The Truth About Emanuel

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My name is Emanuel.

I'm seventeen years old

and I killed my mother.

I had her sliced open,

like a goat for the slaughter,

to get me pulled out.

As she bled, the doctor

pushed air into my lungs,

and pressed his hands

repeatedly onto my chest,

with the same rhythmic,

repetitive motion

that he used to jerk himself

off that very morning.

It worked.

He came and I came...

Back to life.

The fact that my mother

lost her life for this,

for me, is probably

just a side note.

The cost of doing business.

But it's me who pays.

It's on my tab.

And it accumulates interest

with every passing year.

My point is,

there's no place for me.

Because I'm not

supposed to be here.

Maybe if I was some sort of Olympic

athlete, or a genius scientist,

but I'm not.

I'm not any of those things.

I'm just a girl.

A murderer without a motive.

So I serve my time, waiting

for my sentence to be up.

Mmm.

This is delicious.

It's made with aged gouda

instead of cheddar.

That's what gives it

its sharp kick.

What do you think, honey?

Sophisticated is the word

that comes to mind.

Sophisticated, I like that.

How was your day, pumpkin?

Great. I met a boy, and we're dating.

It's pretty serious.

Oh, that's wonderful!

What's his name?

Claude.

Claude.

You've just met and it's serious?

Yeah, it is.

Can you pass the broccoli?

Well, I think that's lovely.

I think it's about time that Emanuel

had a nice fellow in her life.

Why? Were you starting to

think that I was a lesbian?

No.

God, no.

Why would you say that?

I had a dream about you last week.

Sexual.

Emanuel.

Thought maybe you picked up on it.

No. No, I didn't.

Hmm. It's perfectly normal.

Just some hybrid oedipal,

Electra complex,

nicely tailored for the happy,

modern stepfamily.

Relax. It doesn't mean I

actually want to have...

Emanuel.

No offense, but you're not my type.

Emanuel, that's enough.

Ignore her.

She always gets this way

around her birthday.

Hey!

Emanuel, be more careful, please.

No. I can't.

This isn't your private

jerk off closet.

I know.

It's a rickety ladder

on which I'm moving some

sophisticated equipment.

Hardly consider a penis pump

sophisticated equipment.

Why don't you just try one

and get it over with?

Why is it sticky?

Look. If I had a penis, I'd try it.

It's like if you worked at a restaurant

and they added a new dish to the menu.

You need to try it to know

what you're selling.

Don't want to try the dish.

Hmm.

Tickets.

I'm Claude.

I know.

Says on your bag.

Oh. Uh, this isn't my bag.

Well, I mean, it is,

it's from when I was a kid.

My bag got stolen, so I just pulled

this out from the depths of my closet.

Tickets.

What's that on your arm?

My name.

Emanuel.

Isn't that a boy's spelling?

They thought I was

going to be a boy.

But you're not.

Reality is overrated.

So why do you have your

name tattooed on your arm?

Because if I get separated from

my bag, I'll still know who I am.

Next stop, Benovale.

Bye.

She seems nice.

You know, reserved.

Where's she from?

Denver.

She got a husband?

I didn't ask, but it certainly

didn't seem like it.

It's just a shame, having to raise a

young baby like that all on your own.

Dad did it.

Look how well I turned out.

You might want to go over there

and give her some pointers.

She did mention that she was

looking for a babysitter,

but I can't think of anyone

off the top of my head.

The Denzel twins have

moved away, right?

I'll do it.

You will?

Yeah, sure.

But you hate kids.

I need the money.

What for?

Decided I'm going to become a collector

of Precious Moments figurines.

Oh.

She's messing with you.

No, I'm not.

I must have them.

As a constant reminder

of the preciousness of life.

When do I start?

I'll talk to her tomorrow.

Would you mind?

I need to talk to him.

Excuse me.

What did you say to him?

I told him that you'd

gotten me pregnant.

So I decided to get an abortion,

but wanted to tell

you on the train,

surrounded by people,

in case you became violent.

Wow.

Well that's certainly

one way to liberate a seat.

Hi.

Hi.

I'm Emanuel.

Come in.

Something to drink?

Just some water.

Thanks.

Okay.

How old are you?

Turning eighteen this month.

Oh, yeah.

That's a fun age.

I guess.

College plans?

No. I didn't really

like school very much.

Can't imagine why anyone would

voluntarily sign up for more of it.

But I like learning stuff.

I'm teaching myself

to speak French.

Oh. So you're planning

on doing some traveling.

No.

Well, it would be a pity to speak

French and not go to France.

Well, I've got some

errands to run, so...

I'll see you in about

an hour and a half.

Oh, please put your

glass in the sink.

Uh, and what about the baby?

Well, that's why you're here.

Well, I know, I mean,

shouldn't we meet before

you leave us together?

Oh, no, Chloe is asleep,

and if I wake her up she's

going to be very crabby.

Oh.

Just make yourself at home.

There's a stereo in there.

What happens if the baby wakes up?

Baby monitors.

So...

You'll know if she needs you.

Okay.

How do you like living here?

It's fine, I guess.

I don't really know anywhere else.

There's not much going on.

Hi, guys!

I figured you could use a little

refreshment, in the heat.

There you go.

Very thoughtful of you.

Oh, it was nothing.

Thank you.

Oh, it's looking good.

It's a start.

Mmm.

Well, I don't want to keep

you from your work. So...

Oh, here.

Oh!

No, no, I couldn't.

Oh, please?

If I put these all in my house

it's going to look like a wake.

Oh, thank you, they're beautiful.

Okay.

I'll see you in a bit.

So why don't you like your stepmom?

She's fine.

It's just been me and

my dad for so long,

still getting used to

having someone else there.

Where's your mom?

Dead.

Oh. That's awful.

Could you, um...

Could you pick up these tools and this

tarp and put it back in the shed for me?

Yeah, sure.

False alarm.

She was just stretching, and

making herself feel comfortable.

Uh, I'd love to be able to

take power naps like that.

I have something for you.

Pour toi.

I actually lived

in France for a stint.

Thank you.

Oh, positive. I don't even know

how they got in the moving boxes.

There's a basket of, uh, Chloe's

things in the laundry room.

Could you take them upstairs

to the hall closet for me?

Yeah, sure.

What are you doing?

I thought I heard something,

but now I don't.

Huh.

I don't hear a thing.

I'll do this load again.

It's fine.

Just come down.

I don't want to mess

with her sleeping schedule.

Hey,

what are you doing out here?

Studying.

Studying?

French.

Really.

You must be pretty good by now.

You know, you get that

from your mom.

She soaked up languages

like a sponge.

She dragged me to so many

French films, I can't remember.

Do you ever think about what it would have

been like if I'd died instead of Mom?

No.

Really?

I do.

You know, Em, I've been thinking.

Maybe this is the year that you come

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