Provided by explosiveskull https://twitter.com/kaboomskull
[RAIN PATTERING]
KALI: Sorry, I'm nervous.
VERONICA: It's okay. No rush.
Let's talk boundaries.
I'm up for anything. No boundaries for me.
KALI: What?
Did you talk about your boundaries before this?
Well, sort of. Maybe... not really.
Well, um, is there anything you don't want Juna to do?
I don't know. I didn't really think about that.
What about you, Juna?
Is there anything you don't want Kali to do?
Um...
No. [CHUCKLES]
What if she ignores you?
That depends.
So, you're okay, if she pays no attention to you whatsoever?
Oh.
I didn't say that.
You know, the most important thing is to listen.
So, if something doesn't feel right, then speak up.
♪
[MOANING]
♪
[ALL LAUGHING]
♪
[BOTH GRUNTING]
Maybe we could have dinner next time.
JUNA: Only if I get to eat off you two.
KALI: Oh, my God. You never want to eat off of me.
Okay.
- Thank you. - Oh, wait. Three...
VERONICA: I move in the way
I know how to make myself come,
and when I'm close,
I pull Kali's hair and kiss her with abandon.
I'm in ecstasy as my climax erases all thought,
and I'm fully present with this couple I hardly know.
It's strange, though, for the first time in ten years,
in the end, I feel... nothing.
Hmm.
No.
In the end, I'm still amazed
that three people can come together
in mutual desire and not fall apart.
[LAUGHS]
Nice.
Hey, you're Veronica Willow right?
- Veronica Williams. - Yeah. Do I know you?
- I'm a super fan of your blog. - Oh, cool.
Yeah. Sex with intention, I love that!
- Thank you. - It's, like, about love and connection, right?
- Exactly, yeah. - [CHUCKLES]
I can't believe I'm standing here talking to you.
This is nuts. Right in front of my building.
Can I take a selfie real quick?
- Uh, sure. - Just real quick.
- Get that for me. - Okay.
- Thanks. I got short thumbs. - Okay.
Yeah, I'll put that right on my Instagram.
- Okay, nice to meet you. - I got, like, 38 followers.
Hey, I'm so curious about that polyamory stuff.
Yeah, a lot of people are. It's...
It's wild, right?
Yeah.
Yeah, cool. If you have any questions,
just leave a comment and I'll respond.
I got to say,
you are so gorgeous... [STUTTERS]
Like, right here right now. Are you...
- I mean... - Thank you.
You ever think about doing porn or, you know?
No.
No. Have you?
[STAMMERS]
Watch out.
MAYA: And, up.
And Swan Dive down.
If you're warmed up, go ahead to the Upward-Facing Dog.
And, breathe.
From here, reach forward with the right hand,
reverse the Warrior.
And Warrior Two.
From here, let's take a side-angle pose, elbow on the knee,
hand to the ground, or take it behind.
Just extend the energy through your fingers.
MAYA: See our chemistry, baby.
And Warrior Two.
Relax the shoulders.
- It's a fucking horse penis. - [LAUGHS] Seriously.
[MOANING]
Come to Chemistry with me on Saturday.
Babe, you know how I feel about that.
Well, hello, ladies.
- VERONICA: Hi. - Can I help you with anything today?
Looking for something to dominate my wayward girlfriend with.
Okay, well, this is a beginner's crop.
It's very lightweight.
But, if you're looking for something a little bit more intense,
check this one.
Uh, thank you. We are just browsing.
Ah, okay. Well, let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.
JOANNE: Thank you.
- It's intense. - Mm.
- I don't know. - I can handle it.
Yeah, I'm sure you could.
But, you don't want me to go to Chemistry.
[HESITATES] No, it's cool...
as long as you respect the boundaries.
Of course.
Who do you think I am?
You like that?
[VIBRATOR BUZZING]
You know, there are so many hot, sexy women
who would love to play with us at Chemistry.
I'm gonna tie you up, so you can't move.
Fuck you so hard
you won't think of anyone else but me.
- [VIBRATOR BUZZING] - [JOANNE MOANS SOFTLY]
SALES WOMAN: [CLEARS THROAT]
[BOTH LAUGH]
VERONICA: Many of you have asked me,
"Is true love a reason to be monogamous?"
Well, I can only speak for myself.
There's no such thing as happily ever after.
There's no such thing as "the one".
But, if I can find a little bit of "the one",
in each person I fall for,
and they see a little bit of "the one" in me,
what could be more romantic than that?
Move your right arm a little that way.
A little more.
How's your mother?
PEDRO: She's doing better.
I think I'm going to visit her for spring break.
My cousin has a new tour company in Tulum.
Can make some extra money.
What about your classes?
Just for a few weeks. Don't worry,
I'll be back.
Come to Chemistry with me this Saturday.
I wish I could, but I work the late shift.
VERONICA: [SIGHS] I need a break.
Hmm.
[BOTH SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
[BOTH LAUGH]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]
[WOMAN SINGING IN FRENCH]
♪
[ELECTRONIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- MAN: Veronica. - Hey, Tai.
Love the last blog post.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
This one's on us.
- Thank you! - Enjoy.
ALL: [CHEERING]
- You, look at you. - What's happening?
- Actually, I'm corporate Caesar. - Oh, yeah. Nice.
VERONICA: Each party holds a possibility of forgetting,
of losing and finding myself.
Time and ego dissolve
in the fantasy of costume,
the anonymity of disguise,
the spectacle of burlesque.
It doesn't matter where we come from
or what we do for a living.
Past mistakes and future dreams are irrelevant.
Here, we are all animals, alive and wanting,
connected by the need to survive,
seeking more or less the same thing.
I long to forget my experience
and find my innocent self,
through another's wide, hungry eyes.
- WOMAN: Are you ready for a show? - [CROWD CHEERING]
I said, are you ready for a show to wet your appetite?
[CROWD CHEERING]
♪
DANIEL: Oh!
I am so sorry.
- I didn't mean to... - Why don't you lick it off?
Excuse me?
The mess you made on her boots.
Why don't you lick it off?
[STAMMERS] The couple, they bumped into...
- Sure, sure. Yes, right. - It wasn't my fault.
- It's okay. - I'm just playing.
Sure, you are.
[ALL CHEERING]
- See you later? - Mm-hmm.
♪
I'll just...
♪
VERONICA: Have you been to Chemistry before?
DANIEL: No.
My friend didn't tell me it was this kind of party...
VERONICA: What? Really?
...where people have sex.
So, who's your friend?
Oh, over there, with the blue suit.
That's Benton. He's my friend, too.
- Really? - Yeah.
- Wow. What a small world. - Yeah.
- I'm Veronica. - Daniel.
[CROWD APPLAUDING AND CHEERING]
Oh, so, um, you're married?
Yes.
- Is she here? - No.
What's your agreement?
What do you mean, "agreement"?
- Veronica. - VERONICA: Hello.
Well, have fun.
DANIE: You, too.
Maybe next time you can bring your spouse.
Babe, Dexter was too ridiculous today. Look.
What did he do now?
- I totally caught this... - Oh, no.
[CAT MEOWING OVER THE PHONE]
- Why is he always doing that? - Aww.
Oh wait, watch this. He's so cute.
No, no.
[GLASS BREAKING OVER PHONE]
- [LAUGHS] - Do you think that's funny?
That's not funny. He just broke that glass.
Did you say anything to him?
Well, I tried to.
Yeah, right. No, you didn't.
[SCOFFS] Oh, Dexter.
- [DOOR OPENS] - WOMAN: Come on in.
Hey.
Hi. Hi.
[CATS MEOWING]
[MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
We have a studio for $1,500 in Flatbush.
Does that interest you?
- We have... - [PHONE RINGS]
Excuse me. [CLEARS THROAT]
Burr Real Estate, Daniel speaking.
VERONICA: [OVER PHONE] Hi, Daniel, it's Veronica from Chemistry.
Benton gave me your number.
Yeah, from work.
I was wondering if you would like to go to dinner with me.
A date? No, not really. I...
[STAMMERS] Well, maybe he told you that I'm a blogger
and I blog about sex and relationships.
And, yeah, you're interesting to me,
and I've been looking for new subjects.
Well, I don't meet that many monogamous people at Chemistry.
And, so, I'm curious, uh, what it was like for you.
Yeah, well, no pressure, and it's up to you.
You're going to love this place.
I know the chef.
He sources everything from local farms.
Yeah. So, everything is organic
and you can really taste the difference.
Oh, his pork belly with truffle oil is to die for.
- Mmm. - [SMACKS LIPS] Yes.
So, did you enjoy the rest of the party?
Yes. [CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]
I didn't do anything, but it was interesting to watch.
Uh-huh.
First time for everything, right?
Right. [LAUGHS]
- Yeah. - Yeah.
Um, what do you think about super spicy food?
I love it. I mean, I'm Korean, so yeah.
Well, me, I can only handle a little spice.
I'm... ginger.
Ginger's my favorite.
Ginger's my favorite spice also.
- Really? - Yes.
- Wow. - It's so versatile.
It is. It is. It's so versatile.
- Yeah. - Yeah.
DANIEL: ...it just doesn't help
not knowing anyone like that.
Yeah, well, ask away
'cause I'm open to answering all questions.
I usually ask people to take their shoes off inside.
Right. Yeah, me, too.
- If that's okay. - I do the same thing.
You don't know what you're stepping on outside.
- Yeah, exactly. - Yeah.
- Yeah.
[CLEARS THROAT]
So, this is my place. I'm gonna turn the light on.
- Wow. - This is my place.
- It's beautiful. - Welcome.
Ah, there's a cat.
- This is Lulu. - This is Lulu.
- Yeah. - You're so beautiful.
VERONICA: Mm, wow, okay.
[LAUGHS]
- Hi. - Hey.
[MOANING]
- Yeah, take this off. - [MOANS]
VERONICA: Yeah.
[MOANING]
Um, can we just do it somewhere else?
Oh, yeah, yeah, sure.
- This is kind of awkward. - Yeah.
Okay.
- [VERONICA LAUGHING] - It's just...
DANIEL: Okay.
- Turn. - Yeah.
DANIEL: Yeah.
[MOANING]
[BOTH MOANING]
VERONICA: Oh, my God.
- I'm gonna come. - Oh, yeah, come.
[MOANING INTENSIFIES]
[LULU MEOWS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
Aww. You're so pretty. Hey.
So cute.
- Lulu? - Yeah, she likes you.
Yeah? Hey.
[VERONICA GIGGLES]
Do you have a cat?
Yes. We have a cat.
Dexter.
- Aww. - Yeah.
DANIEL: I...
I usually don't do this.
Oh, me neither.
I usually don't sleep with married people unless they are poly.
Would you like some water?
Uh, no.
Are you going to tell your wife?
No.
Well, I have to tell my girlfriend.
I thought you can do whatever you want.
No, no. We have agreements.
[DANIEL LAUGHS]
I have to go.
Okay.
Bye.
[DOOR CLOSES]
JOANNE: That fucking Pedro.
VERONICA: It wasn't Pedro.
You could have checked in.
I know. I know. I'm sorry.
- I got carried away. - Look, we have a relationship.
Yes.
Yes. I'm sorry. There wasn't a convenient time.
- Did you enjoy it? - Joanne, please.
Did you enjoy it?
JOANNE: I love you.
I fucking love you.
I did poly.
For you.
Hey, everyone.
This is my bisexual girlfriend.
- Stop. - She only wants to be with me
if she can be with guys, too.
You always had someone else in the back of your life.
- You don't care about me or anyone. - No.
- No.
MAN: Hey, hey!
- What the hell! - [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
WOMAN: What the fuck! What's wrong with you?
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
VERONICA: Relationship agreements are like allergies.
There's no obvious reason
why one person has a violent reaction
if her husband holds another woman's hand in a movie theater,
while another, like my ex-girlfriend,
explodes when I have sex with someone else
in our apartment.
Polyamory makes me feel like I'm above cheating
because I make my own rules and agreements.
But when I break my rules,
there's no one else to blame.
Joanne was never totally comfortable with my lifestyle.
I needed to end my relationship with her,
but I didn't know when or how.
Along came someone to do it for me.
[SIREN WAILING IN THE DISTANCE]
Red's my color.
Oh...
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
- You do that. - Mm.
- [GRUNTS SOFTLY] - Oh, wait, wait.
I am a delicate flower.
Oh, my...
[LAUGHS]
I read your story, preciosa,
it made me cringe, it made me laugh,
it made me want more.
My apology.
Close.
[SPANISH SONG PLAYING]
Yeah, well, my followers don't want art,
- they want smut. - [CLICKS TONGUE] So what?
Do what you want, don't care what they think.
That was actually...
Oh, God, I look like my mother.
[BOTH LAUGH]
DANIEL: Have you always been polygamous?
Well, it was always in me,
but my first love was blissfully monogamous.
We were so young and in love.
It didn't feel like monogamy, you know.
Yeah.
But it ended,
and monogamy hasn't appealed to me since then.
You know, I feel weird saying this,
but after you and I had sex,
I went home and had sex with my wife.
Oh!
We hadn't had sex in months.
You're welcome?
- You inspired me. - [BOTH LAUGH]
Are you sure it wasn't guilt?
I did feel guilty at first.
But then, I felt more attracted to her.
I, uh...
I would love to keep seeing you.
The hope that it will bring something back to my marriage.
[LAUGHS]
Does this mean you'll go to a sex party with me?
I mean, you and your wife.
Oh, I don't know.
[SIGHS]
So, babe, uh...
Baby, what do you...
How do you feel about going to a party
that is actually a sex party,
but, um...
It's like a sex party, but no pressure.
We could just kind of drink and chill out and make friends.
KIRSTEN: You want me to go to an orgy?
Well, it's not just a bunch of people fucking,
it's an actual party, you know.
They have separate rooms for mingling, drinks, food.
It's a really cool, like, situation.
No.
[SIGHS]
Look, we don't have to do anything,
we could watch, you know...
Babe, in therapy, you said you'd try new things.
Look, if you want to see other people, then go ahead.
Are you sure?
No, but...
maybe it's the best thing.
Look, I'll let you know if anything happens or I meet someone.
- I don't want to hide anything from you. - No.
Please don't.
Okay.
♪
DANIEL: Wow, you look amazing.
Thank you.
Ah. Oh...
tada.
- You like it? - It's beautiful.
Thank you.
Golden rule is "ask before you touch".
- Okay. - Just remember that.
Hi.
No pressure, okay?
No expectations.
You don't have to do anything...
not even with me.
[SULTRY MUSIC PLAYING]
Hello, sir. I remember you.
Yeah, I remember you, too.
Do you want a drink?
- Come on, let's get a drink. - Yeah.
Check it out. Amazing. So, um...
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
May I kiss you?
Is it 11:00 already?
VERONICA: She's fine. We'll see her later.
- Okay. - She's doing her serving shift.
DANIEL: Oh, okay.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
- Fancy meeting you here. - Hello.
Hi.
Oh, look who I found?
KALI: Hi, good to see you.
Will you come and play with us?
Well, I'm here with a date tonight.
- Well, have fun. - We'll try.
- [CHUCKLES] - You will.
What do you call this? What is that?
[STAMMERS] Maybe later...
VERONICA: Excuse me.
That maybe gives her permission to keep trying.
What do you want?
I want you.
I want to be with you.
And maybe your friend over there.
[VERONICA LAUGHS]
Good answer.
WOMAN: Just like that.
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
What's happening?
[MOANING]
[BOTH MOANING]
[ALL MOANING]
[MOANING CONTINUES]
[LAUGHING]
- Thank you. - MAYA: Mm-hmm.
Thank you.
Well, that's a lot of firsts for one night.
Congratulations.
- Thank you. - You're a natural.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
I didn't think, uh, I would like seeing you
with someone else, but it actually felt really open.
I felt happy for you.
That's compersion.
- Compersion? - Mm-hmm.
It's the opposite of jealousy.
Oh, does that mean I'm poly now?
- No. - Ah.
Going to a sex party doesn't make you a poly.
Besides, you haven't seen me with another guy yet.
Okay. One step at a time.
[LAUGHS]
Hmm.
Want to come over?
Uh...
I told Kristen that I'm coming home.
Coming home from what?
You know, out drinking with the guys.
[CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY] One of them got really drunk,
- you know, one of those things. - Yeah, yeah.
Well, I'll just call a car.
Yeah. I'll wait until...
You know, with you until the car comes.
No, no, that's okay.
- You sure? - Yeah.
We'll talk.
- Get home safe. - Thanks.
JANET: [OVER PHONE] Last night, Daddy and I went out to dinner at the club
and we ran into some old friends.
Do you remember Ashley Van Houten?
Vaguely.
She just finished grad school
and is moving to New York.
If you could show her around...
Uh...
I don't know.
Ashley and I aren't into the same things.
Well, it's up to you.
How's your writing?
Uh, good.
I am very busy with my blog.
Um, I have a lot of fans, so.
I'm glad you found people who like It.
I tried reading it once, but I had to stop.
Something about a Mexican guy.
I didn't mind it so much, but your father...
Really, do you have to be so detailed?
Why don't you write children books?
I don't know, why don't you join the Peace Corps?
I'm not gonna live in a hut. Thank you.
Of course the card is good.
Sorry, I'll be off this call in a second.
It's my daughter.
- Okay, bye. - Bye.
[VERONICA SIGHS]
DANIEL: Oh, yeah, that was when I was 12,
I took my uncle's money
and I went to the bodega
and just bought my first dirty magazine.
- What? - Yeah.
- You were 12? - Yeah. [LAUGHS]
- Twelve. - Wow!
Wow, You've always had it in you, you naughty boy.
- Yeah, maybe, maybe. - [CELL PHONE CHIMES]
Oh, wait, hold on.
[CELL PHONE CHIMES]
Hi.
What? No, I paid that bill.
All right.
Oh, okay. Well, I'm sorry they're harassing you.
I'll take care of it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go on.
Soy milk, quinoa. Uh-huh, anything else?
No?
All right. Yep, I got it. Cool.
See you later. Bye.
Did you have to take that call?
Well, we share expenses and an apartment, so...
[CLEARS THROAT]
[CELL PHONE DINGS]
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
This is my mother's.
[BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH]
VERONICA: I wanna join you in Mexico.
I could study Spanish.
We could make some art together.
PEDRO: I wish I could, but I'll be pretty busy with work.
My mother, Victoria...
[SNIFFLES]
[PEDRO SPEAKING SPANISH]
It's okay.
VERONICA: When Pedro and I first met,
he said,
"When I love someone the first thing I give them is freedom."
Without him, I still have freedom, but what of it?
The advantage of polyamory
is if one relationship falls apart,
you're not left stranded.
Heartbreak insurance means
you can always be comforted in the arms of another.
But then, you go to a party
and you find yourself alone,
dying a little with each stranger's touch.
Fuck.
- DANIEL: [OVER PHONE] Veronica? - Hi, Daniel.
Um, yeah. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry it's so late...
What's going on?
I was at this party and I was, uh, walking back.
And, I mean, it was a weird party, I had to leave.
And now, I don't know where the fuck I am,
- and my phone's about to die. - Oh, no.
[STAMMERS] It doesn't feel safe.
Do you want to come over?
I'm house sitting for a friend.
- Kirsten's not here. - Are you sure?
Yeah. Yeah. I'll come get you.
Just wait there. Drop a pin and I'll come get you.
Okay.
DANIEL: Let me get you some tea.
I think he has chamomile over here.
- [BREATHING HEAVILY] - Okay, so...
Put...
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Here.
Take this apricot.
Just feel your breath, okay?
I know it seems like you can't breathe, but you can.
[BOTH BREATHING DEEPLY]
[KETTLE WHISTLES]
Here you go.
I think, um...
I think it's passing.
- DANIE: Wow. - [LAUGHS]
Look at this. Come on.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
They're brother and sister.
Tada, what do you think?
I need to hire you as my personal chef.
You are a goddess.
All right.
Um... dig in.
Hey, hey, hey.
- Hmm. - [DANIEL SIGHS]
What's up, girl? Hey, girl!
- DANIEL: Aww, she needs a playmate. - What?
You should get another cat.
Yeah, but we have a special bond.
I don't want to lose that to another kitty.
That won't go away.
It'll never go away.
- [CHUCKLES] - Right, cutie?
Bye.
Did you wash me off you?
Hmm, good question. Let's check.
[SNIFFS]
Can you tell me?
[SNIFFS]
Hey.
Where have you been?
Uh, I had showings all day in Harlem.
I asked you to do laundry three days ago.
Well, I was busy selling...
trying to sell apartments, so.
You can at least pretend like you still live here.
DANIEL: I don't know. It's like I've been saying this for months,
but where are my needs?
I mean, they're not being met.
It's not that hard to meet them.
[STAMMERS] I'm doing the best I can.
I mean, we haven't had sex for months,
- which sucks. - Yeah.
And then, he wants to go to culinary school
and we barely paid rent last month.
I rented a lot of shitty apartments so you could pursue your dream.
You know that, right?
I get it. You're having a midlife crisis.
[STAMMERS] What... But why should...
Okay. [SIGHS]
Why should I give up everything
so you can just keep struggling?
I don't understand.
Hey, how are you? I've been thinking about you.
DANIEL: [OVER PHONE] Not so well.
[CLICKS TONGUE] Oh.
What's been going on?
Kirsten and I are getting a divorce.
Wow.
Feel like my soul has been ripped out of me.
Oh, yeah, that's understandable.
We were together for 12 years.
I don't know how to be now.
Like, who am I without her, you know?
Well, you're still you.
[WOMAN SPEAKING KOREAN]
I guess.
- Who is that? - It's my mom.
I think you...
You need to take sometime to rediscover yourself,
and, um, maybe get out of town for a little while.
You know, my parents, they live in Connecticut,
so, um,
- maybe you and I could... - Oh.
[DANIEL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER PHONE]
[BOTTLE CLANGS]
- Sorry, is this a bad... - Yeah...
[SPEAKING KOREAN]
I'm so sorry.
Is this a bad time? Do you want me to...
I'm so sorry, I'll call you back.
Okay. Bye.
[DANIEL EXCLAIMS]
[SLOW JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS]
[INAUDIBLE CONVERSATION]
Hi, Dad.
- Hi, sweetheart. - Mm, hi.
Hi.
TRACY: This chicken is fabulous.
What is that, sage?
Yes, I thought I'd try something a little adventurous
since we're having a chef dining with us tonight.
Oh, no. Chef-in-training.
Yeah. Oh, mm.
So, Daniel, what's your background?
Where are you from, Daniel?
Uh, Queens, yeah, New York.
But where are you really from, where, you know, originally?
My family is from Korea,
but I'm from Queens, born and raised.
Got you. Yeah.
Yeah.
Welcome.
So, Luke, Veronica tells me you work in finance.
Hedge funds. You invest?
Oh, I would like to, but I don't have anything to invest,
- you know. [CHUCKLES] - You don't need a lot. Start small...
- Very smart. - ...try new emerging markets.
Performance is the key now,
even more so than liquidity or transparency.
It's on the up and up again now.
After '08, we had to sell a boat...
- Yes. - ...downsize to two cars...
Anyway, what are you up to these days?
So many projects, I can't keep up.
- Um... - There's your lust blog.
Is it like Dan Savage?
I listened to his podcast once,
- He sounded really gay. - [CHUCKLES]
JANET: Not to change the subject,
we're so happy Veronica finally settled down.
- We were concerned... - What do you mean "concerned?"
Well, you know, about your "roommate situation".
Well, Joanne was never my roommate, Mom.
Why didn't you tell us?
I don't know. I just didn't think that you wanted to...
Besides, it doesn't matter now
'cause you're with Daniel.
Yes. Well, just because I'm with a man now
doesn't mean I'm heteronormative.
JANET: Where do get these words?
Oh, come on. Now, I'm insulted.
What I mean is, we're not a conventional couple.
I mean, sometimes we...
- What? - ...do things with other people.
Wait a minute. Are you saying you're swingers now?
Oh, my God! I saw a show about that.
It's not exactly swinging.
Swinging is related, but it's more like open relationships,
you know, consensual.
What, are you polygamous or...
No, we're polyamorous.
- What? - Um...
"Poly" coming from the Greek meaning "many,"
and "amory" or "amorous" meaning "love."
Yeah.
- Oh. - So, it means many loves.
- VERONICA: Yeah. - Beautiful.
You know, your mom and I were invited to a key party once.
- [LAUGHS] What? - We didn't go, of course.
VERONICA: Why not? Why not?
Please, let's not even discuss it.
- We're having dessert, right, Janet? - Yeah.
Yeah, there'll be dessert.
- Please, eat up more if you can. - Okay.
TRACY: Yeah.
[PEOPLE ARGUING INDISTINCTLY IN THE DISTANCE]
[BOTH MOANING]
- Hi, how are you, beautiful? - Hey!
- What's up, man? - VERONICA: Yeah. Thank you.
- This is your first time at Polly Cocktails? - DANIEL: Yes.
[ALL CHEERING]
I think I've seen most of you naked.
Who's getting naked?
Uh-uh. Not that kinda party.
Veronica already told me well in advance.
MAYA: Daniel is an amazing cook.
Ooh!
- Don't be modest. - I'm not being modest.
So, what have you been up to? Any new projects?
- Actually, have a seat. - Yes.
MAYA: You know, I love you two together.
- I'm glad you came. - Me, too.
I'd love to see more of you.
- Yeah. You're right. - Yeah.
- Both of you, together. - Me, too.
- Actually, I'm working on a documentary. - Yeah?
Yeah. About poly.
And I was thinking of you as a possible subject.
Me?
Well, I wonder why. I don't know anything about poly.
- Ah, come on, girl. - [BOTH LAUGH]
- You're so gorgeous. - You're so gorgeous.
- Oh, yeah, hi. Daniel. - I'm Jasmine.
- Hi. - Hi.
VERONICA: When couples talk about sharing,
it usually doesn't include sex and romantic love with other people.
Anything that threatens to upset the paradigm of two is risky.
But, mutually adding a third person to a relationship
has the power to expand the intimacy of sharing.
Beyond the pleasure and variety polyamory brings,
it is enlightening to see my partner
through the desiring eyes of someone else.
When Maya laughs at Daniel's jokes, I laugh, too,
as if hearing them for the first time.
I see myself in her wanting him
and I want her more.
Her desire reminds me how desirable he is
and I desire him more.
For the first time, I believe that three might be better than two.
- Shall we get dessert? - Yes.
Mm. Let's ask for dessert.
Hi.
Let's just ask for a check.
I'll be right back.
- Daniel. - Kirsten, hey.
What are you doing here?
I'm just here with some friends.
You don't have to put on that act for my benefit anymore.
Well, you didn't want to know, so.
I'm taking care of the check.
Oh, good. Good.
- Hi, I'm Maya. - Kirsten.
Nice to meet you.
- And this is Veronica. - Hi.
I know.
We were the perfect couple
and we just couldn't make it work.
How are you gonna do any better?
Well, we're not a couple.
We're... a triad.
It was nice meeting you.
VERONICA: Ooh.
- MAYA: What's your safe word? - VERONICA: Kitten.
MAYA: Kneel.
[GRUNTS SOFTLY]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
So, you saw Maya on Saturday?
Yeah. Uh, I went to her place.
So, we were gonna go out to eat,
but I was really horny, so I kissed her
and kinda nudged her onto the bed.
Mmm.
So, you, uh... before dinner?
Yeah, yeah. We had sex before dinner.
- Yeah. - Oh.
Then we went to a Mexican restaurant and we talked a lot.
I didn't think we would have so much in common.
Um, did you know she's divorced?
No. No, I didn't know that.
Talked a lot about you.
I told you to be present.
I was present.
I talked about you because...
you're an important part of my life.
Aww.
Well, okay. That's good.
Yeah, I know.
Yeah, and then we went back to her place
and, um, we fucked again.
And, uh...
Was it good?
- Yeah. - Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
And by then, it was like 3:00 in the morning,
and she said I could sleepover if it was too late.
So...
That wasn't part of our agreement.
It was so late... you know.
I did leave early in the morning, though. Come on.
Okay.
Yeah. I mean, that's fine.
- Right? - Yeah.
- Yeah.
- LARK: They look so happy. - VERONICA: I know.
VERONICA: Do you know how long they've been together?
- It's their 20th anniversary. - Wow.
JASMINE: That is so romantic.
I wanna cry. That is so beautiful.
- TEDDY: Hello, hello. - JASMINE: Hi!
Veronica, you remember our boyfriend Ted.
Of course.
- TEDDY: We go way back. - Ah, yeah.
[CHUCKLES]
So, how do you balance it, the three of you?
It balances itself.
We communicate, trust each other.
I'm the luckiest man in the world.
Well, with two gorgeous partners, of course you are.
[LAUGHS]
There's my man.
Honey, are you jealous?
- No. - It's okay to feel jealous.
I know, I know. But I'm not.
Maybe you need to be more bold,
you know, if you want to move on the scales.
- LARK: Tip the scales. - JASMINE: Yes, tip the scales.
You know, it's so nice to finally have a real date with you.
Thank you for the opportunity.
[LAUGHS]
[VOCALIZING]
Wow. The Healthy Hedonist.
What inspired you to put those two things together?
Um, well, you know how you get high
and have hours of wild sex...
- Mm-hmm. - ...but then next day you do nothing,
you do nothing but cleanse and fast
and squeeze out the toxins
- through yoga and meditation. - [MOANS SOFTLY]
Mm.
Sort of.
Sounds kind of extreme, though.
[CHUCKLES] I hear what you're saying.
But it's all about balance.
Yeah.
Living into your pleasure.
I don't know, just being present with what you're actually...
- [PHONE DINGS] - Sorry. Just give me one moment.
You know poly people, they're always checking in.
Yeah.
[CLEARS THROAT]
I'm actually working on a book, too.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
- Well, what's it about? - Well, it's a novel...
- Uh-hmm. - ...and, um,
it's about... love and lust
and...
- Stuff? - [BOTH LAUGHING]
Yeah, you know.
Good for you. Good for you.
It's about a lot of things.
- Yeah. - Good, good, good.
[MOANS]
Do you want to eat the food before it gets cold?
Isn't that what we're doing?
Oh. Mmm.
[BOTH LAUGHING]
Okay. Okay.
Food.
Yeah, food.
Oh, yeah.
You're putting that up?
Yeah, yeah. It's a good spot for it,
so why not, right? [LAUGHS]
Well, I mean, look at it, Daniel.
It's a very... sensual,
- intimate photo. - Mm.
And it's not small.
Yeah. Okay. [CHUCKLES]
It might give her the wrong idea
if she comes over here
and she sees that, you know.
Uh, what wrong idea? I don't...
There are no photos like that of me up here.
I'm gonna have to... you know,
get some photos like that... at least one.
Come on, it's just a gift, all right?
Maya is a generous person.
Don't you like her?
Of course I do, she's my friend.
I don't want to see her get hurt.
[INTERCOM RINGING]
[SIGHS, CLEARS THROAT]
- Hey, David. - DAVID: [OVER INTERCOM] Pizza delivery.
I'll ring you in now, okay?
- DAVID: Uh, yeah. - [ALL LAUGHING]
Did you know that strawberries
are from Brittany, France, originally?
- Really? - I did not know that.
DANIEL: Yeah.
Can I play a song for you guys?
- VERONICA: Yeah. - Yeah, sure.
- VERONICA: Over there, you can plug it in. - Okay.
Isn't he sexy?
- Yeah. - Yeah.
[SLOW SULTRY MUSIC PLAYING ON STEREO]
DAVID: Mm-hmm.
Oh.
[ZIPPER UNZIPS]
- [MOANS] - VERONICA: Mmm.
Oh, yeah.
I just wanna watch, okay?
DAVID: Do you want me to keep going?
Um... [HESITATES]
He just needs some time, I think.
You just need some time, right?
Yeah?
- Uh... - Yeah?
[CLEARS THROAT] You know,
I don't think this is a good time. Sorry, I just...
[ZIPPER ZIPS]
- He's never been with a guy before. - Mm.
It really turns me on to see you with a man.
You understand that, right?
Yeah. But I felt like you were pressuring me.
Well, you were really enjoying it
before you got all in your head about it.
- Uh, what about your friend Jasmine? - What about her?
She's hot.
So, maybe we could, uh, you know...
Jasmine isn't taking on any new lovers.
Well, she's not the only option.
- [CELL PHONE DINGS] - Well, neither are you.
David just invited me over to continue,
if it's okay with you.
Sure.
You have my blessing.
Okay.
[DAVID MOANS]
[BOTH MOANING]
I don't know. I just need a little break.
Just a little break.
[BOTH SIGHING]
You okay?
[HORN BLARING]
VERONICA: Nice space.
- BENTON: Yeah. [CHUCKLES] - Wow.
So, we got an HBO writer just down the hall.
That's Spike Lee's assistant's office, yeah.
Oh, these are the Barrys!
Barry R, Barry S. [CHUCKLES]
You want to put a camera on me and my partners?
We can work out the approach.
How true to life do you want it?
As true as you want it to be.
You already have the following with your blog,
this is gonna take you on a whole other level.
- Think about it, hmm? - [BREATHES DEEPLY]
VERONICA: Although I had reservations at first,
I can't edit what I do or say like I do here.
My lovers gave me their consent.
And besides, how could I refuse to expand and inspire?
So, I'm going on camera!
And I can't wait to tell you all about it.
BENTON: What's your ideal poly relationship
or relationships?
Well, since I'm bisexual,
I used to think that, ideally,
I wanted one male partner
and one female partner,
and those relationships would be equal.
Um, but now, well, more recently, I've been feeling like
I ideally want a primary relationship,
um, regardless of gender.
And that, with that person,
I would share,
well, we would share, um,
you know, exploring with other people.
And, um, because...
you know, I think it's important
to have a solid foundation with someone.
And it just seems easier to have that with one person,
um, and then to...
you know, and then build from there,
yeah, like a house.
You know, you have the foundation
and then you want to add the extensions later.
Yeah.
BENTON: What's the most challenging part of being poly?
You know, I was wondering if you...
The next time, before you see Daniel...
- Mm-hmm. - Um,
can you check in with me?
Daniel is so...
[SIGHS] Okay.
I have to admit,
the first time,
it was just the pleasure of being with someone
who intimately knows you.
- Huh. - Hmm, what?
Hmm, that, um... [CHUCKLES]
- You are so beautiful. - Okay.
I mean, is that a yes to checking in?
You know, Daniel is...
Yeah, he's amazing.
He's something.
I wasn't going to say anything before,
but he is...
I don't think he's ready for this.
And I know you guys have a relationship,
I want to respect those boundaries,
and I know he's your primary partner, I get that.
[STAMMERS] I have come to peace with that, I've settled with that,
- I'm fine with that. - Uh-huh.
You understand? You see it, right?
Um...
He has this, like, baby in a candy store kinda thing.
- Yeah. - It's kinda scary.
That doesn't scare me.
- No? - No.
You know,
my lover Chris is supposed to come over later,
and I haven't seen him in a few months.
So, I just want to conserve my energy.
Yeah, I've been touring so many different places.
- Yeah. - Busy, busy, busy.
- So, you understand, right? - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, so, you want me to go?
Thank you.
Um...
Okay.
- Are you... You're okay? - Yeah, okay.
- You sure? - Yeah.
Okay. You don't have to go right now.
[URINE TRICKLING]
[TAPPING]
Do you mind?
[SIGHS]
Do you know how?
- Here. - Uh, no idea.
Okay. Put your arm... Wait.
Put your arm through there.
Um...
No.
Put your arm through this one.
Put your head through.
Yeah.
Uh...
There.
BOTH: Yeah.
- Hey. - Hey, welcome.
- [ALL EXCLAIM] - BENTON: Oh, ho-ho!
- Look at you! - DANIEL: You like it?
Lookin' like a sexy, Asian Satan.
DANIEL: I like that. I'm getting nervous, man.
BENTON: It's a big night. It's a big night!
[CLUB MUSIC PLAYING]
- Hey, you guys look great. - You look great.
Okay, everyone. Why don't we go around,
say your names and a little bit about yourself?
- So, who's starting? - JASMINE: I will.
Hi. I'm Jasmine.
I lost my virginity in a threesome
and it was amazing!
I was like, "I don't wanna be a nun anymore."
MAYA: The journey to get to where I...
where I am now. Oh, I'm nervous.
[LAUGHS NERVOUSLY]
Oh, Maya. Hi, I'm Maya. Maya's my name.
Um,
I feel really grateful that I got to choose this life.
You know, whether I have one lover or five.
DANIEL: I had no idea this world existed,
but I met Veronica and she opened me up.
She helped me discover that ethical non-monogamy
isn't just about swapping partners or free love,
it's female driven, generous and inclusive.
BENTON: All right, you're up, girl. Come on, now. [LAUGHS]
Hi, I'm Veronica.
I don't know why I'm here.
- [ALL LAUGHING] - DANIEL: She's a funny one.
No matter how careful you are,
someone always ends up getting hurt.
JASMINE: Ay, Veronica.
[CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]
TEDDY: I'm Teddy. I'm polyamorous,
and It works for me.
Hey, why didn't you acknowledge me?
I'm here as your partner.
May I?
BENTON: Oh! [CHUCKLES]
- [WHIP LANDS] - VERONICA: One.
- Two. - [MAYA GRUNTS]
- Three. - [MAYA GRUNTS]
- Four. - [MAYA GRUNTS]
[WHIP LANDS] - VERONICA: Five.
- [WHIPPING INTENSIFIES] - Six, seven, eight...
Okay, red. [CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]
- Nine, ten, eleven. - Red! Red! Hey!
- MAN: Hey, hey, hey. - [CROWD MURMURING]
JASMINE: What's wrong with you?
What the hell was that all about?
- We were playing. - That was not playing.
[CROWD MURMURING]
♪
[VERONICA SOBS]
♪
Hey.
Oh. [LAUGHS] You still got your...
Oh, yeah, yeah.
- ...smoky eyes. - Just haven't had any time
to get rid of it, so.
What is this place?
It was late and I needed to be alone,
so Benton hooked me up.
Yeah, it's unrented, so he said I could crash here.
VERONICA: Mm-hmm.
Oh, are you hungry?
I just ordered this.
- No. - DANIEL: Oh, I meant this.
Oh, no. Um, where's the bathroom?
Ah, it's the first door to your right.
You said you needed to be alone.
[CLEARS THROAT] Yes...
but I met someone else.
At Chemistry?
Uh, no, after. She's sweet.
I've never been with a sex worker before.
You paid her for sex?
Yeah, she's smart.
She's working her way through college.
I have nothing against sex workers,
but what the fuck, Daniel?
What? You never said it was out of bounds.
So, this is my fault now?
I give you freedom and this is what you do with it.
Well, I finally have freedom,
- and now you want to take it away. - No.
Yeah, that's what you're doing right now.
VERONICA: No!
But monogamy is obsolete, okay? You know that.
No, I never, I never said that. I never said that.
You're not saying that, but that's what you're doing, okay?
Monogamy is obsolete.
- Polyamory is the future. - What?
This, this is not poly.
This... There are no boundaries here.
Where are the boundaries?
Boundaries? What about compersion?
- What... What... - Compersion? Fuck compersion!
- What you did to Maya... - Maya?
Maya. What I did to Maya was not cool,
- but, but that... - Mm-hmm.
Look, she was not being my friend, okay?
And that has nothing to do with you and me right now.
I love you.
I do, too.
Okay.
Hey...
[SOBBING]
- I'm sorry. Just look... - Don't touch me!
[SOBBING]
Look, I can give you threesomes and parties
and...
we can do things together.
We can have all of that
if you could just... love me.
[DOOR CLOSES]
Yeah, I mean, for me...
like, with all my poly experience,
I've never... let go of...
my romantic view of love.
Is it possible to love...
like, openly, totally openly
and with vulnerability
and with abandon...
when you have multiple lovers, I...
sometimes I think, yes, of course,
but other times, I'm not so sure.
Which is why I think polyamory is just as fucked up as monogamy.
[BENTON CHUCKLES]
You are the most engaging... [VOICE DROWNS OUT]
[BREATHING DEEPLY]
[MOANING]
[MOANS SOFTLY]
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
- DANIEL: Hi. - Hey.
How are you?
Good.
Mmm, Daniel,
I've never been disappointed in your cooking.
There you go.
- BOTH: So, how's the... - DANIEL: ...book?
Killin' it. [CHUCKLES]
Book is going well.
Yeah, it's, um...
I realized sometimes it...
it...
A story needs separation
from the thing that inspired it...
to start to really make sense.
Yeah.
Do you still go to parties?
Oh, not as often.
Um, I'm dating someone now, actually.
Do I know her?
No.
But I think you'd like her, though.
How's it working out?
We're really happy.
Uh...
Yeah. I go to the city when I can,
and she comes up here a couple of times.
VERONICA: Hmm.
You have someone.
[SIGHS] Yes, but she's married.
And it'll never go beyond what we...
You...
you were married when we met, remember?
Would you ever...
[CLEARS THROAT] ...under the right circumstances,
want to try again with me?
What circumstances?
You and I were never really a couple, Daniel. We...
There was always something or someone...
between us.
Besides, um...
I'm seeing someone, too.
She's a writer from New York,
loves cats.
Provided by explosiveskull https://twitter.com/kaboomskull
♪