The Chain

Hmm.

I never really thought I'd come back here.

- Oh, my goodness! - Yeah.

You're here.

You look like a werewolf with that beard.

- Yeah. - God didn't give you

your father's good looks so you could hide

under all that hair.

It's good to see you, too, mother.

Don't be too loud. Your father is already asleep.

You're as beautiful as ever.

You travel light.

We put most of our stuff in storage in Oakland.

Oh, you should just get everything shipped here.

Those places are expensive.

Uh, I'm sorry about the mess.

I've been having a little trouble getting up and down the stairs, lately.

But, the entire second floor is yours.

And I even set up a coffee machine on the bureau.

Mom, we're here to help you, not give you more work.

Well, the bed is ready now.

How is Michael?

Oh, he's much better.

And he's so excited to have Mike back home.

Yeah, he's so excited, he can't even sleep.

It was a wedding gift from my in laws.

Yes, very, um...

Sweetheart, if you ever need anything else to wear,

you just take a look in these closets.

Right, Mike?

I'm sorry, about what?

The keys to the practice.

Rebecca will be there at 9:00 tomorrow.

Oh, good.

I am so glad you're home.

I'm getting the feeling that your mom thinks we're moving in permanently.

Yeah, I had this conversation with her ten times.

She just hears what she wants.

Well, at least your father is doing better.

That's some good news, right?

Uh-huh. Mmm-hmm.

Hey.

Thanks for doing this.

Of course.

Come here.

So, my mom try and sell you on the bed?

It's so creepy.

It's, um, no, it's perfect for a werewolf.

Huh?

Oh, sorry.

Welcome home, buddy.

Let's see what we got.

Thank you, Rebecca.

Okay. Now, open up for me.

Okay, how many fingers do you see?

Two.

Good girl.

Mom, I can see you.

I see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

This is Dr. Ericson's number. You should schedule an appointment with him.

Are you leaving us again?

I'm only here for the summer.

I'm just taking over from my father till we can sell the practice.

I'm really sorry, Mike.

- We're gonna miss him. - He's just such a great doctor.

A really good guy.

You must be really proud of him.

- Hmm? - Your father.

You have his hands.

Roman's lenses came in.

Oh, thank you.

- Have a good evening. - You too.

Hey, honey. Hey.

Listen, I have a last minute surgery.

Yeah, I won't be home until about 9:00.

Mmm-hmm.

Okay.

I love you.

That bad, huh?

I'm sorry, Mike.

I'm afraid the results of the mri are conclusive.

No. Come on.

The sounds you hear, your trembling hands...

You have the same mutation as your father.

It seems you're developing it earlier.

How long until I become like him?

It's hard to say.

But meeting here won't be enough to hide it.

Your symptoms will be evident soon.

Disorientation, memory loss.

Visual hallucinations.

You won't be able to take care of yourself.

There's-there's... There's gotta be something we can do.

Just... go home.

And tell your family.

You don't need to go through this alone.

Good evening, father.

Remember little Tania?

Her surgery

went great.

Mom, I'm gonna need your help!

Come on, big boy.

Get away from me!

Stop, stop, stop!

What are you doing?

Ma! Ma!

Get away! Get away!

Mike...

What are you doing here?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

What?

Huh.

It still sounds good.

My mom used to play this all the time when I was a kid.

Yeah, I got it tuned this morning and I was thinking of teaching piano lessons

to a few of the neighbors if your parents don't mind.

Well, I guess it all depends if they're in earshot.

Jerk.

This is for you.

What's the occasion?

Do I need a reason to tell you how much I love you?

Lovely.

- Will you help me put it on? - Yeah.

I'd like to keep my throat, too.

Sorry.

You know, for someone who spends all day with a scalpel in his hand,

you're pretty clumsy with this stuff.

Got a good hand on your bra clasp though, didn't I?

Um, eventually.

Oh, it's so pretty.

Let's celebrate. I got a nice bottle of Bordeaux from Jeffrey's.

Are you okay?

Why don't you sit down?

You look exhausted.

What? No. Look, I can clean it. Just give me the paper towels.

You have to do it fast, before it absorbs into the carpet.

I am not a child! I can do it myself!

You're hurting me.

Babe, I'm so sorry.

I don't even know, uh...

I'm sorry.

They love you.

You didn't see her face.

She was afraid of me.

I can't do this to her.

I want to do it before...

Before it's too late for me to decide.

You will break her heart.

No. No.

She won't find out. I'll make it look like an accident.

It's never an accident, Mike. People always find out.

How would you know?

I found out about my daughter.

She was in pain, too.

Everyone thought I was a heartless woman for trying to end my daughter's suffering.

They found her on the train tracks.

I'm sorry.

Your case won't meet the requirements for the California law.

You need to be terminal.

There is a place in downtown Los Angeles,

run by a friend of mine.

Her name is vilma.

All of her clients are dealing with similar feelings.

I think that you should talk to people who are going through the same thing.

Group therapy.

Sometimes the kindness of strangers is the best cure.

What the fuck are you looking at, buddy?

Oh, Mike, you scared me.

I never understood what you saw in him.

What are you talking about?

We don't have to pretend anymore.

I know everything between you and my father.

What if he gets better?

Why can't any of you accept he's not coming back, Rebecca!

He's gone! He's losing his mind!

There's nothing we can do about it.

There's no cure.

There is no cure.

- I think I... - We were waiting for you, Mike.

I am piedad.

Three months already, they started the session.

We need you to sign a non-disclosure agreement before you can join the group.

We're very discreet.

It'll make you free in there.

You can take it off when you're ready.

Brandon.

I finally told my daughter.

We went to see the game last week.

And I had another seizure

and I remember looking at her face at one point,

and thinking, I know this is my daughter,

but I can't say her name.

I think she understands.

Or not. Who knows?

At least I know I've had my chance to say goodbye.

Brandon, we are going to miss you.

You are finally ready.

We have a new guest tonight.