh, sit, Dale, sit.

You like the paintings?

He did them, down the road.