BrainDead

This is a disaster.

How am I supposed to get that money in a week? I can't...

Okay.

Yeah, I'll deal with it when I get back to L.A.

Yep. Talk to you.

Damn it.

I know you

- from somewhere, don't I? - I don't think so.

Yeah. Becky.

- Laurel. - Right. Doug Stetler,

legislative aide to Mark Petina.

You work for Barbara Boxer, right?

- No. - You Senate or House?

Neither.

DoD? Pentagon?

- I'm sorry. I... - White House?

I'm a documentary filmmaker.

I'm out here for the weekend from L.A.

Oh, great.

It was nice meeting you.

- Mm. - Sorry we're late. We got stuck

- at the Kennedy Center. - Ah. No problem.

- Oh, you look beautiful, Germaine. - Thank you.

How many months?

Sis? What? Look at you.

I didn't know you'd make it.

Oh, of course. Mom got me a ticket.

Oh, hey, Germaine. Laurel's here.

- Oh, thank goodness. - Hi.

I'll have somebody to talk to.

Laurel Healy! Of course!

- I thought I knew who... - Hey, Doug.

No. I know who they are.

I work with Mark Patina.

Wow, look at you. Bodyguards.

Yeah. Well, you used to make fun of me; now I'm powerful.

Oh, I'm still gonna make fun of you.

Senator, sorry, you have that budget call.

- The Smithsonian. - Oh.

- I'll catch you later. It's fine. - No, no.

If I have to work, you're gonna keep me company.

Hey, make me one of your mojitos, hmm?

So, what did Dad do to my room?

It looks like a Bond villain lives there now.

Yeah. He's consulting with Armed Services now.

Armed Services? Why Armed Services?

Why not? Something Hirschhorn got him.

- How are things in L.A.? - Fine.

Yeah? Sounds fine.

Having trouble with your student loans, or...?

No.

I just, uh, I had the financing fall through on a film.

The documentary on religious music in Bora Bora?

- That's a shocker. - Solomon Islands.

- Solomon Islands. - Yeah.

- Wow. - No, it took me a year

to get $200,000... now I'm gonna have to start over.

Why don't you do something people want to see, like... gun control?

Hey, I can get you an NEA grant tomorrow...

Okay, how about we let Laurel control her own life for a few hours, please?

- Thank you. - Ah.

No, sir. No, I am still here.

I did not have you on mute.

No. No, I understand, Dr. Daudier,

but the Republicans want to decimate your budget.

No, I know it's science and I know it's important.

I don't think you understand how important, Senator.

We're conducting a joint operation

with the Russian Institute on the retrieval of a meteor.

Shut that off!

Is there any way we can get an additional $40 million?

No. No, I might be able to get you five,

but my office will have to personally sign off on expenditures.

Okay, let me see what I can do.

Dr. Lagunov, hello!

We have a bit of a problem.

We're about to bring the meteor up now.

Yes, unfortunately, uh...

is there any way you can do it...

cheaper?

I think you should come home.

I think I am home, in L.A.

No, home here.

We're on the verge of a governmental shutdown.

Luke doesn't trust anyone on his staff...

Don't, Dad.

- What? - Don't play the guilt card.

There's a position open in his office.

Just do it for a year,

- until we get out of this budget crisis. - I hate politics.

- I hate D.C. - That's why you'll be so great at it.

Look...

I know you never wanted help with your student loans,

but do it for a year and I'll pay 'em off.

Okay. I need $200,000 to complete my documentary.

I will do this job for six months if you finance half.

- Laurel, this is for your brother. - No, it's not.

This is about you wanting someone in his office,

someone to keep you informed.

- Oh... - I know how you work, Dad.

I love you, but you live off information.

- A year. - Six months.

That's it. I'm not negotiating.

Deal.

Love you.

- Hello. It's my first day... - It's not up to us.

It's the Republicans.

I understand that.

Gridlock. If the senate

doesn't break their budgetary tie in the next ten hours,

the government will officially shut down.

- Laurel? - That's right.

- Yes. - You ready to get started?

Yes.

Sorry, we're a bit crazed here, Laurel.

The senator needs everyone on the budget,

so you'll be on your own with C.C., if that's all right.

Uh, C.C.?

Oh, the senator didn't fill you in?

Constituent casework.

There are eight constituents

who want a meeting with the senator.

You will investigate their complaints...

this is your brother's office...

and then you'll do what you can to satisfy their complaints.

This...

is where you'll be meeting them.

And then you'll give them these pens, caps and signed photos.

It's all about getting them to vote next election,

so just keep them happy.

I'll be right down the hall if you need anything. Good luck.

Hi. I'm Laurel.

You're all meeting with me today.

I guess.

It's my first day, so, you know...

go easy on me.

It says here you're having Social Security problems, Claire?

I don't have Social Security problems.

You have Social Security problems.

Right. And how may I help you with...

my... Social Security problems?

It's a rash, it's not a preexisting condition.

And the Medicare doctor was so rude.

He said, uh,

"That's just a rash."

Huh! A rash!

- I really want to give it to the senator. - Yes.

It's just, the senator's a bit busy, so...

Why are you trying to keep me from him?

Yes, yes. Hi. She's having Social Security problems.

Why can't you help me?

No, no, please don't...

please don't put me on hold. Just...

Hello. Yes. Yes, yes.

I'm here. Hi.

Yep, that's me. The Social Security lady.

No, no, no.

No, no. No, no. Don't..

Come on!

Having fun?

Yeah, yeah. What's not to like?

Uh... I'm glad you're here, sis.

It's good to have a friendly face.

What's that?

A chocolate dog.

Why?

- I don't know. - Hello.

This is Senator Healy. What is your name, dear?

Yeah, well, listen, Joan,

I need you to get your ass in gear and help my constituent,

or I'm personally cutting your incidental budget by 40%.

Do you understand?

Good.

You know, don't be afraid to use my power.

Mmm.

Ms. Burke.

Looks like it's just us now.

I don't even know how to say this.

My husband Randall...

he's not my husband anymore.

He's not?

His manners, his speech, his drinking...

- He needs a drug and alcohol program? - No.

He used to drink a lot.

And now he doesn't.

At all.

Okay.

I guess I'm-I'm not really sure how I can help.

He works as an engineer on a container ship, The Alba.

He just got back from a crossing, and...

I found this.

We're recording this for insurance purposes.

We heard a noise inside dry container C-744.

That's why we're breaking the seal.

I don't see anything. Let's go get the captain.

Take the camera. Come on.

Randall...

That's my husband right there.

Let's go.

Watch your step.