1 00:02:28,273 --> 00:02:30,607 "Points West" by Steve Lopez. 2 00:02:31,442 --> 00:02:34,611 A construction foreman in Griffith Park heard the crash. 3 00:02:34,696 --> 00:02:35,863 Hey! 4 00:02:36,489 --> 00:02:38,824 He saw a cyclist cartwheel off his bike... 5 00:02:38,908 --> 00:02:43,203 ...and slam face-first into the u nforgiving asphalt of Riverside Drive. 6 00:02:44,414 --> 00:02:45,664 Good morn ing, ladies and gentlemen. 7 00:02:45,748 --> 00:02:47,666 As we begin ou r descent into Los Angeles, 8 00:02:47,750 --> 00:02:51,879 we ask that you please be su re that you r seatbelts are fastened... 9 00:02:51,963 --> 00:02:55,674 A 911 call brought out the troops from Fire Station 76. 10 00:02:57,010 --> 00:02:58,927 - What happened? - You had an accident. 11 00:02:59,053 --> 00:03:01,805 - Do you know what happened? - N o sh it, I had an accident. What? 12 00:03:03,391 --> 00:03:06,351 I don't remember any of th is, nor do I recall the cause of the spill. 13 00:03:06,436 --> 00:03:08,520 - O u r batteries are off. - I've been i n here six hou rs now, and... 14 00:03:08,605 --> 00:03:11,023 Listen to me. Wait a m i n ute. We' re ready to go... 15 00:03:11,107 --> 00:03:12,649 Hypochond riac. 16 00:03:12,984 --> 00:03:14,276 O R 2. 17 00:03:15,653 --> 00:03:18,238 Cou nty-U SC was the closest emergency room, 18 00:03:18,323 --> 00:03:20,324 and I q u ickly realized... 19 00:03:20,408 --> 00:03:21,658 ...that if you find you rself there... 20 00:03:21,743 --> 00:03:25,037 ...with noth ing more than a bu m p on the head, 21 00:03:29,584 --> 00:03:35,380 you are one lucky Angeleno. 22 00:03:44,098 --> 00:03:45,224 Wow. 23 00:03:50,355 --> 00:03:51,647 Ready. 24 00:03:56,736 --> 00:03:59,321 I'm not entirely comfortable with this. 25 00:04:13,336 --> 00:04:14,711 Thank you. 26 00:04:22,595 --> 00:04:27,684 You have no new messages. 27 00:04:31,562 --> 00:04:33,021 Okay. 28 00:04:35,650 --> 00:04:37,109 Really? 29 00:04:44,534 --> 00:04:48,370 Doctors told me to expect up to four weeks of disorientation. 30 00:04:49,789 --> 00:04:51,790 Christ. All right. 31 00:04:51,874 --> 00:04:55,919 I'm not asking for sympathy. I just want you to know, I just... 32 00:04:56,004 --> 00:04:57,212 I'm not asking for sympathy. 33 00:04:57,297 --> 00:04:59,089 I just want you to understand what's going on... 34 00:04:59,173 --> 00:05:01,633 ...if I start writing about what a bang-up job 35 00:05:01,718 --> 00:05:03,135 Governor Schwarzenegger's doing. 36 00:05:03,219 --> 00:05:07,222 S- C-H-W-A-R-Z... Scratch that. 37 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:09,808 Passe. Lacks context. 38 00:05:29,537 --> 00:05:30,620 Right. So the question is... 39 00:05:30,705 --> 00:05:31,913 Hey, Tommy. 40 00:05:31,998 --> 00:05:34,458 Theoretically could I, seeing as how the Governor has retired... 41 00:05:34,542 --> 00:05:37,586 ...his position at the muscle magazine, could I interview him? 42 00:05:37,670 --> 00:05:41,840 Right. And will my non-Teutonic lineage be an issue? 43 00:05:42,675 --> 00:05:47,304 See, no, that's... That's... It gets to be funny. It's just an article. 44 00:05:47,388 --> 00:05:49,681 Do I need to have been on steroids for a long time to even apply? 45 00:05:49,766 --> 00:05:51,099 Good. 46 00:05:52,935 --> 00:05:55,854 Gail, I like the "attention must be paid" reference. 47 00:05:55,938 --> 00:05:58,065 I might move it down a paragraph, though. 48 00:05:58,149 --> 00:06:01,068 Thanks. I'm getting you a new desk. 49 00:06:02,612 --> 00:06:04,613 Good morning, gentlemen. 50 00:06:06,949 --> 00:06:09,868 - Thanks. - Hey, guys. Check it out. 51 00:06:10,536 --> 00:06:13,121 I got a study here that says the number of Americans under 35... 52 00:06:13,206 --> 00:06:15,582 ...who read a newspaper is now down to 40%. 53 00:06:15,666 --> 00:06:16,833 - Forty? - Forty. 54 00:06:16,918 --> 00:06:19,044 And the group we're losing mostly are college-educated women. 55 00:06:19,128 --> 00:06:20,587 - Pull my finger. - Jesus Christ. 56 00:06:20,671 --> 00:06:22,005 Hey, honey. 57 00:06:22,090 --> 00:06:23,423 "Welcome back, Steve. " That would have been nice. 58 00:06:23,508 --> 00:06:25,884 Thank you. You know, when Lopez and I started out together... 59 00:06:25,968 --> 00:06:28,053 You had to walk 20 miles to school in the snow with no shoes? 60 00:06:28,137 --> 00:06:29,429 ...people cared about what went on in the world. 61 00:06:29,514 --> 00:06:31,306 - Am I right, Steve? I mean, Christ. - Back when people cared. 62 00:06:31,391 --> 00:06:33,141 We're at war, and the only thing that sells papers... 63 00:06:33,226 --> 00:06:34,559 ...is a Lindsay Lohan cooch shot. 64 00:06:34,644 --> 00:06:36,061 Jesus, did someone actually run that in print? 65 00:06:36,145 --> 00:06:37,854 - I thought that was just on the Web. - All right, all right. 66 00:06:37,939 --> 00:06:39,189 - All I am saying is... - I didn't see that. 67 00:06:39,273 --> 00:06:41,525 ...that if you run an excellent, if I do say so myself, 68 00:06:41,609 --> 00:06:45,821 front-page piece about how corporate America is profiting from this war, 69 00:06:45,905 --> 00:06:48,573 and the only reader response you get is on two hands... 70 00:06:48,658 --> 00:06:49,783 - Meanwhile... - That was a good piece, by the way. 71 00:06:49,867 --> 00:06:50,909 - Fine. Thanks. You read it? - I read that. 72 00:06:50,993 --> 00:06:52,869 - Did you really? - I didn't read it, but I loved it, Curt. 73 00:06:52,954 --> 00:06:55,705 Meanwhile, Lopez here scrapes his forehead, 74 00:06:55,790 --> 00:06:58,458 and gets, what, I'm guessing about 75 e-mails... 75 00:06:58,543 --> 00:06:59,584 ...from readers worried about his safety? 76 00:06:59,669 --> 00:07:02,838 - I chased this piece. - Then I'm sorry. I'm sorry. 77 00:07:02,922 --> 00:07:06,091 There is something very wrong in this world. 78 00:07:06,175 --> 00:07:07,884 Newsflash, something wrong with the world. 79 00:07:07,969 --> 00:07:09,469 Yeah. Your face hurts my feelings, Steve. 80 00:07:09,554 --> 00:07:10,595 That's harassment. 81 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:12,305 - Mary? - An environmental group studying... 82 00:07:12,390 --> 00:07:13,432 - Please. - ... chemical contaminants... 83 00:07:13,516 --> 00:07:14,599 - ... in people's bodies. - I literally... No. 84 00:07:14,684 --> 00:07:16,643 - Give some blood and write about it. - Let me check my e-mails. 85 00:07:16,727 --> 00:07:18,145 I think it would be a good idea for you. 86 00:07:18,229 --> 00:07:19,813 I'm glad you feel that way. I just did that. 87 00:07:19,897 --> 00:07:20,939 What do you think? 88 00:07:21,023 --> 00:07:22,649 The thought in my mind is, "No, thank you. " 89 00:07:22,733 --> 00:07:25,318 It was funny. People love it when you bleed. 90 00:07:25,403 --> 00:07:26,570 - Readers. - Busted. 91 00:07:26,654 --> 00:07:28,113 What is that? What do you call that, what you just did? 92 00:07:28,197 --> 00:07:29,823 - Transference. - Freud. 93 00:07:29,949 --> 00:07:31,366 Freud. Thank you. No. 94 00:07:31,451 --> 00:07:32,659 Sorry about the face. 95 00:07:32,743 --> 00:07:35,328 - I hate needles. - So use it. 96 00:07:37,915 --> 00:07:40,167 Originally used as a camp by settlers... 97 00:07:40,251 --> 00:07:42,961 ...outside of what was then the village of Los Angeles, 98 00:07:43,045 --> 00:07:47,299 it was called La Plaza Abaja, or the Lower Plaza. 99 00:08:45,107 --> 00:08:46,399 Stevie Wonder fan? 100 00:08:46,484 --> 00:08:49,319 My Cherie Amour is the song of my life. 101 00:08:49,403 --> 00:08:50,403 Signed, Sealed, Delivered. 102 00:08:50,488 --> 00:08:52,030 But you really shouldn't write on a violin like that... 103 00:08:52,114 --> 00:08:54,533 ...because you have to treat a violin like a child, you have to protect it. 104 00:08:54,617 --> 00:08:56,743 You only got two strings. 105 00:08:58,454 --> 00:09:00,038 All I want to do is play music, and here's the problem... 106 00:09:00,122 --> 00:09:01,289 ...that I'm having right here. 107 00:09:01,374 --> 00:09:04,459 This one's gone, this one's gone, this little one's out of commission. 108 00:09:04,544 --> 00:09:06,503 But you get that in Cleveland public schools. 109 00:09:06,587 --> 00:09:07,796 A lot of military statues in Cleveland. 110 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:09,589 - A very military-oriented city. - Is that where you're from? 111 00:09:09,674 --> 00:09:11,383 You're not gonna get musicians on parade there. 112 00:09:11,467 --> 00:09:14,052 You got Severance Hall there. You have The Music Settlement. 113 00:09:14,136 --> 00:09:15,095 Ohio State University. 114 00:09:15,179 --> 00:09:18,515 Whereas in Los Angeles, you have Los Angeles PD, you have LA Times, 115 00:09:18,599 --> 00:09:20,016 you have Los Angeles Lakers. 116 00:09:20,101 --> 00:09:22,894 Those are armies, too. Military regimentation, experimentation, 117 00:09:22,979 --> 00:09:25,272 Roman gable, Roman Catholicism, Colonel Sanders, 118 00:09:25,356 --> 00:09:26,439 - but this guy right here is... - Colonel Sanders. 119 00:09:26,524 --> 00:09:27,649 ...the quarterback with the orchestra. 120 00:09:27,733 --> 00:09:29,484 Now the cello could back this guy with the same moves, 121 00:09:29,569 --> 00:09:30,902 but the cello can't be concert master. 122 00:09:30,987 --> 00:09:34,531 No. He leads out, this was Itzhak Perlman, Jascha Heifetz. 123 00:09:34,615 --> 00:09:36,408 You can't play music in the winter in Cleveland... 124 00:09:36,492 --> 00:09:37,492 ...because of the ice and the snow. 125 00:09:37,577 --> 00:09:39,578 That's why I prefer Los Angeles to Beethoven City, 126 00:09:39,662 --> 00:09:41,246 because it never rains in Southern California, 127 00:09:41,330 --> 00:09:43,498 and if it does, all I have to do is just go in the tunnel, 128 00:09:43,583 --> 00:09:44,916 I could play to my heart's content. 129 00:09:45,001 --> 00:09:48,753 I'm flabbergasted about the statue. Aren't you flabbergasted about this? 130 00:09:49,422 --> 00:09:51,881 - Anyway, nice to meet you. - Do you have any idea how it got here? 131 00:09:51,966 --> 00:09:54,134 - No. - Maybe they dropped it off late at night. 132 00:09:54,218 --> 00:09:57,304 'Cause it's just astonishing to sit here for hours and just... Just gaze at it. 133 00:09:57,388 --> 00:09:59,097 - It... It just blows me away. - No idea. 134 00:09:59,181 --> 00:10:00,432 It really blows me away... 135 00:10:00,516 --> 00:10:04,561 ...that someone as great as Beethoven was the leader of Los Angeles. 136 00:10:07,064 --> 00:10:08,356 Yeah. 137 00:10:11,861 --> 00:10:13,528 I'm Steve Lopez, LA Times. 138 00:10:13,613 --> 00:10:15,071 - Lopez, L-O-P-E-Z? - Yeah. 139 00:10:15,156 --> 00:10:17,782 Lopez, Los Angeles Times. Mr. Lopez. 140 00:10:17,867 --> 00:10:19,117 - What's your name? - Lopez. 141 00:10:19,201 --> 00:10:20,619 Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Junior. 142 00:10:20,703 --> 00:10:23,038 N- A-T-H-A-N-I-E-L A-N-T-H-O-N-Y 143 00:10:23,122 --> 00:10:25,040 A- Y-E-R-S J-U-N-I-O-R. 144 00:10:26,459 --> 00:10:28,126 Or J-R-period. 145 00:10:31,756 --> 00:10:35,383 I apologize for my appearance. I've had a few setbacks. 146 00:10:36,260 --> 00:10:37,719 Me, too. 147 00:10:43,267 --> 00:10:46,102 Who are Nancy, Paul, and Craig? 148 00:10:46,187 --> 00:10:48,938 Those were my classmates at Juilliard. 149 00:10:51,067 --> 00:10:52,901 Good afternoon, Juilliard School. 150 00:10:52,985 --> 00:10:55,070 Registrar's office, please. 151 00:11:01,494 --> 00:11:02,869 What's up? 152 00:11:03,537 --> 00:11:06,373 It's highly classified. I can't tell you. 153 00:11:06,957 --> 00:11:10,210 - How many? - More than we can afford to lose. 154 00:11:10,294 --> 00:11:11,961 Evidently, it goes like this. 155 00:11:12,046 --> 00:11:14,089 Stock price sinks, we lose reporters. 156 00:11:14,173 --> 00:11:15,965 Stock price sinks more, we lose more reporters. 157 00:11:16,050 --> 00:11:17,175 That won't produce more or less... 158 00:11:17,259 --> 00:11:19,594 Hi, this is Steve Lopez from the LA Times. I'm calling to enquire... 159 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:22,555 ...as to whether a Nathaniel Anthony Ayers attended your school. 160 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:24,599 A- Y-E-R-S. I'm sorry. 161 00:11:25,017 --> 00:11:26,976 Freaking child lock. 162 00:11:31,023 --> 00:11:33,316 - How is our son, by the way? - He's good. 163 00:11:33,401 --> 00:11:36,194 He likes his classes. He likes his pre-gay roommate. 164 00:11:36,278 --> 00:11:37,570 You should call him. 165 00:11:37,655 --> 00:11:38,988 - I call him. - Is a lie. 166 00:11:39,073 --> 00:11:40,615 I call him. He doesn't call me back. 167 00:11:40,700 --> 00:11:41,991 - He calls me back. - Mary... 168 00:11:42,076 --> 00:11:44,411 - Just try again. - Yes, Mary. 169 00:11:44,495 --> 00:11:45,537 - Yes, Mary. - Yes. Yes, Steve. 170 00:11:45,621 --> 00:11:47,455 - I gotta take this call. - Great. 171 00:11:47,540 --> 00:11:49,791 - Because I don't have a story. Hello? - Call him. 172 00:11:49,875 --> 00:11:51,501 I'm sorry, we have no record... 173 00:11:51,585 --> 00:11:54,087 ...of a Nathaniel Anthony Ayers ever attending Juilliard. 174 00:11:54,171 --> 00:11:55,547 Really? 175 00:11:56,674 --> 00:11:59,134 But then I don't have a story. 176 00:12:00,845 --> 00:12:02,762 Thanks for checking. 177 00:12:10,813 --> 00:12:13,356 I'm not doing the blood thing. 178 00:12:14,525 --> 00:12:16,651 I got too many other good ideas. 179 00:12:18,112 --> 00:12:22,240 My dad is gonna freak when he finds out I met you. 180 00:12:22,324 --> 00:12:24,242 He loves your column. 181 00:12:24,326 --> 00:12:25,994 What about you? 182 00:12:27,329 --> 00:12:30,415 - Well, I don't really read the newspaper. - Sure. 183 00:12:31,500 --> 00:12:33,501 But when I do... 184 00:12:37,214 --> 00:12:39,924 Hey! Those aren't all for me, are they? 185 00:12:40,009 --> 00:12:42,385 I'm also going to need a clump of hair and some urine. 186 00:12:42,470 --> 00:12:44,012 That's easy. 187 00:12:45,890 --> 00:12:47,682 - All right. - Okay. 188 00:12:48,184 --> 00:12:50,185 Make a fist for me. 189 00:13:00,529 --> 00:13:01,613 Come on. 190 00:13:01,947 --> 00:13:03,198 Crap. 191 00:13:07,578 --> 00:13:08,912 - Lopez. - Mr. Lopez? 192 00:13:08,996 --> 00:13:10,371 Yeah, can you just hold on one second? 193 00:13:10,456 --> 00:13:12,123 I'm having a little technical difficulty here. 194 00:13:12,208 --> 00:13:15,376 This is Rosie Delgado from the Juilliard School. 195 00:13:16,420 --> 00:13:17,921 Mr. Lopez? 196 00:13:18,005 --> 00:13:19,798 Yes. Please continue. 197 00:13:19,882 --> 00:13:23,885 After we spoke yesterday, I realized I only checked our graduates. 198 00:13:23,969 --> 00:13:26,638 So I looked in our matriculates, and there he was. 199 00:13:26,722 --> 00:13:30,141 Nathaniel Anthony Ayers enrolled in 1970... 200 00:13:30,226 --> 00:13:33,686 ...and he dropped out toward the end of his second year. 201 00:13:33,771 --> 00:13:34,771 Thank you. 202 00:13:35,815 --> 00:13:40,652 "Points West" by Steve Lopez. Nathaniel was shy in our first encounter. 203 00:13:40,736 --> 00:13:43,238 He stepped back... He backed away. 204 00:13:43,906 --> 00:13:47,742 He... Nathaniel is... Is what? 205 00:13:47,827 --> 00:13:51,412 Nathaniel is... A great column is what Nathaniel is. 206 00:13:51,497 --> 00:13:54,290 Nathaniel is missing. 207 00:14:17,565 --> 00:14:18,857 Son of a bitch. 208 00:14:18,941 --> 00:14:22,068 - Raccoons. - Oh, yeah? 209 00:14:22,152 --> 00:14:24,445 - That's the culprit. - Oh, boy. 210 00:14:24,905 --> 00:14:26,781 What are they doing? They eat the grass? 211 00:14:26,866 --> 00:14:28,575 No, they eat the worms in the grass. 212 00:14:28,659 --> 00:14:29,951 They eat the worms in the grass? 213 00:14:30,035 --> 00:14:32,495 Yeah, we had them. It's a God-awful mess. 214 00:14:32,580 --> 00:14:34,581 - Wanna know how I got rid of them? - Yes. 215 00:14:34,665 --> 00:14:36,374 Coyote urine. 216 00:14:36,458 --> 00:14:40,378 - Wow. Coyote urine? - Seriously. In powdered form. 217 00:14:40,462 --> 00:14:42,755 - Remarkable. - It's a whole industry, you know. 218 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:43,882 Funny. 219 00:14:43,966 --> 00:14:46,342 - Hey, I'm Neil, by the way. - Okay. 220 00:15:56,288 --> 00:16:01,709 Anxiety, restlessness, euphoria. If you're experiencing... 221 00:16:01,794 --> 00:16:03,920 I would spend every night tossing and turning... 222 00:16:06,006 --> 00:16:09,133 Wow. Okay, and what is the proper method of application? 223 00:16:09,218 --> 00:16:10,385 Should I sprinkle it in the yard? 224 00:16:10,469 --> 00:16:13,304 First, you wanna dilute the urine powder in water. 225 00:16:13,389 --> 00:16:16,641 - Wait, I want to? - Well, maybe I should say "have to. " 226 00:16:16,725 --> 00:16:20,979 And then you're gonna have to hang the liquid from trees in plastic bags. 227 00:16:21,063 --> 00:16:23,439 So, people are doing this all over Southern California? 228 00:16:23,524 --> 00:16:26,567 Oh, yes, sir. Last month, I sold some to Paula Abdul. 229 00:16:26,652 --> 00:16:30,822 But no Simon Cowell? 'Cause that would be exciting. Figure? 230 00:16:32,074 --> 00:16:36,035 I'm gonna call you back a little later. 231 00:16:52,344 --> 00:16:53,428 Hey. 232 00:16:55,764 --> 00:16:57,432 Hey, Nathaniel. 233 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:01,060 Remember me? 234 00:17:03,272 --> 00:17:04,439 Sorry. 235 00:17:08,527 --> 00:17:11,112 Maybe have a minute when you're done? 236 00:17:13,449 --> 00:17:14,907 Let me know. 237 00:17:44,813 --> 00:17:46,773 I just saw you, so I... 238 00:17:49,318 --> 00:17:50,568 Nothing. 239 00:18:01,747 --> 00:18:03,956 Mr. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California. 240 00:18:04,041 --> 00:18:05,374 Hey, Nathaniel. 241 00:18:05,459 --> 00:18:06,584 I've been searching for Mr. Beethoven, 242 00:18:06,668 --> 00:18:07,668 but he's slipping away like a dream. 243 00:18:07,753 --> 00:18:09,921 I'm trying to get back into shape, but I don't have any sheet music. 244 00:18:10,005 --> 00:18:12,298 Beethoven's String Quartet, Opus 59, Number 1, 245 00:18:12,382 --> 00:18:14,634 Violin Concerto, Opus 61 in D, 246 00:18:14,718 --> 00:18:17,303 Fifth Concerto, Opus 73 in E Flat, red car, green car, 247 00:18:17,387 --> 00:18:20,431 there goes a police car, and God is right on the other side of that wall. 248 00:18:20,516 --> 00:18:23,101 I had to dig a hole to bury some human defecation. 249 00:18:23,185 --> 00:18:24,268 But they didn't have the human decency... 250 00:18:24,353 --> 00:18:25,353 I was looking for you. 251 00:18:25,437 --> 00:18:27,313 - ... to use the proper facilities. - I noticed that you've moved. 252 00:18:27,397 --> 00:18:29,107 Well, it's beautiful here, because you can play music... 253 00:18:29,191 --> 00:18:30,858 ...and have pigeons clapping as they take off, 254 00:18:30,943 --> 00:18:32,777 and right there is The Los Angeles Times Building. 255 00:18:32,861 --> 00:18:34,779 - Right, that's where I work. - Mr. Steve Lopez, staff writer. 256 00:18:34,863 --> 00:18:35,822 New York, Cleveland, it doesn't matter. 257 00:18:35,906 --> 00:18:36,948 All I have to do is look up at that building... 258 00:18:37,032 --> 00:18:37,990 ...and I know exactly where I am. 259 00:18:38,075 --> 00:18:39,117 I was thinking about... 260 00:18:39,201 --> 00:18:40,368 I'm in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, 261 00:18:40,452 --> 00:18:41,494 - Los Angeles Lakers. - ... writing about you... 262 00:18:41,578 --> 00:18:42,578 ...for the paper. 263 00:18:42,663 --> 00:18:43,788 Magic Johnson, Magic Johnson Theaters. 264 00:18:43,872 --> 00:18:46,290 Magic Johnson is a basketball player, but he's also a big, black man. 265 00:18:46,375 --> 00:18:48,459 What if I were to wanna write a story about you for the newspaper? 266 00:18:48,544 --> 00:18:50,837 Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles newspaper. 267 00:18:50,921 --> 00:18:53,923 - Staff writer, Mr. Steve Lopez. - Yeah. Yeah, that's me. 268 00:18:54,007 --> 00:18:57,927 Do you mind if I record this? And I wanna write a story about you. 269 00:18:58,011 --> 00:19:00,096 A column about how a guy like you winds up on the street. 270 00:19:00,180 --> 00:19:01,347 - What do you think of that? - Mr. Lopez needs to do... 271 00:19:01,431 --> 00:19:02,557 ...what Mr. Lopez needs to do. 272 00:19:02,641 --> 00:19:04,684 No one could ever stop Mr. Lopez from doing what he wants to do. 273 00:19:04,768 --> 00:19:06,894 Are you flying that plane? 274 00:19:07,604 --> 00:19:09,564 No. No, I'm right here. 275 00:19:10,983 --> 00:19:11,983 I don't know how God works. 276 00:19:12,067 --> 00:19:15,111 I called Juilliard, and they said you went there, but you didn't finish. 277 00:19:15,195 --> 00:19:17,113 I bombed right out of there. I bombed out of Juilliard. 278 00:19:17,197 --> 00:19:18,823 - Yeah, what happened? - I just... It didn't happen. 279 00:19:18,907 --> 00:19:21,826 I don't know. I don't know what happened. 280 00:19:21,910 --> 00:19:23,911 Anyone I could contact? Family? 281 00:19:23,996 --> 00:19:26,205 Family? Miss Floria Ayers, my mom. 282 00:19:26,290 --> 00:19:28,875 She's a beautician. Beauty is art. Music is beauty. 283 00:19:28,959 --> 00:19:30,918 I don't do hair. I do my own hair, 284 00:19:31,003 --> 00:19:33,504 but obviously, my mom does everybody's hair in the community. 285 00:19:33,589 --> 00:19:37,133 They would come for her. She's quite a woman. 286 00:19:37,217 --> 00:19:40,178 But I don't know how you're gonna talk to her, though, because she passed. 287 00:19:40,262 --> 00:19:42,471 Okay. Sorry to hear that. 288 00:19:44,433 --> 00:19:45,933 Who could I call? 289 00:19:46,018 --> 00:19:48,728 216-962-6746. 290 00:19:50,022 --> 00:19:51,063 Whose number's that? 291 00:19:51,148 --> 00:19:54,025 You know, it's a dream out here, Mr. Lopez. 292 00:19:54,109 --> 00:19:56,235 The sun is shining. The nights are cool and serene, 293 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:58,779 and I notice that everyone is smiling. 294 00:19:59,448 --> 00:20:02,241 - Delivered just hours before... - Americans are asking... 295 00:20:03,285 --> 00:20:04,994 Hi, I'm calling for Jennifer Ayers-Moore. 296 00:20:05,078 --> 00:20:07,288 How will we finally win this war? 297 00:20:07,372 --> 00:20:08,372 Hello? 298 00:20:08,457 --> 00:20:10,166 Hi, this is Steve Lopez from the LA Times. 299 00:20:10,250 --> 00:20:14,295 I spoke with your aunt, I believe, earlier. She suggested I give you a call. 300 00:20:14,379 --> 00:20:17,340 - About what? - About your brother, Nathaniel. 301 00:20:19,092 --> 00:20:20,343 Is he dead? 302 00:20:20,427 --> 00:20:23,596 What? No, no, no, he's alive. 303 00:20:24,223 --> 00:20:25,973 Is he all right? 304 00:20:27,768 --> 00:20:33,105 He's... Yeah. He's homeless. I don't know if you're aware of that. 305 00:20:33,649 --> 00:20:35,775 But he seems very bright, and... May I record this? 306 00:20:35,859 --> 00:20:37,693 And talented, obviously. Juilliard and all. 307 00:20:37,986 --> 00:20:39,070 I'm, I'm... I'm sorry. 308 00:20:39,154 --> 00:20:41,489 - Your name again, please? - Steve Lopez. 309 00:20:41,823 --> 00:20:43,324 Mr. Lopez, why are you calling? 310 00:20:43,408 --> 00:20:46,869 I'm gonna write a column about Nathaniel. 311 00:20:46,954 --> 00:20:48,079 Why? 312 00:20:50,666 --> 00:20:55,169 Because that's what I do. Everyone has a story, and it's interesting, 313 00:20:55,254 --> 00:20:58,422 you know, that a Juilliard alum is now homeless. 314 00:20:58,966 --> 00:21:02,718 But he seems smart and kind, and... And... 315 00:21:03,220 --> 00:21:07,890 And spends his days filling the city air with violin music, and I just... 316 00:21:07,975 --> 00:21:09,976 He plays the violin now? 317 00:21:11,103 --> 00:21:15,481 He's... Yeah. Why? He used to play something else? 318 00:21:18,402 --> 00:21:20,027 Bye, Mama. 319 00:21:37,546 --> 00:21:41,048 - Good morning, Nathaniel. - Morning, Miss Little John. 320 00:21:51,184 --> 00:21:52,643 So, what do you want to play for me? 321 00:21:52,728 --> 00:21:56,063 I'm going to play some Beethoven, sir. I'm crazy about Beethoven. 322 00:21:56,148 --> 00:21:58,149 He was younger than me when he started playing piano, 323 00:21:58,233 --> 00:22:00,985 and I wanted to play the piano, but so many kids played it, 324 00:22:01,069 --> 00:22:04,030 and there's only one at school, so it's hard to get practice time in. 325 00:22:04,114 --> 00:22:08,409 So, I chose the cello. Hardly anyone at school wanted to play the cello. 326 00:22:08,493 --> 00:22:11,162 And Beethoven was composing when he was only 11, 327 00:22:11,246 --> 00:22:12,705 and I'm already older than that, 328 00:22:12,789 --> 00:22:15,166 so I figure I got a lot of catching up to do. 329 00:22:15,250 --> 00:22:17,084 Let's hear you play. 330 00:22:46,823 --> 00:22:51,952 He had the talent, that's for sure. I called his mother that night. 331 00:22:52,037 --> 00:22:56,290 I told her that I thought he was the most gifted kid I've ever met. 332 00:22:57,167 --> 00:23:00,628 I said that if he made a full commitment to music, 333 00:23:00,712 --> 00:23:06,467 if he really, really gave it all he had, the whole world would open up to him. 334 00:23:07,719 --> 00:23:09,387 And he did. He really did. 335 00:23:09,471 --> 00:23:12,765 Go see if Martha's rollers are ready. They should be on the kitchen table. 336 00:23:12,849 --> 00:23:14,308 Okay, Mama. 337 00:23:18,438 --> 00:23:20,523 Miss Florence, I'll be back in 10. 338 00:23:20,607 --> 00:23:22,066 He ain't gonna get no sleep. 339 00:23:22,150 --> 00:23:24,568 He gonna kill that little girl before he kills everybody... 340 00:23:24,653 --> 00:23:28,989 $10,000! I told him he gotta buy me something real pretty. Real pretty. 341 00:23:49,344 --> 00:23:51,679 Before long, it got so that was all he did. 342 00:23:51,763 --> 00:23:54,890 No more football, no more baseball. Just music. 343 00:23:56,685 --> 00:23:58,811 Day in and day out. 344 00:24:04,693 --> 00:24:07,486 The whole world was changing around him. 345 00:24:07,988 --> 00:24:10,030 And that was all he did. 346 00:24:10,949 --> 00:24:12,450 Music. 347 00:26:11,152 --> 00:26:12,778 Hey, you awake? 348 00:26:42,350 --> 00:26:45,519 You know what I hear when you play your music? 349 00:26:47,063 --> 00:26:49,523 I hear the voice of God coming... 350 00:26:50,775 --> 00:26:52,484 I'm serious. 351 00:26:58,491 --> 00:27:01,118 You got something special here, baby. 352 00:27:02,078 --> 00:27:03,537 A way out. 353 00:27:05,957 --> 00:27:09,126 There is a whole world waiting for you. 354 00:27:50,627 --> 00:27:52,878 "Points West" by Steve Lopez. 355 00:27:53,505 --> 00:27:57,549 Nathaniel was shy in our first encounter. Period. 356 00:27:57,634 --> 00:28:00,469 He took a step back when I approached him to say... 357 00:28:00,553 --> 00:28:03,055 ...I liked the way his violin music 358 00:28:03,139 --> 00:28:06,892 drowned out the jackhammers on Grand Street. Period. 359 00:28:08,228 --> 00:28:11,271 Nathaniel's first instrument was the cello. 360 00:28:11,356 --> 00:28:14,525 Strangely, he has never had any training on the violin instrument. 361 00:28:14,609 --> 00:28:16,360 He has never had... Period. 362 00:28:16,444 --> 00:28:19,029 He has never had any training on the violin. 363 00:28:19,114 --> 00:28:21,865 He switched to the latter after winding up on the streets. 364 00:28:23,243 --> 00:28:26,036 One day, I asked him about his hopes and dreams. 365 00:28:26,121 --> 00:28:30,165 "That's easy," he said. "I'd like to get these other two strings. " 366 00:28:33,962 --> 00:28:35,879 Dear Mr. Lopez, 367 00:28:35,964 --> 00:28:39,550 this morning I read your article about the street musician... 368 00:28:39,634 --> 00:28:41,468 ...and was deeply moved. 369 00:28:42,429 --> 00:28:45,055 This cello is one I used for 50 years, 370 00:28:45,140 --> 00:28:47,850 until arthritis got the better of me. 371 00:28:48,643 --> 00:28:51,311 Please pass it along to Mr. Ayers... 372 00:28:51,396 --> 00:28:54,648 ...with my prayers for his health and safety. 373 00:29:11,332 --> 00:29:12,750 - Nathaniel! - All I'm trying to do... 374 00:29:12,834 --> 00:29:14,084 ...is work as hard as I can to clean up the tunnel. 375 00:29:14,169 --> 00:29:16,253 - Hey! Nathaniel! - But they don't want me to help them. 376 00:29:16,337 --> 00:29:17,421 I won't have it, you know. 377 00:29:17,505 --> 00:29:19,590 - Don't want to have this degradation... - Are you out of your mind? 378 00:29:19,674 --> 00:29:21,008 ...because they just won't respect that Beethoven... 379 00:29:21,092 --> 00:29:22,217 What are you doing? 380 00:29:22,302 --> 00:29:24,553 ...and I try to tell every one of them, I won't have this nastiness... 381 00:29:24,637 --> 00:29:27,848 - Nathaniel! - ... this degradation, I won't have it. 382 00:29:28,850 --> 00:29:30,017 Don't! 383 00:29:30,852 --> 00:29:32,603 Don't! Don't! 384 00:29:37,525 --> 00:29:40,068 I'm not going to have this nastiness in this tunnel. This degradation. 385 00:29:40,153 --> 00:29:41,153 Good. 386 00:29:43,323 --> 00:29:45,532 Remember when I said I was gonna write about you? 387 00:29:45,617 --> 00:29:47,409 Well, I did. 388 00:29:47,494 --> 00:29:51,371 When people heard that you were just playing with two strings, 389 00:29:51,915 --> 00:29:54,500 some of them thought you might want something better to work with. 390 00:29:54,584 --> 00:29:57,461 No. I can't cover that. 391 00:29:57,545 --> 00:29:59,129 You don't have to pay for it. 392 00:29:59,214 --> 00:30:01,173 - I'm sure it's a very beautiful instrument. - Free and clear. 393 00:30:01,257 --> 00:30:03,300 People are very, very generous. 394 00:30:03,384 --> 00:30:04,551 But, look, here's the deal. 395 00:30:04,636 --> 00:30:07,221 It's not safe for you to have something this valuable on the streets... 396 00:30:07,305 --> 00:30:08,555 You don't have to worry about that, Mr. Lopez. 397 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:09,973 I've been mugged 14 times. 398 00:30:10,058 --> 00:30:11,725 I will fight to the death to protect this instrument. 399 00:30:11,810 --> 00:30:13,310 Right, that's my point exactly. 400 00:30:13,394 --> 00:30:14,561 So, apparently there's a place... 401 00:30:14,646 --> 00:30:16,480 ...that's a couple of blocks down that's called Lamp. 402 00:30:16,564 --> 00:30:18,023 - I can't go... No, I can't go there. - And I... Hold on. 403 00:30:18,107 --> 00:30:19,149 I can't go... No, I can't go there. 404 00:30:19,234 --> 00:30:20,192 - They smoke cigarettes. - I talked to the guy. 405 00:30:20,276 --> 00:30:22,444 - He says you can keep it there. - They drop the butts on the ground. 406 00:30:22,529 --> 00:30:24,571 They do it to torment me. They just... They do it to torment me. 407 00:30:24,656 --> 00:30:27,407 That's the deal. You wanna play this, you gotta do it there. 408 00:30:27,492 --> 00:30:29,785 - I can't do that. - Oh, yeah. 409 00:30:34,791 --> 00:30:39,419 Except for this one time. Take it out and give it a test drive or whatever. 410 00:30:39,921 --> 00:30:41,505 - So I can play it here? - For a couple minutes, 411 00:30:41,589 --> 00:30:44,258 and then we're gonna bring it to Lamp. 412 00:31:02,819 --> 00:31:05,445 Laying in there like a pig in a blanket. 413 00:31:06,322 --> 00:31:08,574 Only... Only the greats. Really, only the greats. 414 00:31:08,658 --> 00:31:11,159 Yo-Yo Ma, Jacqueline du Pre, 415 00:31:12,036 --> 00:31:15,122 and the coolest cucumber of them all is 416 00:31:15,206 --> 00:31:16,623 Janos Starker. 417 00:31:17,750 --> 00:31:21,461 Gotta put rosin on your bow. It's just like feeding a parakeet. 418 00:31:21,546 --> 00:31:25,299 A bow needs rosin just like a police car needs prisoners. 419 00:35:08,189 --> 00:35:10,941 So pack it up. We'll bring it to Lamp, you can get back at it. 420 00:35:11,025 --> 00:35:12,609 I haven't really gotten a chance to know her yet. 421 00:35:12,693 --> 00:35:14,402 - So... - I'm not saying you can't play. 422 00:35:14,487 --> 00:35:16,488 - You can. Just not here. - This is the perfect music environment... 423 00:35:16,572 --> 00:35:17,614 - ... for playing music. - This? 424 00:35:17,698 --> 00:35:18,907 - No. - Yes. 425 00:35:18,991 --> 00:35:20,408 This is a sidewalk, okay? 426 00:35:20,493 --> 00:35:23,120 - That's the deal. We made a deal. - No, no, no. You'll break the bridge. 427 00:35:23,204 --> 00:35:25,789 - You'll put water in it, you'll drown her. - That's what I'll do? 428 00:35:25,873 --> 00:35:26,873 - It will be ruined. - Why would I damage it? 429 00:35:26,958 --> 00:35:28,458 - I gave you the damn thing. - It won't play right ever, 430 00:35:28,543 --> 00:35:30,293 - because, Mr. Lopez, you'll ruin it. - I'm not going to... 431 00:35:30,378 --> 00:35:31,419 I'm not gonna see you get killed over this. 432 00:35:31,504 --> 00:35:33,463 You don't know what you're doing. Let me put it away myself. 433 00:35:33,548 --> 00:35:35,257 Then put it away. 434 00:35:35,842 --> 00:35:37,467 Thank you. 435 00:35:39,720 --> 00:35:42,973 Because when you start a relationship with somebody... 436 00:35:43,057 --> 00:35:44,850 - Don't make a big deal of it, okay? - It is a big deal. 437 00:35:44,934 --> 00:35:46,643 In a minute, you'll have it set up down at Lamp... 438 00:35:46,727 --> 00:35:48,478 ...and be playing like you never stopped. 439 00:35:48,563 --> 00:35:49,646 - Right? - It's brand-new, this relationship. 440 00:35:49,730 --> 00:35:51,731 - I don't want this relationship to end. - Do you know where it is? 441 00:35:51,816 --> 00:35:53,942 - No, I can't do that. - Just leave that there. I'll drive you. 442 00:35:54,026 --> 00:35:55,152 I have my cart there. I could get it in my cart. 443 00:35:55,236 --> 00:35:56,319 What are you doing? You're gonna let go. 444 00:35:56,404 --> 00:35:57,445 - Just let your fingers go. - Does anyone... 445 00:35:57,530 --> 00:35:58,530 Does anyone see what he's doing right here? 446 00:35:58,614 --> 00:36:01,199 - He's stealing it. - I'll... I'll meet you there. 447 00:36:01,284 --> 00:36:02,951 San Julian and 6th. 448 00:36:03,035 --> 00:36:04,411 All right? 449 00:36:05,121 --> 00:36:08,373 - I'll drive. You walk. - I know where it is... 450 00:36:08,457 --> 00:36:10,417 See you in a half hour? 451 00:36:28,227 --> 00:36:30,187 For cash money I got speed, man. 452 00:36:30,271 --> 00:36:31,563 I'm good. 453 00:36:42,617 --> 00:36:43,825 Jesus. 454 00:36:44,410 --> 00:36:45,619 Fine. 455 00:36:46,704 --> 00:36:48,496 Tennis shoes. 456 00:36:49,373 --> 00:36:50,832 Oh, boy. 457 00:37:10,937 --> 00:37:13,146 One at a time. One at a time. 458 00:37:20,780 --> 00:37:22,489 The pusher. Ten cents. 459 00:37:24,575 --> 00:37:26,993 - Say, hey, is David here? - Yes? 460 00:37:29,038 --> 00:37:30,705 I'm here for David. 461 00:37:30,790 --> 00:37:32,040 - Who? - David. 462 00:37:32,124 --> 00:37:34,084 David? I can go get him. 463 00:37:35,253 --> 00:37:36,503 Thanks. 464 00:37:39,548 --> 00:37:40,924 David! 465 00:37:41,008 --> 00:37:42,133 Hey. 466 00:37:52,728 --> 00:37:54,938 - Hi. - Hi. You a volunteer? 467 00:37:55,022 --> 00:37:57,065 Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times. 468 00:37:57,149 --> 00:37:59,609 - Don't be scared. Come in. - Thanks. 469 00:38:01,195 --> 00:38:02,612 Every staff has a key, 470 00:38:02,697 --> 00:38:05,532 so if he does come by and I'm not here, then anybody can get it for him. 471 00:38:05,616 --> 00:38:06,950 - Well, he'll be here. - Okay. 472 00:38:07,034 --> 00:38:08,034 He said he was coming. 473 00:38:08,160 --> 00:38:09,828 Can you sign in for me? 474 00:38:09,912 --> 00:38:11,538 - Sure. - Thanks. 475 00:38:13,124 --> 00:38:14,416 - Afternoon. - Hi. How are you? 476 00:38:15,126 --> 00:38:18,962 I mean, it's tired. It's like they can't find the medication... 477 00:38:19,046 --> 00:38:21,464 ...that's right for me, you know? 478 00:38:21,549 --> 00:38:23,425 - You know what I'm trying to say? - Yeah. 479 00:38:23,509 --> 00:38:26,094 When they put me on lithium, 480 00:38:26,178 --> 00:38:29,014 it was like a portion of my brain... 481 00:38:29,098 --> 00:38:31,141 ...was fully functional. 482 00:38:31,892 --> 00:38:33,685 You know what I mean? 483 00:38:33,978 --> 00:38:36,354 Because it's like when I take the lithium and everything, 484 00:38:36,439 --> 00:38:39,816 it totally eliminates the voices in my mind... 485 00:38:39,900 --> 00:38:41,693 ...when they first start rising up, 486 00:38:41,777 --> 00:38:44,362 you know, and it stops them, right there. 487 00:38:44,447 --> 00:38:46,406 I don't like that, because they just stop them. 488 00:38:46,490 --> 00:38:49,743 Because, see, sometimes those voices comfort me. 489 00:38:49,827 --> 00:38:53,580 And when they comfort me, if they give me all this lithium, 490 00:38:53,664 --> 00:38:56,291 then I no longer have the voices to comfort me. 491 00:38:56,375 --> 00:38:57,667 You understand what I'm saying? 492 00:38:57,752 --> 00:38:59,210 Do you feel what I'm saying to you? 493 00:39:05,217 --> 00:39:06,968 - You mind if I sit here? - Not at all. 494 00:39:07,053 --> 00:39:08,053 All right. 495 00:39:08,137 --> 00:39:10,138 - I'm Steve. - I'm Steve, too. 496 00:39:10,222 --> 00:39:11,514 Oh, boy. Hi. 497 00:39:11,599 --> 00:39:14,893 - I knew I picked the right spot. - Yeah, you're good. 498 00:39:17,855 --> 00:39:20,357 So are you a new Lamp staff, or... 499 00:39:20,941 --> 00:39:24,152 - No. I'm just waiting for somebody. - Okay. 500 00:39:28,449 --> 00:39:30,450 I just try to keep Leeann happy. 501 00:39:30,534 --> 00:39:34,120 He is a bright spot in my life. We value the same things. 502 00:39:35,247 --> 00:39:36,623 And we're comfortable together. 503 00:39:36,707 --> 00:39:40,168 Thank you, Leeann. That's so nice to hear you say that. 504 00:39:41,545 --> 00:39:43,129 I call him Piggy Boy and stuff like that, 505 00:39:43,214 --> 00:39:45,882 but I shouldn't, because he's in a bad shape. 506 00:39:45,966 --> 00:39:48,051 We thought his problem was cocaine. 507 00:39:48,135 --> 00:39:50,178 - But it was pancreatic cancer. - Yeah? 508 00:39:50,262 --> 00:39:53,556 KK's French, Egyptian, and African-American, 509 00:39:53,641 --> 00:39:55,433 and I am a quarter French. 510 00:39:55,518 --> 00:39:57,894 I know about disease. I know how to treat it. 511 00:39:57,978 --> 00:40:00,772 Now I understand people. I can help so many people fast, 512 00:40:00,856 --> 00:40:01,898 and I can comfort them. 513 00:40:01,982 --> 00:40:05,360 They've got Italian nurses, 6'4", in the county hospital. 514 00:40:05,444 --> 00:40:07,487 And one of them talked to me like I was trash. 515 00:40:07,571 --> 00:40:11,741 Now, this is probably that the hour of power that the Bible speaks of, 516 00:40:11,826 --> 00:40:14,786 somebody who speaks a harsh language, will have what the computer... 517 00:40:14,870 --> 00:40:16,204 The computer is probably the beast. 518 00:40:16,288 --> 00:40:18,164 My aunt ended up with 16 shock treatments... 519 00:40:18,249 --> 00:40:19,374 ...because she didn't want to go to bed... 520 00:40:19,458 --> 00:40:20,667 ...with her sex-crazed husband. 521 00:40:20,751 --> 00:40:23,253 He was paying call girls $100 apiece, 522 00:40:23,337 --> 00:40:24,587 going to bed with them and coming home... 523 00:40:24,672 --> 00:40:26,297 ...and giving my aunt all kinds of diseases. 524 00:40:26,382 --> 00:40:28,425 I got sick. I was working over there. 525 00:40:28,509 --> 00:40:31,886 And I got sicker than a dog one day. I got an infection in my esophagus. 526 00:40:31,971 --> 00:40:35,140 The neighbor's dog was sick one day and the only thing I had on hand... 527 00:40:35,224 --> 00:40:37,976 ...was a packet of tetracycline for my chickens. 528 00:40:38,060 --> 00:40:41,604 So they wouldn't... They were too busy to treat her at the moment. 529 00:40:41,689 --> 00:40:43,064 - You're fantastic. - They'd already given her... 530 00:40:52,992 --> 00:40:55,785 Ice cold. Ice cold. 531 00:40:55,870 --> 00:40:58,246 "Points West" by Steve Lopez. 532 00:40:59,373 --> 00:41:03,543 I put Nathaniel's new instruments in safekeeping and waited. 533 00:41:06,005 --> 00:41:08,882 Fifteen minutes. Thirty minutes. An hour. 534 00:41:11,635 --> 00:41:14,971 Too long, in fact, 'cause guess what, schmuck, 535 00:41:15,514 --> 00:41:17,932 you got a deadline tomorrow. 536 00:41:19,268 --> 00:41:22,645 And the story of a guy not showing up... 537 00:41:22,730 --> 00:41:24,397 ...is not a story. 538 00:41:26,275 --> 00:41:28,776 Nathaniel. Nathaniel. Nathaniel. 539 00:41:48,672 --> 00:41:49,923 Okay. 540 00:42:08,400 --> 00:42:11,819 So, you guys are basically united by non-belief. 541 00:42:12,571 --> 00:42:14,405 - That's right. - Yeah. 542 00:42:14,490 --> 00:42:16,449 So, do you non-gather? 543 00:42:17,159 --> 00:42:18,701 And non-worship? 544 00:42:18,786 --> 00:42:20,662 We tried, but... 545 00:42:22,498 --> 00:42:25,291 - You're not allowed to talk about it. - Yeah. 546 00:42:25,376 --> 00:42:28,002 - Now we have a website. - Swell. 547 00:42:31,674 --> 00:42:33,508 Anything else you don't believe in? 548 00:42:33,592 --> 00:42:35,051 - Sorry. - Yeah, actually... 549 00:42:35,135 --> 00:42:36,844 - Sorry. - Okay. 550 00:42:36,929 --> 00:42:39,097 - Lopez. - Can you hear this? 551 00:42:39,181 --> 00:42:40,306 Sorry, can't hear you. 552 00:42:40,391 --> 00:42:42,559 I said, can you hear this? 553 00:42:57,575 --> 00:43:00,577 This family thinks it can have this conversation at every step. 554 00:43:58,135 --> 00:43:59,677 This is my apartment. This is my apartment. 555 00:43:59,762 --> 00:44:00,928 This is my apartment. 556 00:44:01,013 --> 00:44:03,598 Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Junior. N- A-T-H-A... 557 00:44:34,046 --> 00:44:36,339 - I need Charles for the practice. - ... because you're so good. 558 00:44:36,423 --> 00:44:39,550 I am so good, but I still have to tweak things so I can win. 559 00:44:39,843 --> 00:44:43,012 There's a fine line in performances. 560 00:44:43,097 --> 00:44:45,556 - I mean, I can't let her beat me. - I really have to practice. 561 00:44:46,016 --> 00:44:47,266 Half an hour is all it takes for me. 562 00:44:47,351 --> 00:44:48,893 Half an hour. 563 00:44:51,188 --> 00:44:53,398 Nathaniel. 564 00:44:55,275 --> 00:44:57,527 - Nathaniel. - Nathaniel. 565 00:44:57,611 --> 00:44:59,904 - Nathaniel. - Nathaniel? 566 00:44:59,988 --> 00:45:01,989 - Nathaniel. - Nathaniel. 567 00:45:02,074 --> 00:45:06,327 - Nathaniel Ayers. - Nathaniel. 568 00:45:06,412 --> 00:45:08,454 - Nathaniel. Nathaniel. - Nathaniel. 569 00:45:08,789 --> 00:45:09,831 - Ayers! - Nathaniel! 570 00:45:09,957 --> 00:45:12,750 Ma, I'm good, honestly, it's just that... 571 00:45:13,627 --> 00:45:15,920 - I'm real proud of you, baby. - Thank you. 572 00:45:16,004 --> 00:45:21,300 It's just that I'm not always so sure I know what's going on, and... 573 00:45:21,677 --> 00:45:23,761 You are gonna be fine. 574 00:45:24,346 --> 00:45:26,055 It's so frightening, and... 575 00:45:26,140 --> 00:45:29,642 And I'm having trouble differentiating certain things. 576 00:45:29,727 --> 00:45:32,228 Keeping things separated. 577 00:45:32,646 --> 00:45:35,898 If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again. 578 00:45:35,983 --> 00:45:37,108 If you need help... 579 00:45:44,366 --> 00:45:46,868 - That's where your pain will start. - Nathaniel. 580 00:45:48,662 --> 00:45:51,414 - Nathaniel. Nathaniel. - Paint your chest white. 581 00:45:51,498 --> 00:45:53,249 Protect her from the pain. 582 00:45:53,375 --> 00:45:54,417 Nathaniel. 583 00:45:54,501 --> 00:45:57,003 I'll be here to protect you from the pain. 584 00:45:57,087 --> 00:45:59,630 - I'll protect you from the pain. - I'll protect you from the pain. 585 00:45:59,715 --> 00:46:01,174 I'll protect you from the pain. 586 00:46:01,258 --> 00:46:04,093 I'll protect you from their eyes and ears. 587 00:46:04,178 --> 00:46:05,762 Nathaniel. 588 00:46:05,846 --> 00:46:08,431 Are you finding this piece to be beyond your abilities? 589 00:46:08,515 --> 00:46:10,516 They're listening to you, Nathaniel. 590 00:46:10,601 --> 00:46:12,685 They can hear your thoughts, Nathaniel. 591 00:46:12,770 --> 00:46:15,813 - I can hear your thoughts, Nathaniel. - Well, then I suggest you do better. 592 00:46:15,898 --> 00:46:18,065 They can hear your thoughts, Nathaniel. 593 00:46:18,150 --> 00:46:20,067 - Don't think, Nathaniel. - Bar 179, ladies and gentlemen. 594 00:46:30,871 --> 00:46:32,413 - Run away, Nathaniel. - Run away, Nathaniel. 595 00:46:32,498 --> 00:46:34,248 Run away, Nathaniel. 596 00:46:34,333 --> 00:46:36,542 - Come on. Run. - You should run. 597 00:46:36,627 --> 00:46:38,294 - You'll have to hide, Nathaniel. - Run! 598 00:46:38,378 --> 00:46:40,797 - You'll never get out of there. - You'll never get out of there. 599 00:46:40,881 --> 00:46:43,633 - Run! Run! Run! - You'll never get out. 600 00:46:43,717 --> 00:46:46,052 - Quick, like a jackrabbit. - Nathaniel. 601 00:46:46,136 --> 00:46:48,095 They're white, heartless, aren't they? 602 00:46:48,180 --> 00:46:49,347 - Heartless. - Hide. 603 00:46:49,431 --> 00:46:50,723 Hide for me here, Nathaniel. 604 00:46:51,350 --> 00:46:53,267 We see you, Nathaniel. 605 00:46:53,352 --> 00:46:55,144 - They'll see you, Nathaniel. - Whiteness. 606 00:46:55,229 --> 00:46:56,646 - There's no hiding, Nathaniel. - Whiteness. 607 00:46:57,064 --> 00:46:58,231 You'll never hide well enough. 608 00:46:58,315 --> 00:46:59,482 - ... turn you white... - Whiteness! 609 00:46:59,566 --> 00:47:01,651 - No hiding for you, Nathaniel. - Whiteness. Whiteness. 610 00:47:01,735 --> 00:47:03,236 Whiteness. 611 00:47:34,309 --> 00:47:36,477 You'll take it, because I want my out. 612 00:47:36,562 --> 00:47:38,521 Detroit? Anger management. 613 00:47:38,605 --> 00:47:40,147 It's amazing, right? 614 00:47:40,232 --> 00:47:41,691 Does it look like I need some anger management to you? 615 00:47:41,775 --> 00:47:43,442 Yeah. Man, I'll take him any day. 616 00:47:43,527 --> 00:47:45,695 He quiets everybody down. 617 00:47:45,779 --> 00:47:49,073 - What does he have, schizophrenia? - I don't know. 618 00:47:50,200 --> 00:47:54,412 Well, we should hook him up with psychiatric services and find out, right? 619 00:47:54,496 --> 00:47:57,415 Yeah, I don't get too hung up on diagnosis. 620 00:47:57,916 --> 00:47:59,876 What do you mean? 621 00:47:59,960 --> 00:48:00,918 What do I mean? 622 00:48:01,003 --> 00:48:05,047 But how do you help somebody if you don't know what they have? 623 00:48:05,549 --> 00:48:07,216 Look at these people. 624 00:48:07,301 --> 00:48:10,219 Everyone one of them's been diagnosed more than you can imagine. 625 00:48:10,304 --> 00:48:12,471 And as far as I can tell, it hasn't done them any good. 626 00:48:12,681 --> 00:48:15,057 But he needs medication, right? 627 00:48:15,142 --> 00:48:17,768 I'll tell you one thing he doesn't need. 628 00:48:17,853 --> 00:48:20,980 One more person telling him he needs medication. 629 00:48:25,235 --> 00:48:27,737 Son of a bitch. 630 00:48:27,821 --> 00:48:29,530 - Where'd he go? - Who? 631 00:48:29,615 --> 00:48:31,908 - Nathaniel. - Don't ask me, dude. 632 00:48:35,662 --> 00:48:37,371 - Thanks, Steve. - You're welcome, Steve. 633 00:48:40,584 --> 00:48:43,669 - Keep walking. Keep walking! - There's a cop over there. 634 00:48:43,754 --> 00:48:46,422 - He'll shoot a nigga with a pop. - You got that cheese, huh? 635 00:48:46,506 --> 00:48:49,383 - You're right about that cheese. - Hold on, hold on. Hold up. 636 00:48:50,385 --> 00:48:51,761 Hey, wait! 637 00:48:52,387 --> 00:48:54,347 Want to buy some candy? 638 00:49:55,367 --> 00:49:57,076 Five-o. Five-o. 639 00:49:59,705 --> 00:50:01,747 No way this is gonna be... 640 00:50:02,749 --> 00:50:04,333 That boy's not the real police. 641 00:50:04,418 --> 00:50:07,712 Oh, man. Hell, man. Where's my piece at, nigga? 642 00:50:54,301 --> 00:50:55,551 Back up. 643 00:50:57,179 --> 00:50:58,220 I went over to the library. 644 00:50:58,305 --> 00:50:59,597 I thought I might pick up some sheet music. 645 00:50:59,681 --> 00:51:01,724 Sonata Number 1, F Major, Opus 5, 646 00:51:01,808 --> 00:51:04,769 Sonata Number 2 in A Major, Opus 69 for String Quartet. 647 00:51:04,853 --> 00:51:06,187 What happened? Somebody get beat up? 648 00:51:06,271 --> 00:51:07,271 Overdose, I think. 649 00:51:07,647 --> 00:51:10,024 The other night, someone... There was a beating over here. 650 00:51:10,108 --> 00:51:13,235 Someone got bones rearranged in their face. It was just crazy. 651 00:51:13,320 --> 00:51:17,156 I don't understand why anybody would do something like that. 652 00:51:17,240 --> 00:51:19,533 - This where you sleep? - I used to sleep on Wall Street, 653 00:51:19,618 --> 00:51:21,452 but it's too dirty. 654 00:51:37,844 --> 00:51:41,013 You know, Mr. Lopez, my vision... 655 00:51:41,098 --> 00:51:43,599 I hate to admit it, but I'm gonna have to be like Beethoven. 656 00:51:43,683 --> 00:51:47,853 Just do what he did and just die. Thank you, Mr. Lopez. 657 00:51:48,855 --> 00:51:50,397 My vision is not far-off stuff, 658 00:51:50,482 --> 00:51:52,900 just basically getting across the street safely. 659 00:51:52,984 --> 00:51:54,443 Honor thy father and mother, and then, hopefully, 660 00:51:54,528 --> 00:51:57,363 the music will take care of itself. 661 00:51:57,447 --> 00:51:58,739 That's really all you can do. 662 00:51:58,824 --> 00:52:00,157 I mean, when you think about it, 663 00:52:00,242 --> 00:52:02,409 there's not much that you can do other than that. 664 00:52:02,494 --> 00:52:05,204 - Would you care for a drink? - I'm fine. 665 00:52:06,915 --> 00:52:08,374 Thanks. 666 00:52:10,377 --> 00:52:13,712 Gotta tuck this guy in here, nice and safe. 667 00:52:14,005 --> 00:52:17,383 Put that down there. Make sure this corner... 668 00:52:17,467 --> 00:52:18,509 You can rest on this. 669 00:52:24,307 --> 00:52:27,476 Do you think of writers often, Mr. Lopez? 670 00:52:27,561 --> 00:52:31,105 Do you think of writers the way I think about musicians? 671 00:52:34,234 --> 00:52:37,570 I write for a living, 672 00:52:37,654 --> 00:52:40,739 and it's not like it used to be. 673 00:52:42,075 --> 00:52:43,868 I love thinking about musicians. 674 00:52:43,952 --> 00:52:48,581 I imagine Beethoven and Mozart in that window where the light is, 675 00:52:48,665 --> 00:52:51,667 and they just hunger and they thirst like we do. 676 00:52:53,044 --> 00:52:54,587 It's angelic. 677 00:52:56,840 --> 00:52:59,091 I believe these children of God are gonna be okay tonight. 678 00:52:59,176 --> 00:53:02,094 They're gonna sleep and dream as humans do. 679 00:53:27,871 --> 00:53:29,288 Our Father, 680 00:53:32,959 --> 00:53:35,586 who art in Heaven, 681 00:53:35,670 --> 00:53:37,546 hallowed be thy name. 682 00:53:38,798 --> 00:53:40,591 Thy kingdom come, 683 00:53:42,427 --> 00:53:44,386 thy will be done, 684 00:53:45,764 --> 00:53:48,724 on earth as it is in heaven. 685 00:54:03,073 --> 00:54:04,949 Give us this day our daily bread... 686 00:54:05,033 --> 00:54:06,617 Just keep it coming. There's plenty. 687 00:54:06,701 --> 00:54:10,871 And forgive us our trespasses, 688 00:54:10,956 --> 00:54:13,999 as we forgive those who trespass against us. 689 00:54:19,881 --> 00:54:21,173 I knew only part of his story. 690 00:54:21,258 --> 00:54:24,468 I knew him playing the violin on a dairy crate in the morning sun, 691 00:54:24,552 --> 00:54:28,973 suspended somewhere between boy genius and lost traveler. 692 00:54:31,226 --> 00:54:33,811 Every night, my friend Nathaniel tucks his instruments away... 693 00:54:33,895 --> 00:54:36,230 ...and lays his head among the predators and hustlers, 694 00:54:36,314 --> 00:54:39,316 among fallen drunks sprawled in the streets, 695 00:54:39,401 --> 00:54:44,238 as rats the size of meatloaves dart out of the drains to feed off the squalor. 696 00:54:50,453 --> 00:54:54,290 ...lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 697 00:54:54,374 --> 00:54:58,377 For thine is the kingdom, 698 00:54:59,796 --> 00:55:02,631 the power and the glory, 699 00:55:06,219 --> 00:55:07,720 forever. 700 00:55:10,432 --> 00:55:11,515 Forever and ever. 701 00:55:11,599 --> 00:55:15,477 I tell him this is no place for him. He says he wants to be here. 702 00:55:15,562 --> 00:55:18,272 He says this is his choice. 703 00:55:18,356 --> 00:55:22,276 Should I take him at his word, or should I try to force him inside? 704 00:55:22,360 --> 00:55:25,446 Wouldn't a little arm-twisting be more humane... 705 00:55:25,530 --> 00:55:27,031 ...than leaving him here on the streets... 706 00:55:27,115 --> 00:55:31,076 ...in this lost colony of broken, helpless souls? 707 00:55:32,412 --> 00:55:34,913 I hope you sleep well, Mr. Lopez. 708 00:55:37,667 --> 00:55:40,502 I hope the whole world sleeps well. 709 00:55:53,391 --> 00:55:55,517 A- D-A-M C-R-A-N-E. He wants to meet you. 710 00:55:55,602 --> 00:55:56,602 Who? 711 00:55:56,686 --> 00:55:59,772 The guy from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Adam Crane. 712 00:55:59,856 --> 00:56:01,523 Wondering if you wanna come hear a concert... 713 00:56:01,608 --> 00:56:05,027 ...at Disney Hall some time as his guest. 714 00:56:05,111 --> 00:56:06,695 They're doing Beethoven. 715 00:56:06,780 --> 00:56:10,532 - Ludwig van? - Beethoven, all season long. 716 00:56:10,617 --> 00:56:12,201 They got one coming up. The Third. 717 00:56:12,285 --> 00:56:15,287 - Well, what's the date today? - No, the Third Symphony. 718 00:56:17,791 --> 00:56:19,416 I'll cause a scene. I don't wanna cause a scene. 719 00:56:19,501 --> 00:56:20,918 I don't wanna stick out or anything like that. 720 00:56:21,002 --> 00:56:23,796 So it's just... It's impossible. It can't happen. 721 00:56:28,009 --> 00:56:30,928 What if I could get us in for a rehearsal? 722 00:56:43,650 --> 00:56:45,484 Nathaniel, let's go. 723 00:56:45,568 --> 00:56:46,735 What I did with the keys right here... 724 00:56:46,820 --> 00:56:48,028 Come on. Lock up the cart. 725 00:56:48,113 --> 00:56:49,488 - No. You know what, Mr. Lopez? - Come on, we gotta go. 726 00:56:49,572 --> 00:56:50,739 I can't leave my stuff here with these rascals. 727 00:56:50,824 --> 00:56:51,907 They can't be trusted. They'll do anything. 728 00:56:51,991 --> 00:56:54,201 Oh, no. We have an entire orchestra waiting for us. We are gonna go. 729 00:56:54,285 --> 00:56:55,536 They have drug addicts and cigarette smokers here, 730 00:56:55,620 --> 00:56:56,787 and they will steal all of what I have. 731 00:56:56,871 --> 00:56:58,372 - No one is going to steal your shit. - I can't leave it. 732 00:56:58,456 --> 00:56:59,623 No, no. We have to get in touch with the mayor... 733 00:56:59,707 --> 00:57:01,166 - Nathaniel, it's garbage. - ... Antonio Villaraigosa... 734 00:57:01,251 --> 00:57:02,918 - ... or the president. - No one is gonna steal this garbage. 735 00:57:03,002 --> 00:57:04,336 - In the corner... - No, no, no, Mr. Lopez, 736 00:57:04,421 --> 00:57:05,879 I'm not gonna be able to make it up there. 737 00:57:05,964 --> 00:57:07,089 Okay. Oh, boy. 738 00:57:07,173 --> 00:57:09,425 Fantasia. Walt Disney Hall. Donald Duck. 739 00:57:09,551 --> 00:57:11,009 I have to deal with things here... 740 00:57:11,094 --> 00:57:13,929 ...because I wouldn't leave a dog with these people here. 741 00:57:14,013 --> 00:57:15,139 Right. Okay. Fine. 742 00:57:15,223 --> 00:57:16,598 A cockroach does not tell a greyhound what to do. 743 00:57:16,683 --> 00:57:21,270 It's fine! Do you understand? It's fine. 744 00:57:21,354 --> 00:57:24,982 I do not give a smooth fart if we go or not. Do you understand? 745 00:57:25,066 --> 00:57:27,818 There are a million other things I could be doing right now. 746 00:57:27,902 --> 00:57:29,945 Obligations, things that people pay me to do. 747 00:57:30,029 --> 00:57:32,781 I have a job. I'm a professional person. 748 00:57:46,796 --> 00:57:48,297 - Sorry. - All right. 749 00:57:48,381 --> 00:57:49,590 What? 750 00:57:51,718 --> 00:57:54,386 Still not gonna leave my cart here. 751 00:57:56,973 --> 00:57:58,223 Okay. 752 00:58:00,393 --> 00:58:01,435 Pick a side. 753 00:58:01,728 --> 00:58:04,646 The company is offering you a very generous exit package. 754 00:58:04,731 --> 00:58:05,731 Yeah. 755 00:58:05,815 --> 00:58:08,442 - I understand how difficult this is. - Wait! 756 00:58:09,194 --> 00:58:10,194 Right. 757 00:58:10,278 --> 00:58:13,655 Unfortunately, this is the reality of our business. 758 00:58:16,242 --> 00:58:19,203 Nathaniel, hard left coming up right here. 759 00:58:36,596 --> 00:58:37,804 Mr. Lopez, are you okay? 760 00:58:49,776 --> 00:58:52,528 How long has it been since you've been in a concert hall? 761 00:58:58,743 --> 00:59:00,327 This is great. 762 00:59:02,372 --> 00:59:03,580 There's the conductor. 763 00:59:12,298 --> 00:59:15,467 - Just us. - Yeah, just us. 764 00:59:16,928 --> 00:59:19,012 It's the way it should be. 765 01:01:34,982 --> 01:01:38,151 - He's in the room. - Who is? 766 01:01:38,236 --> 01:01:39,611 Beethoven. 767 01:01:44,117 --> 01:01:45,283 Sing the hate out! 768 01:01:47,245 --> 01:01:48,453 Stop. 769 01:01:48,663 --> 01:01:50,872 - All right. - Strong finish! 770 01:01:50,957 --> 01:01:51,957 Get up there. 771 01:01:55,795 --> 01:01:58,714 I'm telling you, it was such an unbelievable experience, 772 01:01:58,798 --> 01:02:01,967 the whole thing, the whole day. 773 01:02:02,051 --> 01:02:06,430 And if you had seen him, if you could have felt him... 774 01:02:06,514 --> 01:02:07,806 I mean, it's the same hall. 775 01:02:07,890 --> 01:02:11,101 We're listening to the same goddamn music, but... But no. 776 01:02:11,185 --> 01:02:13,103 You see him, it's one thing, but you feel him... 777 01:02:13,187 --> 01:02:14,855 I'm watching him. He's watching the music. 778 01:02:14,939 --> 01:02:16,606 And while they're playing, I say, 779 01:02:16,691 --> 01:02:19,067 "My God, there is something higher out there. 780 01:02:19,152 --> 01:02:21,987 "Something higher out there, and he lives in it, and he's with it. " 781 01:02:22,071 --> 01:02:25,574 I've never even experienced it, but I can tell... 782 01:02:25,658 --> 01:02:28,869 I don't even know what you fucking call it. 783 01:02:28,953 --> 01:02:32,247 - Grace. - What? What is it? 784 01:02:32,331 --> 01:02:35,917 - Grace. - All right. That's grace? 785 01:02:36,002 --> 01:02:39,212 - Yeah. - Thank you. Yeah. 786 01:02:44,427 --> 01:02:46,803 To be there with him like that... 787 01:02:46,888 --> 01:02:50,599 ...and see the way that he is transported. He surrenders. 788 01:02:51,601 --> 01:02:53,226 Damn it, honey. 789 01:02:53,311 --> 01:02:57,230 I mean, I've never loved anything the way that he loves music. 790 01:03:01,903 --> 01:03:06,031 Hey, come on. I'm thinking about my day. 791 01:03:06,115 --> 01:03:07,824 I'm thinking about my day. I wasn't thinking about you. 792 01:03:07,909 --> 01:03:10,202 That I believe, honey. 793 01:03:11,412 --> 01:03:12,746 Call the mayor. He's been trying to reach you. 794 01:03:12,830 --> 01:03:14,456 - Which mayor? - The mayor! 795 01:03:14,540 --> 01:03:16,082 Okay. 796 01:03:28,513 --> 01:03:29,554 Call the mayor. 797 01:03:31,557 --> 01:03:32,682 Thank you. 798 01:03:32,767 --> 01:03:35,602 "Points West" by Frank Sinatra. 799 01:03:35,686 --> 01:03:38,563 Every now and then, in this city of innumerable wrongs, 800 01:03:38,648 --> 01:03:40,482 the powers that be get things right. 801 01:03:40,566 --> 01:03:43,360 Los Angeles has the ignominious distinction... 802 01:03:43,444 --> 01:03:45,695 ...of being the homeless capital of the nation, 803 01:03:45,780 --> 01:03:48,448 and skid row is ground zero of the crisis. 804 01:03:49,575 --> 01:03:51,827 So, I am pleased to announce... 805 01:03:51,911 --> 01:03:55,622 ...that I am increasing the city's financial commitment to this area... 806 01:03:55,706 --> 01:03:57,666 ...by $50 million. 807 01:03:58,751 --> 01:03:59,793 Every now and then, 808 01:03:59,877 --> 01:04:03,839 the words I write do not leap straight from this page to the ether. 809 01:04:03,923 --> 01:04:06,716 Instead, every now and then, 810 01:04:06,801 --> 01:04:09,928 they reach the right reader at the right time. 811 01:04:11,013 --> 01:04:13,849 Every now and then, the hearts, minds and wallets... 812 01:04:13,933 --> 01:04:16,935 ...of the city's officials open simultaneously. 813 01:04:17,687 --> 01:04:20,480 And when that happens, every now and then, 814 01:04:21,941 --> 01:04:24,943 the city is a better place for it. 815 01:04:25,027 --> 01:04:27,279 - Steve. - Yeah? 816 01:04:27,363 --> 01:04:29,573 Your boyfriend is downstairs. 817 01:04:32,827 --> 01:04:34,286 Thank you. 818 01:04:35,955 --> 01:04:37,455 That's funny. 819 01:04:44,672 --> 01:04:47,173 - Nathaniel? You all right? - I'm good. 820 01:04:47,258 --> 01:04:48,884 - Yeah? - Yeah. 821 01:04:48,968 --> 01:04:49,968 You need something? 822 01:04:50,052 --> 01:04:51,595 A man only needs what he can carry, Mr. Lopez, 823 01:04:51,679 --> 01:04:53,847 and I have all I can carry right here. I have my bedding. 824 01:04:53,931 --> 01:04:55,682 - I have my drums. I have my flower. - Yeah. Okay. 825 01:04:55,766 --> 01:04:58,143 - I have my water bottle. I have it all. - Hey, listen, listen. Listen. 826 01:04:58,227 --> 01:05:00,061 You can't hang out here. 827 01:05:00,146 --> 01:05:03,064 - I can't? - You can't hang out here. 828 01:05:03,149 --> 01:05:05,317 You can't. Sorry. 829 01:05:05,401 --> 01:05:08,695 I don't mind that at all, Mr. Lopez. Not at all. 830 01:05:08,779 --> 01:05:12,657 You understand, right? It's a... It's a thing. Policy. 831 01:05:16,162 --> 01:05:19,581 - I'll be over here if you need me. - Over there? 832 01:05:20,666 --> 01:05:23,084 Okay. You all right? 833 01:05:25,963 --> 01:05:28,506 Yeah, I just... You know, I... Yeah. 834 01:05:30,509 --> 01:05:32,260 Sorry. I gotta... 835 01:05:35,431 --> 01:05:38,516 All right, Mr. Lopez, I completely understand that you're working. 836 01:05:38,601 --> 01:05:41,102 You're working. You have to work. People have to work. 837 01:05:41,187 --> 01:05:43,396 All right, get out of the way when people are working, 838 01:05:43,481 --> 01:05:44,814 because you don't wanna stand out there... 839 01:05:44,899 --> 01:05:46,983 ...in front of people, especially not Mr. Lopez. 840 01:05:47,068 --> 01:05:49,778 You stand in front of Mr. Lopez, he's gonna tell you to get out of here. 841 01:05:49,862 --> 01:05:51,780 So, it's a lot of work. 842 01:05:52,865 --> 01:05:55,450 - I think he's good. You know, I really do. - I'm sure... 843 01:05:55,534 --> 01:05:59,496 I mean, I just... This is great. I think... I think it'll really help. 844 01:05:59,580 --> 01:06:01,498 I feel like you are exactly what he needs. 845 01:06:01,582 --> 01:06:02,624 Well, thank you. 846 01:06:02,708 --> 01:06:04,876 - Does that make sense? - Yes, it does. 847 01:06:06,796 --> 01:06:10,090 - Graham Claydon. Thank you. - At your service. 848 01:06:11,300 --> 01:06:14,386 All we need is a place for them to meet and rehearse, like an apartment. 849 01:06:14,512 --> 01:06:16,471 You're asking for an apartment for Nathaniel? 850 01:06:16,555 --> 01:06:19,641 - Yeah. - Does he want an apartment? Thanks. 851 01:06:19,725 --> 01:06:23,311 - Yes. - And he told you this? 852 01:06:23,396 --> 01:06:26,314 - Yes. - You're so full of shit, Lopez. 853 01:06:26,774 --> 01:06:28,984 - I don't want an apartment. - Good, 'cause it's not. 854 01:06:29,068 --> 01:06:30,485 It's actually a music studio... 855 01:06:30,569 --> 01:06:32,362 ...for Mr. Claydon to give you the cello lessons. 856 01:06:32,446 --> 01:06:34,322 Well, why don't we have Mr. Claydon come down here? 857 01:06:34,407 --> 01:06:35,532 This is a perfect place to play in, the tunnel. 858 01:06:35,616 --> 01:06:36,616 No, Mr. Claydon doesn't like tunnels. 859 01:06:36,701 --> 01:06:38,159 We'll just have Mr. Claydon come here to do the lesson. 860 01:06:38,244 --> 01:06:39,661 - He says it has to be quiet. - Well... 861 01:06:39,745 --> 01:06:41,913 It has to be quiet for the cello lessons, so your apartment... 862 01:06:41,998 --> 01:06:42,998 It's not my apartment. 863 01:06:43,082 --> 01:06:45,000 I know. I know. The apartment that belongs to no one. 864 01:06:45,084 --> 01:06:46,876 I don't have an apartment. I don't wanna be in an apartment. 865 01:06:46,961 --> 01:06:48,044 I don't need an apartment. 866 01:06:48,129 --> 01:06:49,295 Beethoven lives out in the freshness of the air. 867 01:06:49,380 --> 01:06:50,380 Nathaniel, the apartment is not the point. 868 01:06:50,464 --> 01:06:51,715 He's the leader of Los Angeles. 869 01:06:51,799 --> 01:06:53,675 - It's an opportunity. - "Angeles" means "angels. " You can't... 870 01:06:53,759 --> 01:06:55,427 - You can't hold down angels. - Do you want the opportunity? 871 01:06:55,511 --> 01:06:56,511 - You can't clip angels. - Stop. 872 01:06:56,595 --> 01:07:00,432 - Do you want an opportunity or not? - Do you have an apartment? 873 01:07:04,854 --> 01:07:07,105 No. I have a house. 874 01:07:15,740 --> 01:07:18,783 So angry. Yelling. 875 01:07:19,744 --> 01:07:21,661 It doesn't make sense. 876 01:07:45,352 --> 01:07:47,854 - Do you have a family? - What? 877 01:07:47,938 --> 01:07:49,898 Are you a married man? 878 01:07:51,275 --> 01:07:53,485 - Is there a Mrs. Steve Lopez? - No. 879 01:07:55,321 --> 01:07:59,574 I did. Mary. But we split up. 880 01:08:01,243 --> 01:08:04,579 We have a son, Thomas. He's in college now. 881 01:08:04,663 --> 01:08:08,291 Mr. Steve Lopez, Mr. Thomas Steve Lopez, Mrs. Mary Steve Lopez. 882 01:08:08,375 --> 01:08:12,253 Not Mrs. Lopez. Mary Weston. 883 01:08:12,338 --> 01:08:17,133 - Mrs. Mary Weston Steve Lopez. - No. Just Mary Weston. Period. 884 01:08:17,218 --> 01:08:21,221 We were married. We're not anymore, so now she's just Mary. 885 01:08:21,305 --> 01:08:25,225 You were married to Mary, but you're not married to Mary anymore. 886 01:08:25,309 --> 01:08:28,269 Correct. Don't ask me how. 887 01:08:30,648 --> 01:08:34,275 Mrs. Floria Ayers, Miss Jennifer Ayers. 888 01:08:34,360 --> 01:08:37,112 And then there was Mr. Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Sr. 889 01:08:37,196 --> 01:08:39,405 He was a big man. He had big hands. 890 01:08:39,490 --> 01:08:42,700 I have very small hands. 891 01:08:42,785 --> 01:08:45,578 Fit around a violin, a cello. 892 01:08:48,207 --> 01:08:51,209 Mr. Ayers was a big man, but he wasn't a god. 893 01:08:53,129 --> 01:08:55,130 I have my god. 894 01:08:55,214 --> 01:08:56,631 Mr. Steve Lopez. 895 01:08:56,715 --> 01:08:57,674 Oh, boy. 896 01:08:57,758 --> 01:08:59,259 Yeah, you're my god. Flying around high. 897 01:08:59,343 --> 01:09:01,010 - You're my god. - I'm not comfortable being your god. 898 01:09:01,095 --> 01:09:02,387 Mr. Steve Lopez, staff writer, you are my god. 899 01:09:02,471 --> 01:09:04,139 - That it? I'm your god? - Yes, you are. You're my god. 900 01:09:04,223 --> 01:09:06,516 All right. I am your god. 901 01:09:06,600 --> 01:09:08,101 And as your god, 902 01:09:08,185 --> 01:09:11,062 I command you to be at Lamp, 2:00 p. m. one week from today... 903 01:09:11,147 --> 01:09:14,440 ...for a cello lesson. Done deal. 904 01:09:17,528 --> 01:09:19,696 And it's a really sweet deal, too. 905 01:09:19,780 --> 01:09:22,115 'Cause if you show up, I will grant you eternal life. 906 01:09:22,199 --> 01:09:24,826 Hell, I might even make you a disciple. 907 01:09:24,910 --> 01:09:27,579 If you don't, you're on your own. 908 01:09:29,248 --> 01:09:30,456 This is my apartment. This is my apartment. 909 01:09:30,541 --> 01:09:31,875 This is my apartment. 910 01:09:31,959 --> 01:09:33,459 This is my apartment. This is my apartment. 911 01:09:33,544 --> 01:09:34,711 This is my apartment. 912 01:09:34,795 --> 01:09:35,920 Always number one. Always number two. 913 01:09:36,005 --> 01:09:37,130 Nathaniel. 914 01:09:37,214 --> 01:09:38,840 We've always been here, Nathaniel Ayers. 915 01:09:38,924 --> 01:09:41,217 I've always been with you, Nathaniel. 916 01:09:41,302 --> 01:09:44,262 I'll never leave you, Nathaniel. I love you, Nathaniel. 917 01:09:44,346 --> 01:09:46,347 - I love you. - No one else loves you, Nathaniel. 918 01:09:46,432 --> 01:09:49,184 But I love you, Nathaniel. I'll protect you, Nathaniel. 919 01:09:49,268 --> 01:09:52,312 When you fell from Heaven, they laughed at you, Nathaniel. 920 01:09:52,396 --> 01:09:55,940 You're my heart, Nathaniel. I do love you, Nathaniel. 921 01:09:56,025 --> 01:09:58,151 We'll be together forever, Nathaniel. 922 01:09:58,235 --> 01:09:59,235 I'll protect you. 923 01:09:59,320 --> 01:10:01,196 Look, I'll be here to protect you from the pain. 924 01:10:01,280 --> 01:10:04,365 - I'll be here to protect you from the pain. - Fibber. You fibber. You fib. 925 01:10:04,450 --> 01:10:05,700 I'll protect you from the noise. 926 01:10:05,784 --> 01:10:07,202 Fear for you. Fear for you. 927 01:10:07,286 --> 01:10:08,912 I'll protect you from their beady eyes. 928 01:10:08,996 --> 01:10:11,080 - I'll be here to obey. - I'll protect you from their eyes. 929 01:10:13,125 --> 01:10:15,210 - Step right, Nathaniel. - No one else loves you, Nathaniel. 930 01:10:15,294 --> 01:10:16,794 You're my boy, Nathaniel. 931 01:10:16,879 --> 01:10:19,547 - Take off the shoes. - I'll protect you. I'll protect you. 932 01:10:19,632 --> 01:10:21,841 No one can kill the child. That's what the child is about. 933 01:10:21,926 --> 01:10:23,134 Forget you. Jump off! 934 01:10:42,446 --> 01:10:43,446 Come on. 935 01:10:44,657 --> 01:10:46,866 Hey. Look at that. 936 01:10:48,452 --> 01:10:51,371 Don't see those on the street. Quick right. 937 01:10:52,665 --> 01:10:54,332 And then, and then... And then right again, right here. 938 01:10:54,416 --> 01:10:57,585 Nathaniel. Come on down. 939 01:10:57,670 --> 01:11:02,131 What are you... Come on. We go down here and then to the end and left. 940 01:11:02,216 --> 01:11:03,758 I think we should do the lesson out here. 941 01:11:03,842 --> 01:11:06,177 No, no, no. It's just this way. Come on. 942 01:11:06,262 --> 01:11:08,388 Mr. Lopez... Mr. Lopez. 943 01:11:08,472 --> 01:11:10,431 Mr. Lopez, I really think we should do it out here. 944 01:11:10,516 --> 01:11:13,559 No, come on. Let's have a look. It's right down here. 945 01:11:13,644 --> 01:11:15,103 Mr. Lopez. 946 01:11:15,521 --> 01:11:17,272 Nathaniel, come on. 947 01:11:17,648 --> 01:11:19,357 It's really clean. 948 01:11:22,569 --> 01:11:24,362 Come check it out. 949 01:11:25,406 --> 01:11:29,659 We should do it out here. It's better. I'm more comfortable out here. 950 01:11:34,498 --> 01:11:39,377 Looks nice. 951 01:11:44,675 --> 01:11:46,134 It's nice. 952 01:12:21,503 --> 01:12:23,588 Come on. You can do it. 953 01:12:48,322 --> 01:12:49,614 Hey. 954 01:12:54,161 --> 01:12:55,286 I can't live here. 955 01:12:55,371 --> 01:12:57,789 I'll give you a hand with that. 956 01:13:00,626 --> 01:13:01,793 Got it. 957 01:13:04,004 --> 01:13:06,506 Oh, boy. Let's get this in nice. 958 01:13:09,551 --> 01:13:10,635 Good. 959 01:13:15,933 --> 01:13:16,933 It's great, right? 960 01:13:17,017 --> 01:13:19,644 I mean, I like it. What do you think? 961 01:13:21,730 --> 01:13:25,024 It's nice. It's clean. The bathroom's better than... 962 01:13:27,236 --> 01:13:28,736 Except for him. 963 01:13:28,821 --> 01:13:30,446 I don't wanna die in here. 964 01:13:30,531 --> 01:13:31,781 Don't... 965 01:13:31,865 --> 01:13:32,949 Somebody could just come in here and kill me... 966 01:13:33,033 --> 01:13:34,909 - You'll be fine. Nathaniel? - ... and take all of my belongings. 967 01:13:34,993 --> 01:13:36,536 - Nathaniel, the door locks. - A fly only lives 12 days. 968 01:13:36,620 --> 01:13:39,205 What if in 12 days, someone walks through that door and murders me? 969 01:13:39,289 --> 01:13:40,957 And I don't care about this Claydon thing, either. 970 01:13:41,041 --> 01:13:42,875 Walt Disney Hall. Disney Duck. 971 01:13:42,960 --> 01:13:44,252 Doesn't make a difference. I don't need any of that. 972 01:13:44,336 --> 01:13:46,379 If I'm gonna take a lesson, I should take the lesson in the tunnel... 973 01:13:46,463 --> 01:13:49,382 ...where I can hear the city sounds and not be locked off from life, 974 01:13:49,466 --> 01:13:50,591 locked off from the world. 975 01:13:50,676 --> 01:13:52,927 In the tunnel I can hear the music the way it's supposed to be played. 976 01:13:53,011 --> 01:13:54,554 Not in this place, there's no city sounds, 977 01:13:54,638 --> 01:13:57,265 there's no Beethoven, there's no Los Angeles, California. 978 01:13:57,349 --> 01:13:58,850 I don't belong here. 979 01:13:58,934 --> 01:14:00,268 I'm never coming here again. 980 01:14:31,383 --> 01:14:33,384 Nathaniel, that's Graham Claydon. 981 01:14:35,053 --> 01:14:36,762 Pleased to meet you, Nathaniel. 982 01:14:38,056 --> 01:14:40,808 I always love meeting a fellow musician. 983 01:14:43,395 --> 01:14:45,354 I brought you something. 984 01:14:45,564 --> 01:14:48,232 I know you're partial to Beethoven, 985 01:14:48,317 --> 01:14:50,902 so I thought you'd enjoy this, 986 01:14:51,653 --> 01:14:56,532 because, you know, without Johann Sebastian 987 01:14:56,617 --> 01:14:59,869 there would be no Ludwig van. 988 01:15:15,552 --> 01:15:18,513 The A, the D, the A, the D, the A, the D. 989 01:15:20,432 --> 01:15:23,059 Steady. Don't rush it. Don't rush it. 990 01:15:29,066 --> 01:15:30,358 And... 991 01:15:34,780 --> 01:15:36,739 Well, for someone who hasn't had a lesson in three decades, 992 01:15:36,823 --> 01:15:38,950 you play quite beautifully. 993 01:15:39,368 --> 01:15:40,535 Thank you. 994 01:15:40,619 --> 01:15:41,827 - So... - Thank you. 995 01:15:41,954 --> 01:15:44,455 Work on a smoother rhythm with the right hand. 996 01:15:44,540 --> 01:15:47,041 And don't stop-start. 997 01:15:47,125 --> 01:15:49,627 Carry a phrase all the way through. 998 01:15:49,836 --> 01:15:50,836 - Great. - Give you a ride uptown? 999 01:15:50,963 --> 01:15:52,463 - Thank you. - Mr. Claydon? 1000 01:15:53,298 --> 01:15:55,216 - Yes. - Sir? 1001 01:15:57,135 --> 01:15:59,637 Do you think I could be good again? 1002 01:16:01,807 --> 01:16:03,307 Yes, I do. 1003 01:16:06,186 --> 01:16:08,729 I like your apartment, by the way. 1004 01:16:09,147 --> 01:16:10,648 - It's not my apartment. - It's not. It's just a... 1005 01:16:10,732 --> 01:16:11,899 I don't live here. 1006 01:16:12,276 --> 01:16:13,526 Well, you should. 1007 01:16:15,070 --> 01:16:18,781 God has blessed you with a gift, Nathaniel. 1008 01:16:18,865 --> 01:16:22,118 Nothing pains God more than when we squander his blessings. 1009 01:16:22,369 --> 01:16:24,829 - You owe it to him to care for this... - I don't owe God. 1010 01:16:27,291 --> 01:16:29,417 Mr. Steve Lopez is my god. 1011 01:16:29,710 --> 01:16:31,377 - What? - Star writer for Los Angeles. 1012 01:16:31,461 --> 01:16:33,671 Higher power flying around with wings like an angel. 1013 01:16:33,755 --> 01:16:36,173 Mr. Steve Lopez is my... 1014 01:16:36,800 --> 01:16:37,800 He doesn't know what he's saying. 1015 01:16:37,884 --> 01:16:40,011 Mr. Graham Claydon is going to tell me who my god is? 1016 01:16:40,095 --> 01:16:41,095 Down by the car? 1017 01:16:41,179 --> 01:16:42,388 Do you know who my god is, Mr. Claydon? 1018 01:16:42,514 --> 01:16:44,265 I know who my god is! 1019 01:16:44,349 --> 01:16:45,391 - He's a good teacher. - I know who my god is. 1020 01:16:45,475 --> 01:16:46,726 You should accept his help gracefully. 1021 01:16:46,810 --> 01:16:48,561 Graceful is the ballerinas at Juilliard. 1022 01:16:49,021 --> 01:16:50,354 Those girls were graceful. 1023 01:16:50,439 --> 01:16:53,065 - Tiny ballerinas just twirling round. - There's other people in this... 1024 01:16:54,026 --> 01:16:55,401 - Twirling round. Angels. - All right, 1025 01:16:55,485 --> 01:16:57,612 - graceful as little ballerinas. - I love them flying around... 1026 01:16:57,696 --> 01:17:00,031 ...like I love Mr. Steve Lopez flying around. 1027 01:17:00,115 --> 01:17:02,283 I love God. I love you! 1028 01:17:09,374 --> 01:17:10,708 I love you. 1029 01:17:13,962 --> 01:17:15,087 I don't want him to love me. 1030 01:17:15,172 --> 01:17:17,298 Well, it looks like you might have to get over that. 1031 01:17:17,382 --> 01:17:18,633 It's a bad idea. 1032 01:17:18,717 --> 01:17:20,676 "I love you, Steve," turns into, "You failed me, Steve," 1033 01:17:20,761 --> 01:17:22,595 turns into very bad things. 1034 01:17:22,679 --> 01:17:24,847 That's my limited experience. 1035 01:17:25,015 --> 01:17:27,516 I don't want to be on the other side of that with him. Would you? 1036 01:17:27,601 --> 01:17:30,645 He doesn't know if I'm a ballerina, if I'm God, if I'm an airplane pilot. 1037 01:17:30,729 --> 01:17:33,230 He has no idea what he's saying. 1038 01:17:34,524 --> 01:17:36,651 Is there something you want from me, Lopez? 1039 01:17:36,860 --> 01:17:38,986 Or did you just come to show me your prom dress? You look nice. 1040 01:17:39,071 --> 01:17:40,071 I want you to help him... 1041 01:17:40,405 --> 01:17:41,906 ...because he's sick and he needs medication... 1042 01:17:41,990 --> 01:17:43,699 ...and you have a team of doctors here. 1043 01:17:43,784 --> 01:17:46,202 Tell them to sit down with him. Isn't that what you're supposed to do? 1044 01:17:46,620 --> 01:17:49,205 Nathaniel's made it quite clear he's not ready to speak to a psychiatrist. 1045 01:17:49,289 --> 01:17:50,289 Force him. 1046 01:17:50,415 --> 01:17:51,499 - Force him? - Tell him to do it. 1047 01:17:51,583 --> 01:17:52,625 Tell him he can't play his instruments... 1048 01:17:52,709 --> 01:17:53,709 ...until he sits down with a shrink. 1049 01:17:53,794 --> 01:17:57,296 - That's not what we do here. - What you do here is fucked. 1050 01:17:59,424 --> 01:18:00,591 It is. 1051 01:18:01,510 --> 01:18:06,681 Look, even if I did wanna coerce Nathaniel into psychiatry... 1052 01:18:06,765 --> 01:18:08,140 - Coerce. - ... which... Whatever. 1053 01:18:08,225 --> 01:18:09,975 - Coerce. - If I wanted to do that, which I don't, 1054 01:18:10,060 --> 01:18:12,812 I couldn't force him to take medication. 1055 01:18:12,896 --> 01:18:15,147 The law is the law. Unless he's an imminent danger... 1056 01:18:15,232 --> 01:18:17,024 ...to himself or someone else... 1057 01:18:17,109 --> 01:18:19,110 Are you gonna answer that, or what? 1058 01:18:24,074 --> 01:18:26,534 I'm in the car. What if he was a danger to someone else? 1059 01:18:26,618 --> 01:18:30,329 - But he's not. - Mary, I'm on the way. Relax. 1060 01:18:30,414 --> 01:18:32,581 What if someone said he was? 1061 01:18:32,666 --> 01:18:34,792 What if someone dialed 911 and said Nathaniel had attacked him? 1062 01:18:34,876 --> 01:18:35,876 They'd put him in psychiatric hospital. 1063 01:18:35,961 --> 01:18:37,878 I know you're not thinking of lying on him, Lopez. 1064 01:18:37,963 --> 01:18:39,922 And then he would be in a 14-day psychiatric hold, 1065 01:18:40,006 --> 01:18:42,633 they'd put him on meds straight away. 1066 01:18:43,009 --> 01:18:45,469 What if that's all it took for him to be well? 1067 01:18:45,554 --> 01:18:47,930 What if two weeks of meds, a two-week window... 1068 01:18:48,014 --> 01:18:52,643 ...into what his life could be, changed his life? Saved his life? 1069 01:18:53,520 --> 01:18:56,063 Why wouldn't you want to be part of that? 1070 01:18:57,482 --> 01:19:02,153 Steve, Nathaniel has one thing going for him right now. A friend. 1071 01:19:03,238 --> 01:19:07,658 If you betray that friendship, you destroy the only thing he has in this world. 1072 01:19:07,743 --> 01:19:10,202 I don't want to be his only thing. 1073 01:19:16,376 --> 01:19:18,753 Didn't you just tell somebody you was in your car? 1074 01:19:24,426 --> 01:19:26,260 Mary, relax. What table are we at? 1075 01:19:26,344 --> 01:19:28,429 This is Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, Jr. Mr. Lopez. I was calling... 1076 01:19:28,513 --> 01:19:29,722 - Nathaniel. - ... because you promised me... 1077 01:19:29,806 --> 01:19:31,974 ...a hard case for my cello and I haven't received it yet. 1078 01:19:32,058 --> 01:19:33,893 - Yeah? - And also I need sheet music... 1079 01:19:33,977 --> 01:19:35,352 ...for Beethoven's Second Sonata. 1080 01:19:35,437 --> 01:19:39,106 And also Opus 131 and Septet for strings and woodwinds, and Opus 20... 1081 01:19:39,191 --> 01:19:41,233 Can you just... One sec. 1082 01:19:41,318 --> 01:19:44,195 - ... and also my A string is missing... - So, we're talking about... 1083 01:19:44,279 --> 01:19:46,697 I need my A string replaced. 1084 01:19:46,782 --> 01:19:49,658 Nathaniel, you know, this is not... 1085 01:19:52,329 --> 01:19:55,414 ...his series in the Times on the struggles and the triumphs... 1086 01:19:55,499 --> 01:19:57,666 ...of Nathaniel Anthony Ayers... 1087 01:19:57,751 --> 01:20:01,086 ...has brought crucial attention to one of the most pressing issues in our city. 1088 01:20:01,171 --> 01:20:02,797 ...promises you should make good on those promises... 1089 01:20:02,881 --> 01:20:04,381 Get off the phone. 1090 01:20:04,466 --> 01:20:07,218 ...to address this problem with compassion and commitment. 1091 01:20:07,302 --> 01:20:08,302 And in honor of this, 1092 01:20:08,386 --> 01:20:12,598 it is my pleasure to present this year's Media Award to Steve Lopez. 1093 01:20:14,226 --> 01:20:15,559 Thank you. 1094 01:20:18,688 --> 01:20:21,148 ...you know that I can't leave my cart anywhere. 1095 01:20:21,233 --> 01:20:24,819 It houses my violin, my cello, and my weapons of mass destruction. 1096 01:20:24,903 --> 01:20:27,863 A child needs protection. You don't want to put a baby in the trunk of a car... 1097 01:20:27,948 --> 01:20:30,115 ...and have it get bashed up against the wall. 1098 01:20:30,200 --> 01:20:33,202 Bashed up against the wall. Bashed up against the wall. 1099 01:20:36,915 --> 01:20:39,917 I got a phone call from Mark Rosenthal today, remember him? 1100 01:20:40,043 --> 01:20:41,085 Book editor? 1101 01:20:41,169 --> 01:20:42,586 Bob Geldof with a crew cut. 1102 01:20:42,671 --> 01:20:46,131 He's been reading your Nathaniel stuff, thinks it's genius, whatever. 1103 01:20:46,216 --> 01:20:50,177 - Whatever. - Anyway. He said it's a book. 1104 01:20:50,929 --> 01:20:52,471 What did he say exactly? 1105 01:20:52,556 --> 01:20:56,767 "It's personal, it's political, it's timely. I can sell the shit out of it. " 1106 01:20:56,852 --> 01:20:59,645 - Oh, boy. - His words, excuse me, not mine. 1107 01:20:59,729 --> 01:21:02,523 Well, it's complicated. Nathaniel's complicated. 1108 01:21:02,607 --> 01:21:05,276 Well, yeah, he's mentally ill, I mean. 1109 01:21:07,028 --> 01:21:09,697 Right. But beyond that, it's endless. 1110 01:21:09,781 --> 01:21:11,991 I just... I don't want to take full responsibility. 1111 01:21:12,075 --> 01:21:14,577 By all means, avoid full responsibility. 1112 01:21:14,661 --> 01:21:17,204 Just, you know, keep going with the partial responsibility... 1113 01:21:17,289 --> 01:21:20,416 ...and exploiting him like you are now. 1114 01:21:20,500 --> 01:21:21,500 You should stop. 1115 01:21:21,585 --> 01:21:22,668 'Cause that's a slippery slope right there, 1116 01:21:22,752 --> 01:21:23,836 Lopez. 1117 01:21:23,920 --> 01:21:25,671 - Stop. Stop. - One day, you're getting a book... 1118 01:21:25,755 --> 01:21:27,464 - Please stop. - ... from the guy. And the next, 1119 01:21:27,549 --> 01:21:28,549 he's expecting, I don't know, some sort of... 1120 01:21:28,633 --> 01:21:29,717 Mary, stop. 1121 01:21:29,801 --> 01:21:32,803 ...consistency in the relationship. Screw that, man. 1122 01:21:32,888 --> 01:21:36,265 Who needs that shit, right? My words. 1123 01:21:36,349 --> 01:21:38,267 - You driving? - No, I have a car. 1124 01:21:38,351 --> 01:21:39,810 And a driver? 1125 01:21:41,897 --> 01:21:44,148 - Oh, my God! - Oh, shit. 1126 01:21:44,232 --> 01:21:46,317 It's Nathaniel for you. 1127 01:21:48,194 --> 01:21:50,404 ...as a youngster labeled mentally ill... 1128 01:21:50,488 --> 01:21:52,406 ...because of the underlying cigarette habit, 1129 01:21:52,490 --> 01:21:54,241 constant disturbance, constant disturbance. 1130 01:21:54,326 --> 01:21:56,160 You know, bigots have children, too. 1131 01:21:56,244 --> 01:21:57,995 Pens from Steve Lopez. Many thanks. 1132 01:21:58,079 --> 01:22:00,497 Constant disturbance, constant disturbance. 1133 01:22:00,582 --> 01:22:02,583 Bigots have children. Bigots have children, too. 1134 01:22:02,667 --> 01:22:06,211 Pens... Paper... Pens from Steve Lopez. Many thanks. 1135 01:22:09,215 --> 01:22:12,843 And a cello from Steve Lopez. Steve Lopez... Many thanks to that. 1136 01:22:12,928 --> 01:22:16,513 Without Steve Lopez, I wouldn't have any of that... 1137 01:22:16,598 --> 01:22:18,223 Constant disturbance. 1138 01:22:18,308 --> 01:22:21,268 Constant disturbance. Constant disturbances. 1139 01:22:21,519 --> 01:22:24,480 I've had what I think is a beautiful idea. 1140 01:22:24,564 --> 01:22:27,358 I think Nathaniel should give a recital. 1141 01:22:28,193 --> 01:22:31,779 I don't know if I can make that call. He hasn't been very lucid lately. 1142 01:22:31,863 --> 01:22:34,114 - Right. When is he clearest? - I don't... 1143 01:22:34,199 --> 01:22:36,617 When is he most able to focus his thoughts? 1144 01:22:36,701 --> 01:22:38,702 - When he's playing. - Right. 1145 01:22:39,204 --> 01:22:41,956 This could increase his confidence a thousand fold. 1146 01:22:42,040 --> 01:22:43,832 It could be transformative. 1147 01:22:43,917 --> 01:22:46,460 How can we not give him that, Steve? 1148 01:22:49,547 --> 01:22:51,298 God bless you, Steve. 1149 01:22:52,759 --> 01:22:54,218 Sure he does. 1150 01:23:07,774 --> 01:23:13,612 My first concert, I was so nervous, I vomited all down my tuxedo. 1151 01:23:13,697 --> 01:23:16,073 It was so embarrassing. 1152 01:23:18,451 --> 01:23:21,787 Want to know how I got over those jitters, Nathaniel? 1153 01:23:22,831 --> 01:23:24,081 I prayed. 1154 01:23:25,375 --> 01:23:27,793 Shall we pray together, you and I? 1155 01:23:29,546 --> 01:23:31,171 Heavenly Father, 1156 01:23:31,673 --> 01:23:33,924 shine your light on brother Nathaniel, 1157 01:23:34,009 --> 01:23:37,261 that he may speak with your voice tonight. 1158 01:24:34,652 --> 01:24:38,906 Nathaniel, you never have been here, Nathaniel. I'm here, Nathaniel. 1159 01:24:38,990 --> 01:24:40,991 - You're not there. - Nathaniel. 1160 01:24:41,076 --> 01:24:44,286 You never have been here. You never will be here. 1161 01:24:46,664 --> 01:24:47,915 My voice is all there is. 1162 01:24:47,999 --> 01:24:49,583 Everything's fine. 1163 01:24:49,667 --> 01:24:50,959 - Follow my voice, Nathaniel. - Tune up and play. 1164 01:24:51,044 --> 01:24:52,211 Run away from these people, Nathaniel. 1165 01:24:52,295 --> 01:24:53,420 They'll laugh at you. 1166 01:24:53,505 --> 01:24:55,130 - You're nothing. - Nathaniel Ayers. 1167 01:25:06,184 --> 01:25:07,643 Nathaniel? 1168 01:25:09,562 --> 01:25:11,772 I got some soup here for you. 1169 01:25:34,796 --> 01:25:36,171 Nathaniel? 1170 01:25:37,298 --> 01:25:39,758 You think I'm stupid. Is that what you think? 1171 01:25:39,843 --> 01:25:42,970 You want to kill them, Nathaniel. They'll kill you first, Nathaniel. 1172 01:25:43,054 --> 01:25:44,054 No. 1173 01:25:44,139 --> 01:25:45,639 They'll string you up, Nathaniel. 1174 01:25:45,723 --> 01:25:48,517 No. You think I can't see everything. I see everything. 1175 01:25:48,601 --> 01:25:50,477 I know who you are. I know what you're doing. 1176 01:25:50,562 --> 01:25:52,020 - Dogs, biting at your feet. - Nathaniel. 1177 01:25:52,105 --> 01:25:54,148 - I thought you might be hungry. - Nathaniel, over there. 1178 01:25:54,232 --> 01:25:57,818 - The dusty open manual. - Nathaniel, come here. 1179 01:25:57,902 --> 01:25:59,027 The manual. 1180 01:25:59,112 --> 01:26:02,489 That's hydrochloric acid. If I eat that, it'll burn me up inside and kill me like a dog. 1181 01:26:02,574 --> 01:26:04,408 - Oh, no. - Nathaniel. 1182 01:26:04,492 --> 01:26:06,743 - Nathaniel, I wouldn't do that. - Nathaniel. 1183 01:26:07,579 --> 01:26:10,747 Nathaniel. 1184 01:26:12,250 --> 01:26:14,376 You'll eat it, dust and all. 1185 01:26:15,420 --> 01:26:16,587 Okay. 1186 01:26:17,422 --> 01:26:19,089 It's good, see. 1187 01:26:28,975 --> 01:26:30,225 Shit. 1188 01:26:35,273 --> 01:26:36,356 Don't put your hands on me! 1189 01:26:36,441 --> 01:26:38,275 - Nathaniel! - Back the hell off! 1190 01:26:38,359 --> 01:26:40,944 Don't you ever touch me! Don't ever put your hands on me! 1191 01:26:41,029 --> 01:26:43,322 Please, don't. Nathaniel. 1192 01:26:46,701 --> 01:26:47,868 Don't you ever touch me. 1193 01:26:47,952 --> 01:26:49,077 Stop. 1194 01:27:01,841 --> 01:27:03,217 Nathaniel! 1195 01:27:14,270 --> 01:27:18,232 What am I supposed to do? I should have support. 1196 01:27:28,660 --> 01:27:30,202 Hi, Nathaniel. 1197 01:27:33,289 --> 01:27:36,667 It's freezing out here. Don't you wanna come home? 1198 01:27:36,751 --> 01:27:38,919 I can't go back there. It's not safe. 1199 01:27:39,003 --> 01:27:41,004 Come on, home, Nathaniel. 1200 01:27:46,261 --> 01:27:47,719 Nathaniel? 1201 01:27:48,805 --> 01:27:50,764 Where are you gonna sleep? 1202 01:27:59,565 --> 01:28:03,235 David, sorry, it's Steve. Listen. 1203 01:28:03,987 --> 01:28:06,446 Can you call me back when you have a second? 1204 01:28:06,531 --> 01:28:09,783 There was an incident with Nathaniel tonight. I'm a little 1205 01:28:10,743 --> 01:28:13,829 worried. Anyway, call back when you have a sec. 1206 01:28:17,583 --> 01:28:19,042 All right, let's go. 1207 01:28:29,554 --> 01:28:33,849 It's my thing! I claim my right to those possessions! 1208 01:28:33,933 --> 01:28:35,684 Show me your stuff! 1209 01:28:39,063 --> 01:28:40,605 - Linda! - What? 1210 01:28:40,690 --> 01:28:42,774 - Hey, where's Nathaniel? - I don't know. I haven't seen him. 1211 01:28:42,859 --> 01:28:45,027 - I haven't seen him. - Hey! Hey! 1212 01:28:45,361 --> 01:28:46,862 Is it Darryl? 1213 01:28:46,946 --> 01:28:48,113 Hey, stay back. Who the hell are you? 1214 01:28:48,197 --> 01:28:50,824 LA Times. That's the last guy you should be arresting. 1215 01:28:50,908 --> 01:28:52,993 - Come on, man! Come on. - Skid row cleanup, sir. Let's go. 1216 01:28:53,077 --> 01:28:54,161 Steve! Steve! 1217 01:28:54,245 --> 01:28:57,039 This man is in illegal possession of a shopping cart and a milk crate. 1218 01:28:57,123 --> 01:28:59,041 Are you gonna arrest him for possession of a milk crate? 1219 01:28:59,125 --> 01:29:01,626 - Steve! Steve! - That's correct, sir. 1220 01:29:04,255 --> 01:29:05,714 Take it easy. 1221 01:29:06,674 --> 01:29:08,592 Help! Help! 1222 01:29:17,643 --> 01:29:19,061 Come on! 1223 01:29:19,604 --> 01:29:21,063 Officer, what happened? 1224 01:29:21,147 --> 01:29:23,357 A couple of kids came out here with some baseball bats... 1225 01:29:23,441 --> 01:29:24,858 ...and beat the shit out of this poor guy. 1226 01:29:24,942 --> 01:29:27,027 - Get a name? - Negative, sir. 1227 01:29:32,867 --> 01:29:34,993 Sorry, excuse me. I'm sorry. 1228 01:29:37,038 --> 01:29:41,625 Is this Admits? May I make an enquiry about a... Excuse me. 1229 01:29:41,959 --> 01:29:43,543 - This way? - What? 1230 01:29:43,628 --> 01:29:44,795 Yeah, down here. 1231 01:29:44,879 --> 01:29:48,131 It's usually on the... I'm sorry. It's usually on the screen. 1232 01:29:48,883 --> 01:29:52,594 Excuse me, ma'am. Recent ER admits named Ayers, A-Y-E-R-S. 1233 01:29:52,845 --> 01:29:54,638 Thank you, by the way. 1234 01:29:56,099 --> 01:29:57,224 No. 1235 01:29:58,309 --> 01:30:00,060 Hi. Thank you. 1236 01:30:00,144 --> 01:30:02,813 I'm looking for a recent admission. 1237 01:30:02,897 --> 01:30:06,316 I'm hoping you have a recent admission with a man named Ayers, A-Y-E-R-S. 1238 01:30:06,734 --> 01:30:10,445 I know. Contreras was the reporting officer. He was the officer on site. 1239 01:30:12,156 --> 01:30:14,116 It's not the... It's not the... 1240 01:30:17,787 --> 01:30:19,579 Mr. Ayers. A-Y-E-R-S. 1241 01:30:19,664 --> 01:30:22,541 Nathaniel Anthony Ayers. 5'10" African-American. 1242 01:30:22,834 --> 01:30:24,292 Hi. It's me again. 1243 01:30:24,836 --> 01:30:26,420 It's gonna be a long shift. What's your name? 1244 01:30:26,712 --> 01:30:29,339 N- A-T-H-A-N-I-E-L A... 1245 01:30:30,591 --> 01:30:32,342 I do words for a living. It doesn't matter. 1246 01:30:32,427 --> 01:30:33,969 Whoever has two stripes on their arm or more. 1247 01:30:34,053 --> 01:30:36,471 Ayers! A-Y-E-R-S. 1248 01:30:36,556 --> 01:30:41,768 N- A-T-H-A-N-I-E-L A- N-T-H-O-N-Y A-Y-E-R-S. 1249 01:30:41,936 --> 01:30:43,728 No! Do not put me on hold again! 1250 01:30:43,813 --> 01:30:47,357 A- Y-E-R-S! 1251 01:31:11,757 --> 01:31:13,967 - Lopez. - Steve, David. 1252 01:31:14,051 --> 01:31:16,344 I got your message, what's up? 1253 01:31:16,429 --> 01:31:19,306 There was a beating of a homeless man on Winston Street, 1254 01:31:19,390 --> 01:31:22,225 - it was right in Nathaniel's spot. - It wasn't him. 1255 01:31:23,352 --> 01:31:24,478 What? How do you know? 1256 01:31:24,562 --> 01:31:28,523 'Cause he's here, eating a crazy-big breakfast. 1257 01:31:29,525 --> 01:31:32,777 I guess sleeping inside can give a man an appetite. 1258 01:31:33,654 --> 01:31:34,946 What? 1259 01:31:35,031 --> 01:31:37,491 He spent last night in the apartment. 1260 01:31:38,576 --> 01:31:40,160 He came inside. 1261 01:31:58,763 --> 01:32:00,013 Thank you. 1262 01:32:00,097 --> 01:32:03,433 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. 1263 01:32:03,601 --> 01:32:05,727 I thought I lost it forever. 1264 01:32:06,062 --> 01:32:07,103 Hi. 1265 01:32:08,731 --> 01:32:09,981 You good? 1266 01:32:13,528 --> 01:32:17,572 I literally looked everywhere else in Los Angeles but here. 1267 01:32:19,200 --> 01:32:21,076 Not that I was worried. 1268 01:32:21,577 --> 01:32:23,537 What happened? What made you decide to sleep in here? 1269 01:32:23,621 --> 01:32:27,165 Oh, well, a body can only take so much, Mr. Lopez. 1270 01:32:27,250 --> 01:32:30,043 I'm not young anymore, I'm a middle-aged man. 1271 01:32:30,127 --> 01:32:32,170 - You know how it is. - Sure. 1272 01:32:34,131 --> 01:32:35,799 I mean, a body gets weary, a body... 1273 01:32:35,883 --> 01:32:37,634 Housewarming gift. 1274 01:32:47,979 --> 01:32:49,688 Thank you, Mr. Lopez. 1275 01:32:51,899 --> 01:32:55,151 Thank you, Mr. Lopez. Thank you. 1276 01:33:00,491 --> 01:33:02,867 I've done good by you, haven't I? 1277 01:33:03,369 --> 01:33:05,870 I mean, things aren't so bad, right? 1278 01:33:10,167 --> 01:33:14,462 Say, things are set for Jennifer to become your executor. 1279 01:33:14,547 --> 01:33:18,174 I can't believe Beethoven himself is in my own apartment. 1280 01:33:18,593 --> 01:33:21,428 Are you still okay with that? Having Jennifer handle things for you? 1281 01:33:21,512 --> 01:33:23,471 It's all right with me if it's all right with Beethoven. 1282 01:33:23,556 --> 01:33:25,682 Well, you guys let me know. 1283 01:33:27,184 --> 01:33:31,187 'Cause there's papers you gotta sign. They just got back from... 1284 01:33:31,731 --> 01:33:34,441 You should read them so you know what you're signing. 1285 01:33:34,525 --> 01:33:37,110 All right, yeah, I'll just sign them Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, Jr. 1286 01:33:37,194 --> 01:33:41,197 ...apartment B-116, and the B stands for... 1287 01:33:42,992 --> 01:33:44,451 ...Beethoven. 1288 01:33:46,454 --> 01:33:48,079 - Read them and sign them. - All right. 1289 01:33:48,164 --> 01:33:49,205 - Okay. - All right. 1290 01:33:49,290 --> 01:33:50,832 What do you... You got anything to drink? 1291 01:33:50,916 --> 01:33:53,501 Yes, sir, Mr. Lopez. Absolutely, Mr. Lopez, 1292 01:33:53,586 --> 01:33:58,089 help yourself to some water, it's where the dripping sound is coming from. 1293 01:34:00,051 --> 01:34:02,177 - At your leisure. - All right. 1294 01:34:11,395 --> 01:34:12,771 Is there a... 1295 01:34:16,067 --> 01:34:18,109 What's with Neil Diamond? 1296 01:34:18,194 --> 01:34:20,070 I thought that was you. 1297 01:34:28,245 --> 01:34:31,247 Well, I'm flattered. He's a good-looking guy. 1298 01:34:33,834 --> 01:34:35,335 What's wrong? 1299 01:34:37,254 --> 01:34:39,422 What's this business about me... 1300 01:34:39,799 --> 01:34:43,259 ...having a schizophrenic mind? 1301 01:34:45,304 --> 01:34:46,846 It's, it's... It's legal jargon. 1302 01:34:46,931 --> 01:34:50,266 It says that I have a schizophrenic mind. I do not. 1303 01:34:50,351 --> 01:34:51,518 It doesn't mean anything. 1304 01:34:51,602 --> 01:34:55,063 - I have a schizophrenic mind. - That's not what I think. 1305 01:34:55,356 --> 01:34:57,941 Nathaniel, they try to put people in a... 1306 01:34:58,025 --> 01:34:59,818 - I'm not going anywhere. - And the good news is that... 1307 01:34:59,902 --> 01:35:01,820 ...it has nothing to do with you. 1308 01:35:01,904 --> 01:35:04,739 I don't go where you say to go. I go where I want to go. 1309 01:35:04,824 --> 01:35:06,950 You don't put me away, Mr. Lopez. You don't put me away. 1310 01:35:07,034 --> 01:35:08,410 - Okay. Okay. - You don't put me away. 1311 01:35:08,494 --> 01:35:09,536 I'm not gonna... I don't... 1312 01:35:09,620 --> 01:35:11,371 - No, no, you don't have to go... - Yes, you are. Yes, you are. 1313 01:35:11,455 --> 01:35:12,539 ...to court. You don't have to go anywhere. 1314 01:35:12,623 --> 01:35:14,040 Jennifer will take care of you. 1315 01:35:14,125 --> 01:35:16,126 My sister's not coming near me. She is not coming near me. 1316 01:35:16,210 --> 01:35:18,086 - She's not coming near me. - Okay, remember when you said... 1317 01:35:18,170 --> 01:35:19,462 If I say she's not coming then she's not coming. 1318 01:35:19,547 --> 01:35:21,715 You said... Nathaniel, you said... 1319 01:35:21,799 --> 01:35:24,217 Listen, I'm not going to have anymore... I'm not going to have anymore... 1320 01:35:24,301 --> 01:35:27,846 I will tell you. I will tell you. I'm sick of being Nathaniel and you Mr. Lopez. 1321 01:35:27,930 --> 01:35:29,055 Okay. I'm not just... 1322 01:35:29,140 --> 01:35:31,850 Wait. I'm not your boy. I am not Mr. Colonel Sanders's boy. 1323 01:35:31,934 --> 01:35:34,894 You know, I'm sorry I was wrong. I'm sorry I was wrong. 1324 01:35:34,979 --> 01:35:39,023 I can take care of myself. I can take care of myself, Mr. Lopez. 1325 01:35:39,108 --> 01:35:43,945 I don't need you. I don't need this city. I despise this city and I despise you. 1326 01:35:46,949 --> 01:35:49,075 And if I ever see you again, 1327 01:35:50,286 --> 01:35:51,995 I'll cut you open... 1328 01:35:52,955 --> 01:35:54,956 ...and gut you like a fish. 1329 01:36:05,134 --> 01:36:08,678 Because I'm Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Jr. 1330 01:36:10,097 --> 01:36:12,724 Mr. Ayers. 1331 01:36:15,436 --> 01:36:19,481 I'm Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Jr. N- A-T-H-A... 1332 01:36:24,028 --> 01:36:25,445 N- A-T-H-A... 1333 01:36:25,529 --> 01:36:30,867 - N-A-T-H-A... - You're of no consequence. 1334 01:36:46,133 --> 01:36:47,884 - Hi. - Hi. 1335 01:37:17,289 --> 01:37:19,582 So, that was my first mistake. 1336 01:37:24,630 --> 01:37:27,131 The Northridge Quake, '94, remember? 1337 01:37:27,758 --> 01:37:29,425 I smelled the toast. 1338 01:37:32,930 --> 01:37:34,931 We'd been here two days. 1339 01:37:36,141 --> 01:37:38,309 All our crap still in boxes. 1340 01:37:38,394 --> 01:37:40,144 And at 4:00 a. m. it hit. 1341 01:37:40,813 --> 01:37:42,480 God, that terror. 1342 01:37:46,652 --> 01:37:49,362 You, me and Thomas. What was he, nine? 1343 01:37:49,780 --> 01:37:54,450 All huddled under that bedroom door frame. 1344 01:37:54,785 --> 01:37:57,078 I told him it was a good omen. 1345 01:38:00,207 --> 01:38:02,458 Welcoming us to our new life. 1346 01:38:03,294 --> 01:38:04,711 Better life. 1347 01:38:06,422 --> 01:38:07,672 In LA. 1348 01:38:20,311 --> 01:38:23,980 I should have had us on the first flight back to Philly. 1349 01:38:34,992 --> 01:38:37,201 I thought I was helping someone. 1350 01:38:38,370 --> 01:38:40,622 And it was a guy who's got a gift. 1351 01:38:40,706 --> 01:38:43,041 He's lost his way. I'm gonna... 1352 01:38:48,339 --> 01:38:51,633 Inevitably backfired. 1353 01:38:52,301 --> 01:38:54,302 He's backlashed to the... 1354 01:38:56,347 --> 01:39:01,351 And the very person I was trying to be of some redeeming service to turns on me. 1355 01:39:02,102 --> 01:39:04,896 I'm the enemy. You know? 1356 01:39:07,858 --> 01:39:09,150 A stranger. 1357 01:39:10,527 --> 01:39:11,694 And... 1358 01:39:13,197 --> 01:39:15,782 I don't know who to fault. 1359 01:39:15,866 --> 01:39:21,079 I can't see any outcome to support. 1360 01:39:25,793 --> 01:39:28,419 Can't believe in anything worthwhile. 1361 01:39:32,299 --> 01:39:35,677 Done trying. I resign. I resign. 1362 01:39:36,595 --> 01:39:38,262 From everything. 1363 01:39:38,889 --> 01:39:40,848 It's... It's official. 1364 01:39:48,565 --> 01:39:50,942 You couldn't stop that earthquake. 1365 01:39:56,448 --> 01:39:59,659 You can't fix LA in just... 1366 01:40:01,370 --> 01:40:03,997 And you're never gonna cure Nathaniel. 1367 01:40:09,253 --> 01:40:11,838 Just be his friend and show up. 1368 01:41:33,170 --> 01:41:35,880 Good? I'll be right here if you need me. 1369 01:41:48,310 --> 01:41:50,269 ...go, next to the gold store. 1370 01:41:50,354 --> 01:41:53,064 You know what I mean. He wanted to drink and everything. 1371 01:41:53,148 --> 01:41:55,358 Okay, okay, okay. Bitch, slow down. 1372 01:41:56,193 --> 01:42:00,321 Do you still love me? Like you did at the start? 1373 01:42:00,405 --> 01:42:02,115 I ain't playing with you. 1374 01:42:02,199 --> 01:42:04,283 I'm saying I do. 1375 01:42:04,368 --> 01:42:07,078 It means you and me together forever. 1376 01:42:08,872 --> 01:42:12,750 So that's why I'm saying I do. 1377 01:42:14,253 --> 01:42:17,588 - I love you, Lois. - I love you, too, Darryl. 1378 01:42:20,384 --> 01:42:23,886 Disguise himself now as... 1379 01:42:23,971 --> 01:42:28,724 They disguise themselves... Where is Los Angeles? 1380 01:42:29,226 --> 01:42:31,018 Cleveland? 1381 01:42:34,398 --> 01:42:35,690 And... 1382 01:43:00,674 --> 01:43:02,175 We... 1383 01:43:07,806 --> 01:43:09,974 We had some life, didn't we? 1384 01:43:13,645 --> 01:43:17,273 Yeah. 1385 01:44:01,818 --> 01:44:04,403 Beethoven's Triple Concerto, right? 1386 01:44:04,905 --> 01:44:06,781 - Yeah. - It's a good one. 1387 01:44:09,117 --> 01:44:10,326 I liked it. 1388 01:44:10,786 --> 01:44:14,705 Mr. Ayers, I'm gonna give your sister a ride to the hotel. 1389 01:44:14,790 --> 01:44:17,291 You don't have to call me that, Mr. Lopez. 1390 01:44:17,376 --> 01:44:21,420 I know. I want to. I should have been calling you that all along. 1391 01:44:22,047 --> 01:44:23,965 I said such terrible things to you, Mr. Lopez. 1392 01:44:24,049 --> 01:44:27,802 I... I hate myself for saying those things. 1393 01:44:27,886 --> 01:44:30,388 Sometimes friends piss each other off, right? 1394 01:44:30,472 --> 01:44:32,348 It's part of the deal. 1395 01:44:32,766 --> 01:44:38,521 I can't imagine that you would want to be my friend after I said all those things. 1396 01:44:38,689 --> 01:44:39,814 I just... 1397 01:44:39,898 --> 01:44:41,232 Mr. Ayers, 1398 01:44:43,527 --> 01:44:45,736 I'm honored to be your friend. 1399 01:45:05,882 --> 01:45:07,925 "Points West" by Steve Lopez. 1400 01:45:08,719 --> 01:45:11,304 A year ago, I met a man who was down on his luck... 1401 01:45:11,388 --> 01:45:14,181 ...and thought I might be able to help him. 1402 01:45:14,266 --> 01:45:16,225 I don't know that I have. 1403 01:45:16,601 --> 01:45:18,978 Yes, my friend Mr. Ayers now sleeps inside. 1404 01:45:19,062 --> 01:45:21,605 He has a key. He has a bed. 1405 01:45:22,733 --> 01:45:25,443 But his mental state, and his well-being, 1406 01:45:25,527 --> 01:45:28,738 are as precarious now as they were the day we met. 1407 01:45:32,159 --> 01:45:34,952 There are people who tell me I've helped him. 1408 01:45:35,037 --> 01:45:37,288 Mental health experts who say... 1409 01:45:37,372 --> 01:45:41,667 ...that the simple act of being someone's friend can change his brain chemistry, 1410 01:45:41,752 --> 01:45:44,378 improve his functioning in the world. 1411 01:45:45,130 --> 01:45:48,049 I can't speak for Mr. Ayers in that regard. 1412 01:45:48,300 --> 01:45:51,594 Maybe our friendship has helped him. But maybe not. 1413 01:45:54,097 --> 01:45:56,515 I can, however, speak for myself. 1414 01:45:57,351 --> 01:46:00,770 I can tell you that by witnessing Mr. Ayers's courage, 1415 01:46:01,271 --> 01:46:05,191 his humility, his faith in the power of his art, 1416 01:46:07,319 --> 01:46:11,072 I've learned the dignity of being loyal to something you believe in. 1417 01:46:11,156 --> 01:46:14,450 Of holding onto it, above all else. 1418 01:46:14,534 --> 01:46:19,705 Of believing, without question, that it will carry you home.