[Aria VO] Do you hear it?
It's a pulse…
a heartbeat…
reverberating…
far beyond the grids, weaving through the traffic
and the crowds.
What if we are all a part of something larger--
embodied by a living, breathing tapestry
made up of fleeting moments?
What if a chance encounter could make all the difference?
Imagine a surgeon on her way to work, who hasn't slept.
She's running late, but she decides to stop.
[woman] Someone! Someone help, please!
[Aria VO] And in turn, a life is saved.
[Aria VO] Or the 20-something
held up by the gathering crowd, and those few extra seconds
generates a run-in with an old friend…
who needs to get home,
but instead they make the decision to have--
One drink.
[Aria VO] And from that choice…
they find love.
If it's such a small world,
then why does this city feel so big?
Millions of us move through these streets, all strangers.
But we're all strangers before we meet.
♪♪
[cab driver] Longest light on the west side.
It's okay.
I always give myself a cushion, unlike my husband.
[driver] Hah, yeah!
We gotta be somewhere at 6:00, I tell my wife 5:00.
[chuckles]
[driver] She blames the traffic for everything.
Now she's talkin' about movin' to Florida.
Sunshine every day, she says.
Well, you have to learn how to appreciate the seasons.
Too much of anything, and you start to take it for granted.
Even sunshine.
[soft, light-hearted instrumental music]
♪♪
[both laughing]
30 years!
Yes, I think that's how long I've been standing here.
You are a lucky man, Walter Valle.
Hey, yes, I am! Mm-hm!
No one else would put up with you.
No, I suppose not.
And yet…
[both] Always, always.
♪♪
Eh…
Muah!
[Walter] We better hurry.
Restaurant is not going to hold our reservation.
Wait a minute…
Now you want me to rush up a hill?
Yeah, come on, come on.
Oh, no man. [laughs] Change of plans.
I spotted a nice little wine bar on the way over.
-Hm? -It's cute.
And most importantly…
Mm-hm…?
There are no hills.
Come.
But wait… Wait! [laughs]
[indistinct conversation]
♪♪
[traffic noise outside]
[keys jingling]
Anna? PJs.
Tomorrow.
Daddy's home.
Oh, hi!
[Claire laughs]
Hi, hi, hi!
Someone's got a present for you.
Ah, yeah?
Oh, wow!
A heart!
Thank you.
[coughs violently]
Ah… okay.
PJs? Yeah.
Bedtime. [coughing]
Hey.
You might need, like, an antibiotic at this point, huh?
Thank you. I'm sure it'll pass.
She's, uh…
she's starting to notice that you're not here.
Uh…
So, I got an appointment with that attorney,
and I'm also gonna see an apartment tomorrow,
that's-- that's close to Anna's school,
in case she ever wanted to sleep over.
What happened to taking it slow?
Well, it has been a year, so--
Yeah, I know how long it's been.
Let's not raise our voice, please.
Why? She can't hear us!
Okay…
Our number-one priority is Anna, right?
Yeah.
[gentle, poignant music]
♪♪
[sound of traffic below]
♪♪
[loud click]
[Doorman] Sir, are you okay?
Uh, yeah, yeah, I think I'm… oh!
Oh, you may wanna get that checked out.
No, no, it's just-- it's a cut.
Could be internal bleeding.
Or just a cut.
Ugh…
[sighs] Okay…
[flashlight clicking]
Any dizziness? Headache?
We'll get you stitched up.
And let's get a CT scan to be safe.
[coughs violently]
How long have you had that cough?
It comes and goes.
You a smoker?
-No. -But… you did?
A few years in my 20s.
Wouldn't say I was a smoker , though.
-"Was… a… smoker." -[sound of writing]
Well, a lot has changed since then.
I eat clean.
I… don't eat sugar.
Cut out alcohol years ago.
Choices we make now matter.
Choices we made also matter. It's no judgement.
Except for the sugar part.
We all need a cookie now and then.
It's not that I don't like cookies, right?
I mean, I love cookies.
My mom used to make us these whoopie pies when we were kids.
That's not true.
The nanny made the whoopie pies
and then my mom just said that she did.
And then I eventually found out,
and my mom got a new nanny… after that.
I'm not really good with these long silences,
so feel free to tell me to shut up at any point.
[chuckles]
If I told you to shut up, would you shut up?
[laughs slightly]
[pensive, atmospheric music]
♪♪
[Doctor] Okay…
No sign of brain injury or swelling.
All good there.
Great.
I also had them run a chest CT.
There's a nodule. Left lung.
What? What do you mean, "nodule"?
Most are benign.
But given its size, I'd like to follow up with a biopsy.
Now, the nurses at the front station
can book you in for this procedure…
[voice fades out]
[pensive, atmospheric music]
♪♪
[distant traffic noise]
[Brenda] Morning.
[Walter] Oh, hey.
Ah… honey…
would you grab me two painkillers?
My head is throbbing.
I probably shouldn't have had that third glass
last night, right?
[chuckles]
Yeah, that is true.
[chuckles]
Here you go, my dear.
Ah, come here, you.
-Aw… -Hey, come here.
-Yeah. Hmm? -Mm-hm.
How's that?
I loved that place last night, didn't you?
Yes, I did.
Very much.
We could have a bar like that.
[chuckles]
We could !
Oh, my Brenda, always lookin' for the next adventure.
Why don't we just, um, try this retirement thing first?
-Fine. -Mm-hm?
Mm-hm.
Okay.
[Assistant] Morning, Ms. Aldridge.
Carrie, every time you call me "Ms. Aldridge,"
it makes me feel like some disowned
member of the royal family.
[chuckles] Imagine?
I can. And I have.
How's it going with the chef?
He wants to move to LA.
He is obsessed with gastronomy.
How do you feel about that?
Well, I mean, I don't see how foam is dinner.
Not that, darling. About moving.
Oh, um… I dunno, fine.
It's just, I have friends here now, and I love this job.
I mean, one day, I wanna do what you're doing,
um, and here I am, learning from the best.
-[knock at door] -Got a minute?
Yeah. Thanks.
[rock music playing from another room]
[Kris] What's up?
You go to the Atomic Vandal show?
Nope.
Kris…
The team is… concerned.
It's been three years since you signed a new artist.
Those cheeky little sods are not artists.
You remember when I first started here,
we'd go see someone play in some hole-in-the-wall pub?
Their sound would penetrate your skin.
That's when you sign someone.
-Can you give them a chance? -No!
They're posers!
You've already signed them.
I was really hoping you'd be on board.
Well…
I'm not.
["Blue Hour" by Anna Graves playing]
♪♪
♪ You wake a little early, lonely, some days ♪
♪♪
♪ Now you got that funny feeling ♪
♪ Will it ever go away? ♪
♪ It might take another minute but it's okay ♪
♪ Baby, it's your blue hour ♪
♪ You gotta hold on and wait for that dawn to break ♪
♪ Baby, it's your blue, blue, blue hour… ♪
John says we need to take a break.
I get it. It's been a year.
But still…
I feel like everyone around me is pregnant.
I should be happy for them.
It's okay if you're not happy for them.
Look, if I'm putting myself in your shoes, I'd be sad.
And angry.
Although, I'm not quite sure
that's where your anger's coming from.
You know, Aria--
You think I'm too young to be a mom?
Do you feel that way?
I know what you're doing. I shouldn't have said anything.
But you did say something.
You were numb when you first came to see me.
Your words.
You also said that music was the one thing
that could make you feel.
Maybe there's some grief in your choice to give it up?
Can we drop it?
[Dr. Anderson] Sure.
You been venturing out of the apartment, then?
Have you been taking those walks we talked about?
♪♪
[Nate coughs]
♪♪
[sighs]
[coughs]
[Ellis] Hey, I need to make a quick stop at the post office.
-Okay. -I made another sale.
This one's going to Whitesboro.
They should change that name.
What's with the face?
I don't know what you're talking about.
-The face. -Am I a sell-out?
You can tell me. I can take it.
Ellis, we've talked about this.
It's T-shirts right now.
Soon your stuff's gonna be, you know,
showcased in some swanky art gallery.
It's gonna be great.
-Yes… -It's gonna be great.
I do exude swank. [scoffs]
Indeed.
Yeah, and who doesn't love a T-shirt?
Right? Nobody I wanna know.
Here you go.
-Oh, is this for me? -Yeah.
[gasps] Are you trying to get a raise?
[laughs]
Please don't ask for a raise. Oh, and lock the door?
Oh…
[traffic noise outside]
-Whoa! -Oh!
-Oh, sorry. -Did I get you?
Yeah, a little bit.
[sighs] Why am I still carrying this?
I'd planned on throwing it away.
Not sure what's stopping me.
I'm not superstitious… am I?
I don't know, but we open in 30 minutes.
Oh, I won't be a bother.
I just need to put this down for a minute.
It's been a day.
If you need to sit down, you could go to the coffee shop
that's two doors down.
Are you also having a day?
Or are you just… always like this?
My bartender will be back--
Finest Pinot Noir, please.
Back in a few…
Or a Cab. I'm not picky.
…few minutes.
Is there a Lumi East?
Not that I know of.
Why Lumi West, then?
It's just a name.
Ah.
How often do people play?
-Every night. -Any good?
-I vet them myself. -You're a musician?
-No. -Huh.
My bartender's gonna be back in a few moments.
Yeah, you said that.
Oh.
So you did hear me?
♪♪
[door opens]
[Walter] Hey, yeah!
Fantastic.
Okay…
Wake up…
Wake up, you sleepyhead. [chuckles]
["Into Dust" by Mazzy Star playing]
♪♪
[Walter] Hey…
Hey?
♪♪
Brenda…?
Baby?
[inaudible conversation]
♪ Still… ♪
♪ Falling ♪
♪♪
♪ Breathless and on… ♪
♪ Again ♪
♪♪
♪ Inside… ♪
♪ Today ♪
♪♪
♪ Beside me… ♪
♪ Today ♪
♪♪
♪ Around, broken in two ♪
♪♪
[pensive, atmospheric music]
♪♪
[indistinct chatter and music playing in bar]
Great set.
Thanks.
It was my last one.
No, we have you booked through till next Sunday, so…
Well, as of tomorrow at 9 am,
I will provide in-house counsel for Novo Labs Pharma.
What? Owen !
No! [laughs]
We were supposed to starve together, bro!
That's…
Oh, sorry. That's not supportive.
Uh, that's very cool.
No, you're right. It's gonna suck.
But no one's gonna walk through that door
and discover me any time soon, so…
can I get a piece of scrap paper?
Yeah.
[soft, poignant music]
♪♪
[Ellis] See ya, man.
[soft, upbeat music]
♪♪
[traffic noise]
[Kris] That guy who was playing earlier…
Acoustic guitar, scruff…?
Oh, Owen.
Let me know when he plays here again.
He was quite good.
But this guy… Piano man?
Ah, decent overall, but…
he's not very special, is he?
I will make sure to tell him that he's not very special.
[patrons applauding and cheering]
This is your last one, and then I am cutting you off.
[intriguing music]
♪♪
This is a kiddie cup.
You're right. That is the discounted size cup
that we give to all the kids that come in here
who want a drink.
["Every Color" by Luca Fogale playing]
I don't want to go home.
[chuckles] Yeah, I get that.
I'm Nate, by the way.
Kris. Nice to meet you.
You too.
I think my life is over.
Who am I without work?
Oh God, do you hear me?
Am I a cliché now?
Dreadful.
Won't you have a drink?
I don't drink.
-That's ironic. -Is it?
Well…
♪ Do you hear me screaming… ♪
Everything's gonna be okay.
How do you know?
I don't.
Worst pep talk ever.
[both chuckle]
♪ …if nobody really dies? ♪
♪ Because I seem to forget… ♪
You look sad, too.
♪ When I get all worked up… ♪
♪♪
There we go.
[door closes]
[taxi honks]
You're actually a nice guy.
Yeah, when people say "actually" like that,
I don't think it's a compliment.
Here you go.
Oh, can't you hold onto it for a bit?
Yeah, sure, I'll just find a place for this tall plant
in my crowded bar.
I'll come back for it tomorrow, I promise.
Okay.
Everything will be okay.
How do you know?
I don't.
But we all need someone to tell us so.
♪♪
[taxi honks]
♪♪
[door opens]
[John sighs]
[John] What are you doing up?
Waiting for you.
Sorry I'm late.
I took a test today.
-Aria. -I know, I know, I know.
It hasn't been easy for you to be on the other side of this.
I hope you know…
I'm trying.
I know you are.
♪♪
[soft, poignant music]
♪♪
Thank you.
♪♪
Ah, yes.
Thank you.
♪♪
Excuse me, please.
♪♪
Walter?
I'm Tara.
I knew your wife from Righteous Hope.
She was a lovely woman.
Church, it was Brenda's thing.
I'm sorry, I…
I never know when it's gonna hit.
I'm fine for one second, then the next, I'm…
can't keep my damn head up.
I haven't slept in days.
I just… gotta go inside.
You're not alone.
Anyone can join us.
Even if church isn't their thing.
I believe God places the right people in front of us
when we need them most.
Thanks, but not for me.
[soft, gentle music]
What doesn't bend, breaks.
♪♪
[sighs]
♪♪
[exhales]
♪♪
[stone hits ground]
♪♪
They'll administer a local anaesthetic.
Shouldn't take more than 30-45 minutes.
Some soreness is normal after a biopsy,
but if you experience any severe pain,
contact your doctor right away.
I used to love strawberries.
But I'm a blueberry guy now.
Strawberries and chocolate, though?
Antioxidants, though.
Doesn't sound as good.
Doctor will be in shortly.
♪♪
Augh!
Ahh…
Ow!
[Aria playing guitar and singing in distance]
♪ No more pretending ♪
♪♪
♪ Take me, I'm yours ♪
♪ Said the woman on the edge ♪
♪ That's looking over ♪
♪ What could be over… ♪
♪♪
♪ I'm stuck in a dream ♪
♪ That somehow seems to be a nightmare where I scream ♪
♪ But I just can't wake up… ♪
[phone buzzing]
[Rose] [phone] I've left you three voicemails.
No one uses voicemail, Mom.
I spoke to the head of the music department
at my school.
There's an assistant position opening up.
[Aria on phone] I know I need a job.
I don't expect John to support us forever.
But I'm not commuting to New Jersey.
I barely see him as it is.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Although, if that were true,
you'd be a lot happier when I call.
Okay, that's a bit dramatic.
[Rose] You could come out and visit.
Some kids miss their parents, you know?
[Nate] So, the payment did not go through?
I get it. I-I think I know… what happened there.
[coughs] I will-- I will handle it.
Okay, thank you, so much.
[coughing violently]
Yeah? What?
Okay, just wait…
Just…
[coughing]
Thank you. Here you go, hun.
[coughs]
Augh…
What?
I know. I know we need to pay. [coughs]
I…
I know! Stop! Stop! [coughs]
[coughs] Anna, stop, stop!
Anna, wait! Stop! Stop!
[car honks]
[people exclaiming]
[woman] Is she okay?
[Kris] Oh…
Oh, thank you.
[Aria] Are you okay?
Um…
Oh my God, your knee!
Oh! Oh, it's fine.
It's just… bleeding a little, and a bit swollen, and…
It's not broken. It is clicking, though…
Knees click, normally, I think.
[Aria chuckles nervously]
Thanks again for this, Aria. It's very kind of you.
Not a problem.
Do you live in the building?
My… friend does.
Who? Maybe I know them.
[clears throat] Could I trouble you for a glass of water?
Oh, yeah, of course.
Do you play?
I used to.
I'd love to hear something.
Ah… [chuckles]
I don't remember the last time I played in front of someone.
Oh! Well…
This'll be a treat, then.
♪♪
-Hey. -Hey, hey…
-What happened? -I-I got angry, and she ran off.
But she's okay. She doesn't have a scratch on her.
I just, uh…
I'm not exactly her most favorite person right now.
-Okay… -She only wanted you.
So I can wait till the end of your shift,
if that… is easier.
Uh, no, no. It's okay.
I got it. I'll, um…
I'll take her to the playroom. She'll love that.
So, I…
I got a call from Anna's school.
The last installment check bounced.
Uh…
Oh, come on, Claire…
Look, I was gonna tell you,
but I knew that you were gonna overreact.
No, I'm not overreacting.
Just, why does this keep happening?
[silence]
-She's reading-- -What?
She's reading our lips right now.
Okay.
Okay, alright.
[Claire] Um…
Can we please talk about this later?
[Nate] Yes, please. [Claire] Okay.
Please…
Yeah, okay.
Okay.
[hospital phone ringing]
[gentle guitar music]
♪♪
[Aria] ♪ In a world uncertain, say you'll be my stone ♪
I'm rusty.
You're extraordinary!
Do you have originals?
I've, uh, never finished a song.
It's like I hear this voice in my head, screaming,
"Who do you think you are?"
I'm a record exec.
-What? -Well, I was.
No, I… I am. It's complicated.
Look, I know this spot; they book local acts.
I could secure a spot. Tomorrow night?
Oh, I-I… I don't think I'm--
Just play the same cover. Don't worry about originals.
Let's just get you up on stage first.
I… feel like I'm sick all of a sudden.
Finally, a true artist.
Alright, give me your number, and I'll text you the details.
Okay?
[laughs] Okay…
-Oh… -Hello!
Uh, this is my husband, John.
This is Kris.
-Hi. -Hi.
I feel like we've met.
Mmm…
Any investments at Kaplan?
Nope, definitely haven't met.
I'll text you. Goodnight.
Well, she seems nice.
Wait…
Are those…
Oh, these? Veggie dumplings?
Yes, they are. Three orders, as promised.
[sighs]
♪♪
-Thank you. -You're welcome.
Wait, um…
Last time I was here, my wife ordered this, uh,
fantastic red.
With a long French name.
Uh, cream-colored label.
I'm sorry, that's as far as my wine knowledge goes.
It's not very helpful, huh?
-No. [laughs] -Wait, wait, Château…
-Oh! -Château.
Yes.
I think… this…
["Another Story" by The Head and the Heart playing]
♪♪
Mmm!
That is it.
Okay.
[soft, emotional music]
♪♪
[glasses clink]
I get that. But that's…
that's literally double the rent.
At that rate, I'll have to close the doors by…
No, I understand that. But that's…
But what am I supposed to do?
Can you please, just, like, work with me?
[Walter] Uh, hi.
Hey.
[Walter] Do you mind if I, uh…
You know what? Be my guest.
I'm Walter. You own this place?
I do.
I'm Nate, by the way.
Is there a Lumi East?
No.
Wow, I think I gotta get me one of those.
It was the best birthday present ever.
My wife gave this to me
knowing that I would fix things on demand.
[chuckles]
Smart lady. And a little sneaky.
She was.
Hmm.
There.
Thank you again.
♪♪
[Ellis] ♪ …stone is no match for the air, my friend ♪
♪ What doesn't bend breaks ♪
♪ What doesn't bend breaks. ♪
["Buildings and Bridges" by Ani DiFranco playing]
Thank you.
♪ La-da-da-da, da-da ♪
♪ La-da-da-da, da-da… ♪
♪ La-da-da-da, da-da ♪
♪ La-da-da-da, da-da… ♪
[Kris] I need a favor.
Oh. Well, hello. How are you?
That's actually how we start conversations in America.
Oh, I feel a little…
You-- are you okay? Oh!
[gasps]
Isn't this all a bit much?
I had to catch you.
You're right. You're my hero.
I would have died without you.
I'm so weak and you're so strong.
Okay, that's-- that's enough. I get it.
I think you're probably dehydrated
from going on these long runs in the cold without water.
It's not very smart.
Are you saying I'm not smart?
I should go.
What if you hung out a little bit?
So you could maybe eat something a little bit more substantial
than just… crackers and water?
[Nate] [laughing] Right?
And you don't think it's even that bad!
[laughing]
But wait, I'm sorry, to clear it up…
So, you-- you faceplanted…
-Mm-hm. -Smashed your knee…
because you live in a romantic comedy.
No! I fell first, and then I heard singing.
You're not listening to my story.
No, no, no, I'm listening, I'm listening.
I'm just-- I'm trying to visualize it all,
and there's so many visuals to this tale.
Alright!
Uh, so, so… Owen's usual slot is open.
What was your artist's name?
Aria.
I have a good feeling about her.
You know when you just have that…
strong, gut thing?
I do.
["Margaux" by Matilda Mann playing]
I'm off.
I'll see you tomorrow.
My knight in shining armour.
♪ Margaux left and everything has changed. ♪
[leader] Ian, I think you wanted to share something this evening.
[Ian] Yeah.
I still take out her coffee cup out in the morning.
Not on purpose…
but sometimes on purpose.
I've been leaving room on her side of the bed.
[Ian] I do that, too.
I swear my wife still kicks me when I snore.
[group members chuckle]
Hmm…
[Tara] Hey…
I'm so glad you came.
[Walter] Listen…
I don't want you to get the wrong idea.
How so?
This is not the most comfortable place for me to be.
Mm-hm.
See, I walked away from the church a long time ago,
and I'm not lookin' to come back.
But I know that it helps some people sometimes, but…
I don't think Brenda's watching over me.
Mm.
But no disrespect
if you believe your husband is watching over you.
My wife.
Who I don't believe is watching over me, for the record.
At least, I hope she isn't.
She'd be bored out of her mind.
[chuckles]
I just don't think this is for me.
I'm… sorry if I wasted your time.
There's no need to apologize.
I felt a calling to approach you,
given what we have in common.
But if I'm mistaken, it's fine.
I don't take it personal.
You take good care, Walter.
Okay.
[chuckles]
Hey…
Do you like wine?
[playing guitar]
♪ So much on my mind ♪
♪♪
♪ I think I think too much ♪
♪♪
♪ Read between these lines ♪
♪♪
♪ Unspoken weight of words… ♪
[phone buzzing]
[Aria] ♪ But time comes to rest when you are by my side… ♪
[Nate] Hello? Yeah, this is he.
I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Dr. Smith…
Could you just tell me now?
[Aria] ♪ I will follow where this takes me ♪
♪♪
♪ And my tomorrows long to be unknown ♪
♪♪
♪ When all is shaken, be my safety ♪
♪♪
♪ In a world uncertain, say you'll be my stone. ♪
♪♪
Dunno, maybe she got cold feet. It happens.
[Ellis] Hello! [Walter] Hi.
-It's nice to see you again. -You too.
Do you want the, uh, Château Simone Palette Rouge?
Yes, but two glasses.
I'm expecting someone.
I hope she shows.
Oh, sorry, I was talking to myself.
But I do hope your somebody shows.
Okay, well, then, uh…
-Cheers. Right back at you. -Cheers.
♪ And I will follow where this takes me… ♪
Hey, hey! Taxi!
♪♪
♪ And my tomorrows long to be unknown… ♪
Someone's over-watering your plant.
[gasps] Are you trying to kill my plant on purpose?
I believe it's my plant now.
Go on and water it, then.
He literally just said to not water it!
By the way, this is Walter, jack-of-all-trades.
A fixer of faucets.
That was you?
No charge.
How lucky are you,
to be surrounded by such helpful people?
I'm not sure how helpful you are,
considering you just tried to murder my plant.
Mm-hm.
♪ When all is shaken, be my safety ♪
♪♪
♪ In a world uncertain, say you'll be my stone ♪
♪♪
♪ You'll be my stone ♪
♪ In a world uncertain, say you'll be my stone. ♪
♪♪
a world uncertain, say you'll be my stone. ♪