Don't Let Her In

Serena?

Yeah, hi.

I'll be right down.

- Serena. - Hi.

Amber.

Come on in.

We could take the stairs, but this is slower.

Old school.

More fun this way.

All right, here we are.

Go ahead.

Wow.

Cool space.

So we're saving up money to buy more furniture,

but I still think it's super comfortable.

Here, let's sit down.

Do you want water, a glass of wine, anything like that?

Okay.

I hope you're okay with weed.

This is a pot-friendly household.

I am okay with whatever.

Serena, this is my boyfriend Ben.

Babe, don't scare her off.

Nice to meet you, Ben.

Hey, likewise.

Okay, so look, we've never had a housemate

or been, like, landlords before,

so forgive me if I'm, like, scattered.

But you seem really cool,

so why don't I show you around,

and, if you're into it, then we can

do all the business stuff after.

However you wanna do it, but I'm definitely into it.

Cool.

Business, that's your department, babe.

Thanks.

Great, let me show you around.

So we have the kitchen over here, obviously, duh.

But Ben is a little bit of a clean freak.

Oh, don't worry, I'm a clean freak, too.

Did you hear that, baby?

Awesome.

This is where Ben makes noise.

But I can use headphones whenever you're around.

Don't worry about it.

I'm out of the house most of the day,

visiting clients.

Clients, really, what do you do?

I create art pieces, little gem-filled bowls,

tailored to my clients' needs,

based on the metaphysical properties of gemstones

and essential oils and spices.

I know it sounds weird, but people pay big money for them.

Wow, no, it sounds amazing.

And this is my space.

You're an artist, too.

Oh, I wish.

No, I make poster art

for these goody, low-budget horror films.

People can pay good money for them, just not to me.

To the celebrities at the horror conventions

that autograph them.

I love horror films.

I googled you, I know your work.

Wow, really?

That's funny.

This is a personal project of mine.

I'm animating with salt, but I've only shot

like 10 frames of it so far.

Salt has really powerful metaphysical properties.

Really?

I use it because it's cheap.

That is our room, not presentable at the moment.

And this would be your room.

Wow.

It's a really cool space.

Plus, the neighborhood is great,

once you figure out which streets to avoid.

So, I have to ask, where are you living now?

Why are you moving?

And can I get a recommendation from a previous landlord?

Well, my situation is a little complicated.

I was living with my boyfriend,

soon to be ex-boyfriend, and I'm bringing up with him,

and I needed to do it as soon as possible.

Okay, well, what about a friend or a client,

like anyone who could vouch for you?

My clients are all super private,

and all of my friends are my clients,

so I can't really,

but I can pay you guys nine months in advance.

Thank you so much, Amber.

I really love this place.

And I promise not to burden you with my boyfriend drama.

Oh, please, don't even worry about it.

I have had my share of shitty breakups, trust me.

It's just such perfect timing.

He's out of town for a week.

My friends are gonna help me move in,

and he won't have a clue where I've gone.

Hey, can I ask you a question.

Sure.

Well, it seems like you know a lot of people,

and you can obviously afford the rent,

so why do you wanna live downtown?

I think I just wanted to get as far away

from my old life as I possibly can.

And I like you, I like the vibe here.

It's conducive to creating art.

I promise I will be a good housemate.

And we can inspire each other.

I like that.

All right, well, I'll see you tomorrow.

Mm hmm.

She seems cool, right?

Yeah, for a New Age nerd girl.

It's so nice.

Oh, yeah, totally beautiful.

I'll see you Monday, babe.

I hope you're not leaving 'cause of me.

Nah, we have a couple gigs up the coast.

Wow.

It's nothing fancy.

You know, band in a van, McDonald's and Taco Bell.

What's the name of your band?

The Cocklear Implants,

spelled C-O-C-K, 'cause we stimulate the ear.

Also, our cocks are more cockly than the other bands.

That's funny.

Welcome to the 'hood.

Thanks!

Wow, these are beautiful.

They're more than just beautiful.

Each stone has its own metaphysical powers.

You know the esoteric properties of amber, don't you?

Actually, I don't.

Amber attracts good luck.

It transmutes negativity into positive energy.

Careful.

Careful with that!

That's the most valuable thing I own.

It's thousands of years old.

It was a gift from my ex.

Kind of a freaky-looking gift.

That's why I love it.

It's pretty out there.

Right, well, I'll let you settle in.

If you wanna hang out later,

there's this really good takeout Thai place

around the corner.

Sounds great.

Thank you so much.

Serena?

What are you doing there?

It's a surprise.

Were you like chanting or something?

Chanting?

No, I was just singing while I worked.

Sorry, I do that.

What is that?

Oh, wow, it's beautiful.

Wow, and it smells so good.

Thank you.

Black moonstone for new beginnings,

amethyst and malachite for empowerment

of female energies and wisdom,

spices and feathers to lift our desires

in the air like incense lifts prayers.

Oh my God.

Jesus!

What do you want, Amber?

What do you really want from life?

Hmm, I want to be an artist and I wanna be happy.

And I wanna have kids, eventually.

Not right now.

Yeah, what do you want?

Pretty much the same.

Artist, happy, money.

Don't need a man.

Maybe one child.

But I hate the idea of being pregnant,

so if it does happen, I'd probably wanna hire a surrogate.

Mm, yeah.

Or marry a woman.

Ah, good idea.

Mm hmm, I'm telling ya.

Good morning.

Hey!

You're an early bird.

I hope that's okay.

I didn't wake you, did I?

No.

Cheers.

Mm, what is this?

Secret formula, for health and creativity.

Huh.

Hello?

Yes, this is she.

Yeah.

Of course.