Midnight Clear

You alive in there?

Yeah.

You're 15 minutes late, Lefty.

Dale's lookin' for you,

and he's more pissed than usual.

You hear what I said? Yeah. I'm comin'.

Hey. What?

Thanks for making me late.

Gee, I'm sorry. My boss, who pays me,

wanted me to do something.

Next time I'll tell him I work for Lefty.

Hey, princess.

When you're done puttin' your makeup on,

get your royal behind in my office.

Say, Dale, I'm gonna need an extended lunch today,

seein' as I got a meeting with my wife's lawyers.

You must be joking.

No, Dale, I'm not.

Now, I know that you're--

Come on, Lefty. What's wrong with you?

Am I nuts, or did we have a conversation yesterday?

What wasn't clear about what I said, Lefty?

Didn't I warn you that was the last time?

We talked about it.

What else can I do for you?

I got you the promotion.

Nobody else thought it was a good idea, but I pushed it,

and you thank me by being late every day since.

Every day. How is that possible?

You think this is funny?

I can't believe I wasted my time on you.

Look, Dale...

I appreciate the promotion.

I do.

But you gotta understand.

Now that I'm makin' more money,

I'll admit I've been partyin' a little bit more.

But that will not...

affect my work.

Please tell me you're not that stupid.

I gave you a promotion. You didn't get a raise.

Assistant Production Line Supervisor?

It doesn't mean a thing.

It's just a name.

I did it for your custody case

because I knew it'd look good for the judge and your kids.

But you-- you take that... that-- that charity,

and you blow it up in my face.

I'm not blind. I know you're drinkin' again.

You're hopeless, Lefty.

Sucks to hear it, I know, but somebody needs to tell you.

I'm sorry, man.

I gotta do it.

Now, Dale, before you go

and do somethin' stupid, you really ought to think about it.

I mean, this place would shut down without me.

Who else is gonna go out there

and change all those belts on the line?

Anyone with opposable thumbs.

Playtime's over. Clear out your locker and go home.

You're fired.

An escort will walk you to your car.

Now, Dale--

Go home, Lefty.

Hi, Jacob. How you doin', buddy?

Hi, Mary.

You doin' okay? Fine, thanks.

You? Seriously.

You doin' all right?

As good as can be expected.

Seriously.

I love you, Jacob. You be good.

Love you.

His juice box is in his backpack.

He'll try to tell you I forgot to give him one--

Got it.

Hey, you know these seats are adjustable.

Oh, yeah.

This is the way Rick liked it, though,

so... I just, um...

you know.

Yeah.

Okay.

See you at 3.I'll see you at 3. Bye.

Pump one.

This plus 20 bucks on 2.

21.05.

Problem?

No, it's really good, actually.

Where's Security?

The least they could do is have Security take me out.

Security's got sensitivity training today.

Yeah, well, this isn't very sensitive.

Yes.

Go home, Lefty.

It's kinda hard when you're standin' in the middle of my livin' room.

Yes. Good luck, buddy.

Hey!

Got a fiver?

Just till payday?

I'll show you playtime, Dale.

...to consider the feelings of the violator,

at least on par with those of the violated.

We mustn't forget, before they were perpetrators,

they were victims themselves.

So they are hurting individuals,

deserving of our empathy, concern,

and, yes, our love and compassion.

Perhaps you can ask, them, brother...

or sister...

if-- if they're comfortable with that,

"Why is it that you felt compelled

to take what did not belong to you?"

It's prepay only.

I don't care what day it is.

I guess that would explain the sign

right in front of my eyes

that says "Prepay only," huh?

It kind of sucks working today, huh?

Christmas Eve and all?

Huh?

Working Christmas Eve. No fun.

Oh. Yeah. I guess.

Boss gave you the raw deal.

You're looking at him.

Oh.

Then why the heck are you working today?

Kid didn't show up today. Called in sick this morning.

What else am I going to do?

Kids aren't the most dependable creatures.

20 bucks on 2.

So you even have to be open today?

Chug-a-Lug and Neighbor Mart are closed.

It would be stupid to pass up the Christmas Eve rush.

Oh. Yeah.

27.01.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas.

Yep.

Hello?

Uh, is, uh-- I was--

Is this the walk-in clinic?

Oh, good.

I was afraid I had the wrong number for a minute.

Um, um, I-- I saw Dr. Lyndel yesterday,

and I'm-- I'm a little confused

about some of the medications he gave me.

I think I need a little help w--

Uh, yeah, I can wait, okay.

Uh, hi. This is Eva Boyle.

Yeah, I saw Dr. Lyndel last week,

and I was wanting to--

Oh.

I wasn't expecting you, Dr. Lyndel.

Oh.

What--

No. Uh--

I know it was yesterday.

I told that woman that.

Anyway, I know you told me

to take some medications in the morning

and some in the afternoon--

I did?

I did. I wrote it down right here.

Oh. Now I do feel silly.

Well, uh, which--

Uh-huh.

Yeah, the-- Oh.

The red with the red

and the yellow with the yellow.

Thank you so much.

I-- I know I wasted your time,

but I just remember your telling me

that I need to be careful

which ones I took with which and when.

Oh.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas to you, too, Doctor.

Thank you.

Ah, Mitch. Putting the music together.

Hey, Pastor Mark. Yeah, I'm almost done.

I put these packets together

for you to give out.

There's a card, a Christmas CD,

and 20 bucks in each one.

Isn't this kind of insulting?

No. I don't think so.

I want to give them something they need

rather than some kind of tree ornament

or a candy cane or something.

I'm just not sure how they're going to take it.

I-- I gather you're not, uh, excited about tonight?

Not tremendously, no.

I mean, we're talking about high school students here.

The last thing they want to do

is go caroling for old people.

I mean, it's not 1948 anymore.