I see a rabbit.
Where?
Up there.
It's got big droopy ears.
It's a shoe.
- It's more of a boot, a lace-up boot. - It's a boot, like your boot.
Now what is it?
They're all moving into these houses, Rosie.
A whole nation, a whole fucking world of plastic houses.
It's like a rash. It's eating up this island like a case of bad acne.
Thirty years, there won't be anything left that isn't suburbia...
or the ghettos.
Because they all want to live in places...
with people exactly like themselves.
They have their own police forces, some of them...
to keep their greedy little children safe.
And they have the vanity to call this place a community.
Look at this crap.
That's not a house, it's a thing to keep the TV dry.
I wish we had a TV.
No, you don't.
I swear, I solemnly believe...
that humanity is now officially descending the ladder of evolution.
In 1,000 years human beings will be the size of gerbils.
And they'll have one thought a year, in December...
and think about what they want for Christmas.
Decline and rot, my angel, that's the way of the world.
Except for you.
You are exempt.
Remember that.
Jack Slavin for Marty Rance.
Hi, Marty. Me again.
That's government land that you're eating into.
Fifty yards of nature preserve that is a wetland, as I'm sure you know.
You can call the cops if you want to. I'll call them back myself.
I'll look forward to seeing the outcome.
We needed a doorstop.
What are you thinking about?
I think I want to plant the bellflowers in front of the house today.
At least leave me a place to walk.
You're getting freckles.
I always had those.
Rosie, Rosie.
That's a sweet little bridge, but I wouldn't want to drive across it.
Well, seeing as we never go anywhere...
You still don't understand weight-stress ratios.
I understand them enough.
- Enough for what? - For everyday needs.
The Latin name for buttercup will only get you so far.
Let me write that again.
One more time...
with feeling.
What is the Latin name for buttercup?
Ranunculus bulbosus.
What?
I'm glad I got to know you for such a long time.
Don't say stuff like that.
- You have to face up to it. - Shut up. Okay?
Do you know, I think we should get somebody in to help.
Who? A maid?
Don't go off, Rosie.
Go away.
What is it?
You're going to leave me soon.
You're the one that's going to leave soon.
You're getting too big for me.
Look at the size of that hand.
No. You're going to die.
That's just the way it is.
I mean, this thing may be pumping away for some while to come.
When you die, I'm gonna die.
- What on earth are you talking about? - I am.
What are you going to die of?
When you go, I'm going.
If you die, there's no point to my life.
Tough luck.
Don't you ever say that again. Do you hear me?
You'll never say that again.
Tell me a story.
Come on.
Once...
there was a girl.
She lived in a little, tiny house.
And one day...
an ox came by.
And the girl was so polite, she said:
"Ox, would you care to join me for tea?"
The ox, he wasn't used to being spoken to very much.
He was flattered and said, "Thank you, yes. "
And he proceeded to put his nose through the door.
His nose had a big ring in it.
And the girl pulled as hard as she could on the ring...
to try to get the ox through the door.
And the ox pushed and pushed, and the girl pulled and pulled.
Cracks started to appear around the walls.
And the ox gave one great, almighty push...
and the whole house collapsed around them.
So she climbed up on the ox's back and they rode away together.
In the course of time they were married.
Let me look at you.
I'm never gonna leave you, you know.
I have to go to town tonight, Rosie. I have some stuff I've got to do there.
I might not be back until the morning.
- You'll be all right? - Yeah.
- I'll see you later, Rosie. - Okay.
- Is she here? - She's downstairs.
You got thinner.
Hi, by the way.
I was thinking maybe you'd come live with me.
- What? - You heard.
You've never even invited me out there.
- You like me that much, huh? - Yup.
What about my kids?
Well, that goes without saying.
What about Rose?
- Have you thought this through? - Through?
I've thought about it, but I'm not clairvoyant.
You know what I mean, Jack.
Come live with me.
Quit your job. Quit your jobs.
I can make life easier for you.
A chance to prove that I'm in earnest.
Call that an early retirement package.
It's not coming out right, is it?
I'm sorry.
Look, come live with me. Give it a try.
I'll take care of you, or you take care of me. Whatever.
My kid needs a woman around the place and so do I.
I need you.
How's that?
What are you thinking?
I'm wondering if you're crazy or not.
That's a waste of time, honey.
My poor tree house.
We can rebuild it. That's not a problem. Do you really use it anymore?
It's my house.
- Rose. - Yeah?
There's some people coming that I invited. Guests.
Guests?
People, just come to stay for a while.
It's an experiment.
Okay?
New chapter.
Welcome, strangers.
I see you...
A couple of things.
I'm so glad to finally meet you, Rose.
- I'm Jack. - I'm Thaddius.
Thaddius, great. You must be Rodney.
- Rose, Jack, these are my boys. Thaddius... - Welcome. Yeah, we just...
...that's Rodney. This is Rose.
Oh, I'm Kathleen.
Wow. Does anybody else live out here?
It used to be a commune.
There was 60 people living here, give or take, at one time.
Engineers, farmers, carpenters, a couple of scientists.
We were trying to...
It wasn't what you see in the movies. We weren't all painting ourselves orange...
and shaking tambourines, or whatever else they got up to then.
We were trying to rebuild society on a small scale.
Trying to figure out a way people could live without destroying the planet.
There's virtually no waste, no private property, and...
I'll take that. It was an experiment.
It looks like it didn't go too well.
We learned some stuff.
Watch it.
This is it.
Just put all your stuff down there for the moment.
We'll bring the rest in later on.
Where do you really live?
In my aunt's basement.
How long are you gonna stay here?
Not very long, personally.
But I have a feeling that my mother will be embedded here for quite some time.
Do you get a lot of postcards?
My mother used to send them.
She left when I was 5.
She might be coming back.
Oh, dear.
Rose, would you like to help me set the table?
I was going to make some cheese sandwiches.
No.
That's cooked food for the chickens...
and that's raw food for the compost.
In the big one: Metal and plastic, paper. You'll get the hang of it.
Yeah, okay.
Any questions about the house, ask Rose.
One of you can sleep in here for the time being...
and the other one is on the couch...
until we get one of the outbuildings fixed up.
It's fine.
Is that all right with you?
It's so quiet in here, it's like the inside of a can.
Hey, where's the TV?
No TV.
Are you working at the moment, Rodney?
I've been studying to be a women's hairdresser.
What brought you to that?
I always wanted to be a barber...
but men don't get enough pleasure out of their hair.
Did you do...
- Kathleen. - Yeah, her hair.
No, I didn't do Kathy's hair.
My mother likes to think of herself as being 16 years old.
Rodney.
I'm sure if I cut her hair off, she would have a breakdown of some kind.
How do you make your money?
I inherited a family business when my father died, so I sold it.
So you're loaded.
I don't think you need to worry about that.
My mom said you were an engineer.
That's what I studied, right. Alternative energy.
- You got your degree in England? - Scotland.
But I've been an American since 1972. Naturalized citizen, God help me.
Why did you do it, then?
Because I fell in love with this country...
with what I thought it was going to become.
You've got one more year of school left, is that right?
Yeah, I guess so.
I was expelled in the last year of high school.
Why?
For defecating in the 13th hole of the school golf course.
Your school had a golf course?
He's doing real well in school.
Is that for me?
Yeah, sweetie. It's a cheese sandwich.
I haven't seen one like that since 1953.
- I'll be right back. - Okay.
Sorry.
Rosie, don't make me bloody well chase after you!
They're not guests. They're moving in!
They're guests until we see how it works out.
- They brought everything. - Everything of what?
They brought their lamps!
I've got to admit those lamps were shocking.
It's just an experiment, Rosie.
Let's just try it for a while, see how it works out.
God forbid, you might even end up wanting them to stay.
You tricked me!
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
She's so regular.
Kathleen, her name is, by the way.
- That's the whole point. She'll take care... - I took care of things!
No, we took care of things. Now I'm sick.
How long have you been lying to me?
How could you not have told me?
I didn't think you'd understand.
I don't.
Hey, little freak.
You ever eaten a snake before?
No.
I know these kind of woods.
You got copperheads in there, don't you?
There's a few that live under a dead tree in the woods.
Show me where the tree is. I used to trap snakes for this evangelist.
What did he do with them?
Put on a show.
Said he had the power of God, 'cause he didn't get bitten.
Did he have the power of God?
He died of a snakebite.
There.
Does your dad know about this place?
Maybe.
Does he know everything about you?
Wild thing.
I'll give you a bedtime story you won't forget.
What are you doing?
I want you to do it to me.
Oh, my God.
I never did it before. Not even partly.
And what made you select tonight for your initiation?
Because I have to do it right away.
My brother is out at the moment...
probably doing something along these lines.
If you maybe want to take a seat in his bedroom, he'll be happy to oblige.
I don't like him.
That's funny. I don't like him either.
Look. It's not funny.
Okay?
This is tragic.
It's not exactly tragic.
It's ridiculous, okay?
No.
Okay, now look. Wait.
I wasn't aware that on top of being trapped in retro world...
due to my mother's savior complex, I myself was to become a sort of...
sex toy for my angelic...
possibly disturbed...
certainly odd new sister.
Okay? Let's not forget that part.
Who are you people?
But I like you.
Christ.
I'm just... I'm not ready to unpeel my nylon...
at this particular point in time.
Not for anybody. It's nothing personal.
I've got an idea.
It's kind of a compromise.
Do you mind if it's radical?
Jesus Christ!
Come on.
Oh, God.
Are you out of your fucking mind?
Rodney did it for me.
I was referring to the loaded gun.
You're a bloody little hooligan.
What were you doing?
Look what he did to you.
Do you love me?
Is she all right?
Good night, my little dove.
What was Rose's mother like?
What was your wife like?
Just about the opposite of you.
What does that mean?
You know you. Imagine the opposite of you.
Thin hair, dark eyes, big tits?
Go a little deeper.
Rich.
She was inscrutable...
dreamy...
capricious...
deceitful and totally selfish.
So it was a compliment.
Everything from me to you is a compliment, no matter what it sounds like.
That's a mean game.
Come over here. I'll show you a mean game.
Has Rose ever talked to a psychologist?
Like your son, maybe? The psychology of hair?
No, I'm just wondering.
Is she still in school?
I took her out when she was 11.
How could you not have sent her to school?
I don't believe in factory farming. I teach her here.
Rose is the way you made her.
What are you getting at, Kathleen?
Well, you raised her so she couldn't love anybody else.
She's not used to having anybody around. We come along, and she gets a little upset.
What are you going to do when it's time for her to get a job?
Listen, there are wonderful schools for children with problems.
- You know, my cousin Vera has a... - Shut your bloody mouth!
Did you hear that?
There's nothing wrong with Rose.
If you don't think things are going to work out here, it's okay.
I don't...
Jack, I didn't mean it that way. I'm just...
Look, it's not that easy for me. I mean...
I'm sorry, okay? I'm not judging you. I mean, we see each other...
I'm not!
We see each other for four months and then you don't even tell her about me.
And then I'm just supposed to move in here. I don't...
What?
I don't understand.
Understanding, whatever the hell that means.
It doesn't necessarily make a blind bit of difference.
Believe me, Kathleen...
I've made a mess of a lot of things in my life...
and I don't have time to pay for them.
So I'm just trying to live a different way now.
- I'm sorry. - I'm sorry.
And that's what I need you for.
Are you able for it or not?
- Yeah. - Good.
I'm going to take really good care of you, okay?
I believe that.
Careful, I'm a sick man.
Good morning, Rose. How are you feeling today?
Fine.
Breakfast in a minute, Rodney. Don't look so droopy.
Thaddius!
Good morning, Rodney. Interesting job on Rose last night.
I think it looks great, honey.
I didn't mean for it to be so explosive.
You sure scared us last night, Rose.
You know, you shouldn't walk around with guns, even when you're kidding.
I wasn't kidding.
Excuse me?
What are you wearing?
That's half the day's electricity gone.
No food again. Thank God.
Hey, you've already lost 16 pounds, honey. Let's just keep it up.
Breakfast! Now.
I love my life.
Excuse me.
What are you doing today?
I don't know.
Maybe I'll go find a job mowing some other rich people's lawns.
Aren't there any other people on this island or what?
Soon enough you won't be able to piss on this island without 15 people clapping.
May I be excused?
Well, turn the light on at least.
You're going to ruin your eyes, always reading in the dark.
You know, Thaddius used to work in a garage.
I was just thinking it's amazing his skin stayed so clear...
after working in that grime for so long.
- Pancake, Rose? - Sure.
What are you on about?
Mom, he's gorgeous.
He probably already has a date lined up for tonight. Isn't that right, Thaddius?
He has been known to date farm animals under extreme duress.
Rodney, you ever going to take that jacket off so I can wash it?
Yeah, Linus, maybe you'd get a date then, too.
Can I come with you to look for your job?
You're not going anywhere.
You've got work to do.
And you can start by putting some clothes on.
I see that I'm on toilet duty again today.
It's a rotating schedule.
Another man, another program.
Would you please shut your mouth?
If this one ever gives you anything, I'd like a commission.
Well, what do you know, you're interested in makeup.
Don't worry about it. Let me help you.
Sit down.
You know, you're such a pretty girl, you should learn how to use it.
I was only a couple of years older than you...
when I had Rodney.
It's hard to believe, you seem like a little girl.
Do you want to be my dad's wife?
Well, one step at a time.
With your Dad's heart as weak as it is, I'm just trying to keep him alive.
It would help if he ate a little meat occasionally.
This you need to learn to do without a mirror.
Do you ever want to have kids someday?
Do you want to work, have a career?
Do you ever want to leave the island?
Why do you always wear that jacket?
Just scrub your tub, Miss Muffet.
You know what? It's too hot.
You're all sweaty. And I'm going to get that off of you!
No! This is not funny. You're a sadist!
Stop it!
Jessie.
Jessie, come here, boy!
Hey. What happened to you?
Mom's got me cleaning the latrines.
- Who's Mom? - Ask Jack.
You brought everything.
- Yup. - That's great. Thanks.
- Hi. - I'm Kathleen.
I deliver flowers for Rose every now and then.
Well, you must have a name.
- Gray. - Gray. That's a nice name.
Rose certainly is a passionate gardener.
Yeah, she's got the touch.
Yeah. It's probably good for her, too.
All right, well, go on with your day. It's nice to meet you.
If you want any lemonade...
- I've got some in the kitchen. - Thanks.
Okay.
Hi. I didn't see you there.
Could you do me a favor?
Sure, what?
Could you teach me how to kiss?
- What? - Please.
What happened to you? You used to be so shy.
I just have to.
You don't want to do that with me.
Why?
Because your first kiss is supposed to be romantic...
and like an accident.
It's not like learning to swim.
Well, can't we be romantic?
I just don't think of you that way.
Jessie, come here, boy!
I hope you don't think I'll be frying that up for supper.
We're not really in much of a rush!
It's okay.
Have you ever thought of suicide?
Yeah, but I'd like to do it myself, if you don't mind.
I'm going to, when my dad dies.
- Is that a definite plan? - Yeah.
Hey, Rodney.
She's with child.
What's up? Watch the baby.
This is my friend Rose.
Hello. It's nice to meet you.
- Shall we? - Shall we, indeed.
So, I'm totally excited about seeing this commune.
How's the baby?
Heavy. He's gonna be a big boy, just like you.
- Hey, Gray. - I picked up your mail on the way in.
That old Ferenzie working you pretty hard.
Not too bad.
When is he going to make you manager?
I don't know, maybe this summer.
You must have been working there, what, five years?
Seven.
That's too long to work by the hour. That guy's exploiting you.
You know more about his business than he does.
Well, he owns the place.
Thanks for the check.
I could have used you around the place when it was up and running.
You let me know when you're ready to build something of your own...
and we'll talk about a loan.
Thanks, Jack, but...
I wouldn't be able to do that.
If you don't like your situation, then change it.
If you can't change it, leave it.
It's your fucking life, man.
I appreciate it.
So, I'll see you on Saturday. Saturday, wasn't it?
- Yeah. - All right, thanks, Gray.
Is Thaddius around?
He's looking for a job.
Oh, my God.
This is awesome. What is this place?
It used to be an acid pad.
Wow. I bet you guys do a lot of drugs.
Hey, Rose, I want to show you something.
- Just stand back for a second. - All right.
You ready?
You had the baby.
Fantastic.
Hey, Rose, do you think I could see your palm?
There's like hardly any lines in your hand. Oh, well.
I guess some people just make themselves up as they go.
I made up my name when I ran away.
- You did? - It just came to me.
I was standing outside of my mom's house and it was snowing.
And I just saw this little bush with these hard, shiny red berries on it...
just growing out of the snow.