Winner

My name is Reality Winner.

Yeah. It's my real name.

You probably haven't heard of me,

but if you have,

it's either because someone told you I was a traitor

or someone told you I was a hero.

For the record, I wasn't trying to be either.

I just thought you should know

your government was lying to you,

so I tried to tell you.

Yeah. They don't like when you do that.

I'm starting this story when I was nine

because at my hearing, the prosecution mentioned

some things I did when I was nine

as evidence that I have terrorist tendencies.

So, I figured I'd remind you what nine looks like.

Brittany, you see one you like?

I want the one with the white spot.

Oh. I love that one, too.

And you know what they say, that these don't shed.

Yeah. Thankfully, they breed these dogs

with no genetic variation at all.

Dad, what does that mean?

It means that these dogs were born in

what is called a puppy mill,

and I bet they all come from the same mom.

And I bet she spent her entire life in a cage

just like this, probably smaller than this one.

Wait. They won't let her go outside?

It doesn't serve their purpose.

Her whole reason for being is to have puppies.

Dozens and dozens of puppies.

And when she can't have any more puppies,

they'll put her to sleep.

- Ron... - They'll kill her.

And they'll probably do the same thing

to these little guys

if no one buys them before they grow up.

Ron, let's...

I am not going to lie to the girls about

what this industry does, or why I maintain

that we should be doing this in a shelter.

I'll wait outside.

Okay. Is this still the one you want?

But then all the others will die.

No, honey. They won't.

You know your father exaggerates.

Come on. Let's go find all the things we need.

Let's look at the leashes. They have purple...

Hey!

- -

Ree, maybe you should try apologizing.

I mean, your life is pretty good.

Well those puppies don't even get to have birthdays, so...

You don't need to apologize, Reality.

That was a pure political act.

That was Reality's version of a nonviolent protest.

And I bet given the chance, she would do it again.

Right, Reality?

You don't have to answer that.

And I would support her.

You know why? She learned a very important lesson.

We all need a hill to die on.

I think the saying is "I won't die on that hill,"

because it's not worth it.

Yeah but if we're not willing to die on any hills,

then what are we doing? Just taking up space?

Consuming?

If we're just willing to sit back

and let these injustices happen...

Sit back?

I work all day, every day, fighting for people.

What do you think being a social worker is?

Okay, girls.

This is your mom's way of letting us all know

she's the one with the job.

Oh, Ron.

She's a very important person.

Britt, are you ready for cake?

Did you think about what you want to wish for?

A dog.

Ron? The girls need breakfast.

Just give me a minute. I'm working.

I thought of an idea for a new book.

I need to write it down. Okay? I just need a few minutes.

Oh, okay, but can you just

get them ready for school first?

Yeah. I need a pen. Where are my pens?

I've got a pen right here. Right here. Right here.

I need my pen.

There's my pen in the cutlery drawer for some reason.

Please, Ron. I need to get to a trial.

I have a pen! Oh, I see.

Somebody else's kids need saving.

I see. Okay. Yeah.

Our kids don't need saving, Ron.

They need Toaster Strudels and showers!

Just give me 10 minutes, please.

10 minutes?

Are you kidding?

They'll be off to school in 10 minutes?

Did you hear any explosion from your position?

Oh, yes. Yes, we did, as a matter of fact.

Mom? Mom, come here.

Dad, get in here!

- What? - Dear God.

Oh, my gosh. Another plane has just hit...

What is going on?

Oh, my God.

Yes, yes. Right in the middle of the building.

- -

And right now, that... Yes.

That definitely looked like it was on purpose.

It doesn't make sense, Dad.

Why didn't they just talk to us first?

Well, they probably think we wouldn't listen.

And to be fair, most Americans wouldn't.

I would.

But you don't speak their language.

What language do they speak?

Well, it depends on what region

and what ethnic group.

I mean, it could be in Arabic,

Pashto, Dari, Farsi.

I can learn.

There it is.

That's the evidence I told you about.

To some folks,

trying to understand both sides of a conflict

is un-American.

Square your body.

Trust me, y'all.

I'm as American as it gets.

Nice. Aim up a little higher.

Whoa...

The armed forces put a gun in my hand

a month after I signed up, September 12, 2001.

How'd 9/11 make y'all feel?

Boo!

A year later I was in Iraq,

going after the bad guys.

Now, how do you think that felt?

Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

Dude, shut up.

No, no. It's cool.

These are complicated issues.

It's easy to get confused about

what's right, what's wrong.

None of the hijackers were Iraqi.

Did y'all know that?

Look, miss. I'm not here to get into the details.

I'm sorry. "Details"?

Blaming the wrong country

and bombing the shit out of them

just so your president can settle a score

for his dad is a detail?

The truth is, whoever the bad guys are,

okay, once you've spent some time with them,

learned their ways...

Hey.

You want a ride?

I like to walk.

What about a bite to eat? Can I buy you a burger?

I don't eat meat.

You want to buy me a cucumber?

Shit.

I meant a salad.

I learned just enough to get by in Kabul.

What about you?

Why does a... a blonde girl from Texas

know how to speak Pashto?

I want to help people displaced by war.

You know what stops wars?

The greatest humanitarian organization

in the United States. The US Air Force.

We're trying to save people.

- - No. For real.

Why don't you think of us as another version of

the Kingsville Senior Center,

Autism Speaks, and the animal rescue?

How do you know where I volunteer, creep?

I do my research, Reality Winner.

So, what's your plan for next year?

A&M Kingsville.

Well, so, you're sticking around.

You find this town stimulating and exciting.

It's not gonna be enough for you.

- You don't know me. - See, I think I do.

Do you know how I got this scar?

No, and I'm sure you're going to tell me.

Killing a warlord

who tried to slit the throat of a 7-year-old.

And I'm sure that line will get you laid

for the rest of your life.

Sorry, dude.

I'm going to A&M.